Grasping God's Word

Now available digitally through Enhanced Editions
This text is part of our groundbreaking new series of digital textbooks, Enhanced Editions. Instructors can request a free trial, and students only pay the price of a print book and get lots of valuable extras; videos featuring the author, review items, self-quizzes, and more.
Learn MoreDescription
Grasping God's Word has proven itself in classrooms across the country as an invaluable help to students who want to learn how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible for themselves. The third edition, revised based on feedback from professors, will continue to serve college-level students and lay learners well in their quest to gain a firm grasp on the rock of God’s word.
Old Testament scholar J. Daniel Hays and New Testament expert J. Scott Duvall provide practical, hands-on exercises to guide students through the interpretive process. To emphasize the Bible’s redemptive arc and encourage correlation across the biblical canon, the authors have included a call to "Consult the biblical map. How does a theological principle fit with the rest of the Bible?" as an additional step in the Interpretive Journey. This edition has also been rearranged for clarity and includes updated illustrations, appendices, bibliography, and assignments.
A robust suite of learning aids is available for purchase to be used alongside the textbook to help students excel in their studies. These include a workbook, video lectures for each chapter featuring the authors, and a laminated quick study sheet with key concepts from the book. Free teaching resources for instructors and learning resources for students are available for Grasping God's Word on ZondervanAcademic.com.
About the Authors
J. Scott Duvall (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the coauthor with George H. Guthrie of Biblical Greek Exegesis: A Graded Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek and with Terry G. Carter and J. Daniel Hays of the textbook Preaching God's Word: A Hands on Approach to Preparing, Developing and Delivering the Sermon.
J. Daniel Hays (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies and professor of Old Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the author of From Every People and Nation, and he has coauthored Grasping God’s Word; Preaching God’s Word; Journey into God’s Word; The Story of Israel: A Biblical Theology; Iraq: Babylon of the End Times?; Apocalypse; and The Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy. He teaches adult Sunday school at his local church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and preaches frequently throughout the nation.
Table of Contents
Part 1: How to Read the Book — Basic Tools
Part 2: Contexts — Now and Then
Part 3: Meaning and Application
Part 4: The Interpretive Journey — New Testament
Part 5: The Interpretive Journey — Old Testament
Appendix 1: Inspiration and Canon
Appendix 2: Writing an Exegetical Paper
Appendix 3: Building a Personal Library
-
General
- View Resource Instructors Manual 577.277 kB
- View Resource Presentation Slides 44.154 MB
- View Resource Image Library 10.064 MB
- View Resource Short Guide to Writing Exegetical Papers 72.704 kB
- View Resource Sample Exegetical Paper 44.032 kB
-
General
- View Resource Short Guide to Writing Exegetical Papers 72.704 kB
- View Resource Sample Exegetical Paper 44.032 kB
- View Resource Midterm Exam Study Guide 14.239 kB
- View Resource Final Exam Study Guide 14.388 kB
-
Chapter 1 - Bible Translations
- View Resource Chapter 1 Flashcards
-
Chapter 2 - The Interpretive Journey
- View Resource Chapter 2 Flashcards
-
Chapter 3 - How to Read the Book Sentences
- View Resource Chapter 3 Flashcards
-
Chapter 4 - How to Read the Book - Paragraphs
- View Resource Chapter 4 Flashcards
-
Chapter 5 - How to Read the Book - Discourses
- View Resource Chapter 5 Flashcards
-
Chapter 6 - The Historical-Cultural Context
- View Resource Chapter 6 Flashcards
-
Chapter 7 - What Do We Bring to the Text?
- View Resource Chapter 7 Flashcards
-
Chapter 8 - The Literary Context
- View Resource Chapter 8 Flashcards
-
Chapter 9 - Word Studies
- View Resource Chapter 9 Flashcards
-
Chapter 10 - Who Controls the Meaning?
- View Resource Chapter 10 Flashcards
-
Chapter 11 - Levels of Meaning
- View Resource Chapter 11 Flashcards
-
Chapter 12 - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- View Resource Chapter 12 Flashcards
-
Chapter 13 - Application
- View Resource Chapter 13 Flashcards
-
Chapter 14 - New Testament - Letters
- View Resource Chapter 14 Flashcards
-
Chapter 15 - New Testament - Gospels
- View Resource Chapter 15 Flashcards
-
Chapter 16 - New Testament - Acts
- View Resource Chapter 16 Flashcards
-
Chapter 17 - New Testament - Revelation
- View Resource Chapter 17 Flashcards
-
Chapter 18 - Old Testament - Narrative
- View Resource Chapter 18 Flashcards
-
Chapter 19 - Old Testament - Law
- View Resource Chapter 19 Flashcards
-
Chapter 20 - Old Testament - Poetry
- View Resource Chapter 20 Flashcards
-
Chapter 21 - Old Testament - Prophets
- View Resource Chapter 21 Flashcards
-
Chapter 22 - Old Testament - Wisdom
- View Resource Chapter 22 Flashcards

Learn how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible for yourself. Grounded in sound and memorable principles, Biblical Interpretation gives you the tools you need to study Scripture with insight, accuracy, and understanding.
- Product Details
- Page Count: 512
- Format: Hardcover, Printed
- ISBN: 9780310492573
- Release: May 7, 2012
Experience Enhanced Editions
For Instructors
It takes less than 10 minutes to request and explore the FREE trial of this book in Enhanced Editions. Get started now.
Start Free TrialFor Students
Discover more about the content and features in Enhanced Editions that help you learn faster and remember longer.
Access Enhanced Edition