https://biblehub.com

Big Idea: Five tips on how someone new toBible study can use Bible Hub.

Five Bible Hub Tips for Beginners

When you are new to Bible Study you need something that makes the Bible meaningful and exploration exciting.

Using Bible Hub might be like a college student having a gourmet kitchen. It has way more available than you need right now! But it is still going to be very useful to you!

 

1. Find your Bible Passage

a. Start with the menu at the very top at www.biblehub.com

b. You can also put your book or reference in the search bar at the top.

When you read a verse or chapter you can quickly move to the next chapter or verse using the blue arrows.

  

c. You can choose a Bible translation by the top abbreviations. Here are some very good translations to use.

• NIV- New International Version (used in many evangelical churches)
• NLT- New Living Translation (very easy to read and understand)
• ESV – English Standard Version (Considered very reliable to the original Bible)
• NAS- New American Standard Bible (Considered very reliable to the original Bible)

d. Listen to the Audio Bible

https://biblehub.com/

Hit the word Audio on the home page. You can choose from 3 voices.

2. Use the BBB feature at www.biblehub.com

The BBB abbreviation means Book by Book, Wilmington’s Bible at a Glance. It will give you the Bottom Line introduction, the author of the book, key people places and events, etc.

https://biblehub.com/

You would also benefit from the OUT feature, which is the outline of a book. This too, is useful for your study to see the flow and ideas that you will be reading about in that book of the Bible.

 

3. Topical Information

https://biblehub.com/

a. Go to the menu from Topical on the right, or the tile mid page that says Topical.

b. There is a topical search in the center and you can enter a word like “peace.”

From the menu on this page you see the words Concordance, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, etc. These are all resources which are part of the topical search.

c. Always look at the concordance references that come up. Those are Bible verses that are connected to the subject. This called letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Always put what the Bible says first.

Another link from Bible Hub is the abbreviation TSK, which stands for the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.  It is like a concordance.  It brings together other Bible verses to help your understanding of a verse you are studying.

4. Use the Atlas feature

On the same upper right drop down menu you will find Atlas as a choice, or on the tiles in the middle. Since all our Bible stories occurred in the Middle Eastern part of the world, it is useful to look at a map to see the geographic situation.

An example is when the Hebrews are slaves in Egypt and Moses leads them through the desert. This is a very different map from one about Jesus at Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee.

It is it's own webpage at www.bibleatlas.org 

5. The Parallel Bible

Though you may have a favorite Bible translation, sometimes it may not be clear to you. It is always useful to compare how other Bible translations explain the verse.

There are times when a word in the original language is complex or have more nuance to it. Looking at other translations may be enriching to your understanding.

In the third bar on top in the middle, PCH stands for parallel chapters. It will give you five Bible translations of the passage side-by-side.

Parallel will lead you to one verse in many translations.

The Word of God always comes first!

When you are new to the Bible, it is important to stay in the Bible, not read a lot of extra writings and commentaries. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Psalm 119:34 NLT

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first! Read it today!



This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” included.

__________________

Previous: Ten BibleProject Tips: Get the Most out of BibleProject
Up next: Advanced Bible Hub Tips

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Reflect:

1. What role might prayer play in Bible study? 

2. Go to the Topical Page and type "Heart" into the mid-page search. When options come up, click on the first.  Look it over and think about what insight it gives you. 

Ten BibleProject Tips: Get the most out of BibleProject

https://bibleproject.com/

Big Idea: Ten tips to get the most out of the massive BibleProject resources.

Getting The Most out of The BibleProject

Our mission is to help people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. 

The BibleProject

The BibleProject creates beautiful videos and posters for understanding the Bible better. They have podcasts, classes and articles; all very well done and of practical use.

You've probably seen the informative videos. There’s a lot more! All are available on YouTube too! Here are some tips toward making use of them.

https://bibleproject.com/

1. Become familiar with videos by category.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/

Their baseline videos introduce every book of the Bible, telling the culture, theme, shape and main message. The final picture is available as a PDF that you can download for free.

Other categories are the How-To-Read-The-Bible series, Themes, Biblical word videos, and some called visual commentaries. Explore these by list. Try one out. Most are only 5-7 minutes long.

All Bible Project videos are also on YouTube. 

2. How-To-Read-The-Bible series: both basic and deep videos

This series is not just for a junior higher or a brand new Christian wondering what to do with the book. The first couple videos help the most basic need.

But various literary styles are treated such as poetry and apocalyptic literature, giving tips as to how to read them.

Check the list out here.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/how-to-read-the-bible/

3. Pair the Book Introduction video with Bible Reading

BibleProject reading plans intersperse introductory videos with the reading of the corresponding book of the Bible.

Whether you are leading a Bible study or personally reading through a book of the Bible, taking time to watch the introductory video is useful.

 

4. Print/download PDF poster accompanying the Book video

The final sketch of each introductory book video becomes a PDF poster. It can be downloaded at their website for free and printed off. It is legal sized but can also fit on a regular 8”x11.5” paper.

Fold it and keep it in your Bible while you are studying the book, referring to it.

https://bibleproject.com/

5. Try one of their Bible Reading plans (30+)

Our church has encouraged the whole church to follow a BibleProject reading plan at YouVersion through the year. There are 365 day plans and much shorter plans. Check them out here.

https://bibleproject.com/reading-plans/

6. Download the BibleProject App: videos and podcasts you can use anywhere

Like the website the app has all the videos, podcasts, articles and classes on it. You can download anything to your device and listen offline. A friend of mind listens to the podcasts while she rakes leaves, washes dishes, and drives the kids on errands around town. She’s listened to them all.

7. Practice Skill Studies on the App

https://bibleproject.com/

The BibleProject App is not equal to the website. The website has some additional material like video scripts. But the app has something special. 

A Skill Studies section under the title “Explore” is at the bottom of the app. Some of it is almost like a game where you collect links to themes, and take quizzes when you’ve finished a section.

It has 3 categories: Pattern, Style and Structure. When you choose one they combine videos, recommended podcasts, articles, links and quizzes to walk you through a theme or section of the Bible.

8. Find podcasts by series

There are over 400 podcasts (most over an hour long) that cover books of the Bible, themes, Q&A from listeners, and all manner of questions about the Bible.

If you jump in now, you can subscribe to the one that comes out each week on a podcast app. You could use the search feature for a specific subject.

Or you can go to the podcasts by series and see what interests you. There are over 10 podcasts for each book of Moses, for instance. There are podcasts for themes, like the Character of God.

9. Take a Bible class for free

Tim Mackie, one of the founders of BibleProject, has a PhD in Semitic Languages and Biblical Studies. He is a seminary professor at Western Seminary and loves preaching. He has several 15 hour Bible Classes free online. There are a couple other well qualified teachers as well.

 

https://bibleproject.com/classroom/

10. Recommend a video in another language (55+)

Imagine having a friend who is an immigrant, or a pen pal by email, somewhere in the world. They may have questions about the Bible and you can now refer them to a BibleProject video in their own language!

On the website, under the Resources tab, is the category Localization. This is where you start for finding which videos have been translated. Some have more translated so far than others because of the need for translators.

 

https://bibleproject.com/languages/

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” is addressed.

__________________

Previous: How Read the Bible for All Its Worth
Up next: Five Bible Hub Tips for Beginners

____________________

Reflect:

1. If you have seen a BibleProject video before, what was your impression? Did you learn something new from it? 

2. Look over the theme videos and choose one to watch. Ask God to to give you insight. Reflect on what speaks to you through it.   Theme video link

 

 

How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth: Coffee Pot Conversations

Big Idea: The book "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" is extremely useful for understanding the Bible because it approaches the various sections of the Bible by genre, giving helpful tips for reading and interpretation.
 

Coffee Pot Conversations

The joke goes like this. “Two Seminary Professors go up to a Barista…”

Seriously, though, it was in the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary corridors that a New Testament scholar (Gordon Fee) ran into an Old Testament scholar (Douglas Stuart). 

The coffee pot was where most theological discussions took place at the seminary where my husband and I studied.

“Hey I’ve got an idea for a book on understanding the Bible. Could you look it over and give your thoughts?”

After reading it, Douglas Stuart suggested, “Let’s call it 'How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth'.”

“Brilliant!”

Fee at Gordon Conwell

Gordon Fee, son of a Pentecostal minister with serious respect for the Word of God and its life application, became a preacher and seminary professor.

He got the idea for this book from speaking in churches. He often taught seminars or Sunday School classes on reading the Bible by understanding the genre in which it was written.

“Why has no one ever told us how helpful this is to Bible study?” people said over and over to him.

The rest is not history

It did not sell well immediately till an astute editor at Zondervan Publishing sent hundreds of copies across America to church teachers, and it took off like crazy!

Over a million copies are now in print.

There have been 4 updated editions and a couple of sequels.

• How to read the Bible for all its worth  Amazon currently $14.73  CBD currently $14.49
• How to read the Old Testament book by book Amazon currently $19.57   CBD currently $16.49
• How to read the New Testament book by book Amazon currently $15.46    CBD currently  $14.49  
• How to read the Bible book by book (The OT and NT books combined) Amazon currently  $14.48  CBD currently  $16.99
• How to choose a Translation for all its worth Amazon currently  $12.47  CBD currently $10.99

Some have indicated this book is for seminary students. NOT TRUE! It’s for all who want to read and understand the Bible better!

Also of note. The first edition 1981, Second edition 1993, Third edition 2003, Fourth 2014. It is useful to read any of them. Most of the updates have to do with updating newer, more reliable Bible translations and how they help. Some clarify things that were not understood in earlier editions. Gordon Fee died recently in 2022. Douglas Stuart is still a Biblical Scholar teaching at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

If you find an older edition at a thrift shop or used bookstore, feel free to grab it and glean from its wisdom. They still give a ton of great advice.

Why is it so helpful?

It teaches you to pay attention to the genre (style) of the Bible section you are reading. It is best to read for instance Psalmist poetry differently from Gospel parables. Your approach, understanding and application would vary greatly between the two.

This is not rocket science but most people never think of this, nor how helpful it can be.

The tips offered in each section are insightful. They unlock great keys to correctly discern the purpose and lessons.

It is great to know that both Fee and Stuart deeply love God, the Bible, and want it to be applied to people’s daily lives. They are not dusty old professors in a high tower of oblivion.

How the chapters work

Note this is my quick digest of the book. You will find someone has posted a very good outline (55 pages worth) on squarespace (click here) that you can read that is more thorough.

There is a PDF of the entire book second edition if you click here.

My digest of what the chapters address

1. Introduction: the Need to Interpret

What is the nature of Scripture, and what is Exegesis and Hermeneutics and why do we need to learn to do them?

2. The Basic Tool: A Good Translation

Since most of us don’t know the original languages of the Bible, we rely on good English translations. What is important to a good Bible translation?

3. The Epistles: Learning to Think Contextually

Each one of these are written for a specific audience and occasion. We should look at the historical and literary context of these passages to understand what they say to us today.

4. The Epistles: The Hermeneutical Questions

The two basic rules for interpretation are established. Guidelines are given for what is indifferent and matters that are vital. The cultural contextual guidelines specific to the New Testament are discussed.

5. The Old Testament Narratives: Their Proper Use

What narrative stories are all about, what they do for us and how we should not use them. Principles they present for interpretation are very valuable. Caution guardrails suggested are immensely useful.

6. Acts: The Question of Historical Precedent

The key focus and model that emerges through the stories of Acts give perspective. Three helpful principles are given to apply to these historical narratives.

7. The Gospel: One Story, Many Dimensions

There are four Gospels; none are written by Jesus. They give sayings and stories; each author with their own emphasis. The historical context and literary context are reminders how to examine them in this time period.

8. The Parables: Do You Get the Point?

Look at the audience to whom it was given, notice what kind of parable it is (story, similitude, metaphor or simile, epigram), how it functions for the original audience. Suggestions where to begin with interpretation.

9. The Law(s) Covenant : Stipulations for Israel

What the Old Testament law is, how to handle the Old Covenant in light of the New Covenant, what we can learn from the old laws even for those non-applicable for us today. Laws categorized; apadictic, casuistic, food, about blood, unusual prohibitions and blessings. Helpful list of do’s and don’t’s.

10. The Prophets: Enforcing the Covenant in Israel

The nature of prophecy, the function of prophecy, the task of understanding, forms of utterance (lawsuit, woe, promise), poetry and suggestions for interpretation with a caution, a concern and a benefit.

11. The Psalms: Israel’s Prayer and Ours

Notation that the Psalms were often not God’s spoken words to people, but words spoken to God or about Him (inspired by Him of course). Look at the Psalms as poetry, as literature, and how it was used in ancient Israel. Types of Psalms; Lament, thanksgiving, hymns of praise, salvation history, celebration or affirmation, wisdom, and trust. Three benefits of the Psalms explained.

12. Wisdom: Then and Now

The nature of wisdom, its’ abuse, limits, and who is considered wise. Ecclesiastes, Job and Proverbs addressed differently as well as the Song of Songs.

13. The Revelation: Images of Judgment and Hope

The nature of Revelation (as Apocalyptic, Prophecy and Epistle). Principles to apply to understanding it and helpful tips for interpretation give insight.

I highly recommend referring to this book when you are studying specific sections of the Bible.

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first! Read it today!

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” are addressed.

__________________

Previous: What the Bible is All About: by the Amazing Henrietta Mears
Up next: Ten BibleProject Tips: Get the most out of BibleProject 

____________________

Reflect:

1. Have you ever felt afraid to try to interpret the Bible from reading it on your own?

2. Do you get much out of reading it? Why do you think that is or is not? What helps or what do you think might help? 

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT

What the Bible is All About: by the amazing Henrietta Mears

 

Big Idea: Check out the classic book What the Bible is All About by the amazing Henrietta Mears.

Amazing Bible Influencer

Imagine being in charge of Christian education in your church and growing the program to 4200 people in two years’ time! This was Henrietta Mears’ story.

Henrietta Mears (1890-1963) was a super duper Scripture Spy. Not only did she dig into the Bible passionately, she wanted everyone to become passionate about it too!

Big names she influenced

Here is a starting list of those she impacted:

1. Bill Bright who wrote the well known Four Spiritual Laws tract and started the program now called CRU

2. Dawson Trotman who started the Navigators Ministry.

3. Billy Graham. She prodded him to have the Los Angelas Crusade in 1949 which launched his career as an Evangelist.

4. She started her own publishing company for her Sunday School materials, The Gospel Light (now part of David C. Cook Publishing)

Check out a review of the book about her, Mother of Modern Evangelicalism by Arlin Migliazzo.

Here is a one minute video from the Museum of the Bible on Henrietta Mears.

Her legacy: a book with over 4 million printed copies

Probably her most influential legacy was a thick book entitled, “What the Bible is All About.” It has sold over 4 million copies since published in 1953.

The book is a great resource for someone brand new to the Bible and for anyone serious about Bible study. It has great summaries and excellent background information. It pulls things together.

Here is the publisher’s summary of what the book presents:

· Provide a complete guide to the Scriptures
· Explain how Jesus is revealed in the Old and New Testaments
· Show why the Bible is one book, one history, one story
· Introduce key people in biblical history
· Give historical background for every major event
· Highlight recurring biblical themes
· Provide helpful reading plans, maps, and charts, and other study helps


I never knew of this book growing up. I wish I had! There have been so many printed editions. It is easy reading and very insightful. Find a copy and see for yourself!

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first!

 

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” will be addressed.

__________________

Previous: Jesus in Real Life: Resources about everyday life in Bible Times
Up next: How to read the Bible for all its worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart

____________________

Reflect:

1. The third bullet point indicates it shows why the Bible is one book, one history, one story. What would that one story be? Reflect on this. Wrestle with it. Pray on it.

Jesus in Real Life: Resources about everyday life in Bible times

 

Big Idea: Resource books about everyday life in Bible times helps us better determine the timeless truths of the Bible so we can apply them to our own daily life.

Jesus in Real Life

“I like to make God and the Bible real to people,” I told a twenty-something woman servicing our house. My Easter village in our basement (from our nativity set) depicted Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.

As a former missionary in West Africa where village culture was similar to Bible times I’ve become driven to understand the everyday life of Bible characters. It provides fresh insight to the Scriptures.

Understanding the culture of the Bible helps interpret what it means for us today. We can better determine the timeless truths of the Bible.

Jesus was willing to be human  

Jesus was a real person who had parents and siblings, bled when he got a cut and loved his friends. He was equally God and equally man. (One of the best blogs on this subject from Desiring God here)

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

Jesus’ willingness to take on human form is especially important to us during Passion week. We see His human pain and suffering.

However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, struck down by God, and humiliated. But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NASB

What Jesus experienced tells us He understands us in our pain. But He overcame death and we are amazed and grateful!

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT

Books about Everyday Life in Bible Times

I have quite a few books on this subject because it interests me immensely.

These books often have lots of pictures. The table of content covers categories of things like family, household, work, society, government and religious life. They talk about food, clothing, buildings, death customs, money units, industry, and so on.

The illustrations of the Bible such as the stories and the parables use these kinds of things.

Some of my books on the subject:

Everyday Life in Bible Times (A.W. Klinck, E.H. Kiehl) Amazon currently  $11.49

Handbook of Life in Bible Times (J.A. Thompson) Amazon currently $6.42 Hardcover used

The Baker Illustrated Guide to Every Life in Bible Times (J.A. Beck) Amazon currently $12.82

The Essential Companion to Life in Bible Times (M. Silva) Amazon currently $19.99

A Visual Guide to Gospel Events (J.C. Martin, J.A. Beck and D.G. Hansen) Amazon currently used ~$12.  Printed in 2010.  Updated version A Visual Guide to Bible Events printed 2020. Currently $37.99 

Two amazing teachers on the culture of the Bible

I have learned so much from videos taught by these two people. They know the Holy Land of Israel well and are true scholars of the land and the Bible. They have Bible studies with videos available. Some of their teachings are also available on YouTube.

1. Ray Vander Laan   Website: That the World May Know   YouTube sample (Gethsemene)

2. Rabbi Jason Sobel  Website: Fusion Global     YouTube sample (Passover)

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first!

 

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” will be addressed.

__________________

Previous: Hebrew and Greek Resources for Ordinary People
Up next: What the Bible is all about: by the amazing Henrietta Mears
____________________

Reflect:

1. Do you recall something about a Bible story regarding the times or culture that really made an impact on you? Why do you think it stuck with you? Has it given you insight about God and/or your walk with God?

2. From the list of regular stuff in Bible times, what interests you the most? The homelife? The coins and weights? Carpentry tools? Foods of the Bible? Why are you drawn to that?

Hebrew and Greek Resources for Ordinary People

Big Idea: Helpful resources for Christians to explore what Biblical key words mean in their original language.


We can learn a lot about God and His desire for our life by reading and studying the Bible.

The Bible was originally written in the ancient languages of Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). 

The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible no matter what language it is in. God's Word is living, active and relevant!

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 NLT

The Pastor’s Prerogative

Your pastor may sometimes explain how a word n the original language of the Bible has powerful relevance to our understanding of a certain passage.

On Easter, the pastor of my church coached the whole congregation to say the Greek word “tetelestai” (tet-less-tie) which means “It is finished!”

It was used in ancient Greek and Roman days when someone paid a bill. It meant “Paid-in-Full.” This was Jesus’ last word on the cross. He paid the debt for our sin completely, on the cross in our place.

Many pastors have had classes on Hebrew and Greek languages and have language resources in their library or computer.

What about you?

Can YOU do that? 

Is that allowed? 

Isn’t that dangerous?

If you want to dig deeper into Bible study on your own it is valuable to examine words of the original languages of the Bible. You can get insights without learning to speak the language.

Resources are available online for free. 

Four Cautions

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study. Always. Studying a word in the original language is not just an academic exercise. The purpose is for heart knowledge of God that is relevant to your life.

2. Avoid confusion. If you don’t understand the Bible at all in English, looking at the original words may only confuse you. You need to let God’s words speak to you in your native language first. Find a Bible study or a Christian friend to talk and pray with together about the Bible.

3. Don’t overdo it. Don't take each word in a verse. That is frustrating and confusing. Your study should be more designed to look at a key word in a passage.

4. Don’t act arrogant. When teaching, I try to avoid saying, “In the Hebrew (or Greek) it means this.”

Throwing around this knowledge can be confusing especially to those who don’t know about the original languages. Saying it like this just comes across like a know-it-all.

Instead I say, “I believe this word has deeper insight when looking at it in its original language of the Bible.”

The easiest way

1. Use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. Every word of the Bible in Strong’s identifies the original

word with a number corresponding to a dictionary of those original words at the back. That dictionary entry is a good start.  

Here's my previous blog on using Strong's.

2. Read a book with key words researched for you. Here are a couple of books written for any Christian.

 

Hebrews

A Hebrew Word for a Day: Key Words of the Old Testament

Deeper into the Word: Old Testament: Reflections on 100 Words of the Old Testament

70 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know

 Greek

A Greek Word for a Day: Key Words in the New Testament

Deeper into the Word: New Testament: Reflections on 100 Words of the New Testament

Greek Word Study: 90 Ancient Words that Unlock Scripture

Learning to Go Deeper

There are a lot of resources for Hebrew and Greek Bible texts. Most of these listed on this chart are stand alone books you can buy from Amazon or Christian Book Distributors. Most of the books on these Bible sites are freeware because they have been around a long time. Don't dismiss them. They have much to offer.

Most of the resources make use of the Strong’s word numbers. Therefore it is useful to have a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance or know how to find their number.

There are many, many books out there on Biblical Hebrew and Greek.

Here are four online Bible sites that are free to anyone online. They use different hard copy books that have been digitalized. Some have permission for newer resources. You can compare these resources and see which program may best fit your need.

I will review and talk about using each site at another time. Each one takes some practice.  There are how-to YouTube videos available for all of them. 

Blue Letter Bible Excellent resource for researching Bible words and a lot more.

Bible Hub Outstanding resourse of Bible version comparisons, original languages, commentaries side by side, atlases, topical Bibles, etc.

Logos Free  More resources are available to by in packages but they are expensive, especially when you consider just how much is available online for free.

E-Sword  I like to use this version best on my ipad for quick reference, but prefer the PC version for detailed study.

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first!

 

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” will be addressed.

__________________

Previous: How Can a Bible Concordance Help Me?
Up next:
____________________

Reflect:

1. Can you think of a  Hebrew or Greek word a pastor or Bible study leader revealed? What was it? Does the illustration or idea of it stick with you today? How might it help you as a Christian?

2. If you could understand one word better in the Bible (in English) what might that word be? Why does it interest you?

Big Idea: A Bible Concordance is valuable to find the location of a specific verse, trace Bible characters , do a topical study or a word study.

How Can a Bible Concordance Help Me?

“Where’s that verse that says ‘Turn the other cheek?’”

When it comes to the Bible, fortunately, we can easily look this up. The best tool for that is a concordance. Think of it like a Bible contact list.

Four things a Bible Concordance can do

1. Locate where a specific verse is found in the Bible.

When you want to look up the “Turn the other cheek” verse, look it up by one word, rather than the phrase. But it gets you there. See from the photo below that it is found in Matthew 5:39.

2. Trace people in the Bible.

You might already know Moses was a key figure from Exodus to Deuteronomy. But he is also mentioned a number of times in the New Testament. You can search for the name Moses in the New Testament. Or Moses in the Psalms. That will tell you how others talked about him.

Or you might want to do a character study of a woman of the Bible such as Rahab You can look up all the verses using her name. It will get you to the important passages.

3. Start a topical study. 

If you want to see what Jesus said about peace, looking at a concordance is a good way to begin. You would search first for every verse that contains the word peace in the gospels (Matthew- John) and then look up each of those verses to identify those Jesus said.

4. Do a word study. 

As you will see under types of concordances, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance allows you to find which Hebrew or Greek word used in a specific verse.

You can then observe other places the same original word is used. Then you can go to the dictionary at the back and see the root word, basic use, basic grammar, and so on. It starts to shed a lot more light on a Biblical word.

Scripture Spy has a previous blogpost on how to do a word study.   

Three kinds of concordances

• The one at the back of your Study Bible
• An exhaustive concordance 
• An electronic or online Bible or tool

1. The one at the back of your Study Bible

This concordance is not meant to have every verse in the Bible or your Bible would be twice as heavy. It is designed to help you find some key verses. It generally follows key words like faith, salvation, peace, joy and so on.

2. An exhaustive concordance

Concordances follow a specific Bible Version. For the exhaustive type you will find mostly the King James Version, especially when you find the older reference books at a thrift shop,  yard sale or in your Grandpa's study. 

The pattern has been followed for some other versions as well (ESV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NKJV).

In 1890 James Strong, an exegetical theology professor at Drew Theological Seminary, published the first Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.

It takes every single word in the Bible and categorizes it; even every existence of the word, ‘the.’ Yes, really. It is hard to imagine how Dr. Strong compiled all this information before the electronic age. 

Another advantage of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is because it identifies the Greek or Hebrew word corresponding with a verse.

The number in the back coincides with either the Hebrew or Greek Dictionary with more information about the word. For the pastor or serious student of the Bible wishing to do word studies, this is extremely valuable. 

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible Amazon is currently at $26 for a new book.  Used ones are available for less.  CBD  Currently $14.99 for the same book on sale. 

Electronically it is available as a free app on Apple and Google Play. Look up Strong’s Concordance.

Also Blue Letter Bible uses Strong’s as their basis. Just put a word in the search.

 
Scripture Spy has a previous blog on how to use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

There are a couple kinds of concordances that are less voluminous than Strong’s, but they are also helpful.

3. An electronic or online Bible or tool

Most online Bibles have a search feature. You can type a word there and it will show you the instances where that word occurs.  YouVersion at Bible.com   Biblegateway.com  

1. The verses show up on a list with the entire verses written out and the key word in bold.

2. Clicking on the verse usually takes you to the passage where it is located.

3. It may tell you how many times it occurs in each book of the Bible. You can then see where that topic may be more widely covered, or not talked about at all.

4. You can usually search it in several versions, which can be helpful. More times than one realizes a phrase or verse is quoted from the King James Version and it is the easiest place to find it first.

Example from YouVersion on the phone

Example from BibleGateway.com

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around! Just be sure studying them does not replace the primary importance of the Bible! The Word of God always comes first!

This series is about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” will be addressed.

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Reflect:

1. Go to the Blue Letter Bible and look up the word Peace. Note that the verses are listed on the left.  Also see that you can look the word up in various translations from the pull down menu or on the right. See that on the right you can also see how many times it occurs in each book of the Bible and you can click on that. 

Explore and see what might touch your heart.