Hebrew Root Search vs. Greek Root Search

[Abram K-J]

I understand how Root searches (right-click/Search For/Root) work in Greek, and how they work in Hebrew. However, the results lead me to believe a different algorithm is followed for each language, and I wanted to confirm with someone (Helen/Tim/Rick/Joel?) I had this right.

If I search κατελαβεν from John 1:5, I get hits with verses that contain even just one of the roots: κατα or λαμβανω, and the syntax is (+κατα, +λαμβανω). So there are lots of hits, as you can imagine, since verses with just κατα appear--because the comma functions as "or," presumably.
 

However, root searching in Hebrew doesn't do exactly the same thing. When I right click to search בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית from Genesis 1:1, the root search fills in the query as +ב + ראשׁ , which gives me a much more limited search query than would  (+ב ,+ראשׁ).  (Which is how the Greek does a Root search.)
 

So I conclude the Greek and Hebrew right-click root searches function differently, since they give slightly different syntax (Greek: roots separated by parentheses and comma; Hebrew: just roots with no comma and parentheses).

 

Is this expected, and if so, does anyone know why? Couldn't find this in the help files. Am I missing an obvious setting, or does this just have to do with the differences between the languages?

[Λύχνις Δαν]

Interesting question to which I do not know the answer. I wondered though if : *@+κατά@+λαμβάνω was more what you wanted for a case like this. Oh and one more thing on Greek roots. There was a post on them a while back where it was revealed that they are not roots in the morphological sense where you might see επ* as a root for one of the verbs of speaking. Rather I believe they are actually stems. See http://www.accordancebible.com/forums/topic/18000-root-not-showing-in-analysis-pane-with-lexical-form/?do=findComment&comment=87810

 

Thx

D

Edited May 20, 2016 by Daniel Semler

[Joel Brown]

Abram, it has more to do with the nature of the language than any algorithms.  When you select בְּרֵאשִׁית, you are selecting both the prefix בְּ ("in the") and the main word רֵאשִׁית ("beginning").  So, its like you selected a two word phrase.  When you then search for root, it searches for that phrase combination of roots.  This isn't a multi-root word, like κατελαβεν, but is a multi-word-word.

 

Most multi-root hebrew words seem to be proper names of some sort, such as Israel: שׂרה, אל) יִשְׂרָאֵל)

 

Interestingly, if you look at Genesis 34:7, you see בְיִשְׂרָאֵל, which when amplified by root will show both cases you refer to, the phrase and multiroot.

[Abram K-J]

Great, Joel--thank you. That was the best I could figure, so I am glad for the confirmation.