Greek and Hebrew reccomendations

I have the scholars library silver and it has a lot of language tools but I am wondering what people would reccommend for a good all in one tool that gives a layman's view of the various Greek and Hebrew words in the bible. Is there something out there that is keyed to each specific word as it is used in each verse. In other words, when I look up abide from John 15:4 in Vines, BDB etc. I get the word as it is used througout scripture but I am wondering if there is a tool that gives meanings and insight into each word as it is used specifically in the verse you are looking at. I now I have Robertson's Word pictures but I often don't understand it.

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John Fugh, Jr.

Keener's Background Commentary of the NT is a good resource, too.

Mark Barnes

I am wondering if there is a tool that gives meanings and insight into each word as it is used specifically in the verse you are looking at.

In the NT, your best bet is the Louw-Nida lexicon. In the reverse interlinears each word is keyed to a Louw-Nida number. For many words the Louw-Nida lexicon has several definitions, depending on context. Each 'context' (semantic meaning) is given a different number. So when you click on a Louw-Nida number in a reverse interlinear these numbers will take you to the definition of the word that the Logos editors believe best fits this context.

Unfortunately there's no equivalent of Louw-Nida in the OT. All you can do in that case is search your Hebrew lexicons for the Bible verse you are examining, and hope that one of them uses it as an example. Picking a word/verse entirely at random, I would construct the search like the screenshot below. Note I'm including both the manuscript and lemma form of the Hebrew word.

If you don't find something useful using the NEAR keyword, you could try WITHIN 20 WORDS instead, or even AND (though AND will give you lots of false positives).

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131817#Comment_131817

In the NT, your best bet is the Louw-Nida lexicon. In the reverse interlinears each word is keyed to a Louw-Nida number. For many words the Louw-Nida lexicon has several definitions, depending on context. Each 'context' (semantic meaning) is given a different number. So when you click on a Louw-Nida number in a reverse interlinear these numbers will take you to the definition of the word that the Logos editors believe best fits this context.

Unfortunately there's no equivalent of Louw-Nida in the OT. All you can do in that case is search your Hebrew lexicons for the Bible verse you are examining, and hope that one of them uses it as an example. Picking a word/verse entirely at random, I would construct the search like the screenshot below. Note I'm including both the manuscript and lemma form of the Hebrew word.

You could also fire up L3 and use the reference browser to find any entries for the passage in BDAG. When it appears in the entry for the word you are interested in, that is the place to look. Frankly, I rarely ever use Louw-Nida since BDAG if far superior. (BTW: you could also do that search in L4 with the "cited in" function, but I find it easier in L3).

There is a resource for the OT using semantic domains (2 actually): Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew and Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Aramaic. I still prefer BDB and Köhler-Baumgartner just as I prefer BDAG over Louw-Nida. Köhler-Baumgartner provides the latest information, but BDB is still very useful (at times even preferable).

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131819#Comment_131819

You could also fire up L3 and use the reference browser to find any entries for the passage in BDAG. When it appears in the entry for the word you are interested in, that is the place to look. Frankly, I rarely ever use Louw-Nida since BDAG if far superior. (BTW: you could also do that search in L4 with the "cited in" function, but I find it easier in L3).

I assumed the questioner didn't have BDAG (and also that it might not be superior for him, as it can sometimes provide too much information). Plus, if you're not sure of the meaning of the word in this context, the LN numbers are the best first step. Once you're armed with the LN definition, you can turn to other lexicons for a fuller explanation.

There is a resource for the OT using semantic domains

Yes, but these are not keyed to individual words or verses. They'll only help you if you already know the semantic meaning.

AndyTheGreek

You might find THE LEXHAM ANALYTICAL LEXICON TO THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT useful for the Greek side of things. If I have understood your requirements correctly then I think it does what you need. It's also tied in the the Louw-Nida numbers. But I may have misunderstood what you need.

To be honest with you, I doubt any one resource for Greek & Hebrew is really enough. I'm much more of a student of Greek than Hebrew, and the resources I use for word definitions are, in my order preference:

Liddell & Scott's Lexicon (unabridged)
BDAG
Theological Lexicon of the New Testament (Spiqc) - but be aware this only covers a subset of Greek words. When it has an entry, though, it's worth reading
VOCABULARY OF THE GREEK TESTAMENT by Moulton and Milligan
Louw-Nida

In general, this preference order reflects my desire for 'theologically agnostic' works (if there be such a thing) where interpretation is not factored into the word definitions. Additionally, the first four draw on definitions from outside of the NT, which helps me to see how the people in general were using these words at the time that the NT was penned. As the NT is a comparatively tiny body of work compared to the secular Greek of the time, these definitions help to prevent circular reasonings or just listing of how these words are typically translated...

That's my approach, anyhow.

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131836#Comment_131836

I wonder if you would find the UBS Translators Handbooks helpful. They go into meanings and possible meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew.

I have a collection of dictionaries. I start with Strongs and if that doesn't satisfy me, I look the word up in the others until either I find the answer that makes sense or I have tried them all.

I agree about the Lexham Discourse NT being very helpful, tho sometimes I still want to go on to a dictionary. I wish Lexham would do a Discourse OT!

Tim Engwer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131954#Comment_131954

Thanks for all your help and replies. I have some of the resources mentioned and will look into the others. I just have to learn how to use them effectively.

Tim Engwer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131810#Comment_131810

Keener's Background Commentary of the NT is a good resource, too.

I looked this up on Logos but can't find it. Is that the exact title?

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131973#Comment_131973

Keener's Background Commentary of the NT is a good resource, too.

I looked this up on Logos but can't find it. Is that the exact title?

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary : New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131973#Comment_131973

Keener's Background Commentary of the NT is a good resource, too.

I looked this up on Logos but can't find it. Is that the exact title?

It doesn't seem to be in Logos (which seems strange since it is from IVP). http://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274735709&sr=1-1

Mike Aubrey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131982#Comment_131982

It doesn't seem to be in Logos (which seems strange since it is from IVP). http://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274735709&sr=1-1

http://www.logos.com/products/details/1516

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131984#Comment_131984

It doesn't seem to be in Logos (which seems strange since it is from IVP). http://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274735709&sr=1-1

http://www.logos.com/products/details/1516

Part of a collection -- that explains it.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131984#Comment_131984

It doesn't seem to be in Logos (which seems strange since it is from IVP). http://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274735709&sr=1-1

http://www.logos.com/products/details/1516

I just noted that you apparently now work for Logos. Good for you.

Mike Aubrey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131998#Comment_131998

I just started a couple weeks ago -- I'm doing prepubs (after spending quite a bit of time doing contract work on the LXX interlinear... if you can forgive it)

Winer-Moulton: A Treatise on the Grammar of New Testament Greek

Blass-Thackeray: Friedrich Blass Greek Studies Collection (3 Vols.)

and Simcox: William Henry Simcox Collection (4 Vols.)

are some of what I've done thus far -- at least what I'm most excited about.

I've been wanting to seek Winer and Blass in Logos for years nows.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132008#Comment_132008

I just started a couple weeks ago -- I'm doing prepubs (after spending quite a bit of time doing contract work on the LXX interlinear... if you can forgive it)

I think that is the unforgiveable sin. [;)] Congratulations anyway.

Mike Aubrey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132013#Comment_132013

Thanks!

Tim Engwer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131982#Comment_131982

Keener's Background Commentary of the NT is a good resource, too.

I looked this up on Logos but can't find it. Is that the exact title?

It doesn't seem to be in Logos (which seems strange since it is from IVP). http://www.amazon.com/IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary-Testament/dp/0830814051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274735709&sr=1-1

I don't know where I got it but I do have that one and it is handy.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132008#Comment_132008

I just started a couple weeks ago -- I'm doing prepubs

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more things show up in prepub.

So, what does "doing prepubs" mean, besides putting them up on the website for people to order? Is work actually begun on them before they reach a critical mass of orders?

Steve Runge

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/131954#Comment_131954

Look for the OT version of the discourse resource to pop up on prepub some time in the next couple week. [:)]

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132081#Comment_132081

Look for the OT version of the discourse resource to pop up on prepub some time in the next couple week. Smile

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132095#Comment_132095

below is an example of how the UBS Handbook helps me where the dictionaries I have didn't: re

δοκιμήν

proven character

USB Handbook:

Romans 5:4.

The word rendered God’s approval is a relatively rare term and is used in the New Testament in only three other places (2 Corinthians 2:9; 9:13; Philippians 2:22). This word is related to the verb used in 2:18, and it describes something that is put to the test and then is approved if it passes the test (see NEB “proof that we have stood the test”). In the present context both testing and approval are involved, and it is God who makes the judgment. For that reason it is proper to make the meaning of the term explicit, as God’s approval. It is also possible to take this word in the sense of that which receives approval, in this context one’s character (so RSV, Goodspeed, Moffatt). On the meaning of hope, see verse 2.

The relation between endurance and God’s approval is likewise one of cause and effect. It may be rendered in some languages as “because we are better in enduring, God approves of us” or “God approves of us because we have learned how to endure.” The same relation of cause and effect is to be found in the connection between his approval and hope. Therefore one may translate: “because he approves of us, we have hope.” In some cases, however, one must make explicit certain components of approval—for example, “because God has tested us and seen that we are fit.”

Tim Engwer

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132101#Comment_132101

The UBS series looks really good but unfortunately it's out of my price range right now.

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132230#Comment_132230

It's worth saving for. Maybe get it in 2 stages, OT then NT, or vice versa. I don't have Scholars base pack as it's full of material I can't see myself using. So I spend my money on the sort of commentaries that help me. I don't need those that go into a vast apparatus criticus. Tho I've invested in a couple of books on textual criticism. We weren't taught about that when I did my theology degree, and it will be good to know something about it, particularly as I work among Muslims, many of whom claim we have changed the Bible. If they want to know, I open my NT at random and show them that the variants are small and don't affect the main message of the Bible. (Bible scholars, don't throw up your hands in horror at an oversimplification!)

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132230#Comment_132230

The UBS series looks really good but
unfortunately it's out of my price range right now.

If you decide that you want them in the future, I
would suggest that you don't buy them alone--the UBS Handbooks are part of the Scholars Gold package. Since you already have Scholars Silver, the cost to upgrade to
Scholars Gold should be much less than buying the UBS handbooks alone. Plus
you'll also get the NIGTC commentaries.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132261#Comment_132261

The UBS series looks really good but unfortunately it's out of my price range right now.

If you decide that you want them in the future, I would suggest that you don't buy them alone--the UBS Handbooks are part of the Scholars Gold package. Since you already have Scholars Silver, the cost to upgrade to Scholars Gold should be much less than buying the UBS handbooks alone. Plus you'll also get the NIGTC commentaries.

I think Todd has given you good advice here. If I were to upgrade to Gold it would cost me $450. If I were to buy the two sets of handbooks it would cost me about $400 APIECE. Of course, I would need to get them to give me a discount if I'm required to take the interlinears. Also, the handbooks are about the only things in the upgrade that I don't have but might desire.

Mike Aubrey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132046#Comment_132046

So, what does "doing prepubs" mean, besides putting them up on the website for people to order? Is work actually begun on them before they reach a critical mass of orders?

Well, especially for the public domain stuff, it involves researching the books and authors so that we can write about them accurately for the product description. For example for the Blass collection, I had to take the time comparing Thackeray's translation of Blass' 3rd edition with Funk's translation of Blass-Debrunner's 8-9th edition. That was complicated, because while they share the same origin, they're virtually different books -- kind of like trying to explain the differences and similarities of a pug and a great dane.

Patrick Rietveld

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/132081#Comment_132081

Look for the OT version of the discourse resource to pop up on prepub some time in the next couple week.

Cool!

What about a Discourse Grammar of the Hebrew Old Testament: A Practical Introduction for Teaching and Exegesis (and translation)? Would that be your next project?