Described as an "invaluable reference work" (Classical Philology) and "a tool indispensable for the study of early Christian literature" (Religious Studies Review) in its previous edition, this new updated American edition of Walter Bauer's Wörterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments builds on its predecessor's staggering deposit of extraordinary erudition relating to Greek literature from all periods. Including entries for many more words, the new edition also lists more than 25,000 additional references to classical, intertestamental, Early Christian, and modern literature.

In this edition, Frederick W. Danker's broad knowledge of Greco-Roman literature, as well as papyri and epigraphs, provides a more panoramic view of the world of Jesus and the New Testament. Danker has also introduced a more consistent mode of reference citation, and has provided a composite list of abbreviations to facilitate easy access to this wealth of information.

Perhaps the single most important lexical innovation of Danker's edition is its inclusion of extended definitions for Greek terms. For instance, a key meaning of "episkopos" was defined in the second American edition as overseer; Danker defines it as "one who has the responsibility of safeguarding or seeing to it that something is done in the correct way, guardian." Such extended definitions give a fuller sense of the word in question, which will help avoid both anachronisms and confusion among users of the lexicon who may not be native speakers of English.

Danker's edition of Bauer's Wörterbuch will be an indispensable guide for Biblical and classical scholars, ministers, seminarians, and translators.

Quotes from reviewers

“So buy BDAG (sell your car if necessary!) and learn to use it. You will not regret your purchase.”
     Rodney J. Decker, M.Div., Th.M., Th.D., Assoc. Professor of New Testament Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, PA

“It goes without saying that all scholars and students of early Christianity will profit from BDAG and will want to own a copy of this fine new edition.”
     Review of Biblical Literature, October 2002 by John T. Fitzgerald, University of Miami

“It is without doubt the best tool of its kind that exists in any language, and the present edition is decidedly superior to the earlier ones.”
      Bryn Mawr Classical Review, June 2001 by Jerker Blomqvist, Department of Classics, Lund University

Features of the electronic version for theWord

• Verse references, abbreviations and references linked for immediate lookup
• Fully searchable text, including all Greek and Hebrew words
• Definitions properly aligned in indented lists using the visual markers of the print edition for easy navigation and grouping
• Careful representation of all Greek/Hebrew with unicode standards for easy copying/referencing