I have always loved getting deep into a passage. It is not always a matter of quantity but of quality. Each verse is profound store of treasure. Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” (hid, צפן Treasured up, reserved)
The resources pictured to the side are what I consider to be the essentials for getting deep into a passage of scripture. These tools include:
- Your native language Bible. (In my case that would be an English King James Version Bible.)
- A good dictionary of the language that you are preaching or teaching in. (I prefer a Webster’s dictionary. There are several versions out there. Not all are the same. )
- A Greek and Hebrew Bible
- Greek New Testament
- Hebrew Old Testament
- Ben Asher text, British and Foreign Bible Society. Here is an Amazon link for the one that I use.
- Here is a copy of the Aleppo Codex on archive.org.
- Here is a copy of the Leningrad Codex on archive.org.
- Greek Lexicons
- Analytical Greek Lexicon by Wesley Perschbacher
- This is a good, quick and simple lexicon that is fast to use but not as deep as others. This was my first Greek lexicon that I began with several years ago.
- The original version by Samuel Bagster and Sons is essentially the same book without the Strong numbers.
- Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature by Walter Bauer
- This lexicon is considered one of the best. It is a great resource to dig deeper into the words of the Greek New Testament. I am currently using the second edition of the text.
- Greek-English Lexicon by Liddell and Scott
- This is a great Greek reference to search how words were used in non-biblical contexts.
- I am using the seventh edition of the text
- This one is available on archive.org.
- Hebrew/Aramaic Lexicons
- Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon by Benjamin Davidson
- This is still my favorite lexicon to grab first. I love the fact that the words are arranged by the root words instead of Strong numbers. My edition does not have the Strong numbers present.
- This one is available on archive.org.
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
- This is an excellent, thorough lexicon that is a pleasure to use. One feature that I like in this work is that the Hebrew words are referenced with Aramaic and Arabic among other languages.
- This one is available on archive.org.
- I am still saving up for Koehler’s work, HALOT.
- Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon by Benjamin Davidson
- Concordance
- Veteris Testamenti Concordantiae Hebraicae atque Chaldaicae by Solomon Mandelkern
- If you can find this book in print, I highly recommend it. It is a great Hebrew Bible concordance.
- Note that this books is not in English. It is a Hebrew concordance with definitions in Latin.
- Apostolic Polyglot Bible ( 1550 Stephenus New Testament with Septuagint)
- This could be listed above with the Greek New Testaments, however my main use is with the concordance in the back.
- This bible has an excellent concordance in the back that you can use to reference Textus Receptus New Testament words in the Septuagint. (Greek translation of the Old Testament)
- Veteris Testamenti Concordantiae Hebraicae atque Chaldaicae by Solomon Mandelkern
- Analytical Greek Lexicon by Wesley Perschbacher
Someone may ask the question, why are you carrying all of these books around instead of just using a computer or a tablet?
There is something to be said about a slower more methodical Bible study than just having all of the information at your fingertips in electronic format. When you individually look up each verse in a search the information tends to stick with you better and longer.
I actually have all of my paper resources on the computer and the tablet as well, but prefer the feel of a physical Bible and Lexicon. If you are curled up on the couch or waiting in the waiting room somewhere, it is much easier to use the tablet.
The main point is to use the method of internalizing scripture that you can and will use every day to strengthen your walk with the Lord.