Baptist Bible Study Bulletin (No. 1; Vol.

1; 2019) Bible Concordances

The Baptist Bible Study Bulletin (BBSB) aims to sharpen Bible students by providing a synopsis of helpful Bible study
tools to use for a profitable Bible study. The author is an Independent Baptist and will analyze the materials as such. As a
Biblicist, the Holy Bible is the main textbook and shall not be subjected to critical and disparaging analysis. The author believes
that the KJV Bible is a faithful translation of God’s inspired and preserved words; therefore, the KJV is God’s Word in English
and shall be honored as such. Many Bible study tools will not hold to this Bibliology (which is unfortunate); however, if the
author is made aware of a Bible study tool that reflects such Biblical position, the author will gladly cite this in future updates
of the BBSB. Feel free to interact with the author via email at hardecker@gmail.com. May the Lord bless all diligent students
of the Bible who seek to study and apply God’s Holy Word.

Bible Concordance - The word “concordance” means harmony or agreement. A Bible concordance is an alphabetical
arrangement of key words in the Bible. If you are interested in finding a verse or a passage of Scripture, but you cannot recall
the exact location, this is the tool you will want to use. If you know a key word in the verse, then a concordance will aid you
in locating that actual Bible verse. You can also use this tool as a cross-reference to see how other verses use the word of
interest. Verbal nuances (subtle differences) are often displayed in a concordance. You may also use a concordance to trace
or chart a Biblical writer’s emphasis or word accentuation or thematic development and thus develop a Biblical Theology of
a term or word.

A. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance – The word “exhaustive” means exactly that; this concordance literally has every word
in the King James Bible. Besides finding the actual Biblical passage or verse of interest, Strong’s Concordance has a number
assigned to every word in the Bible which conveniently defines the word in its original form (this section of the Strong’s
Concordance is called a “lexicon” – a lexicon is an original language dictionary). Remember, Old Testament words are written
in Hebrew (and a little Aramaic), and New Testament words are written in Greek. Although the concordance bears the name
of Dr. James Strong, it was the work of more than a hundred of his colleagues. Dr. Strong (1822-1894) was an American
Methodist who served in Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ (currently Drew University) as Professor of exegetical
theology when his classic work was published in 1890. He co-edited another work with the seminary’s president, John
McClintock (1814-1870) entitled Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature.

B. Cruden’s Complete Concordance – This tool differs from Strong’s in that the Cruden’s concordance does not focus so much
on listing all the words of the King James Bible. Rather, it includes most of the important or key words. It is a much smaller
work than Strong’s to be sure, but a handier tool to cart along, or to have for a quick reference. Alexander Cruden (1699-
1770) was born and educated in Aberdeen, Scotland. He became proficient in Latin and Greek and became a Biblical Scholar.
It was reported that having been turned down by a lover, he subsequently lost his mind. This is sad. What a lesson for us to
keep our affections on things above.

C. Power Bible CD 5.9 – A CD-ROM packed with many good Bible study tools, including an extremely powerful
concordance. The value of this disc easily outweighs its cost. Mr. Phil Linder did all of us a huge favor by putting together a
magnificent compendium of very useful Bible study tools all in one disc. Please consult www.powerbible.com for the latest
information. To place an order, you may call: (800) 243-7124. This CD-ROM features the use of a basic “interlinear” - an
interlinear reflects the original language words between the lines of text. If you click on a word found in the interlinear, you
will see the word in its original language, a definition of that word, the assigned number of that word, and you will also be
able to search for that particular word within the respective Testament. This option allows you to see other verses within the
Testament that word is used, and how it is translated using a different English word.

D. Just Bible.com – A free online Bible concordance using exclusively the King James Bible. This tool was created by the late
Bro. Paul Payton. Bro. Payton was also responsible for founding Clean Internet. If you are using the web, you need an internet
filter such as Clean Internet. Check out www.cleaninter.net.

E. Variations based on the Strong’s Concordance – Several editions of the Strong’s Concordance are available such as the
“Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance” (published by Zondervan Academic, 2002; edited by John R. Kohlenburger III
(1951-2015) and James Swanson (compiler of the New Living Translation Comprehensive Concordance, 2008 – not
recommended). This edition sought to correct or update some of Strong’s inaccuracies. The “The New Strong's Expanded
Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible” (published by Thomas Nelson, 2010) added Vine's Complete Dictionary of Old and New
Testament Words (first published in 1940) and added more updated word information. W.E. Vine (William Edwy Vine, 1873-
1949) was an English Biblical scholar and theologian. He was also a prolific writer of Bible Commentaries and many other
helpful Bible study books. The “New Strong's Concise Concordance of the Bible” (Thomas Nelson, 2005) is a much more
condensed version which feature only the “essential” words. It is best to use an exhaustive concordance in study versus an
abridged edition.
F. George W. Knight’s KJV Super Giant Print Dictionary and Concordance – Published by Holman Reference, 2007. This
concordance features over five thousand dictionary words and forty thousand cross-refences all in 17.5 size font. (Beats the
BBSB by far. HA!) George W. Knight III (1931 – present) is an ordained Orthodox Presbyterian Church minister. This work is
based on the KJV.

G. Charles F. Pfeiffer’s The New Combined Bible Dictionary and Concordance – Published by Baker Book House, 1967. Short
but sweet. The late Dr. Pfeiffer served as professor of ancient literatures at Central Michigan University, and served as a
faculty member of Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL) among many other institutions.

H. Robert Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible – Published by Hendrickson Publishers, 1998. Young’s Concordance
arranges the Bible words in alphabetical order and features the original language words enabling the reader to see the various
uses of each respective word-entry (this tool is significant because often the usage/context of a word determines its meaning
and not merely a word’s etymology). This work cites over 300,000 Biblical references. This tool was first published in 1879.
Robert Young (1822-1888) was a member of the Free Church of Scotland. He is also known as the Bible translator of the
Young’s Literal Translation. Though his translation was based upon the Received Texts, he did not view those texts as God’s
Word.

I. Nelson’s Foundational Bible Concordance – Published by World Publishing, 2004. Previously published as the World’s
Concise Bible Concordance. Currently published by Thomas Nelson as of 2014. This is based on the KJV.

➢ There are many other Bible Concordances that are based upon the modern/critical Bible translations. This however
goes beyond the interest and Biblical conviction of the author.

➢ The internet has several Bible Concordances – biblestudytools.com; biblehub.com; blueletterbible.org;

thekingsbible.com/concordance (this one is an excellent online tool featuring the Strong’s Concordance). Make sure
when using the internet that security/filters are in use.

Eminent Extracts:

“Fail not to be expert in the use of your Concordance…To consider cheapness in purchasing a concordance is folly. You need
only one: have none but the best…at the head of each notable word, Cruden gives you its meaning, and very often all its
particular shades of meaning, so that he even helps you in sermonizing. When you have read his headings, by following out
the concordance, you will observe connections in which the words occurs, which most advantageously and correctly fix its
meaning. Thus, the word of God will be its own key. A good textuary is a good theologian; be then well skilled in using Cruden.”
(Charles Spurgeon, Commenting and Commentaries, Sheldon & Company, 1876). – If I may humbly differ, ever so slightly from
the Prince of Preachers, I would say that Young’s Analytical would serve the Bible student well in our day and age. My personal
recommendations are Strongs and Youngs, and certainly the PowerBible-CD.

Concerning the Young’s Analytical Concordance – “A lexicon designed specifically for those who want to see at a glance the
way Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic words were used. Originally published in its present edition in 1881. Ideal for word studies.”
(Cyril J. Barber, The Minister’s Library, Vol. 1, Moody Press, 1985, pg.58). Mr. Barber also cites Walker’s Comprehensive Bible
Concordance (1976) by James Bradford Richmond Walker as a recommended concordance based on the KJV (The Minister’s
Library, Vol.2, pg. 21). He also mentioned: The Word Study Concordance (1978) by George Wigram and Ralph Winter, which
is also based on the KJV (ibid).

“One of the uses of a concordance is that it facilitates the tracing of different words so that they can be studied in context.”
(Cyril J. Barber, An Introduction to Theological Research, second edition, revised and expanded, Univ. Press of America, 2000,
pg. 73).

“Concordance - A Bible study aid which lists words of the Bible and their location by book, chapter, and verse. It helps the
Bible student understand a particular word or subject by enabling him to study Bible words in the various passages. It also
helps the student locate a particular passage by consulting one of the words in the passage.” (David Cloud, Way of Life
Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity, Fifth Edition, revised and enlarged, 2008).

After citing Strong’s, and Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the N.T., and Gesenius’s Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the O.T.
Scriptures, Dr. Phillips said: “the three primary works mentioned above open up a wealth of information about the original
of any word used in the King James Bible…half an hour with a King James Bible and these three tools should convince anyone
of the value and helpfulness of such study…diligent students will be greatly helped by taking a good concordance.” (John
Phillips, Bible Explorer’s Guide, 1987, re-published by Kregel in 2002).

“An excellent example of the profitable use of the concordance is Harold K. Moulton’s Challenge of the Concordance (London:
Bagster, 1977, 288 pp.). He provides over eighty devotional and scholarly studies in the New Testament words and phrases.”
(Steward Custer, Tools for Preaching & Teaching the Bible, second edition, BJU Press, 1998, pg. 91).