What's the best Dictionary/Lexicon?

Chuck Kelley · 2025-04-29T04:22:51+00:00

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Apparently I have quite a few dictionaries and lexicons in my library. Unfortunately I don't really know much about them all, I'm new to Logos and studying the bible. Also, I use Logos most of the time on my ipad pro and when I longpress a word it shows the dictionary info for that word and I love having that at my fingertips.

I got excited when I saw the TDNT on sale the other day so I bought it. But…. I made it my primary Lexicon and it is essentially worthless on Mobile. Ok, that's fine. I don't regret buying it because I'm building resources for future study and I'm sure I'll use it someday, but for now it's not helpful.

I've been using the Vine Complete Expository Dictionary and I like it alot. But…. It got me to thinking, I should ask all of you, is there a better Bible Dictionary/Lexicon? Are there 1, 2, or 3 that are considered better than all the rest? What do you recommend?

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Accepted answers

Simon’s Brother

For use on mobile I like the following in no particular order:

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words | Logos Bible Software

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament | Logos Bible Software

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament | Logos Bible Software

The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words | Logos Bible Software

The Concise Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament | Logos Bible Software (This is by the D in BDAG)

Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell

My default for everyday Bible Study (although I also have many more far more in depth-ones) is Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. It is complete without being massive or overwhelming and I know that 99.9% of the time, the word I am looking for will be in it, so I have prioritized it as my go-to dictionary. As a hardcover book it was 1,440 pages, and I loved it so much that my Bible Study group also bought a copy as a gift for one of our members who was leaving town years ago. She is now back in town and told me a while back she loves it and is still using it all.the.time! 😁

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Simon’s Brother

For use on mobile I like the following in no particular order:

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words | Logos Bible Software

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament | Logos Bible Software

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament | Logos Bible Software

The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words | Logos Bible Software

The Concise Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament | Logos Bible Software (This is by the D in BDAG)

Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell

Chuck Kelley

Thank you @Simon’s Brother and @Carmen Gauvin-O'Donnell ! I looked at my library and I own 2 of the ones you recommended:

I went ahead and added the others to my wish list so I can try to catch them on sale.

But… When I went to prioritize them in my list of prioritized books I became confused. The first one comes up as a "Lexicon" type in my library and the second is a "Encyclopedia" type in my library. So…. What's the difference and how does it effect when I click on a word to get more information on the word? Any help understanding the difference is greatly appreciated.

DMB

Lexicons generally describe non-english formal dictionaries (eg greek, hebrew). Encyclopedias is Logos's name for regular dictionaries and encyclopedias (typically english headwords).

Your problem, however, is that the Danker lexicon also has an index for english headwords (as also Nelson's).

So, prioritizing will depend on your preference, when an english word. Of course, for greek, only Danker will respond.