Original Language Insights

Hi all,

I don't know the original languages, but would like to gain more insights into how a specific Bible word was used throughout the Bible and outside of the Bible.

What other resources would you recommend for that purpose beyond the standard, brief Strong's definitions? For instance, if I'm using a reverse interlinear Bible, should I prioritize other similar resources over Strong's dictionary in order to get better, more detailed information about the Biblical words?

I've tried the Bible Word Study report. It's a bit overwhelming.

Thanks in advance.

Peter

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Ken McGuire

Hi all,

I don't know the original languages, but would like to gain more insights into how a specific Bible word was used throughout the Bible and outside of the Bible.

What other resources would you recommend for that purpose beyond the standard, brief Strong's definitions? For instance, if I'm using a reverse interlinear Bible, should I prioritize other similar resources over Strong's dictionary in order to get better, more detailed information about the Biblical words?

I've tried the Bible Word Study report. It's a bit overwhelming.

Thanks in advance.

Peter

Welcome to the interesting world of exploring the Bible. Logos has many (and some would say too many) crutches to help you see a bit over the mountain that is the language issue. But you cannot enter the real promised land without facing the languages themselves.

First tool is one you mentioned - Strongs. I think many of us cringed when you called it a dictionary, because it really isn't one. Strong made a concordance of the King James with links to the original languages. The "dictionary" is simply the words used by the King James translators for that word. Both the English language as well as knowledge of the biblical languages has changed significantly since then. In addition to these issues, you have no way of knowing WHY certain words were used for the translation, and why NOT others.

So, yes, in my, and just about anyone else's opinion, you should prioritize something else. ANYTHING else, as a matter of fact. Until you are ready for more, I would probably pick the Swanson dictionaries, but I may be wrong on this.

Next tool - Reverse Interlinears. The best thing about these are how they work with the automated reports and let you rapidly get to the "original" word from an English text. The worst thing is that you don't actually see the context and grammar for the term... I strongly recomend that you learn enough of the original languages to at least sound out words so you aren't terrified when you see them and can recognize some of them - or at least parts of the words.

The above tools are usefull for finding quick information, but for more depth, you need more. First of all, you really need to get a handle on how the text is put together - grammar, syntax, etc. You also will want to know more about how the words are used in their context. That is where all the various lexicons are useful. While a bit old (based on Libronix 3), the Logos product guides are pretty good - http://www.logos.com/product/guide/greek-bible-texts-tools and http://www.logos.com/product/guide/hebrew-texts-tools

While it is good to dig in right away, be very cautious of your work and conclusions as a beginner. If you come up with something new, all to often it is new because it really doesn't make sense if you know what you are doing. That said, you will start too see hints of things you couldn't before.

SDG

Ken McGuire

Dennis Parish

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/335037#Comment_335037

Peter, what Logos Base Package do you have?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/335053#Comment_335053

Hi Ken - Many thanks for your pointers!

Hi Dennis - I'm on Scholars.

Thanks,

Peter

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

I don't know the original languages, but would like to gain more insights into how a specific Bible word was used throughout the Bible and outside of the Bible.

The Bible has three original languages. The Old Testament is primarily Hebrew, with some Aramaic. The New Testament is Greek.

Learning the Greek and Hebrew alphabets can be very helpful. Compared to English, Greek is easier to learn since both languages write from left to right; also many English words have Greek roots. For example, acoustics in English derives from Greek verb ἀκούω (transliterated entry in Logos => g:akouw).

Looking at Logos base package comparison => http://www.logos.com/comparison may want to consider upgrading to add more original language resources to your library.

Scholar's Silver and above includes => Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament that has cognate (related) words.

Scholar's Gold includes Original Language resources plus more, including my favorite commentary series => UBS New Testament Handbook Series and => UBS Old Testament Handbook Series that discuss key concepts to translate plus cross cultural insights without requiring original language mastery.

Scholar's Platinum includes BDAG => A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (BDAG) that has word usage gathered from many Greek sources (w. abbr ent. so bit hard to read initially; useful for in-depth word study) plus a Greek reference grammar => Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research that is over 1,500 pages, likewise useful for in-depth understanding.

Free Perseus collections have many Greek and Latin resources => http://www.logos.com/products/search?Product+Type=Perseus

Older Scholar's Library (RA) package included => Greek New Testament Insert and => Hebrew Bible Insert: A Student’s Guide to the Syntax of BiblicalHebrew that summarize Greek and Hebrew grammatical usages; can find terms to search library for more in depth understanding (e.g. hendiadys).

What other resources would you recommend for that purpose beyond the standard, brief Strong's definitions? For instance, if I'm using a reverse interlinear Bible, should I prioritize other similar resources over Strong's dictionary in order to get better, more detailed information about the Biblical words?

Forum thread => searching strong's numbers includes my lexicon prioritization preferences. Scholar's package includes => Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains

For Greek, recommend Louw-Nida numbers over Strong's since a Greek word can have one Strong's number, but many Louw-Nida numbers (based on contextual usage). Observation: τήρησις is a Greek noun with one Strong's number and three Louw-Nida semantic domain numbers indicating meaning depends on context. (from forum discussion Added words in translstions). In my New Testament interlinears, often choose to display Louw-Nida number so can hover mouse over Louw-Nida number for a pop-up with contextual range of word meaning.

Caveat: interlinear warning. Greek is not Hebrew and both are not English. Proper names tend to have one to one correspondence between languages. Many words have different range of meaning and nuances. The Greek verbal system is more expressive than English. Thankful can create Logos Greek Morphology visual filters to highlight verbal moods and tenses in Greek and English interlinear resources. Wiki has Extended Tips for Visual Filters => Examples of visual filters If desire to master original language, prudent to avoid interlinear display of English with original language. For transliteration, suggest doing your own transliteration, then display transliteration in Logos for comparison. Being able to transliterate original language words helps pronunciation.

I've tried the Bible Word Study report. It's a bit overwhelming.

Logos offers word study videos => Learn to Do Word Studies with Logos Bible Software

Also have option to post a screenshot with your questions about Bible Word Study (BWS) report; many Logos users can help elaborate how to interpret BWS.

Forum thread includes BWS as part of discussion => Typo?:ESV Ps41.1 I used right click on "consider" in Psalms 41:1 in the ESV then clicked Strong's number, then opened a discussion lexicon that has Strong's numbering. A discussion lexicon often includes more insight about range of word meaning.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/335203#Comment_335203

I've tried the Bible Word Study report. It's a bit overwhelming.

I did a video on Hebrew Bible Word Study for Beginners with no Hebrew knowledge:

http://www.screencast.com/t/OWIyZDY5OTA

It's a bit outdated. Logos has changed the Interlinear button to be an icon now instead of text. But I think the rest of it should be OK.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/335224#Comment_335224

Thank you KS4J and Rosie! This is definitely a thread to bookmark and come back to! Many thanks.

Peter