What are the differences between bible dictionaries, commentaries and study bibles?

I am not sure which I should get to help me learn more about the bible. Can someone tell me the features of all three? Thanks.

What are the differences between bible dictionaries, commentaries and study bibles?
Bible dictionary - gives definition of Biblical terms


Commentary - gives a persons interpretation of scripture, bringing in cultural and historical references and highlighting figurative language.


Study Bible - several kinds. Chain reference links related verses through thre Bible. Thematic Bibles link themes.





You left out


Concordance. - this gives you translations and definitions in original language


Inter-Linear Bible - shows you the Greek/Hebrew beside the English


Parrallel Bible - shows verses in multiple translations
Reply:A Bible dictionary has all the people, locations, rituals and that sort of thing in it and describes them in detail. It is not actually the Bible itself. Commentaries are just books and short topics from well known authors that are writing about certain sections in the Bible. The study Bible is the Bible in regular form. At the bottom of each page there is helpful information that answers questions you might have about some of the verses. It tells who the author of each book of the Bible is if it's known. It also tells when each book was written and to who. It gives very useful background information helping you better understand the full scope of the Bible. Study Bibles are very useful. I use the New Living Translation. The language is very modern. There is also New International Version and several other very modern versions.
Reply:They're all like a version of the south bank show.......... just a review of a novel, nothing more
Reply:B I B L E S





http://www.biblegateway.com/


http://ylt.biblebrowser.com/


http://biblebrowser.com/


http://www.e-sword.net/


http://www.biiible.com/index.html


http://onlineparallelbible.com/


http://www.scripture4all.org/





but my favorite and has all three plus many other helps is:


http://blueletterbible.org/
Reply:i dont use all three but the study bibles are great....NRSV Life app is mine and there are footnotes to explain what is being said!
Reply:A Bible dictionary will focus on specific terms and words, assuming you have a lot of knowledge already.





A Biblical encyclopedia will be more helpful. There you can look up people, places, events, and the book will explain what they are and how they fit into the whole.





A commentary would probably be a cross between the two - it will take a specific book of the Bible and comment upon its origin, meaning, editing, etc. It's probably going to be over your head and pretty boring, until you have a lot more knowledge.





A study bible is good. This is a bible that is written in modern English and contains explanations in it. (The Living Bible is a good one!)





If I were you, just beginning, I would get a copy of the Living Bible or other good study bible, and then also a good encyclopedia. I have one called "Bible Facts" by Jenny Roberts. It's good, but it's published by Barnes and Noble, so you'd have to get it through them (they have a good web site store). I also have a collection of commentaries by Isaac Asimov (yes, the famous sci-fi writer was a Christian). They are more involved, so you want to wait for that. But they are excellent!

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