Basic Bible Interpretation

by Roy B. Zuck

BASIC BIBLE INTERPRETATION

Can the Bible really be understood?
Are Old Testament prophecies relevant for today?
How can I understand the symbolism of the Book of Revelation?
What is the relationship of the Old Testament to the New Testament?

Why study Bible interpretation? Dr. Roy Zuck points out that it is essential for understanding and teaching the Bible properly, essential as a step beyond observation, and essential for applying the Bible correctly.

He discusses the challenges of Bible interpretation, considers the problems of Bible interpretation, explores the history of Bible interpretation, and defines key terms--all in a practical, down-to-earth way.

Though Dr. Zuck's many years of teaching and scholarship are evident in this book, he has written in language understandable to all who are serious about bible study and who want to know better what Scripture means.


Basic Bible Interpretation lives up to its title. It deals with the basics and doesn't confuse the reader with extraneous material. It focuses on the bible as the Word of God and handles that Word with "reverence and godly fear." It tells us how to interpret this marvelous Book, and even gives the reader opportunity to put the principles into practice. In every way, this book is a practical tool for the serious student who wants to study the Bible and apply its truths.

Warren W. Wiersbe
Author, Conference Speaker


Having taught and written in the area of hermeneutics for almost thirty years, I am convinced that there is no more important course in the seminary curriculum for training in the scriptures. As Roy Zuck has so ably demonstrated, we cannot know the message of the bible for today until we know its meaning.

Dr. Zuck's work is intensely biblical and comprehensive but at the same time it is simple and uncomplicated. This is a book we have needed for many years and I praise the Lord that it is now available.

Earl D. Radmacher
Chancellor, Professor of Systematic Theology
Western Seminary


At last! A book on hermeneutics you can understand. Dr. Zuck has drawn heavily on his many years of teaching in the seminary classroom to present an excellent treatise on biblical interpretation. While this book will be well received in the classroom, it is one that I will be wholeheartedly recommending to my congregation. While the scholarship is clearly present, it is nevertheless most readable and understandable by the average layperson. This book will make a valuable contribution to your ability to comprehend the Scriptures.

Louis A. Barbieri
Senior Pastor
Des Plaines Bible Church
Des Plaines, Illinois

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, School, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity

324 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Roy B. Zuck (ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is senior professor emeritus of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary where has been teaching for the past 23 years. He has also served as vice president for Academic Affairs and academic dean. Dr. Zuck's ministry is noted for clear exposition of Scripture with emphasis on application of the Bible to life. He is the author or editor of more than 90 books, has written scores of articles, and has long served as editor of Bibliotheca Sacra.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will do a full review on my blog, but for now I can say this book is essential for anyone really wanting to know how to truly understand the Scripture. Being able to properly handle the Word of God is critical. Zuck does a great job breaking down hermeneutics (interpretation), historical gaps, language issues, and the most important aspect: applying the Word, in a way that is approachable and straightforward.

One of the best parts is the exercises that are placed in certain sections in the book as study projects for the reader. There is no better way to practice the study of Bible Study than by studying the Bible.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Academia sandwiched with exhortation and application! Now one of my top 10 books

[Katie Zaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished, after it was collecting dust on my self and staring at me until I finished. A great read, and clarifying for someone who has been studying the Bible for a few years and still can get very lost. LOVED the last chapter! Had practical encouragement on how to apply the Bible to your life.

I probably wouldn’t have read this if it wasn’t for Fellows, but a great read!

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent guide to the student of God’s Word as he desires to properly interpret Scripture. This book has many reference tools and resources that can be used at-a-glance to help interpret various passages or genres of Scripture.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely helpful study tool. Reads more like a textbook so took me a decent amount of time to get through. I'll re-visit often as I make my way through studying the Bible.

[Travis Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a low bar coming in on this one because of the presentation and title but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a really good book to put in the hands of those who are looking to grow in their skills as interpreters of God's Word and provides lots of helpful examples. It's definitely a layman's level reading but that makes it something that anyone could pick up, feel appropriately challenged by, and grow to be a better student of the Word.

While I think there are perhaps better resources to put in the hands of those looking to begin or grow in their skills of understanding Scripture (looking at you How To Read the Bible for All It's Worth), it's a solid resource that I would be willing to put in the hands of most serious Bible students.

[Rafael Kosche · Rating 2 out of 5]

Introduction confuses the issues and is not helpful.
Chapter 1 - Is very basic.
Pg 27, Chapter 2 - Excellent historical overview. Not sure about p. 34 and his comments about Smyrna.
Pages 38 & 39 - MacArthurism described.
Pg. 45 - Mistranslated.
Pg. 59, Chapter 3 - Logical assumption. Pg. 70 also.
Pg. 66 - Six corollaries, too complicated. Who, what , where, when, why. Who cares?
Pg. 73 - Is not a corollary. This is evident from reading scripture, not from Zuck's axiom.
Pg. 74 - Zuck is guilty of his own warnings on pg. 73. #4 is Zuck reading back into his own supposed axiom.
His last few paragraphs expose that he knows we have to "accept" the Bible as siupernatural.

Overall a good reference book. It is clearly not a "basic" book. It is more of an intermediated level hermeneutics study.

[Daniel Rangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

ITA
Il libro è perfetto come una introduzione alla interpretazione Biblica, ma tende a essere un può semplice ed lì mancano dei dettagli. Non lo raccomanderebbe per una persona con un livello di conoscimento avanzato sulla interpretazione Biblica.

ENG
The book is a perfect introduction to Bible interpretation. But it is because of this that I found jt a little lacking in detail. Not something I would recommend to someone with a previous knowledge of Bible interpretation, as not much novelties will be discovered.

SPA
El libro es una introducción perfecta a la interpretación de la Biblia. Pero es por eso que lo encontré un poco carente de detalles. No es algo que recomendaría a alguien con conocimientos previos de interpretación de la Biblia, ya que no descubrirá muchas novedades.

[Nicole Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview and introduction of basic hermeneutic principles. It reads as a textbook for the lay person with several personal application exercises sprinkled throughout and lots of biblical and textual evidence/references for interpretative strategies. I appreciate Zuck for not getting stuck in the weeds but adequately explaining differing points of views while giving sufficient basis to back up his own preferred viewpoint. I was pleasantly surprised by how many things I understood better, especially since I "audited" my husband hermeneutic seminary class a couple years ago.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to understanding how to read the Bible clearer. He explained himself well, gave numerous well-explained examples, and had little activities for you to try the skill in the book itself.

My criticism would be that the solutions to the examples could be a little hard to follow.

The book won't keep you riveted to the edge of your seat, but it will give you a nice beginning understanding to getting more from your Bible reading.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my textbooks for seminary. The language is not too dense and is easy to digest. It includes many examples for each hermeneutical principle or Bible study method. It approaches the Bible in a literal, historical, and grammatical point of view. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a reference text or just getting to study the Bible deeper.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read for a solid apologetics on deep, personal Bible study. If this were the only book you read on biblical interpretation, though, I think the "how to go about it" (methodology) would be difficult. Dispensational: affects the understanding of interpreting prophecy but isn't discussed anywhere else in detail.

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exhaustive. It's helpful. It's not engaging, but I would use it and appreciate this as a reference book. It's faithful from a man who, though I have some theological differences with, seems to truly love God's word. It's clear that Zuck wants to mine the depths of it seriously. This was a valuable and edifying read.

[Chase Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on hermeneutics from a literal, historical, grammatical point of view, which I agree with. This is a must read for to understand parables, allegory, typology, the NT use of the OT, and much much more. Highly highly recommend!

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best beginners book on the subject right now. I might quibble with how he organized it, and how the language could be more precise at times. But still worth every believers time to read it.

[Paige Kleinsasser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a little bit more than “basic” interpretation, like the title implies, but a helpful resource nonetheless on reading & understanding Scripture. Read for Bible Study Methods & Hermeneutics (BE5101).

[Emi Ciupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is saturated with many examples for almost every principle explained. Excellent book for an introduction to hermeneutics.

[Magesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am interested to learn completely

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear, helpful, and practical. I foresee myself referencing this book over and over again.

[Ruth Dahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I read enough of this to count it. Read for school and the syllabus had me reading chapters out of order

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful little book in bringing basic clarity to understanding different hermeneutical interpretations.

[Anna Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to have on your shelf to refer back to. Easy to read and full of great info! Favorite textbook so far in my dts journey🫶🏻

[Cade Everritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good articulation of the basic principles of Bible interpretation. However, it is kind of a dry read.

[Stephen Willcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the book was very helpful in introducing very basic rules of interpretation. Zuck argues for what is commonly known as the Literal Historical Grammitcal Hermenteutic (LHGH). The reason I didn't rate it higher is his poor presentation and critique of the reformed system. Zuck pretends that Dispensationalist invented the LHGH while completely ignoring the fact that the Reformers were the founder of this hermeneutic as a result of Sola Scriptura. Labeling all reformed people as not seeking to understanding the true LHG context of the texts and Spiritualizing things when it doesn't fit there system is a misunderstanding to say the least and a gross representation to say the worst. Whatever the case there are better books on Hermeneutics. My only other critique is Zuck seems to have a Israel-centered hermenteutic rather than a Christ-centered hermenteutic. Regardless that the NT is emphatic that all Scripture was written concerning Jesus and it all points to Him.

[Stevie]

Contribution: Dr. Zuck is a professor emeritus from Dallas Seminary. In his book he gives a brief, historical overview of biblical interpretation in the church and gives an honest evaluation of them as well. He then gives you an overview of the method he teaches, gives an overview of genre in the Bible, and then delivers great principles to use in studying each type of genre. He gives plenty of examples in his book as well as exercises to work on in order to get a handle on the methods he proposes.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More focused and to the point than many, yet it contains sufficient depth. Dr. Tim Jayne, who has taught the Bible for many years, actually gave this book when he was telling me that it was most effective for students to his mind. Mr. Zuck is a solid teacher from Dallas Theological Seminary. Although he finds dispensationalism in every shadow, I highly recommend this title for the real help it gives.

[Steven van Doorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It clearly yet reverently lays out principles of biblical interpretation. I think it's an important book for any Christian to read, because I have found that lots of people don't study the Bible logically. They believe that it means what they feel it means rather than what the text actually states.

[Javier Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work is a textbook for an introductory class on the subject. It is not really conversational. It is saturated with facts and helpful information for someone who wants to review or gain more understanding about the rules of language and how they apply to Scripture. It contains helpful exercises to help the reader evaluate how well they are absorbing the information.

[junia · Rating 3 out of 5]

have you read plato's allegory of the den ever?
that's sort of how i feel about this book.

you see so many possibilities, so many warnings, it reminds you that there is so much to glean, and so much room for mistakes when you lean on your own understanding.

oy oy !

[Danny Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off well with a discussion of different methods of interpretation. Got really dry for the rest of the book. However, he ended on a positive note speaking about the importance of the Holy Spirit in interpretatiion.