Free Reference

You haven’t earned your reference desk bizarro question merit badge until you’ve heard one of these bon mots: “I’ve been watching the NBA playoffs a lot, and all these guys in the crowd of Boston, Los Angeles, and Cleveland keep hoisting this sign that says John 3:16. Who’s this dude John, and what’s he supposed to do at 3:16? And is that in the a.m. or p.m.?” Ah, those wacky patrons. Given the vast quantity of resources at hand, the nonjudgmental librarian might just part the Red Sea of reference and opt for the BLUE LETTER BIBLE (BLB; www.blueletterbible.org). BLB provides thorough coverage of 14 standard versions of the world’s best-selling book. Combining multitextual, concordance, and exegesis capabilities, the site is easily navigable and dense with useful biblical information.

The home page offers a Bible/Dictionary search field where phrases or verses can be entered. At any point, the search can be applied to 14 different versions of the Bible. The availability of range options (searching between a span of different verses and/or books, for example) and Boolean operators provides turbocharged search capability.

BLB also offers commentaries, devotionals, study tools, free web tools, additional links, detailed search tools including multiple biblical dictionaries, Hebrew/Greek access, single- and ­multiple-verse retrieval, and supplementary links to various libraries, testimonies, and ministries. Especially rich is the Images and Maps section, in which Old and New Testament maps, charts, and numerous historical images and engravings are inventoried.

BOTTOM LINE While the site is erudite and intellectually solid, it is worth noting that BLB’s mission statement might make those espousing the separation of Church and Reference a little queasy: “Our mission is to facilitate in-depth study of God’s word through an on-line interactive reference library continuously updated from the teachings and commentaries of selected pastors and teachers who hold to the conservative, historical Christian faith. We desire to operate the Blue Letter Bible as a ministry.” That being out on the table, the aggrieved librarian might want to turn here first the next time he or she is asked to provide the “Dear John 3:16” letter.—Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX