New Testament Research: Bible Tools

Word Study Tools

What meanings, associations, and significance did/does this word/name have?

Concordances

Where/where else does this word appear in the Bible?

Note: Be sure the concordance/harmony you are using is of the same English translation you are using, or the words might not match! A King James Version concordance won't work with the NRSV translation.

Synopses (from the Greek words meaning "same eye")

What stories, parable, and pericopes are shared by more than one Gospel? Where in each Gospel is a particular story? Which stories/pericopes/parables are unique to only one Gospel?

Atlases

Where did Biblical events take place?  What were the national boundaries of Israel (and Judah) and the surrounding countries/empires at particular Biblical periods?  Where were the major and minor places mentioned in the Bible?

"Combination Tools"

Where can I find Biblical texts, Bible dictionaries and other tools, and be able to create my own concordance?

NOTE: See the Bible Commentaries tab in this LibGuide for another important class of Bible study tools.

Dictionaries

• Penguin Dictionary of the Bible A good recent one-volume dictionary. Note: temporarily on the New Reference Books shelf, near the glass office wall (ask a Librarian).

• Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation An older subject dictionary (1999) that has better and more complete information than some of the newer ones!

Word Study Tools

• The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 volumes)
  A good place to look up Biblical words, concepts, and people. Good background as you begin your study.

• Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel) REF BS 2397 .K513 1985

Note: This is the One Volume condensed version. For more detail, see the multivolume version: REF BS2397 .K513 .

Concordances

• NRSV Concordance Unabridged REF BS 425 .K645 1991 NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION

• Analytical Concordance to the Bible (Young) REF BS 425 .Y7 1955 KING JAMES VERSION

See also BIBLOI below under 'Combination Tool".

Synopsis

• Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition  REF BS 2560 .A2 A35 1983 Using columns, this book lines up the pericopes/stories in each Gospel with the same or similar stories in the other Gospels. The outline of all the combined Gospel stories at the end of this book is an easy way to find the specific pericope/story/parable you might choose to write about, as all are identified with chapter and verse numbers.

Atlases

• Biblica: The Bible Atlas "A Social and Historical Journey Through the Lands of the Bible."
• Oxford Bible Atlas Genesis to Revelation, full-color maps.

"Combination Tool"

• Bibloi (CD-ROM) - A software package available only on the Library's Information Commons computers on the PC platform. It holds the Bible in the original languages and in different translations (including the NRSV), as well as dictionaries and other Biblical tools and early texts. You can put in a word and create your own concordance of verses with that word or phrase, whether from one or more books of the Bible. For some translations, you can pull up the text in both English and the original language.

There are numerous Reference books on the Bible and on religion and individual religions. They range from dictionaries to encyclopedias, from concordances to commentaries. Some are also online, but many are not. Try to find the best reference book for your particular purpose, rather than just stick to one format! A Reference librarian can help with this. ASK!

Moses

Side panel, portal

Modena Cathedral

photo: T. Amodeo 2010

http://www.ebaf.info/?lang=en    Catalog: http://www.ebaf.info/?page_id=1107&lang=en

P.S. The catalog shows LMU links, but these do not work for books!  Check LINUS instead for title or ISBN.