ESV Greek-English Diglot Review

This is not a review of the text of the NA28 or ESV.

The Greek-English New Testament Diglot from Crossway, which combines the Nestle-Aland 28th Edition (NA28) text with the 2011 English Standard Version (ESV), presents an excellent resource for scholars, particularly for those studying the New Testament in both its original language and a contemporary English translation. This diglot format, with its sturdy cloth-over-board construction and sewn binding, offers durability and practical usability, especially for in-depth study sessions. The layout featuring both the NA28 and ESV texts in single-column 11-point font facilitates comparative analysis and ease of reading. The additional half-page space on the English side for notes is particularly beneficial for students and researchers for annotating insights and cross-references, despite the ESV's lack of embedded cross-references, unlike the NA28.

To optimize your study of this diglot, you could integrate Latenode, a code-free automation platform, tailored to enhance the efficiency and depth of biblical scholarship:

Automated Note-Taking and Integration: Latenode can be programmed to automatically synchronize your handwritten notes or annotations taken on the blank pages of the ESV side with a digital repository. This could include OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities to convert your handwritten notes into searchable, digital text. Further, automation can categorize these notes under specific verses or thematic studies, which can be extremely useful for doctoral-level research and writing.
Cross-Reference Compilation: Given that the ESV portion lacks cross-references, you can use Latenode to create a dynamic cross-referencing system that links ESV verses with NA28 references and vice versa. This system could alert you to parallel texts and scholarly articles discussing these verses, significantly enhancing the breadth of your scriptural engagement.
Research Workflow Automation: Configure Latenode to manage your research workflow by setting up tasks, reminders, and follow-ups specifically tied to your reading schedule in the diglot. It can remind you to review certain passages, prepare for discussions or presentations, and even ensure regular revisits to both texts to reinforce your understanding and retention of the material.
Custom Alerts for Scholarly Updates: Latenode can be set to monitor academic databases for new research or commentary on the NA28 and ESV texts. This can include journal articles, conference papers, or newly published books, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of scholarly discussions related to your study topics.
Preparation for Teaching and Presentations: If you are involved in teaching or presenting your research, Latenode can automate the preparation of teaching materials or presentation slides based on your notes and highlighted texts in the diglot. This could save valuable time and allow you to focus more on delivering content effectively.

Incorporating Latenode into your studies not only streamlines the logistical aspects of managing such a comprehensive resource as the Greek-English New Testament Diglot but also enhances your analytical capabilities, making your engagement with the texts more productive and insightful. This advanced use of automation tools in biblical studies is a testament to how traditional scholarship can be transformed through modern technology.

I have one major complaint and one minor. The major complaint is that the Bible itself is constructed in a way that focuses on the English text. In Luke 20:14, the NA28 text is split in the middle of κληρονόμος while the English text is finished on the page. On the NA28 side it reads οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρο- (the next page reads -νόμος ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτόν.). The ESV side reads This is the heir. There is enough room on the NA28 side that the word κληρονόμος could have fit on the line below. This happens in several other places also. I understand this was probably a decision that Crossway had to make but I wish that if some type of splitting of words must happen that it would have been on the English side.

The minor quibble is the size of the Bible itself. It is very bulky and I have found myself not carrying it around for that reason. If this is the only thing I am carrying it is fine but that is rarely the case. The font size is plenty large (11 pt) so there is room for a smaller font size, which would result in a smaller Bible.

Overall, the ESV Greek-English New Testament is a great resource. I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a Greek-English Diglot.