Your Bible Reference Material?

[Dennis1209]

With the exception of your Bible(s), computer programs and the Internet, I was wondering what other tools you have / use to aid you in studying scripture?

The reason I ask is two fold: (1) Because I'm curious what others use as aids to research and better understand the Bible, events, actual Hebrew / Greek translations of words, etc. And to see if there are other materials that would aid me in my studies. (2) I can't tell you how many times my computer crashed and had to get another one, losing all my notes, book marks and programs. Many of the Bible programs were purchases and limited to a download once, or was such a hassle to remember what I had, where I got it, reloading it, etc. I'm too lazy to continually back up everything stored on the computer to be honest.

In addition, I excluded the computer and Internet because of my limited data wifi usage, the dependability issues I experience, computer crashes, the Internet could become corrupted, regulated, controlled, restricted and monitored. The computer and Internet are wonderful tools to use until they become useless, and eventually they will at the most inopportune time it seems. That's why I personally have and use physical documentation and paper study tools the majority of the time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My study library contains the following:

• Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (heavily used)
• Strong's Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. (heavily used)
• Numerous other Bible dictionaries
• The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, 5 volume set
• The Works of Josephus
• Dead Sea Scrolls
• The Septuagint
• The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible
• Koran
• The pseudepigrapha Books
• National Geographic laminated maps of the Middle east and world
• Maps of Biblical times

[Tristen]

Hi Dennis,

On top of a Strong's concordance, I use an interlinear Bible (which has the original language with word-for-word English underneath and Strong's number above) and a Lexicon (listing where every use of a word is found in the Bible so you can see how a word you are studying is used in broader contexts).

I tend to put most other resources on a lower level of trustworthiness. As with English, simply substituting dictionary definitions doesn't always convey the intended meaning of a word.

[Dennis1209]

Hi Tristen,

No argument here, I totally agree. Absolutely, all my other study material is sub par with the inerrant Word of God. 

Funny you mentioned it, as especially with the Hebrew language it's so complex (every jot & tittle?) and the translation to English can vary from the meaning significantly. Even Bible scholars have differing views of many word meanings. I understand the early Greek language was probably the most accurate language ever. 

I wasn't aware of the features of the interlinear Bible, I'm going to have to check that out. Most the features I commonly use in the Bible, that would be great. I currently have to get my Strong's number from my computer Bible program. Thanks for sharing! I knew someone would come up with a suggestion that would improve my efficiency studying.