Guide to Bible Study Resources

Introducing Bible Resources

A brief definition and list of some common titles for that type

May /may not be in the church library.

1. INTRODUCTION TO EXEGESIS

EXEGESIS is “to explain or interpret.”  A critical interpretation of a text or a portion of Biblical scripture involves exegesis and brings together your own reflection and thought with a thorough examination of a text in context (historical, linguistically, etc.).  The first step is to thoroughly read and understand the text and then to branch out to look at the history, word meanings, and other topics.

2. BASIC TOOLS FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE

CONCORDANCES

Concordances help to locate specific words or phrases in the Bible, to survey how many times a term is used and some provide additional helps in articles and indices.  

Strong’s Concordance

• Corresponds to the King James Version
• Identifies Strong’s numbers (every word was given a unique number and this number can be used in some other resources)
• An “exhaustive” concordance – small words “the” are included.

Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Bible

• Corresponds to the KJV
• It has a simple dictionary of Greek & Hebrew words; pronunciation guide
• Two articles on “The Canon of Scripture” may be useful

Nelson’s Complete Concordance to the Bible: Revised Standard Version

• Cross references words and names

Word Study Concordance: a modern, improved, and enlarged version of both.

LEXICONS AND DICTIONARIES

These works define the meaning of specific words in the Biblical resources and translations to provide grammatical forms, pronunciations, functions, etymologies, syntax, context in their original language, etc.

Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT), Kittel.

A listing of the meaning, roots, and contextual use of words in the Greek language in the N.T.  A working knowledge of Greek is needed.

Genesius’s Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon to the Old Testament: coded to Strongs….  Genesius.

Similar to the above – Hebrew essential.

Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (EDNT)

This work is a guide to the forms, meaning, and usage the words in the Greek New Testament  (3^rd ed. , or to the 23^rd ed. Of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testament Graece.   Each heading supplies information as to the gender of common nouns, the transliteration of the word, and one or more English word translations.  The index is significant in this work for locating words.

WORD STUDIES

Vine’s Vincent’s , Expository Dictionary of Bible Words ,Mounce’s complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words , etc.

3. TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING HISTORY AND CULTURE

BIBLE INTRODUCTIONS

Understanding the Bible. Harris 

An Introduction to the Bible. Hauer 

A survey of the Old Testament. Archer 

BIBLE DICTIONARIES / ENCYCLOPEDIAS

Dictionaries and encyclopedias are always the best way to get started in any research project.  These provide a quick overview of historical, cultural, archaeological, and theological topics.  Basic information about people, places, and events are quickly grasped and applied to your understanding and writing.

Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible

• Stands as a major work of scholarship, though it is a bit dated and does not reflect the most recent archaeological discoveries.
• Major Biblical words are given extensive treatment

 HarperCollins Bible Dictionary

• Handy one-volume work summarizes recent scholarship
• Emphasizes sociological & cultural interpretation
• Avoids technical jargon and also does not give the original terms for the original Hebrew or Greek biblical words
• Well illustrated

 Holman’s Bible Dictionary

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Manners and Customs in the Bible

ATLASES

This type of resources provides many additional helps in understanding the context and history of a portion of scripture.   Maps, photos, articles may all contribute to understanding meaning.

Hammond’s Atlas of the Bible Lands

Intervarsity (IVP) Atlas of the Bible

Macmillan Bible Atlas

Baker’s Bible Atlas

4. GENERAL TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Common COMMENTARY SETS and BOOKS

Ancient Christian commentary on scripture [set] - A commentary series utilizing the writings of the Early Church period; useful for gaining appreciation or insight into how some of the earliest Christians understood the texts.

Expositor’s Commentary on the Bible [set] - A moderate work on the Bible using minimal Greek or Hebrew citations.

Word Biblical Commentary [set] - A more indepth commentary with discussions designed for the scholar and the lay individual.

Calvin’s Commentary [set] Does not include all texts of the Bible.

FINDING BOOKS ON BIBLICAL SUBJECTS

• Search using “Bible. O.T. Judges” or “Bible. N.T. Matthew”