Do you find studying the Bible too difficult? Maybe it’s because you lack the right tools. Having good tools can make your study time more productive and significantly improve your understanding of Scripture. And now, with so many free resources available online, it’s easier than ever!

8 Basic Bible Study Tools

Most of these tools are available online for free, and many can be downloaded as well!

1. Online Bibles with study tools

• E-Sword
  This free user-friendly Bible software app is available on most platforms. It is available in over 50 languages and offers hundreds of Bible versions, study resources, devotionals, dictionaries, commentaries, and maps. It can also be used offline
• YouVersion Bible App
  This free app features thousands of translations and languages, daily devotionals, and synchronization across multiple devices.
• Bible Gateway
  This popular website contains more than 200 versions of the Bible in over 70 languages. It also provides access to a large library of audio Bibles, mobile apps, devotionals, and other free resources..
• Blue Letter Bible
  BLB is a powerful tool offers a free online reference library and study resources, including over 30 Bible versions in numerous languages. You can also enroll in free Bible, Christian living, and ministry courses at the BLB Institute.
• Bible Hub
  Bible Hub is an excellent, comprehensive website which includes 25 Bible versions, numerous concordances, commentaries, and dictionaries, and Greek and Hebrew study tools. Bible Hub also provides quick access to topical studies, interlinears, sermons, Strong’s Concordance, and more.

2. Study Bibles

Study Bibles are often Bibles with commentaries. They contain explanatory notes that explain and clarify the Scriptures. There are too many of them to list them all here.

One unique example is the Thompson Chain Reference Bible which features a system connecting over 100,000 references across 8,000 topics. This allows users to search a topic and follow it throughout the Bible, letting Scripture interpret itself. It also contains extensive tools, including book and study outlines, character studies, Bible readings, historical charts, maps, and more.

3. Bible commentaries

Bible commentaries offer explanations and interpretations of the Scriptures, analyzing or explaining them book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. Many are comprehensive commentaries that cover the entire Bible.

There are too many to list here, although various websites offer free access to them. Blue Letter Bible has 50, and Bible Hub has nearly 70! I especially like Matthew Henry’s Commentary because it provides an in-depth analysis of every verse in the Bible.

4. Bible Concordances

A Bible concordance indexes words used in the Bible, along with the main references containing that word. They are useful for locating Bible passages.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
The Strong’s Concordance lists every occurrence of every word in the King James Bible. Each word is assigned a number that is cross-referenced to the Hebrew or Greek lexicon, which allows you to discover the word’s meaning in the original language. This can greatly enhance your understanding of the text. You can also access Strong’s online at Bible Hub.

5. Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

• Bible dictionaries 
  These dictionaries provide brief, introductory discussions of biblical concepts and keywords. They usually cover all the major terms, including names, places, concepts, plants, and animals. Bible Hub has an excellent multi-source online dictionary.
• Bible Encyclopedias
  Encyclopedias consist of longer, in-depth articles that provide valuable information on dates, customs, settings, family life, language, and literature. They can really bring biblical characters, events, and locations to life! You’ll find some good ones on Bible Hub and several at Bible Gateway.

6. Historical Writings

Many people don’t realize how many historical writings exist, or what great resources they are for Bible study. Bible Hub organizes many of these writings by topic or historical period. Two of my favorites are Alfred Edersheim and . You can also download and use many historical writings on E-sword.

Christian Classics Ethereal Library
The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CEEL) is a digital library of hundreds of classic Christian books selected for edification and education. It also contains many historical and early church writings, including those of Alfred Edersheim and the complete works of Flavius Josephus. You can read them online or download them in PDF.

Suggestions are available on how to use the CCEL books. One form of meditation they suggest to use with these books is called the Lectio Divina. It’s on the ancient art of “Accepting the Embrace of God” by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B.

7. Bible maps

Maps are often overlooked as study tools, but they provide much useful information. They show distances, so we can calculate travel times from one place to another, whether by foot, donkey, or ship. Maps can also provide a clear picture of the geography of places. Was the city on a hill or by the sea? By studying the whole region, we can see if a nation was surrounded by friends or enemies, and so on.

8. Online Bible schools

• Christian Leaders Institute
  CLI offers over 165 free online courses in Bible, theology, practical life skills, philosophy, business, general education, and more. These courses are flexible, free, easy to access, and available in 7 languages.
• Blue Letter Bible Institute
  BLI also offers free courses to help you learn the Bible and understand the great truths of the Christian faith. These courses will enable you to practice your faith and share it with others more effectively.

There are plenty of great Bible study tools available. All we really need is the desire to use them!

Which of these resources have you found most helpful? In what ways have they helped you better understand God’s Word?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2-3

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