Bible research and study books
Bible concordances, dictionaries and reference books
When you visit a Christian Science Reading Room, you’re most welcome to use the library of reference books for your own Bible research or to purchase them for your study at home.
Visitors sometimes look up the meaning of a Bible word to discover its original Hebrew or Greek meaning. They also like to learn the historical and cultural context of Bible passages.
Bible dictionaries, atlases, concordances, commentaries and other reference books can be useful aids in understanding how the ancient Bible worthies were led, through prayer, to help themselves and their communities.
Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Jesus, Peter, Paul, and so many others, continue to give us inspiration and encouragement for today.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained.
A Reading Room librarian will be glad to help you in person, or by phone or email.
Available Bible reference books
The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
(Hardcover)
This concordance supports an in-depth word study of the words in the King James Version of the Bible. Search out the original meanings of keywords with comprehensive Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek dictionaries. Includes a topical index, timeline, and other valuable resources.
Language: English
Length: 2,000 pages
Weight: 2.35 kg
Dimensions: 28.58 x 22.23 cm
The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words
(Hardcover)
This companion book to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance includes Strong’s Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic dictionaries. It also includes content from additional word studies to expand Biblical definitions.
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Length: 1466 pages
Weight: 1.32 kg
Dimensions: 16.79 x 24.51 cm
HarperCollins Bible Dictionary
(Hardcover)
This third edition offers valuable and accessible scholarship on biblical archaeology, culture, history, concepts, and interpretations, describing the people, events, and ideas of biblical times. The dictionary includes more than 4,000 entries from over 200 experts, and features outlines and summaries of each book, a pronunciation guide, maps, diagrams, tables, and over 500 photos and drawings.
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Length: 1,142 pages
Weight: 1.41 kg
Dimensions: 15.54 x 23.49 cm
Cruden’s Complete Concordance to the Old and New Testaments
(Hardcover)
Bible students have enjoyed Cruden’s easy-to-use format and portable size for over 250 years. This valuable reference is handy for fast word studies or just for finding a favorite passage. It is ideal for Bible students who need a convenient and portable concordance.
Language: English
Length: 785 pages
Weight: 1 kg
Dimensions: 16.5 x 23 cm
The Reforming Power of the Scriptures: A Biography of the English Bible
(Hardcover)
Gain a deeper appreciation for the book that continues to reform the world. This unique biography takes the reader from the beginnings of the Bible through the 20th century, and traces the dedication of courageous individuals who wrote, translated, and preserved the Holy Scriptures despite ridicule, imprisonment, and even death. A full-color chronological timeline charts the people and events of the Bible.
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Length: 235 pages
Weight: 1.195 kg
Dimensions: 21 x 29 cm
The Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version, 5th Edition
(Hardcover)
This Bible features extensive annotations providing historical and cultural context. It includes maps, a glossary, an abbreviated concordance, timelines, and various essays.
The NRSV translation continues in the tradition of the King James Bible. As described in the Preface, it accounts for the “development of biblical studies and the discovery of many biblical manuscripts,” and is “essentially a literal translation” that introduces changes “as are warranted on the basis of accuracy, clarity, euphony, and current English usage.”
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Length: 2,019 pages
Weight: 1.4 kg
Dimensions: 17.8 x 24.1 cm
The HarperCollins Bible Pronunciation Guide
(Paperback)
This useful reference provides easy-to-read phonetic pronunciations of biblical names and locations. A great resource to learn how to pronounce difficult terms from the Bible.
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Length: 192 pages
Weight: 200 g
Dimensions: 13.49 x 20.32 cm
An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)
(Hardcover)
This is a reprint of the first edition of Webster’s dictionary, published in 1828. The dictionary was popular in Mary Baker Eddy’s day and was an important influence on 19th-century American culture. Later editions of this dictionary were among the many used by Eddy.
Language: English
Format: Hardcover
Length: 2,000 pages
Weight: 3.15 kg
Dimensions: 21.6 x 28.58 cm
Published: 1828
The Synonym Finder
(Paperback)
This alphabetically arranged thesaurus assists users in expanding word study, compiling readings, and deepening engagement with language.
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Length: 1361 pages
Weight: 1.23 kg
Dimensions: 23.19 x 15.24 cm