Here is a list of resources to understand the Bible better. These scriptural resources are free and online. This site provides similar lists for lectionary resources, for music resources and so on, and invites you to add so that together we are sharing good resources we find. So if you know a similar biblical resource, please add it in the comments below.
There are well over 50 translations of the Bible into English made during the last century.
I recently read the following in a review of a particular translation (adapted in an attempt to avoid embarrassing the author):
When I want to decide if I like a translation of the Bible, I look at [mentions three specific passages] I do not read Greek or Hebrew, so I cannot ensure “accuracy” of the translations, but I just go on “gut” feeling and what SOUNDS to me like clarity, truth and beauty.
This expresses it well. So many translations appear to me not to be an honest translation of the original, but an expression into English of what the “translators” wished that the original had said! Hence, I am seeking to provide here a list of online tools to help people check what the original actually says. And remember: don’t believe anyone who says that translation is not interpretation. Translation is always interpretation.
More significantly, more than helping you win one of those tiresome theological debates generally at the level of angels on pinheads – delving into the original biblical languages enriches our lives. It is not the few parts of the Bible that we disagree about that should be our focus – but the central core of it that we DO agree on. There is much more that unites us than divides us! There is One who unites us, and can unite us…
Thanks to all those who have helped me so far in this collating – especially my twitter followers.
Usual disclaimers: Links here do not necessarily mean I agree with the translation, interpretation, theology, blah, blah, blah…
The NET Bible “offers the most comprehensive set of free resources available online, including commentaries, articles, word studies, original biblical languages and cross references”
Reader’s version of Greek and Hebrew Bible (does not work with IE) You can set the word frequency for which definitions are provided and choose whether you want the part of speech, morphology, or frequency displayed. Optional popups provide additional lexical info. Parts of speech can be colored as you wish. Fonts and size can also be selected. Thanks to John Dyer.
Bible Web App – another wonderful resource from John Dyer.
Septuagint.org The Bible in Greek, with lots of parsing information.
Greek Bible Study You open an account and then can keep notes etc. of your studies
Search God’s Word study resources
Blue Letter Bible “in-depth study of God’s Word through an on-line interactive reference library continuously updated from the teachings and commentaries of selected pastors and teachers who hold to the conservative, historical Christian faith”
Bibel Wissenschaft Online Greek, Hebrew, LXX
Tyndale Toolbar I have not tried this out yet – please comment below if you have
Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible
A collection of links for studying the Hebrew scriptures
Another collection of links for studying the Hebrew scriptures
I tried the link to the Greek Bible, but it appears to be broken. Is that the correct address?
Yes, Craig, that is correct – search “online Greek Bible” and you will see it – don’t know why the site is not responding.
we use many of those very same free Bibles as resources for our Bible Study Project. @ http://cfonline.ca (wiki)
My favourite one is Bible Gateway which has about 10 different English translations, and countless others in other languages.
What do you think of crosswalk.com’s Bible Study Tools at http://www.biblestudytools.com/. It has several translation, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, lexicons, etc.
Oh, I’m so glad you got the NetBible in there – it’s my #1 favourite translation because of the sensible balanced modern English and lengthy footnotes falling into either translation issues or theological categories. I have a real black-bound leather edition in pride of place on the shelf – with the honesty to say “Beta Edition” on the spine! 🙂
(I’m also rather glad the minister’s given me permission to use it in tomorrow’s reading… 🙂
Ah, I see you already had this on your list as “Online Bible Study Tools.” Many thanks for this excellent list! CAM
Hi Bosco,
Thanks for this great list! When I was still teaching Greek and New Testament I used the Libronix (logos) Gold Edition. It costs quite a bit, unfortunately, but it worked so well! When I first started teaching I used to take multiple Bibles, dictionaries, lexicons etc. to class with me. Once logos came out I just used to take an old Windows Laptop (and a dataprojector). The students could follow along… Sadly, Libronix was not available for the Mac (I have a Macbook Air), so for a while I ran it in Parallels on an XP session, now Libronix has released a Mac version but once again you have to pay to convert your Windows licences to the Mac client! Crazy! So, I have reverted to using online tools via my Macbook or iPhone…
Can you suggest any good (reasonably priced) Mac software with Greek, Hebrew and exegetical tools?
Thanks!
Dion
Thanks for putting this together.
You’re missing this: http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/63255/jewish/The-Bible-with-Rashi.htm
It has probably the best – most accurate, e.g. without backward projected Christology – translation of the Hebrew Bible, with the Hebrew text along with the English for the Torah. Plus, it has an option to display Rashi’s commentary for the entire thing. This is a hugely valuable too.
Great list, Bosco.
Here is another one, the World Wide Study Bible from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library
My new favorite online bible tool is YouVersion.
http://YouVersion.com
I love these links – they’re truly awesome! I’d like to stick the links into my homepage. I’ll also forward the post to my Rector!
On a more depressing note, ove here a witch (who sounds like a Satanist) claims he’s raised a demon in the main RC Church – I don’t think he’ll be making many friends in the local pagan community:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=454587
I was just emailed the following:
The NT Gateway: http://www.ntgateway.com/
The Biblical Club of NZ are working hard to compile a list of free or low cost internet resources for studying and reading the Hebrew bible, both online and as downloadable programs. For a full list go to https://sites.google.com/site/biblicalhebrewnz/hebrew-freebies-on-the-net/hebrew-bibles?pli=1 . In His service.
Awesome link, thanks so much, Kay.
All I need is at https://www.mystudybible.com free tool that has just about everything.