Dictionary Home / K

Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

reference_work worldview_philosophy deep_plus

A major twentieth-century scholarly reference work on New Testament Greek words, commonly abbreviated TDNT.

At a Glance

A multi-volume scholarly reference work on New Testament Greek terms and their usage in biblical and related literature.

Key Points

Description

Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, usually abbreviated TDNT, is an influential twentieth-century reference work on New Testament vocabulary. It gathers lexical, historical, and theological discussion on key Greek terms and has been widely used by pastors, students, and scholars. Because it often traces a word through broader historical usage, readers should use it carefully and not treat it as the final authority on biblical meaning. The immediate literary context, the intent of the inspired author, and the analogy of Scripture remain decisive. TDNT can be a useful aid, but some of its methods and conclusions have been criticized for moving too quickly from word history to theology. Used discerningly, it can illuminate background and usage without replacing responsible exegesis.

Biblical Context

This is not a biblical term itself but a study tool for biblical language. Its value lies in helping readers investigate how New Testament words are used in context and how those uses contribute to doctrine and Christian teaching.

Historical Context

The work became famous in twentieth-century New Testament scholarship as a large-scale lexical and theological dictionary. It reflects older German scholarship and a strong interest in the history of words, which made it influential but also subject to later criticism and refinement.

Jewish and Ancient Context

TDNT often draws on Jewish, Greco-Roman, and other ancient sources to trace the background of New Testament vocabulary. Those materials can be illuminating, but they must be handled as background evidence rather than as a controlling authority over Scripture.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The standard German title is Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Neuen Testament; TDNT is the common abbreviation. The English title is commonly rendered as Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.

Theological Significance

TDNT is significant as a secondary scholarly aid in biblical interpretation, especially for word studies and lexical background. It can assist theology, but it must never override the plain sense of Scripture in context.

Philosophical Explanation

As a reference work, TDNT is not a philosophy or worldview position. Its importance is methodological: it illustrates how scholars analyze language, history, and meaning, while Christian interpreters must still submit conclusions to Scripture.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse lexical history with final biblical meaning. Do not build doctrine from etymology alone, and do not assume that a long survey of word usage proves a theological conclusion in a given passage.

Major Views

Readers generally value TDNT as a rich lexical resource, while differing over how much weight its historical-word method should carry in exegesis.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Use the work as a subordinate tool under the authority of Scripture. Any lexical insight must remain consistent with grammatical-historical interpretation, the whole canon, and historic Christian orthodoxy.

Practical Significance

In practice, TDNT can help students and teachers investigate New Testament terms, compare usage, and gain historical background, while reminding them to verify conclusions from the biblical text itself.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

↑ Top