Looking for dictionary recommendations

Mike · 2025-03-04T21:49:45+00:00

There was an error rendering this rich post.

I’m looking to go beyond my one volume dictionaries. Categorically , I am a total layman with a strong interest in scripture. I love long form journalism, and am looking for that in biblical articles, but I do not have any background in the languages.

I’m looking at the Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary set, the IVP Black set, or the ISBE set but I have no experience with any of them.

I’d like opinions on these if you have them. Current thoughts on prices:

All of them can be had for $300 together in the Reference Collection. Maybe this is the best way.
ISBE can be had for $85 in the Small Timeline collection along with some other resources.
Otherwise about $200 each.

Any others I should consider?

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

DMB

Obviously my opinion, but given your interest, I'd place the IVP Black set at the top. I keep all 7 volumes in my layout. A subject in one, gets different treatment in another, depending on the time period. Very nice.

I have all the other big ones … Anchor Yale, ISBE, etc. An odd duck that I'd add later is 'Cyclopedia' … it's old but often covers what the others long forgot.

That reference collection is quite good. Though for each dictionary you like, I'd check the libraries.

Justin Gatlin

The IVP Black set is simply the best for somebody like you. Anchor Yale is good and is essential for academics, but if you want to spend $300, I would do IVP and

https://www.logos.com/product/136744/dictionary-of-daily-life-in-biblical-and-post-biblical-antiquity?campaignid=21373142068&adgroupid=164793290073&keyword=&device=m&utm_source=google&utm_medium=advertising_cpc&utm_campaign=google_search-keyword_dsa_logos-brand_us_en&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA5pq-BhBuEiwAvkzVZZsWRk-1DdDamRchRW3gIkwJDSacN43ZK1-tw1klVUeC9x_6dhd9fRoClsAQAvD_BwE

Which also has excellent prose and very long, informative articles on lots of topics that are poorly covered elsewhere.

Lew Worthington

I have all the resources mentioned above and share many of the opinions the posters shared. I also regard highly the Lexham Bible Dictionary which goes into decent depth on most topics and has a surprisingly balanced view on many topics.

Sean

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1361044#Comment_1361044

The LBD is quite good and I use it a lot; I have it in just about every layout. It's great for quickly getting into a topic, but as you said, does have quite a bit of depth.

The IVP set is good and in some ways unique. It's an excellent resource for midlevel studies, and I second the recommendation. Just about anyone who has an interest in it should get it.

AYB is also good, of course, but might be overkill for the OP's needs.

I would prioritize all of the above over the ISBE.

Mike

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1361035#Comment_1361035

this is new to me. Thanks. I’ll check it out.

DMM

The IVP is probably going to be the best one. If you can get all 3 for $300, I think you'll be very happy with that.

https://www.logos.com/product/5467/zondervan-encyclopedia-of-the-bible

This one is currently in the March Madness. It's $212 with the subscriber discount. If it doesn't make it to the next round, it should be $112. That's probably a very good price for it. I'm debating on it, though I don't know if I need another encyclopedia.

@DMB I was fortunate to have picked up https://www.logos.com/product/8519/cyclopaedia-of-biblical-theological-and-ecclesiastical-literature when they still did the Faithlife Connect with the free ebooks each month. I used to have this set in print. It's a big set. Sure, it's dated, but even still it has articles you won't find in a lot of other sets.

James Johnson

Get the IVP black, AYBD, and the Dictionary on Deity's and Demons (DDD)
They are all the best of the best.

https://www.logos.com/product/4236/dictionary-of-deities-and-demons-in-the-bible?queryId=0df90ce46f07f3efb6e5f9ecf15fb1c6

Donovan R. Palmer

IVP is great for your use case.

Also +1 on Zondervan. I am a visual learner and sometimes a picture goes a long way.

Gordon Lyons

I, too, would recommend the IVP Black set. But have a look at the text and layout of some of the individual volumes before finally deciding,