The Bible
Biblical chapters and verses may be cited in the main text rather than in the footnotes. If they are not incorporated into the grammar of the sentence, then the citation should be placed in parentheses. For example,
The biblical author tells us that the apostles "worshipped him" but also that "some doubted" (Matt 28:17 ESV).
Research papers and theses should use biblical book name abbreviations whenever possible. There are two exceptions:
At the very beginning of a sentence. It is generally considered poor style to begin a sentence with an abbreviation. Therefore, it is best to write out the full name of the biblical book (see example below).
When referring to the book as a whole rather than to individual chapters and verses. In this case, it is again better to write out the full name of the biblical book (see example in chart below).
The Bible, like all ancient sources, was originally written in languages other than English. Therefore, students must here be careful to distinguish between quotation and paraphrase or summary when citing the Bible When paraphrasing or summarizing the content, the citation format is fairly simple. However, if you are quoting an ancient source in a language other than the original, you must acknowledge the work of the translator (that is, of course, unless you are providing your own translation). Therefore be sure to pick the correct format below
Three Typical Scenarios
Bible: Paraphrase or Summary of Content
Single Citation Formats
Book Chap:Verse or Book Chap:Verse-Verse or Book Chap-Chap
Examples
Matt 2:15
2 Kgs 4:43
Ps 51:1-3
Pss 1-2
List Formats
When listing multiple references, list them in canonical order and
use a colon (:) to separate the chapter from the verse or verse range within that chapter
use a semicolon (;) to separate different books and different chapters of books
use a comma (,) to separate different verses within the same chapter.
Example
2 Kgs 4:42-44, 46; Pss 1; 2; 51:1-3; Matt 2:12, 15, 17;5:17; 28:16-28; 1Thess 4:17.
Bible: Quotation of a Modern Bible Version
When quoting from a modern Bible version, you must give credit to the translation by listing the name of the Bible version after the citation. If a standard abbreviation exists for the name of the Bible version, use the abbreviation. A list of standard abbreviations for Bible versions in multiple languages is available at https://www.biblegateway.com/. If no standard abbreviation exists, type out the full name.
However, if the vast majority of quotations in a paper follow a single Bible version, the student should not cite the version every time but instead insert a footnote near the beginning of the paper that includes a statement such as “Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the {Enter name of version}.” In this case, whenever a quotation deviates from the usual version, this must be noted.
Format
Book Chap:Verse VERSION or Book Chap:Verse-Verse VERSION
Examples
Matt 2:15 NIV
2 Kgs 4:43 ESV
Ps 51:1-3 NASB
1 Tim 5:18 CSB
No Bibliography Entry
If you are quoting from a well-known, widely-distributed Bible version, it is unnecessary to cite the version in the bibliography. If, however, you are quoting from a special translation of the bible by a single scholar, follow the format for a translated or edited book.
Bible: Citation of Ancient Bible Version (or Modern Critical Edition)
When citing ancient versions of the OT, e.g., the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) or the Septuagint (LXX), be sure to include the version abbreviation after the citation. A list of standard abbreviations for ancient Bible versions and modern critical editions is available in §8.2.1 of The SBL Handbook of Style (2nd ed.).
When the chapter or verse numbering differs from English Bibles, both versifications should be noted. Similarly, if both the LXX and the MT are significant for the argument, then versification differences between the two versions should be noted as well. A list of all verse numbering discrepancies appears in Appendix B of The SBL Handbook of Style (2nd ed.).
Basic Format
Abbr Chap:Verse VERSION
or
Abbr Chap:Verse-Verse VERSION
Examples
Matt 2:15 NA28
2 Kgs 4:43 LXX
Ps 51:1-3 MT
Gen 5:18 BHS
1 Tim 5:18 Vulg.
Format for Versification Differences
Abbr Chap:Verse VERSION (Chap:Verse VERSION)
or
Abbr Chap:Verse-Verse VERSION (Chap:VERSION)
Examples
Ps. 22:2 MT (22:1 ESV)
Eccl. 4:17 LXX (5:1 NIV)
Jer. 25:15 MT (32:15 LXX)
No Bibliography Entry
If you are quoting from a well-known, widely-distributed Bible version, it is unnecessary to cite the version in the bibliography. If, however, you are quoting from a special translation of the bible by a single scholar, follow the format for a translated or edited book.
Abbreviations for Canonical Book Names
For biblical books, Tyndale encourages the use of the abbreviations in The SBL Handbook of Style (2nd ed.) reproduced in the chart below rather than the abbreviations in Turabian §24.6. If students use the Turabian abbreviations, they should consistently follow one format (traditional or shorter) and not mix the two.