A Greek-English Lexicon

Rating:
Summary: The Big One
Review: As an ageing student of Greek, an aged pensioner only half way through the second year of a university course in the subject, I decided to ask my wife to give me the big lexicon for Christmas. Some say it is best to wait until more advanced study is required, but waiting several years at my age is perhaps overly optimistic. Generally I find the Intermediate version very useful, and I have it sitting on top of the Big One. I am sure the large version will be of considerable use, but it won't be travelling with me. I also have the small version which fits well into my luggage.

The use of Victorian English does not worry me (we can all change "hither" and "thither" into more likely expressions), but the smallness of the print and its lack of clarity is a bit of a problem. I have decided that when I use the unabridged edition it will be in the daytime, and on sunny days at that! I am very thankful for a little magnifying set-up that I made when using Reading Greek as a textbook- very clear but very small print. My spectacles help too of course!

A CD-ROM version may be useful to some people, but I much prefer books for frequent use. The computer is in a different room from where I do my real work. I couldn't stand having one of these monstrosities looking at me as I study Greek.

So far I am very positive about the large version of the lexicon. It can hardly have five stars because it has some inadequacies, but it is better to have it than not. I might write another review in a year's time and give a revised view.




Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: Excellent resource. I have not yet bought my own copy of the 1996 edition, even though I really need one. What has kept me away from buying it are the complaints from other reviewers about the illegibility of certain entries. Whoever sees this, especially those who have reviewed the 1996 (big LSJ), please
e-mail me and let me know how bad the problem really is. Are all copies like this or just some? For it seems that some people (among the reviewers) have not had this problem with their editions, or that they at least don't complain about it. My e-mail is [e-mail]. Thank you in advance.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: Excellent resource. I have not yet bought my own copy of the 1996 edition, even though I really need one. What has kept me away from buying it are the complaints from other reviewers about the illegibility of certain entries. Whoever sees this, especially those who have reviewed the 1996 (big LSJ), please
e-mail me and let me know how bad the problem really is. Are all copies like this or just some? For it seems that some people (among the reviewers) have not had this problem with their editions, or that they at least don't complain about it. My e-mail is [e-mail]. Thank you in advance.

Rating:
Summary: The big Liddel: Superior Greek-English Lexicon
Review: For the student of classical and koine Greek, this edition of the "Liddel," as it is affectionately known, ought to be the reward one receives for the successful completion of an intermediate or advanced level of study (or--I say this longingly--presented as a gift for such a successful student), which is to say that it is not for the beginner. The "little Liddel" is the best version for the beginner since it contains, e.g., irregular forms of verbs whose aorist and/or perfect principal parts cannot be predicted from the present principal part. The "middle Liddel" contains fewer entries but provides more room for etymological information, thus making the little Liddel best for use during Greek exams and the middle Liddel best for those whose interest includes a knowledge of the history of a word's usage. The big Liddel (the book for which this review is written) is an excellent reference on account of its completeness and the coherent way in which the entries are written. Although the Liddel and Scott Lexicon is a work of scholarship located in the tradition of late 19th century classics scholarship, that is, the editors regularly give the Latin translation of the Greek before the English (since until recently it was assumed that a study of Latin would accompany a study of Greek), the work has enduring value to both scholars and those for whom an interest in Greek is merely an enjoyment. The big Liddel will not disappoint if you're willing to make the financial investment.

Rating:
Summary: Books are better.
Review: I do not recommend that you buy the digital version of Liddell-Scott. If you are wishing to save space I might recommend the Intermediate edition. But the replacement of books by on-line resources is one of the saddest trends in academia. The Perseus Project, for instance, may be a useful tool but it's just not the same as thumbing through a green Loeb. This big heavy book of blue won't "crash" or keeping you waiting as it "downloads" or any other sort of gibberish of the age which I might put into quotation marks. In other words, there are many ways to go about the study of Greek, but every one, I insist, includes a handsome stack of books. Some of the other reviews will no doubt be more helpful in describing the contents of this book-- I can only help so far as saying, please, do not computerize ancient Greek (as you read this on your computer).

Rating:
Summary: Greek-English Lexicon
Review: I thought it was a great book!
I need to find out some things about the Greek-English Lexicon book I have . Seventh Edition Greek-English Lexicon by H G. Liddell DD & R. Scott DD.
Harper & Brothers
Franklin Square
1889
On second blank page it has written,
Frank Wyman 2nd
Harvard University
Class of 98
Cambridge, Nov,17,1894
This book is in MINT shape.!
I have no idea where to find info on old books and where to look on the internet.
I hope in some way u can help me, by letting me know where to go to find some sort of info on this book.
THANK YOUR VERY MUCH

Rating:
Summary: Obviously beyond praise...
Review: In 1996 a supplement appeared to this lexicon and was offered as a separate volume. The full lexicon was also offered with the supplement included ............ That discount is no longer offered but this dictionary is still the cheapest major, standard lexicon of any language available...there is no bigger English-Greek lexicon. Eventually, any Greek student who wants to read beyond the elementary authors in the curriculum will need at least to consult this volume. It is unwieldy...like all major dictionaries...and can be annoying to use on the eyes. Sadly, there are no other choices at present...though we yearn for the day when computer technology will replace the printed codex and allow for (a much needed, but immensely difficult) a thorough revision of the lexicon. Its etymological notes are obviously valueless today. Beginning students will better appreciate the intermediate version of this book which lists irregular principal parts of verbs separately. Note that the intermediate version is based on the Eighth, not the Ninth, edition of the lexicon...as if any intermediate student notices or cares.

Rating:
Summary: Older Eighth Edition from the American Book Company
Review: Just to add comment on all the discussion concerning printing. After reading the above comments, I decided to purchase an earlier edition of the Liddell & Scott via eBay. I took a risk but found that the "big" Liddell, 8th ed., published American Book Company (New York: Cincinnati: Chicago) was typeset and not the undesirable offset. At a savings of about $100, I got the best version (the big Liddell) of the best lexicon (Liddell & Scott) with the clearest printing (typeset). There is no better lexicon for pagan or sacred writings in the classical or koine Greek.

Rating:
Summary: This Greek Lexicon is the standard for classical Greek.
Review: Liddell and Scott is a comprehensive lexicon of the classical Greek. It will aid students of the New Testament in word studies of the Koine Greek. It includes references to ancient documents for many areas of the definition of a word. It also comes in the less expensive intermediate version.

Rating:
Summary: This is really about a CD-Rom Version
Review: Logos Research software has now made this edition in electronic form, all the supplements are integrated in the main text. Each time there is an abbreviation you just hover the mouse over it and the full title is put up, no more having to look in the abbriviation lists, it makes it a lot easier. This also solves the problem of small typeface, you can really see everything clearly. They have also done an electronic form of the BDAG lexicon and HALOT for the OT. So if you want to get this lexicon but the small typeface is a problem check out the electronic versions. Logos has a lot of other stuff related to Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Syriac also, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. So check it out.