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Mar 5, 2024 · Containing more than 9 300 entries, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, also known as the ISBE, is an exhaustive Biblical encyclopedia that explains in detail every significant word...
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You can do all of this with online tools, but in offline terms, you want a few different translations, an atlas, a concordance, a good source of cross references (a good study Bible or a Treasure of Scripture Knowledge), a Bible dictionary, and then some commentaries.
- The 4 Best Bible Dictionaries, and Why
- A Few Quick Notes on This List of Bible Dictionaries
- The Best Bible Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
- Baker Encyclopedia of The Bible
- Anchor Bible Dictionary
- The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
- Lexham Bible Dictionary
- All of These Are Better in The Logos Bible Software Bible Factbook
- Any Important Ones I Should Check out?
Here’s my quick list of the best Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, and a one-sentence reason I recommend them. I’ve written more thoroughly on why and how I use them below.
But before I jump into the list of my favorite Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. A Bible dictionary is a reference book full of articles on the people, places, things, and concepts of the Bible. A good Bible dictionary will give you an idea of how these are addressed throughout Scripture, plus plenty ...
(And by “best,” I mean my favorites to use for both personal study, teaching, and building stuff for Bible geeks on this website, of course.)
You want to know the most-referenced book in my library (besides my NASB)? It’s this book. The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bibleis a phenomenal Bible dictionary. Bible dictionaries tend to lean in one of two directions in terms of content. They’re either mega academic articles or general here’s-some-info write-ups. I don’t find all that many that mak...
HEADS-UP:if you’re of a more fundamentalist persuasion, you may want to skip to #3. This is by far the most valuable Bible dictionary I’ve ever paid for. I can’t recommend it highly enough—if you use it correctly. This 6-volume set is precious to me for a few reasons. First, this Bible encyclopedia is incredibly thorough.If I want to know what anyo...
HEADS-UP: if you’re of the more progressive theological persuasion, you may want to skip to #4. This is the standard when it comes to conservative Bible dictionaries, folks. It’s thorough. And if you want to blend observation with conservative interpretation, this is a rather educating shortcut. (And those are hard to find.) The ISBE is admittedly ...
OK, I can’t make a list of recommended Bible dictionaries without mentioning this one, for two reasons: 1. It’s FREE. 2. It’s surprisingly good for a freebie. I actually consult this Bible dictionary along with the other four here. Sometimes free stuff turns out to be good. For years I’ve been telling my friends that the LBD is the best-kept secret...
OK, this one is technically in a grey area in terms of the Bible dictionarium. The Bible Factbook is a feature in my favorite Bible study software, and the way it’s set up would make it nigh impossible to ever print. And that’s precisely why I couldn’t let myself write up a list of Bible encyclopedias without mentioning it. The Bible Factbook is ti...
I’ve laid out the Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias I use, but I know this is only scratching the surface. I’d love to hear what you use in your own Bible study—leave me a comment below! And if you’re interested in learning more about the resources I use, you don’t want to miss out our epic list comparing the best study Bibles.
If you want to improve your understanding of the Bible, a dictionary is a fantastic place to start, and the Olive Tree Bible App enhances your experience even further with the Resource Guide. Here are 10 of the best Bible dictionaries (in no particular order)!
Key Takeaways: Explore the top 10 Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias for a comprehensive understanding of the Bible. These resources offer extensive definitions, historical context, and vibrant illustrations to enhance your Bible study experience.
Jan 7, 2024 · Whether you’re looking for interesting Bible reading plans, in-depth Scripture studies, or inspiring verses to share on social media to kick off your new year, here are seven popular Bible...
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A Bible dictionary (or Bible encyclopedia) is one of the most helpful resources you can use for studying the Bible. While the text of the Bible is inspired by God, it was written by particular people in a specific culture who wrote to particular people in a specific culture.
