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Bible Study Resources and Tools
Many commited biblical scholars have dedicated their lives to understanding the original languages, cultural backgrounds, geography and history of the Hebrew people. Below are some of the resources available to the modern Bible student.
Lexicons
Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (BDB)
BDB is a comprehensive dictionary and analysis tool for Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic words. Beyond providing English definitions for Hebrew words, this tool:
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Identifies different meanings and nuances of a word based on its usage in the Old Testament.
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Categorizes these meanings for clarity.
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Offers insights from cognate languages (related languages) to deepen understanding.
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Cites background sources and references for further research.
The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT)
HALOT originated as a German lexicon in 1953 and was later translated into English in the 1990s. It is considered the standard modern dictionary for its comprehensive coverage, user-friendly layout, and extensive biblical references. HALOT includes entries for all the vocabulary of the Hebrew Bible, including Aramaic texts. It provides extensive references to the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Vulgate, and other relevant sources.
BDAG was first published in 1952 and its 3rd edition was released in 2000. It serves as a comprehensive dictionary and analysis tool for Ancient Greek used in the New Testament and early Christian writings. Beyond providing English definitions of Greek words, this resource:
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Examines various meanings, nuances, and semantic development throughout Greek literature.
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Draws connections to classical, Septuagint, and patristic literature.
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Provides citations for every attested occurrence of a word in the New Testament and relevant early Christian texts.
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Explores connections to other ancient languages and cultures.
Exegetical Dictionaries
New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDOTTE)
The NIDOTTE contains articles on the theology of each individual Old Testament book, as well as discussions of biblical concepts, people, places, events, and literary pieces. the Bible student will also find a Hebrew index, subject index, and an index of semantic fields. Its more than 3,000 articles were written by more than 200 scholars from twenty-four countries and more than one hundred academic institutions!
New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (NIDNTT)
The NIDNTT examines examines and discusses the major theological terms of the New Testament in a way that is accessible to those who are not proficient in Greek. It is arranged in English alphabetical order. The NIDNTT discusses the use of each key term in classical Greek, in the Old Testament, in rabbinic writing, and in the New Testament. It also includes a glossary of technical terms​.
New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDNTTE)
NIDNTTE provides the background and usage of over 3,000 Greek words in the New Testament—as well as related usage in the Septuagint, Jewish literature, and more. Its alphabetical arrangement enables students to quickly look up an English word with a corresponding list of Greek words.
Introductions and Surveys
An Introduction to the Old Testament
This introduction to the Old Testament offers students a solid understanding of three key issues: historical background, literary analysis, and theological message. ​It deals with the meaning of each book, not in isolation but in a canonical context. It also probes the meaning of each book in the setting of its culture.
The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians
This highly-readable, one-volume introduction places the entire New Testament and early Christianity in its original context. It also surveys of each New Testament book that discuss their significance, critical topics like authorship and date, and that provide commentary on contents along with implications for the Christian life.
An Introduction to the New Testament
This introduction focuses on historical questions dealing with authorship, date, sources, purpose, audience, and themes. Each New Testament book is considered in its historical setting.
For each New Testament document, the authors also provide a substantial summary of that book's content and discuss the book's theological contribution to the overall canon.
Atlases
The IVP Atlas of Bible History
Taking a narrative approach, this atlas introduces valuable resources available today on the Bible's history, geography and archaeology. The many maps, photographs, drawings and reconstructions on every page show what the people of Bible times saw and did. The Atlas presents the latest findings in history and archaeology in a readable style that will appeal to anyone wanting to know more about the history of the Bible.
Zondervan Atlas of the Bible
This atlas provides innovative graphics, chronological charts, and over one hundred specially selected images to help illuminate the geographical and historical context of biblical events. The first section of the Atlas introduces the "playing board" of biblical history. The next section, arranged historically, begins with Eden and traces the historical progression of the Old and New Testaments. It concludes with chapters on the history of Jerusalem, the disciplines of historical geography, and the most complete and accurate listing and discussion of place-names found in any atlas.
Crossway ESV Bible Atlas
This atlas offers Bible readers a comprehensive, up-to-date resource that blends technical sophistication with readability, visual appeal, and historical and biblical accuracy. All the key methods of presenting Bible geography and history are here, including more than 175 full-color maps, 70 photographs, 3-D re-creations of biblical objects and sites, indexes, timelines, and 65,000 words of narrative description. The atlas uniquely features regional maps detailing biblically significant areas such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Italy, and Greece. It also includes access to online maps and illustrations.