Category: Bibleworks 9

Bibleworks 9: Context tab.

I admit, this is a tab that I have not used all that much, but I’d like to hear more from those who have. As the video shows, the “context tab” allows you to do a word frequency search. I imagine this can be helpful if you are seeking to find common themes and vocabulary, but I wonder if anyone else has discovered new functions for this tool. If so, leave a comment!

Bibleworks 9: NT diagrams.

This video shows you how to use the NT diagrams function in BW 9. I like diagrams. They assist me in thinking through how the words relate in a given sentence. When I was learning Greek a frequent homework assignment was that we would diagram sentences ourselves. This is still something I think should be done by yourself, but it is helpful to be able to check the diagram of another.

Also, a reader may wonder how this compares with the diagram options in Logos 4. I purchased the upgrade of Logos 4 so my iMac would have a solid Bible program. I think that the BW Diagramming Module works well with the Logos 4 Lexham Syntactic Greek NT. Logos has a few more diagram style books, but this is the one most like BW 9′s version. This is a screen shot:

As you can see it divides up section by naming “prepositional phrase” or “segment clause”. BW 9, as the above video shows, has lines with an interpretive graph along the left hand side. This allows it to accomplish essentially the same purpose. I guess it just depends on which one you find easier on the eyes or easier to understand.

Bibleworks 9: The MSS tab

Along with the CNTTS Critical Apparatus this is one of the best new features. As part of the Bibleworks Manuscript Project you can actually browse and do text critical studies on photographs of real MSS.  I have heard that this is only the beginning of this project and that BW hopes to provide many more MSS.

You will have a window that allows for transcription notes and there is a window that compares several MSS while highlighting the differences between several MSS on a given verse of Scripture.

The video shows much of what you need to know, but if you have any questions I’d be more than willing to use this feature to find an answer for you!

Bibleworks 9: The analysis window.

The analysis window in BW 9 has many tabs and tabs equate to options. As the video shows, it is easy to control this window so that it doesn’t change data when you are moving around the screen. If you want it to be able to change when you move your mouse this is possible as well.

The tabs allow you to access other resources, word studies, browse options, notes, and more. The most interesting tab is the MSS tab. I will share a bit about that next time.

Bibleworks 9: Update on the CNNTS search option

Earlier in the week James Tucker asked if the CNNTS Critical Apparatus can be searched according to field so that one can see the differences between two MSS. So I wrote a post on “Searching the CNNTS Critical Apparatus” where it appeared everyone concluded that the answer was “not yet”. Yesterday I received an email where one BW employee who is a programmer for the CNNTS Critical Apparatus sent screen shots showing how it can be done.

First, do a search like this:

Second, do a search like this one:

This will allow you to examine the differences back and forth between texts. As BW continues to make this program better I assume this will be one of the future tweaks made. Thank you to everyone who contributed your knowledge to this discussion!

Bibleworks 9: browse window

The browse window is where you view the biblical text. You can view one verse at a time in a variety of versions or one version at a time with the broader text. As with earlier versions of BW you can choose the versions you want to see. Also, you can rearrange the order of the versions (which I don’t know could be done in earlier versions).

The browse window is searchable. You can click on a given word. The video above shows a variety of other search options available by right clicking.

I don’t think there is anything new about the browse window that differentiates it from earlier versions. If you like past versions’ display you’ll like this one’s.

Bibleworks 9: search window

For one reason or another I didn’t give much attention to the search window when I used BW 7. As this above video shows the search window is fairly simple and easy to navigate. You can search by reference (e.g. Ex 12.1); broader reference (e.g Ex 12.1-7); a whole chapter (e.g. Ex 12); a word in English (e.g. .Jesus); a word in Greek or Hebrew (e.g. .λόγος).

What if you want to search for the name “John” when there is a book by that name. The difference is in a period. To enter the Gospel of John write “John”. To search for the name John write “.John”. There are other command codes as well.

You can determine what version to search (e.g. BGT or KJV). The video shows a few ways to change your search version. There are a handful of other helpful search tools worth knowing to navigate BW 9. The basic goal of search is simplicity and considering the complicity  of the program BW 9 is easy to navigate.

Bibleworks 9: Searching the CNTTS NT Critical Apparatus.

When I wrote on Bibleworks 9 (BW9) yesterday (See “Bibleworks 9: Why upgrade?”) I was asked about the CNTTS (Center for New Testament Textual Studies) Critical Apparatus. James Tucker wanted to know if you can search variants between texts (e.g א and P 66) by entering one MSS and then asking for it to show all the differentiations on another.

The above video makes it evident that there are a variety of ways to do searches. If you want to search on a particular verse (the video uses Jn 1.18) then you can open the apparatus in an additional window. If you prefer to search on the basis on MSS differences in general go to Resources –> Textual Criticism –> CNTTS, NT Apparatus (search). You should see this screen:

On that top bar where it says VU/MV type. You can choose from “I” for insignificant, “L” for Lacunae (if you want to see MSS where this part of the text is extant or not extant), “S” for significant, and “Z” for singular (when there is only a single Greek witness for a given variant) and/or you can then enter a Var.code: 0 for the base text, UBS 4th; 1 for “a reading that represents the base text with only minor differences”; 2-20 shows changes in two or more witnesses; 50-59 show where there is only one Greek witness or a reading with only Latin support, and 99 is a Lacunae. You can examine Minor var. (variations) such as “E” for error; “H” for Homoeoteleuton (a reading that likely is the result of jumping like endings and with this function also beginnings); “N” for movable Nu; “O” for orthography (vowel confusion or spelling differences); and “X” or a Nomina Sacra (e.g. θς
as short for θεὸς).

After entering this data I can search, but I don’t see an option for predetermining a comparison between two specific texts. Does anyone know if this is possible in BW 9? 

(For a better overview of the CNTTS Critical Apparatus see the post at The Bibleworks Blog. Also, there is a forum on it.)

Bibleworks 9 Review: Why upgrade?

A few days ago I mentioned that I will be reviewing the new Bibleworks 9 on this blog (see “Bibleworks 9″). I asked if there was anything in particular that readers of this blog would like to know (an offer that is still open). One person asked why they should consider an upgrade, so let me answer that now.

I don’t know. I did not own Bibleworks 8 so I can’t tell you how I feel about it.

Let me share what I know is new:

(1) Fourth Column: You can have four columns in the main window now. It was previously three.

(2) Verse Tab: This tab allows you see study and critical apparatus information in one of the columns simply by scrolling over it.

(3) Manuscript Project: I think this is the best feature. You can examine actual scans of Vaticanus, Sinaiticus, and other important MSS. I think there will be more added later, so this could become a really great feature if you want to dabble in textual criticism.

(4) Moody Atlas: It has one hundred and eighteen maps!

(5) CNTTS Critical Apparatus: This allows you to see how various MSS read this verse and you can have the column open while reading the text.

(6) Use Tab: This shows you the use of a given word in other parts of Scripture. All you have to do is move over the word.

(7) ESV Study Bible: This popular Study Bible is not standard in BW 9.

There is more. You can see the complete list here.

I used BW 7 and it seems much smoother and I like being able to have more on my screen at one time. I can’t speak to BW 8, so the reader must decide for his or herself.

 

Bibleworks 9

Last week a copy of Bibleworks 9 arrived in my mail. I have used BW, but I am not expert, so there has been a lot of exploring. I intend on posting several times about the program in recent weeks, but it would be helpful if anyone has any questions they’d like to ask so that I know for what to seek.

If you leave a question in the comments I will try to answer in a future post. If no questions are asked then you may be stuck with my misguided wanderings!