Request for information

[bettymerchen]

I am a lay person wanting to go deeper in biblical study. I do not speak Greek or Hebrew, but would like to have available the translations from the original texts to help me better understand the meaning of passages. Is Accordance too in depth for someone like me, and if not, would the Starter Pack be appropriate for what I'm looking for? Thank you in advance for your assistance!

[Michael Hunt]

Hi Betty,

 

Welcome to the Accordance Forums.

 

I'm happy to hear you want to understand the bible better and dig deeper into its meaning. Accordance is a great and very powerful tool to help you to be able to do that. Don't let it's potential complexity scare you though. It is a very useful tool for both the beginner and the expert.

 

In terms of a recommendation with the latest release of Accordance it was announced that a "lite" version was now going to be available for free. This could be a good place for you to start and could certainly help you determine the potential of the software. If cost is not an issue then by all means get the Starter which includes a great dictionary, commentary and a modern English translation (the ESV).

 

You may want to look into purchasing another English Translation or two to compliment the ESV (that is if you go down the route of purchasing the Starter collection). We use the NIV at the church I attend but you may want to add the translation you own or is used in your context. 

 

Can I also suggest when purchasing a bible translation that if the version you are considering has "Strongs" tagging (or GK numbers in the case of the NIV) that you consider getting that version. These will help you to learn more about the original words and there meanings (without having to learn much Hebrew or Greek).

 

Another translation that is a paraphrase (something like the Message Bible or the Living Bible) could also be helpful. Accordance has a feature called parallel bibles that allows you to show each of the different texts side by side. This can be very helpful in determining the meaning of a passage.

 

Please feel free to ask anymore questions on this forum. Next to the software itself this forum is a great place to learn not only more about Accordance but also the meaning of the Bible itself.

[Daniel Francis]

There are a few resources that are designed for people like you and I who have limited knowledge of greek and hebrew.... AMG's Complete Word study Bible. Mounce's dictionary is often slightly less verbose but it is more up-to-date.

 

Here are entries for the word heavens from these 2 resources that would make a great complement to the Starter Package.

 

HEAVEN(S)

 

Old Testament

Noun: שָׁמַיִם (šāmayim), GK H9028 (S H8064), 421x. “Heaven” is an important and frequent word in the Bible and plays a key role in many central texts from Genesis through Revelation. The wide variety of meanings for šāmayim fall into two main categories: the sky, atmosphere, or space; and the dwelling place of God.

(1) In the first classification, šāmayim is quite fluid. It can refer to the place of meteorological phenomena such as rain, snow, frost, dew, hail, thunder, wind, and clouds (e.g., Gen. 8:2; Isa. 55:9–11; Job 38:29; Deut. 33:13; Jos. 10:11; 1 Sam. 2:10; Zech. 6:5; Ps. 147:8), as well as the place of astronomical elements like the stars, sun, and moon (Gen. 15:15; Deut. 4:19; Job 9:8–9; Ps. 8:3). Flying creatures are frequently called “the birds of the šāmayim” (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 28:26; 1 Ki. 16:4; Ps. 8:8), and many signs and wonders appear in the šāmayim (Isa. 50:3; Ezek. 32:7; Joel 2:10).

(2) In the second meaning, šāmayim often refers to the invisible and separate dwelling place and presence of God. God abides above the created heavens of the sky, yet even the highest heavens cannot contain him (1 Ki. 8:27). He abides there, sees all things, and reveals himself from there (Gen. 28:12, 17; 1 Ki. 8:30; Job 22:12; Ps. 14:2). God speaks, listens, and answers from heaven (Gen. 21:17; Exod. 20:22; Ps. 20:6). In heaven are the temple and throne of God (Ps. 11:4; 103:19; Isa. 66:1). Occasionally, the OT also speaks of angels residing in heaven (Gen. 21:17; 1 Ki. 22:19; cf. Job 1–2; Ps. 103:20–21). Especially in the later OT texts, God is regularly referred to as the “God of heaven” (2 Chr. 36:23; Ezr. 1:2; cf. Tob. 7:12).

While these two poles of meaning are distinct, they are nevertheless closely connected. Some texts hint at both senses and in this way carry a double meaning. For example, God promises bread will rain “from heaven” (Exod. 16:4), and judgment comes in the form of God throwing hailstones “from heaven” (Jos. 10:11). These uses indicate both the physical origin of the material (the sky) and the divine source of the bread and hailstones (God in heaven).

A frequent and important use of šāmayim is in conjunction with “earth.” Because the universe is understood to consist of two fundamental parts—heaven and earth—the OT often uses the phrase “heaven and earth” to refer to God’s creation in totality (Gen. 1:1; 14:19; 2 Ki. 19:15; Ps. 115:15; Jer. 10:11). This use of šāmayim focuses on the “sky, atmosphere” aspect of the word. Alternatively, šāmayim and earth are also often paired together when šāmayim is used as a reference to God’s dwelling. Thus, we read that “the heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the sons of men” (Ps. 115:16). In this sense, šāmayim and earth serve as a contrasting pair. This theme of the distinction between God’s ways (those of heaven) and humanity’s (those of the earth) weaves its way throughout the OT and into the NT.

One of the most important things to understand about šāmayim is that in the OT heaven is not generally regarded as the location of deceased believers. Instead, Sheol is the place of postmortem existence for all people (see grave). This fact, however, does not diminish the importance of šāmayim in the OT. Indeed, as a fundamental part of God’s creation and as a reference to God’s presence, šāmayim is crucial to OT theology. These truths are relied upon and expanded in the fuller revelation of the NT. See NIDOTTE, 4:160–66.

 

New Testament

Noun: οὐρανός (ouranos), GK G4041 (S G3772), 273x.

Adjective: οὐράνιος (ouranios), GK G4039 (S G3770), 9x. Coming from the same worldview as the OT, the NT authors frequently employ terms for heaven. ouranos is used in a variety of ways in the NT. At times it simply denotes the “sky” (Mt. 16:3; Mk. 13:25). God is said to be the creator of heaven and earth (Acts 4:24; 14:15; 17:24; Rev. 10:6; 14:7) and to dwell there (Mt. 5:34; Acts 7:49; Heb. 8:1; Rev. 4). There are angels in heaven who are messengers and servants of God (Mt. 18:10; Mk. 12:25; 13:32; Eph. 3:15; Rev. 12:7; 19:1), and from heaven Jesus will return with his angels (Mt. 24:31; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 19:11f.). There is a heavenly tabernacle and heavenly Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12; 11:19; 21:2–22). People lift their eyes to heaven (Mk. 6:41; Lk. 18:13; Jn. 17:1; Acts 1:11; 7:55), and the Christian’s citizenship is said to be in heaven (Phil. 3:20), along with his or her treasures and rewards (Mt. 5:12; 6:20; Lk. 5:23; 1 Pet. 1:4).

ouranos occurs most frequently in Matthew (82x) and Revelation (52x).ouranos, especially in conjunction with earth, proves to be an important theme in Matthew and is often found in the phrase “the kingdom of (the) heaven(s)” (Mt. 3:2; 13:24; 25:1). Similarly, Matthew often speaks of the believer’s Father in heaven (5:16; 10:32; 18:19) and the heavenly (ouranios) Father (5:48; 15:13; 23:9). In Revelation, we are given an extensive picture of heaven, where the slain Lamb reigns and is worshiped by his saints (Rev. 4:2ff.). The cataclysmic events depicted in Revelation all stem from God’s initiative in heaven and have their effect on earth (5:13; 8:10; 10:1).

The concept of heaven that develops throughout Christian history has often missed the mark of the Bible’s teaching. While heaven is important in NT theology, the goal of God’s redemption is not a disembodied heavenly experience (as many hymns teach). Instead, all of creation itself is awaiting redemption (Rom. 8:19–22), and the consummation of God’s work will be a new creation, a new heaven and earth (Isa. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). Indeed, the great hope of the gospel is summed up in Jesus’ exemplary prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10). See NIDNTT-A, 421–24.

 

MED, s.v. “HEAVEN(S),” 329-331.

accord://read/Mounce_Expository#5429

 

8064. שָׁמַיִם šāmayim: A masculine noun meaning sky, heaven, abode, firmament, air, stars. Although the word is plural or dual in form, it can be translated into English as singular or plural depending on the context. The word describes everything God made besides the earth: God made the heavens of the universe (Gen. 1:1; 14:19); the firmament or expanse which He created around the earth was named sky or heaven as well (Gen. 1:8). He stretched out the heavens (Isa. 40:22); creating them (Isa. 42:5; 45:18).

The heavens that humans observe with their senses are indicated by this word. The stars are part of the heavens (Gen. 15:5) and are personified in some cases (Judg. 5:20); the sun and the moon, along with the stars, make up a major part of the hosts of heaven (Deut. 4:19). Unfortunately, these things were worshiped as gods by even the Israelites (Jer. 8:2). The heavens became a source of knowing the future and life in general, for scanners of the heavens and astrologers searched the heavens for signs (Isa. 47:13). A favorite pagan deity was the Queen of Heaven whom the people worshiped (Jer. 7:18; 44:17). God created waters above and below the heavens (Gen. 1:8, 9). The clouds are a feature of the sky (Gen. 8:2; Judg. 5:4; 1 Kgs. 18:45; Job 26:13). The word indicates the total inhabited earth when it speaks of from under heaven, as when the Amalekites were to be destroyed from under heaven (Gen. 6:17; Ex. 17:14). The teacher of Ecclesiastes spoke of examining everything under heaven, i.e., everything done in the world in which humans live (Eccl. 1:13; 2:3; 3:1); birds and other fowl fly in the sky (Gen. 1:20). In God’s new world, there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22).

The invisible heavens are the abode of God. Heaven is the Lord’s throne, the earth is the resting place of His feet—a beautiful metaphor of God’s sovereignty over the universe (Isa. 66:1). He extends the heavens as the tent roof of the universe (Isa. 40:22); He dwells in heaven (1 Kgs. 8:30, 32); yet He is not contained in even the heaven of heavens, the most exclusive part of the heavens (1 Kgs. 8:27).

Heaven describes the place from which God operates: He calls to people from heaven (Gen. 21:17; 22:11). The Ten Commandments were spoken from heaven (Ex. 20:22; Neh. 9:13). He sent down manna from heaven for His people in the desert (Ex. 16:4). He is not merely a dweller in heaven, but He is the God of heaven (Gen. 24:3; 2 Chr. 36:23; Ezra 1:2). The heavens grow old and pass away, but God is eternal (Job 14:12; Isa. 13:10; 65:17). Satan aspired to usurp God’s reign in heaven and was cast out (Isa. 14:12, 13). Elijah the prophet, because he faithfully followed the Lord, was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kgs. 2:1, 11).

 

8065. שְׁמַיִן šemayin: An Aramaic noun meaning sky, heavens. This word has several different connotations, but the basic meaning is that of the sky (Dan. 4:11[8]; 7:2). Reaching beyond the simple meaning of sky, this word also referred to heaven, the dwelling place of God that is much higher than any other place (Dan. 2:28; 4:34[31]). The heavens are great not because of what they are but because of who lives there. Not only does God dwell in heaven, but His messengers, the angels, also dwell there and are sent down to earth to do His work (Dan. 4:13[10]). This word also signifies the whole universe where God showed His mighty signs and made His works known to all (Dan. 6:27[28]). It is combined to form phrases such as the God of heaven (Ezra 5:11, 12; Dan. 2:18, 19, 28, 37, 44); birds of the sky (Dan. 2:38); winds of heaven (Dan. 7:2, 13). This noun corresponds to the Hebrew noun šāmayim (8064), that is very similar in meaning.

 

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament, s.v. “שׁ,שׂ,” 1162-1163.

accord://read/CWSD-OT#11583

 

3772. οὐρανός ouranós; gen. ouranoú, masc. noun. Heaven, sky, air. The sing. and pl. are used similarly and interchangeably. There is no difference in meaning between them.

(I) In the NT, in a physical sense, it means the over–arching, all–embracing heaven beneath which is the earth and all that is therein. In this not only do the fowl of the air fly (Matt. 6:26; 8:20; 13:32), but the clouds are suspended (Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Luke 12:56) and the rain is formed (James 5:18); also the sun, moon and stars are placed in the same celestial expanse (Mark 13:25; Heb. 11:12).

(II) It is also used for that heaven where the residence of God is, called by the Psalmist “the holy heavens” (a.t.), or “heavens of holiness” (a.t.), of separation (Sept.: Ps. 20:6). It is God’s dwelling or resting place (Matt. 5:34, 45, 48); where the blessed angels are (Mark 13:27); from whence Christ descended (John 3:13, 31; 6:32, 33, 38); where after His resurrection and ascension “He sitteth at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (a.t. [Heb. 8:1]) and appears in the presence of God on our behalf (Heb. 9:24); and where a reward is reserved for the righteous (Matt. 5:12; 1 Pet. 1:4).

(III) The heavens are used metonymically of God in the OT (2 Chr. 32:20 [cf. 2 Kgs. 19:25; Is. 37:15, 16; Dan. 4:23, 28]). Ouranós, heaven, is used with the same sense in the NT (Matt. 21:25; Mark 11:30, 31; Luke 15:18, 21; 20:4, 5; John 3:27). Thus, the kingdom of the heavens, or heaven, is syn. with the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:23, 24).

(IV) In 2 Cor. 12:2, Paul was raptured to the third heaven and returned. This is called Paradise (12:4) which is applied to the state of the faithful souls between death and the resurrection where they are admitted to immediate communion with God in Christ, and to a partaking of the true Tree of Life which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Luke 22:43; Rev. 2:7).

(V) There is a final heaven which in Heb. 11:16 is referred to as a better or a heavenly country; in 13:14 as a continuing city; and in Rev. 21:2 the holy city, new Jerusalem. It is the place where the believers are going to receive their inheritance which is incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:3–5). See also Matt. 6:19, 20; 1 Cor. 2:9; Col. 3:2; Rev. 21:1–5. Consult a Gr. concordance for the rest of the references.

Deriv.: epouránios (2032), heavenly, what pertains to or is in heaven; ouránios (3770), heavenly; ouranóthen (3771), from heaven; messouránēma (3321), mid-heaven, the midst of the heavens.

Syn.: parádeisos (3857), paradise.

Ant.: gḗ (1093), earth; geénna (1067), hell, everlasting punishment; hádēs (86), the state or place of departed spirits.

 

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, s.v. “Ο,” 1075.

accord://read/CWSD-NT#12655

 

-Dan

 

 

MOUNCE’S COMPLETE EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS

 

Complete Word Study Dictionary OT & NT Combo

 

[Ιακοβ]

I am a lay person wanting to go deeper in biblical study. I do not speak Greek or Hebrew, but would like to have available the translations from the original texts to help me better understand the meaning of passages.

Accordance is ideal for this purpose, but there will be a bit of a learning curve. If you dig out some video's/podcasts on how to use it you should be ok. Although studying a basic greek class at seminary for a semester would help get you a long way further.

[Alistair]

Hello Betty and welcome to the forums. 

 

I wonder if you might find the NET version of the Bible helpful. It comes with an accompanying module containing copious notes that help explain a great deal of the Hebrew and Greek words, but does not require you to be able to read or to understand Hebrew or Greek.

 

See here: https://www.accordancebible.com/store/details/?pid=NET

 

Here is an example of the NET text of Ruth with the NET notes in parallel:

 

[ukfraser]

Hi betty, im a lay reader and was in your position a few years ago. Accordance is ideal. A Lot of what is said above is good however the starter collection is a great package and is only missing a hebrew bible, So you would need to get one of those. (Lite doesnt have any original language text, only the tagged esv).

 

As michael said, try to only only tagged versions as they link to other tools, especially of translations ( such as the enhanced tagged niv or nrsv or whatever you normally use). That way you can use the interlinear functionality and analytical searches to see how translators translate words. (The screenshot is from my ipad but a mac or pc gives you more.)

 

But high on your list should be net alistair suggested and the dictionaries dan suggested (i particularly like mounce as you get a feeling for the greek and hebrew words for the same english word so how it is used throughout the bible).

 

Net and hebrew bibles are both in the greek hebrew learner package but you dont get the dictionaries or some of the other translations so you need to look at what you want but you can always start with the basics and upgrade later once you have a better idea of what you need.

 

But make sure you watch the podcasts as that will help you use accordance and discover its features. I wouldnt be without it.

 

And this forum is a great place to get answers.

 

;o)

Edited November 9, 2016 by ukfraser

[Timothy Jenney]

Hi, Betty!

 

The Starter Collection would be perfect for you! In fact, you are precisely the kind of person for whom it was designed.

 

Buy it, then use it for two to three months before you even think about buying more resources. As others have said, there are lots of podcasts to help you learn how to use it to its fullest. It also includes several books on how to study the Bible. Work your way through them. As you gain experience, you may find yourself wanting another resources or two—but by them you'll know what kind of resources will best fit your style of study.

 

Enjoy!

[ukfraser]

I have just found this collection which has the hebrew bible and greek and looks a bargain if you can afford it.

 

;o)

 

https://www.accordancebible.com/store/details/?pid=Coll12-Starter-OL

Edited November 9, 2016 by ukfraser

[Fabian]

I have just found this collection which has the hebrew bible and greek and looks a bargain if you can afford it.

 

;o)

 

https://www.accordancebible.com/store/details/?pid=Coll12-Starter-OL

Yes to have the tagged HMT and a tagged Greek Bible is necessary to go deeper in the study. 

 

You can't go wrong with that package. This is the only one with a refund policy. So if you are not satisfied you get the money back in 30 days of purchase.

 

Greetings

 

Fabian