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Style Guide

University of Divinity Style Guide

Bible

For referencing of biblical texts the University of Divinity observes the latest edition of The SBL Handbook of Style available online via the UD Library Hub.

The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) has a student supplement of the handbook in pdf format available for free download: https://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/pubs/SBLHSsupp2015-02.pdf.

Referencing biblical text
Short biblical references are given in parentheses in the text, using an abbreviated title. Semi-colons separate each biblical reference where multiple references are used. If the translation needs specifying, it is noted in abbreviated form after the verse number. If the same translation is used throughout, mention it in the first note only. Biblical languages may be quoted in the original characters or in transliteration (see The SBL Handbook of Style for guidance). Do not begin a sentence with a numeral, e.g. 1 Corinthians. Find another way to express the thought, or use the term First Corinthians instead, so that the 1 in 1 Corinthians is not at the beginning of the sentence.

Where the biblical book is mentioned as part of a sentence use the book’s title.

For example: Jesus’ parable of the weeds in the field at Matthew 13:36–43 Jesus' parable of the weeds in the field illustrates that good and evil will exist together in the world until the final judgment.

 

Where the biblical book is mentioned in parentheses use the book’s abbreviation.

For example: Jesus’ parable of the weeds in the field (Matt 13:36–43) illustrates that good and evil will exist together in the world until the final judgment.

 

Rule for notes in text

(Abbreviated book title Chapter:Verses in sequence separated by an en dash Translation if required)

Example of note entry in text

(Gal 5:22–23a, 25; Jer 17:7–8 NRSV)

Bibliography

Bibles are not usually listed in the bibliography (except in particular types of essays, for example, a historical or missional theology study of the publication of particular Bible editions and translations).

For a range of verses use an en dash with no spaces either side of the dash. Do not use ff.

For example: Luke 10:38–42; 15:3–10 or Luke 1:5–25, 57–66.

For non-consecutive verses use a comma to separate.

            For example: Galatians 5:13, 26.

For a range of chapters use an en dash with no spaces either side of the dash.

For example: Luke 16–19.

Commonly used abbreviations                                                                                 SBL 8.3

ch. / chs.

chapter / chapters

NIV

New International Version

v. / vv.

verse / verses

NJB

New Jerusalem Bible

LXX

Septuagint

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version

MT

Masoretic Text

RSV

Revised Standard Version

Hebrew Bible/Old Testament abbreviations                                                           SBL 8.3

Gen

Genesis

Isa

Isaiah

Exod

Exodus

Jer

Jeremiah

Lev

Leviticus

Lam

Lamentations

Num

Numbers

Ezek

Ezekiel

Deut

Deuteronomy

Dan

Daniel

Josh

Joshua

Hos

Hosea

Judg

Judges

Joel

Joel

Ruth

Ruth

Amos

Amos

1–2 Sam

1–2 Samuel

Obad

Obadiah

1–2 Kgdms

1–2 Kings (LXX)

Jonah

Jonah

1–2 Kgs

1–2 Kings

Mic

Micah

3–4 Kgdms

3–4 Kings (LXX)

Nah

Nahum

1–2 Chr

1–2 Chronicles

Hab

Habakkuk

Ezra

Ezra

Zeph

Zephaniah

Neh

Nehemiah

Hag

Haggai

Esth

Esther

Zech

Zechariah

Job

Job

Mal

Malachi

Ps/Pss

Psalms

Prov

Proverbs

Eccl (or Qoh)

Ecclesiastes (or Qoheleth)

Song (or Cant)

Song of Songs, Song of Solomon, or Canticles

New Testament abbreviations

Matt

Matthew

1–2 Thess

1–2 Thessalonians

Mark

Mark

1–2 Tim

1–2 Timothy

Luke

Luke

Titus

Titus

John

John

Phlm

Philemon

Acts

Acts

Heb

Hebrews

Rom

Romans

Jas

James

1–2 Cor

1–2 Corinthians

1–2 Pet

1–2 Peter

Gal

Galatians

1–2–3 John

1–2–3 John

Eph

Ephesians

Jude

Jude

Phil

Philippians

Rev

Revelation

Col

Colossians

Deutero-canonical abbreviations

Bar

Baruch

Ep Jer

Epistle of Jeremiah

Add Dan

Additions to Daniel

Jdt

Judith

Pr Azar

Prayer of Azariah

1–2 Macc

1–2 Maccabees

Bel

Bel and the Dragon

3–4 Macc

3–4 Maccabees

Sg Three

Song of the Three Young Men

Pr Man

Prayer of Manasseh

Sus

Susanna

Sir

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1–2 Esd

1–2 Esdras

Tob

Tobit

Add Esth

Additions to Esther

Wis

Wisdom