Versatile Bible software

BibleWorks 5.0. Norfolk, Va. BibleWorks. 2002. $299 US.

In a growing sea of computer software available for biblical study, it has become hard to compare the value received for the dollar spent. BibleWorks has long been the leader in quality biblical research software. Their new version 5.0 continues to build on an excellent product providing functionality and flexibility. I have found it the best value for the money.

One of the best features of BibleWorks software is that all contents (save two high-end lexicons) are unlocked and available for immediate use without needing to purchase additional unlock codes. Features include: original language texts (Nestle-Aland/UBS Greek text, BHS Hebrew Text, and many others), all major English translations including the new ESV, translations in 24 other modern languages (German, Ukrainian, French, etc.), and many lexicons.

A feature I find the most helpful in my research is the fully integrated lexicon. One just needs to hold the cursor over a word in any tagged translation and lexicon entry for that word appears in a separate window. The user can choose which lexicon will be the default. Choices range from the famous BDB and TWOT for Hebrew texts to Thayer’s and Louw-Nida for Greek, just to name a few. Other choices are available. Other reference materials are also integrated into the program including the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Nave’s Topical Index.

Another feature which is terrific for any user is the ability to create one’s own commentary on individual verses in the included editor, and attach these notes to the text. For the ambitious user, one has the ability to develop one’s own translation and fully integrate this into the BibleWorks program.

Perhaps the most powerful feature of BibleWorks is its searching capabilities. There is no search too simple or too complex for the software. One can include as many variables and wildcards as desired in any search. This could be looking for a single word but it may be looking for the repetitions of a phrase or sentence, and the searches can be context sensitive too.

These last two features make it a wonderful tool for sermon or lesson preparation. While doing research on BibleWorks, one can create notes, check cross-references, and access the lexicons. Then, with a simple click of the button, all this information is quickly transferred to the user’s word processor for printing and/or saving to disk.

For the first time user, BibleWorks may appear intimidating when first opened up, but the new version has gone a long way to addressing that issue. One now has the option to interact with the software in three different interfaces – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. As well, over 4 hours of instructional video have been included and walk the user through each feature very effectively.

A final feature of BibleWorks that has been included, but requires a separate purchase of unlock codes, are the world-class lexicons Koehler-Baumgartner-Stamm’s and Bauer-Danker’s. These lexicons (as all other lexicons in BibleWorks) are capable of being searched and browsed on their own. It would be nice to have these two lexicons included in the original purchase price, however BibleWorks is working with the requirements of the publishers of these texts. For anyone involved in any in-depth research project, the price of these two lexicons ($197 USD) may well be worth the time one will save having them fully integrated in BibleWorks.

Andrew Bergen lives in Hepburn, Sask. where he works as a freelance consultant.