Good Problem to Have -- What to Spend $30 Gift Credit On

[Jonathan Hicks]

I completed David's blog challenge last week and won the $30 credit (like many others here it sounds like). I think I've had more trouble with figuring out what to buy than actually doing the challenge though.

 

I'm a seminary student, but I've been fortunate to get a good core of Accordance modules through asking for money for gifts, selling books to buy some, doing extra work, etc. As a result, I've got most of the add-ons I could hope for (e.g. BDAG, HALOT, IVP). I still have some wish list items for sure, but most are bigger purchases. I can't really spend $250+ on Anchor Bible right now (though this would be my top choice). Unfortunately, the $30 is good until the end of March, so I can't just hold it until I want to make a bigger purchase. I think $75 is my limit, then take off student discount and $30 and that's pretty reasonable amount. So what do you think I should get? Here are my options (though I'm open to others):

 

LEH-2 Septuagint Lexicon - $70

Leaning toward this. I have BDAG but I gather that it doesn't really cover LXX. Would help with study of OT and NT word studies.

 

LSJ Middle Liddell - $60

I have this in print, but I'm too spoiled with triple-clicking to physical use a lexicon anymore. Will it cover LXX greek and classical Greek? Is it better than LEH-2 because it has greater breadth?

 

BDB Complete Upgrade - $50

Already have HALOT, so is it worth it to add BDB Complete? I like studying OT, but I'm not an OT scholar and do know Greek better. I'm thinking with HALOT better to get something else.

 

TDNT (Little Kittel) - $70

Would really like to have this at some point. Could be useful for NT classes and other teaching/preaching of NT. Have access to print copy at seminary library, but won't have access after I leave seminary.

 

NAS-Group - $49

Primarily use ESV, and also have NIV and NET. More for comparison, but don't really need it. Would want it at some point, but no particular use now.

 

Accordance Gallery of Bible Art - $30

The economy choice. Virtually nothing out of pocket. Interested in it at some point, but no particular use for it at moment. Thought it would be helpful when teaching more regularly.

 

I have a year and a half left of seminary and after that plan on being pastoral ministry. I like to have electronic copies of reference works, lexicons, etc., and print copies of commentaries and books in general. What would you pick and why?

[Thomas]

Pass on BDB

 

Since you have HALOT, I'd pass on the BDB. I know it's held its place as a standard/classic---largely due to price; but it lacks major 20th century discoveries, viz. Ugaritic. BDB had its run. HALOT is the new standard. This of course will ruffle the feathers of those who cut their Hebrew-studies teeth on BDB, but the HALOT contains more relevant data. My 2

[Lorinda H. M. Hoover]

From that list, I would pick the LEH-2, since it is designed for the Septuagint, which I use a fair amount. If the Mac StudienBibel is on your wish list for later--as it is on mine--that might be a reason not to go that way.

 

If you don't already have the NET group, that's another great option I love the translation and text critical notes.

 

I've also found the NETS translation invaluable when referring to the Septuagint. My Greek is not very good, so it really helps to have an English translation to refer to.

 

I treated myself to the Louis Segond French Bible with my credit. I was a French major in college and I have a print copy of Segond. The quarter I took a Psalms course, I only brought my Hebrew Bible and my Segond to class, much to the frustration of those sitting next to me. I lived a mile from campus, and the days I had Psalms I had several other book-heavy courses. The segond was my lightest weight Bible. That was before the days of ubiquitous laptops and Accordance. (Actually, an early version of Accordance was available, but I didn't have it).

 

Lorinda

[davesalyer]

I too use the NET group much more than I thought. The NET notes point out important exegetical points in a more concise way than commentaries do which is helpful if you're moving quickly.

 

A good cheap Greek-related module is Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics ($40). It's well designed for quick reference and searching by scripture can key you in to important grammatical insights on whatever text you are working on.

[RobM]

A good cheap Greek-related module is Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics ($40). It's well designed for quick reference and searching by scripture can key you in to important grammatical insights on whatever text you are working on.

 

Speaking of Wallace's Grammar. You might also consider the Zondervan Scholarly Bible Study Suite. It includes Wallace's Grammar and a bunch of other useful tools like Carson and Moo's NT Introduction, Dillard and Longman's OT Introduction, Mounces "Basics of Biblical Greek" and a bunch of other stuff all for $150. Since you're a seminary student you should qualify for a 10% discount so this group would only be $135. For what you get for the price, I think this package is a pretty good deal.

[Jonathan Hicks]

Thanks for the thoughts thus far. I very much agree that the NET group is quite valuable, but the NET group came with my Scholar's package. I found the notes, especially in the OT, to be a great help.

 

The Mac Studienbibel is interesting, but I don't need the textual apparatuses often enough now and in the future will likely need them less. I already have the NA27 and BHS in print as well.

 

The main things I'm interesting in with the Zondervan Scholarly I already have in print (Wallace, Carson/Moo, Longman/Dillard, Mounce). Some of the other modules would be nice, but not enough to double what I had hoped to spend.

 

I'm leaning toward LEH-2 or TDNT now. Can anyone comment on value of having LEH-2 vs. LSJ?

[Jonathan Hicks]

Following the advice of a couple people who posted here, I ended up purchasing Wallace's Greek Grammar for $40 (minus $30 and 10% discount = $6). Though I own the print version, a friend mentioned how much easier it is to take advantage of the extensive Scripture references with the digital version and it only cost me the price of lunch.

 

I also asked a few friends and a seminary librarian their thoughts for those with questions about how to build up their Accordance library. They recommended building up your library mostly in primary sources if you plan on doing postgraduate academic study or teaching. For pastors, the librarian recommended NIDNTT and NIDOTTE over TDNT. He also said that LEH-2 and LSJ wouldn't be as useful for a pastor, but more if you were doing in depth LXX studies or getting into Classical Greek works. He thought the IVP Collection particularly and the Zondervan Scholars would also be really useful.