Building Your Bible Reference Library

A Bible concordance is an index to the words found in the Bible. Like a dictionary, a concordance is arranged alphabetically. A concordance will meet at least two major needs: 

1. If you want to look up for a particular word in the Bible that is connected to a chapter and verse that they can’t remember, the concordance lists the places where the word is found and offers a small sample of the entire verse.

2. When you want to know the original Greek or Hebrew word the authors used, and how that word is translated into the English. In some concordances, the English word is then keyed to a numbering system in the back of the book which helps the reader understand the original language meaning of the word and how the word is used throughout Scripture.

Remember! A concordance is based on a specific Bible translation such as the NIV, KJV, NASB, etc.

As the name suggests, these books are the collected "comments" of various authors regarding the way they have come to interpret verses in the Bible. Commentaries are useful to compare information you have learned about various passages in the Bible and they can add additional details regarding the geography, customs and traditions of Biblical times, not found in other reference tools. Commentaries are available as a single volume or as part of a multi-volume set.

Keep in mind that there are three basic types of Bible Commentaries:

Devotional Commentaries - focus on the spiritual significance of the text and how it applies to our daily lives.

Expository Commentaries - focus on explaining the original meaning of the text using historical, geographical and cultural information as well as discussions of the original languages of Greek and Hebrew.

Exegetical or Critical Commentaries - focus on highly technical issues related to the Greek and Hebrew text and its interpretation, written primarily for specialists.

A Bible Dictionary is a reference resource that gives concisely worded definitions and biblical, historical and theological information - about people, places, words and events found in the Bible - all in alphabetical order. Some dictionaries may also have articles on theological terms that are not in the Bible, such as the word "trinity". They also offer help with hard to pronounce Biblical words. Bible Dictionaries can help answer the questions, "what does the word 'repentance' mean?" or "who was Mary Magdalene?" or "where and what was 'Ephesus'?" It is important to know which Bible translation you use as Dictionaries are keyed to specific translations.

A Bible Handbook is a companion to Bible reading and a great introduction to the whole Bible. It’s arranged in the order of the books of the Bible, and provides critical background information that is helpful to know before you read through a Bible book. It includes explanations, illustrations, and topical and historical notes that will expand your overall Bible understanding.