Month: August 2021

Bible Word Study Tools

Doing word studies is one of the basic skills for studying the Bible. I have gone over a few things about this skill in a previous post. Today I would like to get a few of these tools into your hands so that you can begin to work with them.

Electronic Word Study Tools

There are many apps and websites where you can use Strong’s Dictionary and other resources for free. Some of the paid options will have both.

Here are my recommendations for ‘electronic’ Bible word study tools.

Tecarta Bible

https://tecartabible.com/home

I have found the Tecarta Bible App to be particularly helpful. It was recommended to me by a friend years ago. I have it on my phone and iPad and use it often, their website is also very helpful.

The Strong’s dictionary in Tecarta includes the Brown-Driver-Briggs (OT) and Thayer’s (NT) definitions to Hebrew and Greek words.

When I downloaded this app I was able to get Strong’s for free, and have chosen to purchase a couple other helps from them since. The web app will let you use Strong’s for free.

Blue Letter Bible

blueletterbible.org

Blue letter bible is a resource that has encouraged many in their Study of God’s word over the years. They have many helpful tools included in the platform: Strong’s, Thayer’s, and Brown-Driver-Briggs. Along with other helps like Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and Matthew Henry’s commentary.

The interface of the web app can present a bit of learning curve, though after a few minutes you should be well on your way to some great Bible study.

E-Sword

e-sword.net

For the PC there is no free tool that can compare to what E-Sword offers. This app will give you access to MANY tools and resources that will not only get you started but will also take you deep into Bible study (all at an unbeatable price: free)

E-sword also has paid iOS and MacOS apps that I think are worth the money. They currently have no official Android app.

If you use this app and find it helpful, please consider donating to the continued development of this tool.

Logos Bible Software

logos.com

At the other end of the price spectrum is Logos Bible Software. This study tool system is anything but free, though it currently offers the broadest catalog for study tools, and it you are starting from scratch you may be able to build a library with them digitally for less than physical books.

I have used the software for several years now and it has been invaluable in sermon and lesson preparation.

You can start with around 40 resources for free (Logos 9 basic), including Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Matthew Henry’s Concise commentary and a couple Bible dictionaries. Though you will have to pay some more to get Strong’s or Vine’s Dictionary.

Your Turn

Start looking into the word meanings of significant words in your bible reading time tonight or tomorrow morning.

Pick a tool from the list above, and give it a try.

If you already use a tool that I didn’t mention above, leave me a comment so that I can check it out.

Comparing Scripture with Scripture

Treasure Hunt

The thrill of discovery. This is why we all love a good treasure hunt, word-search puzzle, or Sudoku game. We LOVE making connections and seeing things in other contexts. Our brains are hardwired to reward us when we make these connections.

Our study time in God’s word is the greatest of great Treasure Hunts. With time and a few helpful tools, we can make connections and unearth treasures that will enrich our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Unlocking Hidden Treasure

Cross References

One of the best, if not the best tools we have for Bible Study are cross-references. These are references that preachers, teachers, bible publishers, and book authors supply to aid in the study of a particular passage or topic.

The best ones though are the ones you find yourself. After years of reading your bible, I’m sure you’ve seen connections that didn’t make it into the center column of your Bible. 

Where to Find Cross References

Center-Column References

The easiest place to find cross-references, if you have a center-column reference bible is right there next to the words of Scripture. Not all cross-reference systems are created equally, but they are an excellent place to start. I have found almost every reference bible I have owned to be helpful.

Concordance

Many Bibles have some kind of concordance in the back. This can be helpful if you are looking into a particular topic or you know at least a word or two of the verse you are trying to find.

“The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge”

This single volume of my library is the most important to me. I have the physical book and don’t consider an electronic Bible study platform complete if they don’t offer it (and preferably include it for free, the original is now in the public domain). 

The value of this resource is the number and quality of references. It lists references in the context of the verse, making it very space conscious. And it will most often catch both related verses and sources for quotations.

How to Use Cross References

The use of cross-references will depend on your tool, but most will have an indicator next to the word or phrase that points you to the center column for the references. In “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” you would look up the verse in the text then find related references in line with the text of the verse.

Read the Related Verse

It’s a simple as that. Find the reference, look up the verse, connections made. The power of this tool isn’t in complexity but in connection. Being able to connect a quote with its scriptural source can give some valuable context, and finding other usages of the same word or places where the topic is mentioned will bring depth to your study of God’s Word.

Look at the Context. 

There is a real danger in using cross-references without consulting the context. In fact, unless I know the passage well, I will not use a reference in preaching or teaching unless I have reread the context to make sure I am staying true to the Bible in how I use it.

Demonstration

This week I was reading in Luke 19, and verses 45 and 46 jumped out at me.

45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 
Luke 19:45–46 

I knew this account was in at least one of the other gospels but I couldn’t remember for sure which one, and I thought there were at least one of the gospel accounts that mentioned Jesus cleansing the temple earlier in His ministry.

So, I went to my center column and found a note mentioning Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; and John 2:13-17. 

Matthew and Mark record the same event as Luke, but John recorded the first cleansing. Nothing had changed in how the Jews treated God’s “house of prayer” from the first year of Jesus’ ministry to the last.

The center column also mentioned what passages Jesus was quoting in His rebuke. Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 are the sources. I’ll leave it to you to study these passages for further insights.

I give this illustration to show that without even having to open another tool or search google for anything cross-references can be helpful in gaining insight into a biblical account, quotation, or topic.

There are many more buried treasures waiting to be uncovered as you faithfully search the scriptures.

Your Turn

Tomorrow morning in your Bible reading time, pay attention to the cross-references in your Bible if you have them. Take a minute to look up a few of them and get an idea of what they are saying in context.

If you don’t have a reference bible, look at E-Sword for the computer or Tecarta Bible online. Both of these resources (and many others) have some cross-references to help get you started.

Don’t leave the treasure buried. Record any thoughts that you have in a notebook or bible note on your phone where you can find them easily to help you in your future study.

In the Comments let me know some connections you’ve found in cross-references.