Introducing Bible Resources

A Library Resources Worksheet

Southwestern Christian Library
1. TOOLS FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE
CONCORDANCES
Concordances help to locate specific words or phrases in the Bible, to survey how many times a
term is used and some provide additional helps in articles and indices. Many concordances can
be found in the area of BS 425 (both reference and regular shelves).
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LEXICONS AND DICTIONARIES
These works define the meaning of specific words in the Biblical resources and translations to
provide grammatical forms, pronunciations, functions, etymologies, syntax, context in their
original language, etc. Many lexicons (Greek-English) can be found in PN 881 and Bible
Dictionaries in BS 440 (reference and regular shelves)
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2. TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING HISTORY AND CULTURE
BIBLE INTRODUCTIONS/SURVEYS
These resources give you a broad overview of the whole Bible or one part (New Testament or
Old Testament). Many surveys and introductions are in BS 475 (reference and refular).
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BIBLE DICTIONARIES / ENCYCLOPEDIAS

Dictionaries and encyclopedias are always the best way to get started in any research project.
These provide a quick overview of historical, cultural, archaeological, and theological topics.
Basic information about people, places, and events are quickly grasped and applied to your
understanding and writing. Many of these are in the area of BS 440 (reference and regular).
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UNIVERSITY LIBRARY/SCU/FALL 2009

ATLASES
This type of resources provides many additional helps in understanding the context and history of
a portion of scripture. Maps, photos, articles may all contribute to understanding meaning of
location names and landmarks. Many of these resources are in BS 630 and G 2230 (reference
and regular).
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3. GENERAL TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

COMMENTARY SETS
Commentaries are works on each book of the Bible and reflect one persons
(Individual works will be located in the area for a particular book of the Bible).
commentaries can be found in BS 485, BS 491, and BS 2341(reference and regular).

Many

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4. FINDING BOOKS & ARTICLES ON BIBLICAL SUBJECTS

Library Catalog
The Athena Catalog provides access to the holdings of the SCU Library (OR another library)
books related to specific time periods or books of the Bible, use the following :

Focus your search using: Bible. O.T. Judges or Bible. N.T. Matthew

Finding Journal Articles

Many academic religious works are not included in large databases such as EbscoHost. Three
sources may provide access to a journal, magazines and periodical related to Biblical studies:

The print periodicals in the Library

The journals delivered via the online database, such as EbscoHost (note the databases are not
an Internet Source) include Christian Century and others
The print indexing tools such as Christian Periodical Index; or the CD version, as available.

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY/SCU/FALL 2009