Searching for character strings in BHS

I could really use some help here. I need to search BHS for character (not word) strings (such as Bet, space Aleph, Nun). It would be helpful if I could further specify a second character sting within 40 words of the first string. Is this possible with Logos.

David

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MJ. Smith

Welcome to the forums

see https://wiki.logos.com/Search_Matching_Commands

I believe [match exact]"string" WITHIN 40 WORDS [match exact]"string" will do what you want. You'll probably need basic not Bible search to avoid verse boundaries as a limit.

David Tucker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/673735#Comment_673735

Thank you MJ Smith,

Unfortunately, these commands seem to work for words only and not for characters. I attempted several combinations for my query and the search found nothing, even when I searched even for a single letter. Do you have any other ideas?

David

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

I need to search BHS for character (not word) strings (such as Bet, space Aleph, Nun)

Hebrew words appeared to be tagged with one or more lemma's so one search idea is:

Keep Smiling [:)]

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/673780#Comment_673780

Thank you MJ Smith,

Unfortunately, these commands seem to work for words only and not for characters. I attempted several combinations for my query and the search found nothing, even when I searched even for a single letter. Do you have any other ideas?

David

Perhaps you could explain what you are trying to accomplish so I can better understand how to approach the problem. I never thought of attempting to search for a sequence of particular letters so this seems a bit strange.

David Tucker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679728#Comment_679728

George,

I cannot disclose exactly what I am working on, but I am attempting to locate a specific section of scripture. To do so, I need to search for letter strings that include a space between letters (e.g., bet, space, aleph, lamed) that precede another string by as many as 120 characters. However, Logos does not appear to be able to handle this kind of search.

I have not yet attempted the suggestion offered by the previous poster. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your input.

David

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679736#Comment_679736

George,

I cannot disclose exactly what I am working on, but I am attempting to locate a specific section of scripture. To do so, I need to search for letter strings that include a space between letters (e.g., bet, space, aleph, lamed) that precede another string by as many as 120 characters. However, Logos does not appear to be able to handle this kind of search.

I have not yet attempted the suggestion offered by the previous poster. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your input.

David

Could you tell me if I had the secret decoder ring?

David Tucker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679738#Comment_679738

Yes, right after publication

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679739#Comment_679739

The problem with what you are seeking to find is that ב is a preposition attached to the beginning of another word so, unless it is the final letter in a word, one would not expect to find a space following it.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679747#Comment_679747

You once indicated you were searching for aleph nun and then that you were searching for aleph lamed. I have run a search with aleph lamed. You can search for aleph nun by substituting the nun for the lamed.

*ב BEFORE 1 WORD *אל

David Tucker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679753#Comment_679753

Thanks George,

To clarify, the letter string I suggested above was only hypothetical. However, I have been able to find some hits using your advice. I am still unsure if the search is exhaustive because of the limited number of returns I am getting. Also, is it possible to include a space as part a search? For example: "בר כ"

David

BKMitchell

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679728#Comment_679728

I never thought of attempting to search for a sequence of particular letters so this seems a bit strange.

When searching for, say, stanza's in the Hebrew Bible where alphabetic Acrostics are to be found this type search would come in handy. Or, when trying to find the actually middle letter or word of a book, or group of books to check the Masorah parva/Magna's claims this also would be helpful.

I do not think Logos is capable of such searches, however I know of programs that can find alphabetic Acrostic and perform other character string queries.

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/679766#Comment_679766

Also, is it possible to include a space as part a search?

As I understand it, since a space signifies a different word the "BEFORE 1 WORD" operator serves the purpose of introducing a space.

Since your three characters could be part of one word or two consecutive words, you will need to work out all the possible combinations. Example, looking for strings of abc = 1) *abc* (any single word that has them in this order); 2) *a BEFORE 1 WORD bc* (a word finishing by a followed by one starting with bc); 3) *ab BEFORE 1 WORD c* etc.

Your first search term will look like this: (*abc* OR *a BEFORE 1 WORD bc* OR *ab BEFORE 1 WORD c*, etc).

Then you need to do the same for your second string: (*apd* OR *a BEFORE 1 WORD pd* OR *ap BEFORE 1 WORD d*, etc).

Finally you can do your first expression WITHIN 40 CHARS of second expression:

(*abc* OR *a BEFORE 1 WORD bc* OR *ab BEFORE 1 WORD c*, etc) WITHIN 40 CHARS (*apd* OR *a BEFORE 1 WORD pd* OR *ap BEFORE 1 WORD d*, etc)

If Logos has not crashed by then, you might be in business. Here is a picture of the first two combinations combined into one search:

Note that the OR argument works in the bottom window: it's number of hits is the first top window + second top window number of hits.

Would that work for what you're thinking?

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/684311#Comment_684311

David, have you been able to do the search you wanted?