Help to design a sufficient and deep library for research

I'm asking “university students for help”.

Imagine if there was a Logos collection (that didn't come with “bloatbooks”) containing only what was “good enough” and necessary to have a library that we could say was really enough for us as pastors and academics: lexicons, dictionaries, encyclopedias, Hebrew and Greek texts, 5 best versions of the Bible, grammars, let's leave out the Bible commentaries (We can buy the top 3 BestCommentaries.com separately).

Even if the package is expensive, it should avoid excess and unwanted books that we will never want to use (“bloatbooks”).

What would those books be, apart from the “Full Feature Set”?

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Anderson Abreu

I'll start the list, since I provoked the discussion:

HEBREW AND GREEK TEXTS:

Note: The Lexham and Rahlfs texts integrate better than the BHS.

Anderson Abreu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1318338#Comment_1318338

DICTIONARIES AND LEXICONS

NOTE: Some abridged versions of the same work have been added for quick searches.

THEOLOGICAL-EXEGETICAL DICTIONARIES

NOTE: Some abridged versions of the same work have been added for quick searches.

ADVANCED AND INTERMEDIATE GRAMMARS

HEBREW

GREEK

BIBLE DICTIONARIES AND ENCYCLOPEDIAS

BEST BIBLE VERSIONS

NOTE: I've only put the most accurate and modern versions, except for the old Vulgate.

MJ. Smith

What would those books be, apart from the “Full Feature Set”?

I fear your question should be unanswerable. There are so many subfields in the academic study of scripture that the essential books vary from one person to the next. One of my favorites examples is my reliance on Zev Vilnay's three volume The Sacred Land because of my interest in narrative - and hence metaphor and connotations more significantly than a language scholar's bent towards the denotation. Were I more interested in the historical side, I would have more interest in what you call "bloatbooks" than I have. I could easily provide lists of what is essential if your interests fall in narrative, hermeneutics, or liturgy (use of Scripture). Otherwise, my lists are not helpful to you. Note DMB could provide excellent lists for 2nd Temple and firmly literalist approaches.

DMB

I'm asking “university students for help

I think that might sum up who might value your list. For my library, I date your list (poor memory) about 10 years back, maybe. You're missing all the source texts (that I have, anyway), some of the critical texts, and barely reach into latin, much less aramaic, syriac, etc. Not sure why concise/abridged volumes, and I sure don't use 'Best Commentaries' ... depends on each article. Then, journals?

Not criticizing; but like MJ intimates, the researcher would need to be specified ... a university student?

Anderson Abreu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1318345#Comment_1318345

university student

The “help for university students” was just a joke with the expression used in some TV programs that has become popular. I thought it was understandable beyond Brazil.

I know there are specific characteristics and needs in each of us. My idea is not to do anything with “my face”. But to think in general.

My list wasn't intended to be exhaustive, but a kick-start.

Note that I've left comments out, because everyone can add to it and there are myriad comments that would make this journey difficult.

However, dictionaries, lexicons and grammars already limit the quantity.

Anderson Abreu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1318341#Comment_1318341

I fear your question should be unanswerable. There are so many subfields in the academic study of scripture that the essential books vary from one person to the next. One of my favorites examples is my reliance on Zev Vilnay's three volume The Sacred Land because of my interest in narrative

Smith, I know there are many subfields to study and idiosyncrasies in each of us. For example, I'm Brazilian, but I didn't even include the versions most commonly used in Brazil, because that would be too specific. On the other hand, I added the Vulgate, although I use it infrequently. But the idea is precisely to put what would be comprehensive enough that any theological line or denominational tradition would judge a great starting point for research in biblical studies.
I left out systematic theologies, because there are so many. But I would love to see suggestions of the best introductions to the Bible (OT and NT) regardless of the Christian tradition to which we personally belong.
By the way your example is great (The Sacred Land ) and could be added to a list and I think it would be very fruitful for everyone.

Anderson Abreu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1318345#Comment_1318345

You're missing all the source texts (that I have, anyway), some of the critical texts, and barely reach into latin, much less aramaic, Syriac, etc.

I'm also interested in them and have them in Logos. I didn't put them in because I couldn't and don't want to do everything myself. I can't even remember everything. And this little list was tiresome enough, but I kicked it off since it was my suggestion.

However, my idea is far from wanting to be exhaustive and say that these are the fundamental books for everyone, but rather to build something collectively and pick up tips on things we don't know, avoiding the bias that blinds us to good material that escapes our personal radar.

As you mentioned, it would be great to add more critical Aramaic and Syriac texts, etc. That's the idea...