Your Recommendations for BEST Greek & Hebrew Resources?

Scott Weber
Scott Weber Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

At this stage, I own a number of reference books and commentaries on Logos, but I haven't purchased a "core package."

I am interested to add basic Greek and Hebrew resources, so I can do basic searches of their respective texts.  Bibleworks served this function well for me in the past, but as I'm increasingly using my iPad, Bibleworks is no longer an option.  I have a very basic knowledge of Greek and enough knowledge of Hebrew that use lexicons and etc. 

 Which basic resources would you recommend I purchase? I need Hebrew & Greek definitions as well. I use the ESV as my primary English Bible.  Or would a purchase of Logos 7 Standard Package be the most cost-effective?   Moreover, is the functionality of this for package worth it for my purposes? 

Comments

  • Ken McGuire
    Ken McGuire Member Posts: 2,074 ✭✭✭

    The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. There are standard editions of these texts based on the work of scholars at comparing the various manuscripts that have come down to us, trying to reconstruct the "best" text. Generally these texts are available in the Logos ecosystem. If you have the skills in the original languages, it is by far best to work from these texts.

    But it sounds like you are not yet at this skill level. Logos has an extensive set of "data sets" that tie many popular (including especially the ESV) to the original languages. Generally these data sets are most economically available in base packages. With Logos 7, there seem to be three ways to get them.

    1) The traditional way of "owning" your software for as long as you want to use it. To do this look at https://www.logos.com/product/121388/logos-7-starter-feature-set for the basic features. But I found that I would rapidly want the full feature set (that is advertised on the side as an upgrade to the link provided)

    2) The whole "software as a service" rental model is provided as well. To thus "rent" everything would be via "Logos Cloud". They seem to have a free month trial version available, but I would want to look at the full details at https://logoscloud.com/

    3) There is also a more mixed version where you the "books" in your library as well as "renting" the current features - including those being developed for future versions. This is called "Logos Now." Since I already have a decent library, it is the way I have gone. More details are at https://www.logos.com/now

    Because these resources do grow in usefulness with the linking provided between them, most of us have found our libraries grow at an extensive rate. Generally the most economical way to grow your library is via the various base packages and "Library Expansions". All the options are more than a bit confusing. A generally decent overview is available at http://community.logos.com/forums/t/129632.aspx from one of us forum users.

    The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann

    L8 Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Silver, Reformed Starter, Academic Essentials

    L7 Lutheran Gold, Anglican Bronze

  • Scott Weber
    Scott Weber Member Posts: 34 ✭✭

    Thank you, Ken, for your very helpful response!  I didn't know that the Starter Feature Set was an option under the base packages.

    Regarding the ancient language functionality of these "reverse lexicons": would I be able, say, to search the Greek text for every occurrence of a certain identified verb in the aorist, passive, third-person singular?  

    Moreover, if the answer to my question is YES, are there two additional books--one for Greek and the other for Hebrew--that you would recommend I add to the Starter Feature Set?

    Thanks again,

    Scott

  • Ken McGuire
    Ken McGuire Member Posts: 2,074 ✭✭✭

    Unfortunately I am not always exactly up on what exactly can be done with exactly what features. I know a bit about what I can do with mine.... In general, check out the videos at https://www.logos.com/Logos-pro#greek-and-hebrew-tools .

    What you are asking for is called morphological searches in Logos. For the NT, I currently have it set to use Nestle-Aland 27th edition, but was able to also do this using the ESV Reverse Interlinear for a few sample searches on the desktop app. I know nothing about the mobile app - I am old school and carry around a Laptop running the Desktop app instead of a more mobile device....

    As far as additional texts, anyone who works with the Greek and Hebrew will sooner or later need the standard lexicons for these languages. They are available in a bundle at https://www.logos.com/product/5228/bdag-halot-bundle . In addition to being expensive, they are a bit cryptic in how they condense so much information into relatively short articles on each word. Admittedly there are easier and cheaper dictionaries, but if you can use these, they are generally worth it.

    But really, I strongly recommend you look around the training videos I linked above to see what resources they bring up. See what would be useful to YOU.

    The Gospel is not ... a "new law," on the contrary, ... a "new life." - William Julius Mann

    L8 Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox Silver, Reformed Starter, Academic Essentials

    L7 Lutheran Gold, Anglican Bronze

  • Which basic resources would you recommend I purchase?

    Lexham Theological Wordbook (LTW) has lexical information for both testaments:

    LTW is included in many Base Packages and Cloud Subscriptions, including Biblical Languages that has many resources, datasets, and features.

    Thread => Independent Clause Search has many screen shots.

    to search the Greek text for every occurrence of a certain identified verb in the aorist, passive, third-person singular?  

    Morph search can be copied to Bible Search so results can be displayed in a grid:

    My favorite feature of visual filter highlighting currently is only available in the desktop/laptop version. Thankful can "see" range of Greek verbal expression (using morphological tagging) along with Discourse Analysis plus Precept highlighting of topics and themes:

    Faithlie is developing Logos Web App and Verbum Web App for use on many devices that hopefully will include visual filters sometime; needs Now membership OR Cloud subscription.

    Keep Smiling [:)]

  • Andrew116
    Andrew116 Member Posts: 155 ✭✭

    Since you asked for the BEST, here are the industry standard best texts and lexicons.

    Greek Text - UBS5

    Greek Lexicon - BDAG

    Hebrew Text - BHS

    Hebrew Lexicon - HALOT

    They are not necessarily the best for you, however. They are expensive and very technical. But they are the industry standard texts and lexicons. 

  • Stephen Miller
    Stephen Miller Member Posts: 432 ✭✭

    Scott,

    For Hebrew OT check out the TWOT, TLOT and LTW.

    For Greek NT check out TLNT, EDNT, Little Kittel and LYW (again).

    Also check out the wonderful notes in the NET Bible.

    Stephen Miller

    Wentworth Falls

    Australia

  • Scott Weber
    Scott Weber Member Posts: 34 ✭✭

     Ken, thanks very much for all the help you provided an answer to my questions! You've been very helpful to me. 

  • delete12066188
    delete12066188 Member Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭

    Hey Scott

    "I am interested to add basic Greek and Hebrew resources, so I can do basic searches"

    Dit I overlooked it. or dit'nt you say what you already have in your Libary?

  • delete12066188
    delete12066188 Member Posts: 3,378 ✭✭✭

    just wonder why you need the Best if you just wanna do Basics?

  • Scott Weber
    Scott Weber Member Posts: 34 ✭✭

     Thanks everyone for your helpful recommendations!