Check the publisher. What kinds of books do they publish? What perspective do they publish from (conservative, moderate, liberal)?
Check the table of contents. Read sample sections to understand how the author handles particular interpretive issues.
Download this chart by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
TOOL
DESCRIPTION
USE THIS TO….
EXAMPLES IN THE EMMAUS LIBRARY
Bible Atlas
Collection of maps and explanations showing
places mentioned in the Bible; may also touch on history and significance of
locations
Overcome geographic barriers to
interpretation
Moody Atlas of the Bible
REF 912.122 BEI
Zondervan Atlas of the Bible L
REF 912.122 RAS
Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Places L
REF 220.91 BIM
ESV Bible Atlas
REF 912.122 CUR
New Bible Atlas
REF 912.122 WOO
IVP Atlas of Bible History
REF 912.122 LAW
Bible Dictionary / Encyclopedia
Explain the origin, meaning, and use of key
words and terms in the text
Do general Bible research.
This is a general purpose research tool
with short articles that concisely explain concepts.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary A
REF 220.3 BRA
Tyndale Bible Dictionary L
REF 220.3 ELW
Eerdman’s Dictionary of the Bible L
REF 220.3 FRE
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary L
REF 220.3 YOU
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary L,
O
REF 220.3 VIN
New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. A,
L
REF 220.3 WOO
New Unger’s Bible Dictionary A, O
REF 220.3 UNG
The Handbook of Life in Bible Times
220.95 THO
New International Encyclopedia of Bible
Difficulties A, L
220.6 ARC
New Unger’s Bible Handbook
220.3 UNG
The World of the Bible
220.61 WOU
What the Bible Is All About L
220.61 MEA
Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible A,
L
REF 220.3 ZON
Concordance
Index to the Bible. Lists all of the words
of the text alphabetically, with references for where they appear, along with
a few of the surrounding words to provide context.
Understand words in their context
Connect words and terms from one passage to
the next
Holman CSB Comprehensive Concordance of the
Bible
REF 220.2 COM
Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance
REF 220.2 GOO
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, NAS
REF 220.2 STR
Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible
REF 220.2 YOU
Crossway Comprehensive Concordance, ESV
REF 220.2 MOU
NKJV Exhaustive Concordance (Nelson)
REF 220.2 N
Commentary
Explains and interprets sections of the
Bible; defines words; provides background information
Gain an understanding of a portion of
Scripture
Note: Many
of these series have a variety of authors with a range of Christian
perspectives. Keep in mind that not all authors in a series hold to the same
convictions.
Expositional: For those with general Bible
training
NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC) A,
L
InterVarsity’s Bible Speaks Today (BST) A,
L (NT only)
InterVarsity Press New Testament Commentary
(NTC) A, O (Biblegateway.com)
New American Commentary (NAC) A, L (NT
only)
Technical & Semi-Technical: For those
with training in the original languages
New International Greek Testament
Commentary (NIGTC) A, L
New International Commentary of the Old
Testament/New Testament (NICOT, NICNT) A, L
Baker Exegetical Commentary (BECNT) A,
L
Pillar New Testament Commentaries (PNTC) A,
L
Apollos Old Testament Commentary
Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) A, L
Commentary Survey
Assesses the content of commentaries,
identifying evangelical, moderate/conservative, and liberal resources *
Determine which commentary you should use,
depending on the perspective you’re looking for
TITLE
AUTHOR
YEAR PUBLISHED
CALL NUMBER
Old Testament Commentary Survey
Tremper Longmann III
2013
REF 016.2217 LON
New Testament Commentary Survey
D. A. Carson
2007
REF 016.2257 CAR
Commentary & Reference Survey
John Glynn
2003
A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and
Reference Works
John Frederick Evans
2010
REF 016.22 EVA
Commentaries for Biblical Expositors
Jim Rosscup
1993
REF 016.22 ROS
* Evangelical: Scripture is absolutely inerrant; the Bible was written with full
historical and scientific accuracy on
all matters that it affirms, and thus is completely truthful
Moderate:
Inerrancy is restricted to theological content rather than historical or scientific
statements
Liberal: Scripture’s claim to
divine origin is dubious
A = Available on Accordance L = Available on Logos O = Available online
Sources: Glynn, John. Commentary
& Reference Survey. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2007. Print. Hendricks, Howard G., and
William D. Hendricks. Living By the
Book. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007. Print.Last Updated 11/6/2013 BY
