Bible Software Resources

Bible Software Programs compared in table format

Bible Programs for Windows

• BibleWorks ($350; discount for 10+ group orders when purchased for academic use ) 
  Excellent for its primary focus which is on working with Greek/Hebrew/English biblical texts, but it links well with a number of lexical and grammatical resources, and it is very fast. It includes all the English translations you will need and provides access to the underlying original languages. (If you have the money, be sure to add in the BDAG Lexicon and Wallace's Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics.) It also has excellent maps, but if you don't need to work with the Greek or Hebrew directly, the Logos Bible Study Library below might be a better buy.
• Logos Research (note: special pricing up to 25% off)
  Logos (which established and uses the Libronix system) is primarily a library system that has text search capabilities. It is able to connect biblical text with the text of many very useful and important books: lexicons, commentaries, textbooks, reference works, etc. (It does also include lots of books that you will probably never [want to] use.) Logos does require more computing power to work fast. What this program can do, for example,  is provide all kinds of links for the word you are looking at, including finding all the instances of that word or verse in any other book you have purchased including things like textbooks, complete Lutheran library, etc. - Check out their Comparison Chart. Among the packages, consider the following:
  • Scholars Library Silver Edition ($1000) has lots of great stuff, but may be more than you need
  • Scholars Library ($600; can be found for $450) is a better value for most seminary student needs for working with Greek and Hebrew
  • Original Languages Library (RA) ($400; can be found for $300) - an option if money is short, but the Scholar's Library is a better value if you plan to use Greek and Hebrew
  • Pastors Library ($300; can be found for $225) - If you don't need to work directly with the Greek or Hebrew, this will work, but I think the Bible Study Library may be a better value
  • Bible Study Library ($250; available for $187 or less) - If you don't need to work directly with the Greek or Hebrew, this is a very good choice
    
  NOTE: BibleWorks and Logos are the two big players in this area. Logos is the more comprehensive program, but keep this distinction in mind: 
  • BibleWorks is primarily designed as a textual research tool for Biblical texts and is linked to (a library of) lexical and grammatical aids.
  • Logos is primarily a library management program that is able to do textual work and provide links among the books of your library.
• NET Bible
  This is both a translation and a downloadable program. The translation is rather literal, but it pays close attention to the underlying Greek and Hebrew. The best part of this translation are the outstanding notes that provide readers with explanations for textual, grammatical, and syntactical issues. It is, therefore, an excellent study resource. The translation and notes are available online, but it can be downloaded in a variety of FREE formats that you can install as a standalone program or within programs like e-Sword (both a free version without the notes and a $19.95 premium version with the notes), BibleWorks (included with the program), or Logos ($19.95).
• e-Sword
  For a free program, this is rather complete. Mostly public domain resources but does include GNB and CEV and a large assortment of maps.
• Online Bible
  The name is unfortunate because the program needs to be downloaded for free. Limited number of public domain Bible versions (Authorized Version is base version), but it also has some decent maps and has a large selection of downloadable public domain texts that can be added.

  Other Programs

  • Bibloi (formerly Bible Windows) from Silver Mountain ($195) - Does all the basics of Greek/Hebrew/English text work. Uses Unicode. Has NRSV standard. Can import Online Bible texts.
  • Gramcord Bible Bundles ($99-$235)
  • Also (but only if you are already committed to QuickVerse) Broderbund's QuickVerse: Standard + Greek ($30 + $70) or Deluxe Version ($170)
  • Also see the Bible Software Programs I summarize here
  • For a review of other free (or nearly so) software, check this: Bible Software

  Bible Programs for Palm, PocketPC, or WinCE:

  • Bible for Palm and Pocket PC from Olive Tree Bible Software - BibleReader is free. NRSV is $16. Greek NT is $25-45. Hebrew Masoretic Text also available for $40. Also available is the LXX, RCL, etc.
  • Gramcord Lite (for Palm & WindowsCE-Pocket PC) (check out the Gramcord site, but it is easier to order and acquire additional resources at OliveTree)
  • Laridian Bible Software for Handheld and Palmtop Computers (NRSV not available for PalmOS; GreekNT not available for any platform)
  • PalmBible+ - A free reader with many free Bibles including Greek, Hebrew and more along with the capability to import your own Bible texts (i.e, export from BibleWorks / import to PalmBible+)
  • Pocket e-Sword - Free reader and many free texts for PocketPC (NRSV not available, but CEV, Message, and many others are; also some Greek, Hebrew, and much more)
  • NET Bible is also available for both Palm and PocketPC

  Online Bible Study Tools

  English Based Texts and Study Tools

  • Cf. Bible Texts, Tools and Study Resources

  Macintosh or Linux?

  The programs listed above may run properly under Windows emulators. Check the sites for more info. Gramcord does offer: Accordance for Bible Study. Logos is also advertising a Logos for Mac to be released late summer of 2006.

  Where to Buy:

  • Publisher's sites (Though these often do not offer discounted prices, they occasionally have sale prices)
  • Christianbook.com's Home Page
  • Discount Christian Software
  • DiscountBible
  • Amazon.com