"Intermediate" Greek Questions
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:45 am
By way of a background, I passed Greek 3 (Attic) about seven years ago; over the last several months, after deciding to bring my Greek back up to speed, I've worked my way through Mounce's grammar and workbook. Koine is very hard, but easier than Attic! After getting through Mounce, I picked up Rodney Decker's Koine Greek Reader, along with Black's intermediate grammar and the short New Testament lexicon from the University of Chicago Press. I'm enjoying Decker's reader a lot; it seems like the perfect way to build up skill and confidence on the way to dealing with whole texts.
Anyway, I have a couple questions for more experienced hands.
1) Decker's reader moves from New Testament readings into the Septuagint (and then into the apostolic fathers). I'm not sure if my short lexicon will be adequate for the readings from the Septuagint. Decker's text assumes possession of the full BDAG. This brings up my real question. If I'm going to want to read lightly to moderately in the Septaugint, what will I need for a lexicon? Will the full BDAG (which I haven't yet purchased) be enough, or will I need a specialized lexicon? If so, which one? If it helps, I'm mostly interested in the Torah/Pentateuch, at least for the foreseeable future.
2) Some time over the next several months, I'd like to begin to gradually feel my way into earlier forms of Greek. I'm especially interested in Homer and Plato, although there is no major figure in Greek literature who doesn't hold at least some interest for me. But I'm also interested in synergy and (relative) ease. Which leads into my question: can anyone give me any thoughts or advice (especially recommended texts ) to move from Mounce, Black and Decker into other texts, with Plato and Homer as at least long term goals?
Anyway, I have a couple questions for more experienced hands.
1) Decker's reader moves from New Testament readings into the Septuagint (and then into the apostolic fathers). I'm not sure if my short lexicon will be adequate for the readings from the Septuagint. Decker's text assumes possession of the full BDAG. This brings up my real question. If I'm going to want to read lightly to moderately in the Septaugint, what will I need for a lexicon? Will the full BDAG (which I haven't yet purchased) be enough, or will I need a specialized lexicon? If so, which one? If it helps, I'm mostly interested in the Torah/Pentateuch, at least for the foreseeable future.
2) Some time over the next several months, I'd like to begin to gradually feel my way into earlier forms of Greek. I'm especially interested in Homer and Plato, although there is no major figure in Greek literature who doesn't hold at least some interest for me. But I'm also interested in synergy and (relative) ease. Which leads into my question: can anyone give me any thoughts or advice (especially recommended texts ) to move from Mounce, Black and Decker into other texts, with Plato and Homer as at least long term goals?