Study the Bible 1.0
Thursday, May 28, 2009
This is not an advertistment, but I use e-Sword, a free Bible software which is a great tool for self-study. You can download it here, and add on commentaries and dictonaries also for free. You can pay to include your favourite translation (AMP, Message, NASB, NIV, NKJV, NLT, NRSV) but the purpose of this post is to teach you how to make the most of e-Sword as a free tool.
e-Sword improves your Bible Study
The standard e-Sword installation comes with KJV and Strong's Numbers. Strong's is a Bible Index. Each original-language word has a number, and the number can be looked up to reveal the literal meaning of the word. This can also be helpful in cross-referencing to see how the same original-language word is used in different places in the Bible, or the reverse, how the same english word is actually translated from different original-language words. A tutorial of how to look up words is on e-Sword's website. A good complement for Strong's is Nave's Topical Bible, also freely available as an e-Sword dictonary.
I have found downloading other free translations helpful. You might want to grab CEV or Good News as a thought-for-thought guide and ESV for study. I also downloaded KJV without Strong's for easy reading & ASV and RV (translations that date back about 100 years) for fun.
e-Sword saves you Money
E-sword allows you to compare translations side by side like a Parallel Bible and has Strong's numbers like the Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible which could set you back SGD $150.
e-Sword makes study Easy and Effective
There is a decent search tool that lets you search for words or phrases in specific books or the whole bible. You can only search one translation at a time though. In addition, there is a notepad feature for you to make quick study notes.
e-Sword has Goodies
This include maps, devotional material, a scripture memory tool, and even a couple of Christian classics.
Try it out... there's no harm. If it works for you, use it. If it doesn't, dump it.
Posted by yipeng 9:30 AM
Labels: Bible Study
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