The 5 Most Important Bible Study Tools
Included: The 5 best bible study tools to help you understand the bible during your personal study.
I independently review every product I recommend. When you make a purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Bible study resources are essential to know the bible in context. Knowing the top 5 bible study tools will make your life easier when it comes to studying the bible yourself.
Studying the bible is extremely important in a woman’s life. As a wife and mother, I am a busy woman. No matter how busy I am I make time to read my bible. My day and my attitude run a lot smoother when I have time to study my bible and renew my mind.
When my husband asked the question “Why do women read books during women’s bible study, instead of studying the bible in context?” It caused me to become very careful in my own study time. I wanted to be bible literate so I could walk in wisdom in my own life and with the wisdom, I shared with others. I found myself often making notes in devotionals correcting unbiblical ideas. Eventually, it came to the point where I decided to stick with just the bible for a while. Studying only the bible during bible study felt safe. Studying the genuine article makes it so much easier to identify when scripture is being twisted to serve someone’s purpose.
In this world, it’s easy to come across teachings that are not biblical. The best way to remedy that is to know the bible.
Raeanna | At Forests edge
These 5 essential resources to use during bible study will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. These tools will help you on your journey towards bible literacy. Understanding the bible will cause you to walk your faith with confidence. These bible study tools are resources useful for women’s bible study, group bible study, personal understanding for yourself or to teach your children.
The 5 Most Essential Bible Study Tools
Most of these tools have a free online version.
1. The Bible
The BIBLE is going to be your most important resource for studying the bible. Very insightful, I know!
The version you choose will be up to you. There are many, very passionate opinions out there about which version to use. Just keep in mind they are all translations. Each bible out there no matter what the version is an interpretation of an original text. Some versions seem to be better than others.
I used the King James Version for years. I love the poetic cadence of early modern English. As a teenager, I read Shakespeare’s works quite often, so reading the King James Version was easy for me. Some people find it difficult to understand. It’s easier to learn a subject if you already understand the language.
Later I received a New King James Version as a gift from my pastor and I began studying that version. As the years passed I wanted to compare other versions and used multiple, comparative study bibles along with a bible app for quick reference.
My favorite version
After studying the words from Hebrew and Greek, in my opinion, the New King James Version is the closest interpretation hands down. The NKJV is written at a 7th-grade reading level, which makes it easy to read and understand.
But as I said, the version is up to you. Do your research. Just because you start with one doesn’t mean you can’t change it in the future. If you would like my opinion on each version, let me know and I might consider writing about it in the future.
If you choose a study bible, be aware that the commentary is going to be filtered through the theology of the writer. I think study bibles are helpful and would recommend them. Just be aware that some opinions might differ based on their background. My first bible was the Scofield Study Bible “paid link”. The Bible I currently use is a Large Print Reference Bible “paid link”
A bible app is also a great tool, I use mine all the time, especially when I am having a busy day. Blue Letter Bible has an app with great tools that link with the Strong’s Concordance.
2. The Interlinear Bible, Hebrew, Greek, and English
The second most important bible study resource I have used is The Interlinear Bible in Hebrew-Greek-English With Strong’s Concordance Numbers Above Each Word “paid link” (Jay P. Green Sr. General Editor and Translator.) The Bible is broken up into two parts. The old testament consists of Hebrew with a few phrases in Aramaic, while the New Testament was written in Greek.
This Interlinear Bible has the text in the language it was written in, along with a word-for-word translation in English. Above each word is a number that coincides with the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
3. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible contains the translation of the word from either Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek into English, along with the definition of the word. The Strong’s Concordance also shows you every verse in which that exact word was used so you can see the word in context for a better understanding of the meaning.
Depending on the Bible version you use, the literal translation might be vastly different than what was intended. So it’s a great idea to look up words for understanding.
I love a good book and the feel of paper between my fingers. However, there is a free website to Strong’s Concordance available. Otherwise, the book I use is the Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible Updated Edition “paid link”. (by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.)
4. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Why use Webster’s 1828 dictionary? As you may know, language changes over time. One word’s meaning might mean something entirely different as the years pass. When studying the Bible, the meaning of the words at the time meant so much more than what we consider them today.
For example
In the verse, “And all our righteousness are like filthy rags;” (taken from Isaiah 64;6). Today if anyone said the word “filthy rags” I would just imagine a used dish rag. Or a used rag from washing a car. Yeah, it’s dirty, it might have that strong smell to it signaling it’s time to put it through the laundry. You know what I’m talking about. I wouldn’t use a dirty rag to continue cleaning my countertops. But that is nothing compared to what Isaiah truly meant.
A closer translation to “Filthy rags” is menstrual rags. Women would take strips of cloth and put them between their legs to bleed on during their period. That takes it to the next level. But the meaning is worse than that.
The book of Isaiah was written by a Jewish prophet to Jewish people, who considered blood defiled. If you touched blood you were ceremoniously unclean. A woman on her period had to go through a purification ritual after her period before she would be considered clean again. Her husband couldn’t touch her or he would also be considered unclean and not be allowed in the synagogue until he had gone through a cleansing ritual and period of time.
Webster’s 1828 dictionary definition,
FILTH’Y, adjective
1. Dirty; foul; unclean; nasty.
2. Polluted; defiled by sinful practices; morally impure.
Modern Merriam-Webster’s definition:
Definition of filthy (Entry 1 of 2)
1: covered with, containing, or characterized by filth
filthy streets
filthy dishes
2 a: UNDERHAND, VILE
b: OBSCENE
filthy language
filthy adverb
Definition of filthy (Entry 2 of 2)
1: in a filthy manner
filthy dirty
2: VERY, EXCEEDINGLY
filthy rich
Do you see the difference? The modern translation pales in comparison to the 1828 definition. This is why I use Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Although, I am sure the original meaning might still contain more intensity than even Noah Webster conveys. It is the closest to the actual meaning we can get with what is on record today. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary website is a fantastic free resource. I currently use the website, but my love for old books has me eyeing this hardback version of Webster’s 1828 Dictionary “paid link”.
5. Bible Atlas
An atlas of the area during biblical times can be a great help. I find that seeing a map gives me a greater understanding of the text itself. I can imagine so much but to see the route they may have taken is so much clearer to understand. Many bibles have maps in the back. You can look it up online or purchase an atlas to your liking. My preference is A Visual Guide to Bible Events “paid link”, and A Visual Guide to Gospel Events “paid link” (by James C. Martin, John A. Beck, and David G. Hansen.) The Maps and photos are spectacular.
Other Great Bible Study Tools
My top 5 bible study tools are fantastic resources for studying the bible. I use them most out of everything.
Here are some bible study tools that deserve honorable mention:
- A bible commentary
- I like to use Halley’s Bible Handbook 24th edition or older.
- Study bibles often include a bible commentary
- Greek-English Lexicon Oxford edition
- Notebook set apart for personal bible study notes.
- Colored Pens & Markers
- Bible Highlighters
- Big Flash Cards
- Photo Book to hold flashcards
What’s Next?
I am so glad to be able to help you take your bible study to the next level. Whether you are just starting out or just want to take it a step further these study tools are a valuable asset to have.
Are you ready for more? Come check out our verse by verse, Women’s Bible Study. For women who want to know the Bible.
If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior you can find out more information on salvation.
I would be honored to have you as a companion in this journey, join my newsletter where I share encouragement throughout the year for women to GROW HOPE!
Until we meet again,
Raeanna
Raeanna
Raeanna loves her home AT FORESTS EDGE. Cultivating life with a big family in America. She is a Watercolor Artist, Writer, Gardener & a Certified Herbalist.
