Maps (including specialized maps pertaining to specific parts of the Bible).Introductions (overviews of each book of the Bible, perhaps including an outline).Harmonies or parallel tables (e.g., a table showing how the contents of the four Gospels compare with each other).Dictionary or glossary (list of terms and brief definitions).Cross-references (marginal notes directing the reader to other verses of some relevance).Concordance (an alphabetic list of important words and some or all of the verses where those words occur in the Bible).Articles on important persons, places, events, themes, doctrines, or difficult questions.
Here are some of the other features one might find in a study Bible: Notes-typically footnotes on specific verses-are the mainstay or primary feature of most study Bibles.
An astonishing wealth of resources for studying the Bible is available today, including what are called “study Bibles.” This article offers some help in choosing a study Bible and is divided into three parts: (1) an overview of study Bible features and the history of study Bibles (2) an overview of study Bibles currently available (3) some guidelines and recommendations.Ī study Bible is a special edition of the Bible that includes supplemental information organized in any number of useful ways to help the reader understand the Bible better.
