Greek with Easy Word Lookup - Is This Possible?

Jonathan B
Jonathan B Member Posts: 21
edited November 21 in English Forum

I just got a tablet, and I'd like to do most of my daily personal Bible study on the tablet if possible.  I'm trying to figure out if I can do these things in logos:

 

  1. Read the Greek text (done using SBLGNT)
  2. Quickly/Easily look up words I don't know in a lexicon (can see a simple gloss but would like something a little more in depth... will buy something if this is possible)
  3. Be able to switch quickly to an English version (or have side-by-side versions)

These things need happen quickly when I'm using the software because otherwise I'll become frustrated and go back to paper books.  

Is it possible to do these things?

 

Also, I figured out that if you hold down a word, it will bring up a little dialog that shows the word and some of the glosses, and gives you options to do a search or a word study.  In this dialog, the letters with multiple accents show up as squares.  Do I need to install a font or change a setting or something?  I'm using a Toshiba Thrive 10.1"  with android 3.1.

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Comments

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,693

    1. Read the Greek text (done using SBLGNT)

    Yes

    2. Quickly/Easily look up words I don't know in a lexicon (can see a simple gloss but would like something a little more in depth... will buy something if this is possible)

    Yes. Long press a word to get a Bible Word Study (BWS)

    3. Be able to switch quickly to an English version (or have side-by-side versions)

    Download resources to device for the quick part.

    These things need happen quickly when I'm using the software because otherwise I'll become frustrated and go back to paper books.  

    That will depend on your tablet and its internal storage space + your Wi-Fi as BWS is online to Logos Servers.

    Do you have desktop Logos 4 and a base Library package?

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,693

    and gives you options to do a search or a word study.

    BWS as above

    In this dialog, the letters with multiple accents show up as squares.  Do I need to install a font or change a setting or something?

    That is a known problem but the BWS is fine.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Jonathan B
    Jonathan B Member Posts: 21

    Hi Dave,

    Thanks for the response.  

    I don't currently have a base package.  I want to hold off on buying anything until I am sure that this would do what I need.

    The word study tool doesn't seem to be working properly.  For example, in the attached files I long pressed πιστεύων in the greek text and it brings up ὁ as the option for the word study.

    When I click to do the word study, the only thing that I get to show up currently is the translations.  Which resources would I need to install (buy?) if I want something to show up in the "Definition" section?

    Thanks,

    Jonathan

  • Jonathan B
    Jonathan B Member Posts: 21

    Here are the screenshots I referred to in the last post.

    image

    image

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,693

    The word study tool doesn't seem to be working properly.  For example, in the attached files I long pressed πιστεύων in the greek text and it brings up ὁ as the option for the word study.

    Another known problem, unfortunately, as the previous word is often selected.

    When I click to do the word study, the only thing that I get to show up currently is the translations.  Which resources would I need to install (buy?) if I want something to show up in the "Definition" section?

    A lexicon like DBL Greek + its Hebrew & Aramaic volumes --> http://www.logos.com/products/search?Resource+Type=Lexicons&start=30&sort=pricelo&pageSize=15

    But I would consider a Base Package with these lexicons --> see  http://www.logos.com/comparison

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Jonathan B
    Jonathan B Member Posts: 21

    Thanks for the info.  I will consider buying one of the base packages.

  • Philana Crouch
    Philana Crouch Member Posts: 2,151

    Thanks for the info.  I will consider buying one of the base packages.

    The Scholars and above base packages are the best for language study. If you purchase today (you can do it as a payment plan to help the budget) and get Logos Cash to add more books later.

  • Jim Crouch
    Jim Crouch Member Posts: 82

    Compare the language package with the others. You may find, like I did, that most of the additional books are ones that you won't really need or use. If you have the extra money, you can then use it to buy the HALOT/BDAG package and possibly a "useful" commentary set like Word Bible Commentary. It seems to me it is better to weigh the value, not the # of volumes.

  • Gordon Walker
    Gordon Walker Member Posts: 24 ✭✭

    If I can add a question here, can any of these lexicons be easily referenced from any of the original language texts?

    I have no Logos packages and am wondering what is the minimum I need to buy to read the Hebrew text in particular with the ability to tap on a word and get a brief definition on my Android device.

  • Jim Crouch
    Jim Crouch Member Posts: 82

    I purchased the language package. It gave me two Hebrew texts with morphological databases. for Greek it contains UBS4 and NA27 with  the databases. Also has several older Greek texts. The databases give you the lookup ability. The main difference between it and the scholar package is mostly a lot of public domain stuff that I would not much use. It does have a few commentaries and a few more English translations, but not worth the extra money, but that is my opinion. Your only disappointment will be how the language tools work on the Android systems: LOUSY! I'd recommend Accordance if you had an Apple product. It is VERY nice on the iphone. Hopefully Logos will get their system up to standard soon.

  • Jim Crouch
    Jim Crouch Member Posts: 82

    As a PostScript: you won't get UBS4 or NA27 on the Android App, another reason to go Accordance I guess. Another option is OliveTree. If all you are looking for is an Android application, that would be much cheaper.

  • Dave Hooton
    Dave Hooton MVP Posts: 35,693

    can any of these lexicons be easily referenced from any of the original language texts?

    Yes, via a Word Study whilst online.  You can state which lexicons you prefer on the desktop Logos (known as Prioritizing) and Word Study uses your top 2. Note that Prioritizing applies to other similar resources like bibles and commentaries.

    I have no Logos packages and am wondering what is the minimum I need to buy to read the Hebrew text in particular with the ability to tap on a word and get a brief definition on my Android device.

    Original Languages is the minimum but discuss with Logos the options/cost to upgrade to the Scholar's packages at a later date. Whilst NA27 & UBS4 Greek NT bibles are not available on Android because of publisher restrictions, Logos include a similar text (based on NA27) in The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition.

    Dave
    ===

    Windows 11 & Android 13

  • Gordon Walker
    Gordon Walker Member Posts: 24 ✭✭

    Thanks to both of you. That clarifies the matter considerably

  • Donnie Hale
    Donnie Hale Member Posts: 2,036

    As a PostScript: you won't get UBS4 or NA27 on the Android App, another reason to go Accordance I guess. Another option is OliveTree. If all you are looking for is an Android application, that would be much cheaper.

    Jim, your comment is interesting. I'm well aware that UBS4 / NA27 aren't available on the Logos mobile platforms. Are you saying that they *are* available on mobile devices via Accordance or OliveTree mobile apps?

    If that's the case, then clearly the publisher has no a priori commitment against their availability on any mobile device / platform. Logos needs to just "make it so" (i.e. figure out what the publisher's requirements are and meet them, understanding that it may involve a cost passed along to us).

    Donnie

     

  • Jonathan B
    Jonathan B Member Posts: 21

    Original Poster here.  I ended up getting OliveTree and purchasing an NA27/lexicon package.  I like OliveTree's split screen.  Basically it was exactly what I was looking for.  I only needed an android solution I already have BIbleWorks on my PC and it didn't make sense for me to buy a full logos package.

  • Jim Crouch
    Jim Crouch Member Posts: 82

    Accordance has NA27. I can't say for sure which text Olivetree has because I don't have it loaded on my phone any longer (gave license to a friend when I started using Logos thinking that they could straighten out the language issues promptly). I can say that it was one of the two, you get split screens and both the Hebrew and the Greek work great. If I recall, the lexical word lookup was the UBS dictionary, but I'm not sure.

    At any rate, I suspect the issues of text with Logos is more along the lines of money. SBL gives us the text, but it is not always a nice operating text. I am happy to have most of my books available on my phone and use it more for reference and reading while away from my main computer. If an Apple guy askes me my opinion, I say Accordance unless you have a lot of books in Logos (my situation) and don't want to move back and forth between programs. Someone who just wants a good Greek program on their phone and a good cost will be much happier with Olive Tree.

    Logos needs to realize that the phone/tab applications are becoming centerstage and need to be addressed more aggressively.