The value of the concordance word study method is motivated by the principle that biblical words are best understood by analyzing their use (1) by specific biblical authors and (2) in the Bible as a whole. Therefore, we can gain understanding of biblical words and concepts by making an exhaustive list of all uses of the word by a particular Bible author (e.g. Isaiah, Luke, John, Paul) or in some cases, all uses of the word in the New Testament, Old Testament, or both.
Analysis of usage, along with a survey of the findings of biblical linguists, is the most reliable guide to meaning. Etymology (derivation from root forms) is often cited, but can be misleading if not supported by the actual word use by the specific biblical author. Excellent biblical language scholarship resources are available to the lay student. The content below is based on use of actual print resources, but a wide range of resources are available online, however, it is important to use standard scholarly references rather than merely using a random internet search technique expecting to find results with the same reliability.
It is helpful to bear in mind that in the study of the New Testament and with respect to the grouping of New Testament authors, the vast majority of the New Testament falls under three groups: (1) Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke-Acts (appropriate to group Acts with these), (2) writings by the apostle John (Gospel of John, Revelation, 1,2,3 John), and (3) writings by Paul (most of the remaining books). A few books remain by other authors, with Hebrews being the major outlier as a lengthy book not included in the three major groups and in fact, of unknown authorship.
The two basic tools are lexicon and concordance. I still use the the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, available online. I'm sure other exhaustive concordances are available which can do the same, but the key elements include (1) that the concordance lists every occurrence of the word in the Bible, and (2) the concordance provides a listing of the Hebrew or Greek words corresponding to the English word in the Bible version corresponding to your study, preferably a version that uses a formal equivalence translation method such as the New American Standard.
With concordance and lexicon (dictionary) references identified, a thorough analysis proceeds as follows:
Step 1. Select the word for study. Look up the word in several verses in the NIV Bible, NAS, the King James or New KJV Bible, or several of these. The KJV (also known as AV) is good for this type of study because the very useful Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is indexed to the KJV. The KJV and the NAS are considered to be most literal translations of the original languages. (Keep in mind that the KJV does not reflect the most recent text findings which are included in modern translations.) Use of modern paraphrase translations (e.g. Living Bible, The Message) is not recommended for word studies. The value of looking up the word in several translations is that you can identify the range of English words that are used to translate a specific Hebrew or Greek concept. Study of several related words is often required to complete the study.
Note: The actual target for detailed analysis is the original language word. We begin with the contemporary / spoken language (e.g. English) words due to ready access in translation. The steps below will allow for identification and separation of different original language words of interest.
EXAMPLE WORD: restore, restores, restored. Psalm 23:3, Matthew 17:11
Step 2. Look up the word in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance or another exhaustive concordance. Look up every form and tense of the word to create a complete list.
Step 3. Make a list of every Scripture reference for that word in the concordance. (Note: There are some significant words that may be extremely common in the OT or NT, and it is sufficient to verify, through survey of the list of uses in the concordance, that you have captured the available translations and uses without actually writing down each use on a list. The concordance will typically include the surrounding phrase in which the word is used which helps with this step.)
Step 4. Write down every number which is listed beside the word in the Strong’s Concordance, and, creating a list or chart, compile the number of OT or NT occurrences of the word, as below. Note: The frequency of use is very significant in determining the level of confidence we can develop in the more or less accurate meaning of the word.
Genesis 20:7 - restore the man his wife
Genesis 40:13 restore thee unto thy place
Psalm 23:3
Psalm 51:12
Psalm 59:4
Ruth 4:15
Isaiah 58:12
7999 - 12 times
Joel 2:25
Isaiah 57:18
5927 - 1 time
Jeremiah 30:17
NT - 600 - 8 times
Matthew 12:13, Mark 3:5, Luke 6:10
Mark 8:35
Matthew 17:11 and Mark 9:12
Hebrews 13:19
591
Luke 19:8
2675 - Galatians 6:1
Step 5. Using the index number as a reference, look up these words in the Hebrew (OT) or Greek (NT) dictionaries which are found in the back of Strong’s. Write down the English (or applicable) transliteration of the word and the definitions. Note: These definitions are abbreviated and are useful to get a general sense of the word. Deeper analysis takes place with additional linguistic resources as indicated below.
7725 - shuwb - to turn back, do (something) again, bring back, bring home again, come again, convert, deliver ... recall, recompense, recover, refresh, releive, rescue, restore, etc.
7999 - shalam - be safe (in mind, body, estate) be completed, be friendly, to reciprocate, make amends, finish, full, give again, make good, make to be at peace, perform, make prosperous, recompense, restore.
5927 - alah - arise, ascend up, bring, carry up, cause to burn, cause to carry up, cut off, depart, exalt, excel, etc.
New Testament
600 (NT) - apokathistemi - to reconstitute (in health, home, or organization) restore, place down, make again, set again.
591 (NT) - apodidomi - to give away, pay deliver, perform, reconpense, render, restore, reward
2675 (NT) - katartizo - to complete thoroughly, repair, adjust, mend, prepare, restore.
Step 6. Based on how many Hebrew or Greek words which are found under that English word, you may want to focus your study on one or two of these original language words. Here, I make a strategic choice to focus on:
shuwb, shalam, (OT),
apokathistemi and katartizo (NT)
Step 7. Look up all of the Scripture verses listed in (3) which correspond to the words (and numbers) which you have selected in (6) above. Look up the word in your preferred translation or, better, in several translations.
Step 8. Choose a representative sample of the verses looked up in step (7) and record the verses for use in compiling your notes about this word.
Psalm 23:3, 51:12
Isaiah 58:12
Joel 2:25
Isaiah 57:18
Matthew 17:11
Galatians 6:1
Step 9. If you have enough basic knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew to use an original language lexicon, this will yield the most reliable results. The recommended standard Greek reference is listed in Endnote (1) below. To proceed in English (or contemporary language), look up the word in the a respected expository dictionary such as Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words or similar reference. (Note 2) Note: Some obscure or rarely used words which may be significant for the exploration of sensitive and important theological issues will not be found in the expository dictionaries, and original language lexicons will be required.
Step 10. Based on the definitions in step (5) and (9) and the Scripture references found in steps (7) and (8), you can develop a good understanding of the word selected for study.
Step 11. Note that the word may be used differently by different Bible authors. It may become a significant interpretive insight to notice if the word is used frequently, rarely, or not at all by the different authors such as Luke, Paul, John, etc., and note if they use it in the same way or possibly with different nuances.
Step 12. Summarize the results of your study by providing the following:
a. English (or contemporary language) word or words
b. Greek or Hebrew words which correspond to the word family and how many times each is found in the Bible,
c. Definitions of your selected word(s) from Strong's and from your study of lexicon and dictionary resources (e.g. Vine's Expository Dictionary or equivalent).
d. Summary of the Scriptural uses of the word.
e. Summary of what the word means, according to your interpretation of a)b)c) and d) above.
RESTORE
Old Testamaent
shuwb - to turn back, do (something) again, bring back, bring home again, come again, convert, deliver ... recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, rescue, restore, etc.
shalam - be safe (in mind, body, estate) be completed, be friendly, to reciprocate, make amends, finish, full, give again, make good, make to be at peace, perform, make prosperous, recompense, restore.
New Testament
apokathistemi - to reconstitute (in health, home, or organization) restore, place down, make again, set again.
katartizo - to complete thoroughly, repair, adjust, mend, prepare, restore.
Psalm 23:3
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leadsme beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of Thy Salvation.
Isaiah 57:18 - I have seen his ways, but I will heal him (the contrite and the broken); I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners ...
Isaiah 58:12 And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
Joel 2:25 - And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten ...
Matthew 17:11 - Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Notes:
(1) In the area of New Testament Greek, the standard reference for linguistic study is A Greek-English Lexicon of the Greek New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, by Bauer and Danker, currently available in the 3rd Edition. Older editions of this reference work, which I would trust and use, are available for a very low price (I use 2nd edition). This is a valuable resource for the serious student of the New Testament, even with limited knowledge of the Greek language. For many words, this lexicon makes reference to every instance of the word in the available New Testament and ancient Greek literature of the New Testament era (indicated by an "*" in the entry). For other words, all New Testament uses of the word are referenced (indicated by "**" in the entry).
(2) Vines Expository Dictionary is an older reference work. Works that are advertised as updated to current scholarship include Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts, by Stephen D. Renn, and Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by William D. Mounce. recently purchased both volumes in used form for a total of approximately $25.