NIV, Starting Place Study Bible: An Introductory Exploration of Studying God's Word

By Zondervan

Sometimes the hardest part of beginning is knowing where to start!

An introductory exploration into studying God's word, the NIV Starting Place Study Bible includes approachable, easy to use features that will guide readers through Scripture while building their confidence and knowledge in the Scriptures. Featuring book introductions, context notes and character profiles, this is the perfect NIV study Bible for those beginning their Bible journey, and a great gift for new believers. 

The Bible’s depth can seem overwhelming, but within the pages of Scripture you will find words of peace, hope, and love waiting for you. The NIV Starting Place Study Bible guides you through Scripture, so you can understand God’s love for you and build a relationship with the Savior who longs to know you personally. 

Features:

• Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
• 88 Bible Characters: Explore the lives of the Bible’s most fascinating personalities
• 282 Q&A Notes: Get answers to your most perplexing questions
• 146 Context Notes: In-depth articles on the cultural and historical context of Scripture
• 138 Bible Truths: Core Christian beliefs and their basis in Scripture
• Book Introductions provide you with a helpful overview of each book of the Bible
• Over 6,000 study notes explain the text, verse-by-verse
• Exclusive NIV Zondervan Comfort Print® typeface

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Feb 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780310450740

Book preview

New International Version

NIV

Starting Place

Study Bible

An Introductory Exploration of Studying God’s Word

NIV Starting Place Study Bible

Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Published by Zondervan

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, USA

www.Zondervan.com

New International Version and NIV are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc.®

Used by permission.

Ancillary content for the NIV Starting Place Study Bible was adapted from the following titles:

Bible Characters notes are adapted from the NIV Student Bible, copyright © 2002, 2011 by Zondervan

Study notes are adapted from the NIV Foundations Study Bible, copyright © 2015 by Zondervan

Context notes are adapted from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible, © 2005 by Zondervan

Q&A notes and timelines are adapted from the NIV Quest Study Bible, copyright © 1994, 2003, 2011 by Zondervan

Book introductions are adapted from The Essential Bible Companion, copyright © 2006 by Theodore W. Cooper, Jr., John H. Walton, and Mark Strauss

Bible Truths notes are adapted from the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens, copyright © 2012 by Zondervan.

The NIV Dictionary-Concordance, copyright © 2011 by Zondervan; Maps by International Mapping. Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Zondervan. All rights reserved. Charts and illustrations copyright by Zondervan.

ePub Edition February 2019: 978-0-310-45074-0

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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2018951483

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Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page as follows:

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

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All rights reserved.

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Please note that this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

Table of Contents

How to Use This eBible

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

Abbreviations

Bible Characters

Bible Truths

Charts and Diagrams

Context Notes

In-Text Maps

Q&A

About the NIV Starting Place Study Bible

Preface

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Old Testament Table of Contents

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Between the Testaments: From Malachi to Christ

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New Testament Table of Contents

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Harmony of the Gospels

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Study Helps

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Table of Weights and Measures

Reading Plans

Subject Index

Dictionary-Concordance

Index to Maps

Full Color Maps

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OLD TESTAMENT

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Genesis

Spotlight on Genesis

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50

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Exodus

Spotlight on Exodus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40

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Leviticus

Spotlight on Leviticus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

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Numbers

Spotlight on Numbers

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Deuteronomy

Spotlight on Deuteronomy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34

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Joshua

Spotlight on Joshua

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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Judges

Spotlight on Judges

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Ruth

Spotlight on Ruth

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Samuel

Spotlight on 1 and 2 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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2 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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1 Kings

Spotlight on 1 and 2 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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2 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

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1 Chronicles

Spotlight on 1 and 2 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

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2 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Ezra

Spotlight on Ezra and Nehemiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Nehemiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Esther

Spotlight on Esther

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Job

Spotlight on Job

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42

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Psalms

Spotlight on Psalms

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150

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Proverbs

Spotlight on Proverbs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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Ecclesiastes

Spotlight on Ecclesiastes

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Song of Songs

Spotlight on Song of Songs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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Isaiah

Spotlight on Isaiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66

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Jeremiah

Spotlight on Jeremiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52

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Lamentations

Spotlight on Lamentations

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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Ezekiel

Spotlight on Ezekiel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48

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Daniel

Spotlight on Daniel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Hosea

Spotlight on Hosea and Amos

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Joel

Spotlight on Joel and Obadiah

1 | 2 | 3

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Amos

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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Obadiah

1

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Jonah

Spotlight on Jonah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Micah

Spotlight on Micah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Nahum

Spotlight on Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

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Habakkuk

1 | 2 | 3

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Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

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Haggai

Spotlight on Haggai and Zechariah

1 | 2

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Zechariah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Malachi

Spotlight on Malachi

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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NEW TESTAMENT

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Matthew

Spotlight on Matthew

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Mark

Spotlight on Mark

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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Luke

Spotlight on Luke

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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John

Spotlight on John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Acts

Spotlight on Acts

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Romans

Spotlight on Romans

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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1 Corinthians

Spotlight on 1 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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2 Corinthians

Spotlight on 2 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Galatians

Spotlight on Galatians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Ephesians

Spotlight on Ephesians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Philippians

Spotlight on Philippians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Colossians

Spotlight on Colossians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Thessalonians

Spotlight on 1 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Thessalonians

Spotlight on 2 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3

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1 Timothy

Spotlight on 1 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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2 Timothy

Spotlight on 2 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Titus

Spotlight on Titus

1 | 2 | 3

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Philemon

Spotlight on Philemon

1

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Hebrews

Spotlight on Hebrews

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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James

Spotlight on James

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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1 Peter

Spotlight on 1 Peter

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Peter

Spotlight on 2 Peter

1 | 2 | 3

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1 John

Spotlight on 1 John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 John

Spotlight on 2 and 3 John

1

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3 John

1

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Jude

Spotlight on Jude

1

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Revelation

Spotlight on Revelation

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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How to Use This eBible

What is the difference between an eBook and a print book?

eBook versions of Bibles contain all the content and supplementary materials found in the original print versions and are optimized for navigation in the various apps and devices used for display. eReaders recognize text as one fluid string and are formatted in a single column, which differs from the multi-column layout seen in many print version Bibles. Therefore, some content may not match the exact appearance of the original print version, but instead uses hyperlinks to navigate between related content.

How do I use the eBook Table of Contents?

* Important Note: Be sure to consult your device manufacturer’s User’s Guide for device-specific navigation instructions. *

The Table of Contents is generally formatted in the same order as the original print version and hyperlinked as follows:

• Front matter – Introductory articles

• Bible books and chapters

• Back matter – Supplementary materials

To navigate to specific Bible books, chapters, or verses, please note the following:

• Book links (Ex. Genesis) go directly to the Introduction of each book, or the beginning of that Bible book if there is no introductory text.

• Chapter links go directly to the beginning of the chapter associated with a book.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses in each chapter.

• Every Bible book and chapter hyperlink in the Bible text returns or goes back to the Table of Contents. Or, use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate supplementary materials?

Articles and Features related to Bible content are accessible through the pointer links that are interspersed throughout the Bible text.

• Select the hyperlinked content title at the end of a paragraph where referenced Bible verse(s) appear to go to its location in the Annotations section at the end of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title entry to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Study Notes (commentary) are hyperlinked to verse numbers where study notes are available in the main Bible text to go to its location in the Annotations section at the end of each Bible book.

• Click a hyperlinked verse number to the corresponding study note (commentary).

• Click a hyperlinked verse number to the left of the study note (commentary) and you are returned to the main Bible text.

Translators’ Notes are marked with a hyperlinked letter a, to indicate important textual information.

• Click the hyperlinked letter to the left of the word or phrase in the main Bible text to the corresponding note.

• Click the hyperlinked letter to the left of the note and you are returned to the main Bible text.

Indexes are features that supplement the Bible text and are hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location following the main Bible text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to the specific article, list, or index.

• Select the Bible reference or article hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or article.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Dictionary-Concordance includes an alphabetic list of important words.

• Select the hyperlinked letter of the alphabet to the corresponding list of entries from the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the entries.

• Select the Bible reference hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Color Maps are included as images and optimized for eReader device display.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to a specific map.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

The books of the New Testament are indicated by italics.

Acts

Amos

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Colossians

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Daniel

Deuteronomy

Ecclesiastes

Ephesians

Esther

Exodus

Ezekiel

Ezra

Galatians

Genesis

Habakkuk

Haggai

Hebrews

Hosea

Isaiah

James

Jeremiah

Job

Joel

John

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jonah

Joshua

Jude

Judges

1 Kings

2 Kings

Lamentations

Leviticus

Luke

Malachi

Mark

Matthew

Micah

Nahum

Nehemiah

Numbers

Obadiah

1 Peter

2 Peter

Philemon

Philippians

Proverbs

Psalms

Revelation

Romans

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

Song of Songs

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Zechariah

Zephaniah

Abbreviations

Abbreviations for the Books of the Bible

The Old Testament

The New Testament

Other Abbreviations

Bible Characters

Adam and Eve

Cain and Abel

Noah

Abraham

Sarah

Ishmael

Lot

Isaac

Rebekah

Esau

Jacob

Rachel

Laban

Joseph

Moses

Jethro

Miriam

Aaron

Balaam

Rahab

Joshua

Deborah

Gideon

Samson

Ruth

Hannah

Eli

Samuel

Saul

Jonathan

Abigail

David

Abner

Nathan

Bathsheba

Absalom

Abiathar

Solomon

Jeroboam

Elijah

Ahab

Elisha

Jezebel

Zedekiah

Joab, Abishai and Asahel

Rehoboam

Athaliah

Hezekiah

Josiah

Artaxerxes

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Mordecai

Job

Isaiah

Cyrus

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Daniel

Nebuchadnezzar

Joseph

John the Baptist

The Herods

James

Elizabeth and Zechariah

Mary, Mother of Jesus

Martha and Mary of Bethany

Andrew

Nicodemus

Judas

Annas and Caiaphas

Pontius Pilate

Mary Magdalene

Thomas

John

Stephen

Philip

Cornelius

Barnabas

Mark (John Mark)

Silas

Priscilla and Aquila

Agrippa

Paul

Apollos

Timothy

Titus

Peter

Bible Truths

God Created the World

If You Do the Crime, You’ll Do the Time

Pride Triggers Pain

God Had a Plan to Sacrifice His Son

The Bible Describes Things You Shouldn’t Do

God Never Breaks a Promise

The Bible Is God’s Book

Evil Sometimes Tries to Fake God’s Power

God Foreshadowed a Savior

God Has Real Power

God Makes His Rules Clear

God Commands Worship

People Mess Up at the Worst Moments

Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament Rules

The Pentateuch Lays Down the Law

Old Testament Sacrifices Paint a Picture

Homosexuality Is a Sin—and So Are Lots of Other Things

How to Understand Numbers in the Bible

Sin Keeps You from Enjoying God’s Best

Lies Lead You to Death

Magic Is Out of Bounds

Most Moral Decisions Are Easy

The Bible Records Israel’s History

God Isn’t Bloodthirsty

People Aren’t Qualified to Make the Rules

Looks Aren’t Everything

Truth Comes from God

Sin Will Find You Out

Archaeology Backs Up the Bible

No One Is Above God’s Rules

God’s Commands Aren’t as Crazy as They Sound

Angels Protect You

God’s Patience Doesn’t Last Forever

Every Part of the Bible Makes a Point

Sin Means Missing the Mark

The Devil Didn’t Make You Do It

God Guards the Bible

You Can Expect Opposition to God’s Work

God’s Word Is Worth Celebrating

Satan Is Real

Life Here Doesn’t Last Forever

Bad Things Happen to Good People

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

God Made People Spectacular

Atheists Don’t Know the Truth About God

The World Is Evidence of God’s Existence

God Doesn’t Tolerate Evil

God Invites People to Try Him Out

God Rules the Whole World

Friends Can Turn on You

Salvation Comes Only from God

Those Who Do Evil Ultimately Lose

Living for God Is Always Better Than Sinning

God Watches Over You

You Can’t Thrive Without God

The Bible Is True

God Won’t Stop Working Until He’s Done With You

Fearing God Is the Start of Wisdom

No One Can Do Life Solo

Life Without God Is Empty

Wisdom Books Do More Than Make You Wise

God Promised a Savior

Satan Wants to Take God’s Place

The Prophets Spoke for God

Doing Right Brings Good Results

No One Made God

God Knows Best

The Bible Foreshadowed the Cross

Sin Makes God Feel Far Away

The Whole Human Race Is Guilty

God Is Smarter Than People

God Changes People from the Inside Out

You Can Choose to Obey or Disobey

Sin Doesn’t Get You What You Want

God Doesn’t Make Idle Threats

The Temple Shows True Worship

God Loves You Deeply

Everyone Answers to God

The Bible Makes Us Think

There Is One True God

God Loves Honest Questions

The Bible Tells the Future

Jesus Did All Kinds of Miracles

Judging Isn’t Judgmental

God Can Forgive Every Sin But One

Jesus is the Messiah

God Hates Hypocrisy

Communion Points to Jesus’ Death

Demons Are Satan’s Partners

The Gospels Are Eyewitness Accounts of Jesus

Jesus Was an Actual Human Kid

God Likes Simple Prayers

Following Jesus Isn’t Always Popular

Jesus Is Coming Back to Earth

Jesus Really Died

Jesus Is God

Jesus Affirmed His Deity

Jesus Opens the Door to Heaven

God Lives in You

Jesus Rose from the Dead

Jesus Returned to Heaven

Only Jesus Saves

Baptism Is Essential for Believers

Following Jesus Can Bring Persecution

False Gods Are No Gods at All

Death Is Not the End

The New Testament Records Accurate History

People Know Right from Wrong

Being Good Won’t Get You Into Heaven

The Existence of Evil Doesn’t Disprove God’s Existence

Salvation Is Simple

God Wants to Give You a Makeover

The Cross Sounds Crazy, But It Means Everything

The Truth Is Not Gray

Many People Saw Jesus Alive After His Death

Jesus Died for You So You Would Live for Him

God’s Truth Always Wins

Christianity Is for the Strong

There Is Only One Gospel

Everyone Is Equal in Jesus

The Holy Spirit Changes You

You’re Saved by Grace Through Faith

There’s a Spiritual World You Can’t See

God Shows Us How to Become His Friend

We Must Stand Firm

God Wants All People to Be Saved

The Bible Teaches You What You Need to Know

The Bible Reveals the Real You

You Can Count on Help from Jesus

Jesus Died for Your Sin

The Devil Wants to Devour You

God Wrote the Bible

The World Can Lure You from God

The Faith Is Worth Fighting for

The End of Time Brings God’s Judgment

The Bible Is Complete

Hell Is Real

You Can Live With God and His People Forever

Charts and Diagrams

The Tribes of Israel

Events in the Life of Moses

Hebrew Calendar and Selected Events

The Tabernacle

Tabernacle Furnishings

Jewish Calendar

Old Testament Sacrifices

Old Testament Festivals and Other Sacred Days

Encampment of the Tribes of Israel

Major Social Concerns in the Covenant

The Ark

David’s Family Tree

Solomon’s Temple

Temple Furnishings

Rulers of the Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah

Zerubbabel’s Temple

Where to Find Comfort and Encouragement in the Psalms

Messianic Psalms

Character Traits in Proverbs

Quotations from and References to Isaiah 53 in the New Testament

The Object Lessons and Parables of a Prophet

Ezekiel’s Temple

Visions in Daniel

Micah: A Picture of the Gospel

Herod’s Temple

The Life of Christ

Jewish Sects

The Meaning of Messiah

Parables of Jesus

Resurrection Appearances

Miracles of Jesus

The Greater Thans in Hebrews

Context Notes

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Ancient Texts and Artifacts | Archaeology | Culture and History | Peoples, Lands and Rulers | Reliability

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Ancient Texts and Artifacts

Ancient Creation Narratives

Ancient Flood Narratives

The Ketef Hinnom Amulets

Jehu/The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III

The Great Isaiah Scroll

The Lachish Ostraca

The Temple Scroll

The Samaria Ivories

The Shroud of Turin Controversy

What Roles Did Women Have in the Early Church?

The Apocrypha

Archaeology

Bethel

Rahab’s House

The Walls of Jericho

The Tabernacle at Shiloh

Sheba

The High Place at Dan

Omri and Samaria

Hezekiah’s Tunnel

En Gedi

Damascus

Jerusalem

Bethlehem

Nineveh

Megiddo

The Mount of Olives

Nazareth

The Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem

The Pool of Siloam

Masada

Athens

Alexandria

Rome

Antioch of Syria, Center of Christianity

Culture and History

Naming of Children

Famine in the Ancient Near East

YHWH: The Name of God in the Old Testament

The Urim and Thummim

The Golden Calf

Tattoos and Self-Laceration in Ancient Religion

Sabbath, Sabbath Year and the Jubilee

Tassels on Garments

Inheritance in the Ancient Near East

Pentecost

Prostitution in the Ancient World

Crossing the Jordan

Cities of Refuge

The Judges Period

Samson and the Temple of Dagon

Food and Agriculture

The City Gate

The Ephod

Technological Supremacy of the Philistines’ Iron Weapons

Battle by Champions

Bathing

The Overseer of the Forced Labor

The Threshing Floor

The Passover

Banking and Money in the Ancient World

Counselors and Concubines: Life in an Ancient Royal Palace

The Potsherd: Pottery in the Bible

Lions and Other Wild Beasts in Ancient Israel

Sackcloth and Ashes: Rituals of Lamentation

Zaphon, Olympus, Sinai and Zion: The Mountain of God

Hyssop and the Rituals of Cleansing

Ancient Israelite Poets and Singers

The Shofar

The Horned Altar

Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, the Abyss and Tartarus: Images of Hell

Warfare in the Ancient World

Ancient Musical Instruments

The Poor and the Afflicted in Ancient Wisdom Literature

The Israelite Family

Dogs in the Ancient World

The Flowers of Ancient Israel

Weddings in Ancient Israel

Cedars of Lebanon

Imagery and Metaphor in Ancient Love Poetry

Ancient Israelite Clothing and Jewelry

Beards and Hairstyles in the Biblical World

Cuneiform and Clay Tablets in the Ancient Near East

The Winepress

The Israelite Town and Home

Incense

Pottery-Making in Bible Times

Wells, Cisterns and Aqueducts in the Ancient World

The High Places

Temple Abandonment

Exile and Genocide in the Ancient Near East

Trees of Ancient Israel

Shepherding in the Ancient World

Baal and the Fertility Cults

Locusts in the Ancient Near East

Weights and Measures

Seafaring in the Ancient World

Angels and Guardian Spirits in the Bible and the Ancient Near East

Marriage and Divorce in Ancient Israel

Genealogies in Ancient Israel

Fasting in the Bible

The Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus

Josephus and the Fall of Jerusalem

The Birthplace of Jesus

Fishing in New Testament Times

Qumran and the New Testament

Jewish Burial Practices

Perfumes and Anointing Oils

Crucifixion

Ancient Synagogues

The Roman Empire

Adoption in the Roman World

Temple Restaurants and Food Sacrificed to Idols

The Lord’s Supper and the Love Feast

Letter Writing in the Greco-Roman World

Husbands and Wives: Family Life in the Greco-Roman World

Nero, Persecutor of Christians

Labor and Welfare in the Ancient World

Early Christian Hymnody

House Churches and Early Church Buildings

Travel in the Greco-Roman World

The Early Persecution of the Church

Peoples, Lands and Rulers

Hammurabi

Changes in Canaan

The Building Activity of Solomon

Nebuchadnezzar

Babylon

Baruch, Scribe of Jeremiah

Jehoiachin in Captivity and Awel-Marduk

Galilee in Jesus’ Time

Reliability

A Timeline for the Wilderness Wanderings

Deuteronomy and the Covenant Treaty Form

Stopping the Sun

The Reliability of Judges

The Psalm Superscripts

The Enuma Elish and the Biblical Concept of Creation

Hezekiah Against the Assyrians

Textual Criticism

Last Days of Jerusalem

The Destruction of Shiloh

Texts of the Old Testament

The New Testament Canon

In-Text Maps

The Setting of Genesis

Table of Nations

Traditional Site of Mount Sinai

The Exodus

Wilderness Wanderings

Wilderness Wanderings

Cities of Refuge

Israel Prepared to Enter the Promised Land from the Plains of Moab

Agriculture in the Holy Land

Conquest of Canaan

Dividing the Land

The Judges of Israel

From Bethlehem to Moab and Back

The Books of Samuel

The City of the Jebusites/David’s Jerusalem

The United Kingdom

Solomon’s Jerusalem

The Divided Kingdom

Exile of the Northern Kingdom

Exile of the Southern Kingdom

David and Solomon’s Empire

Jerusalem During the Days of Nehemiah

Return From Exile

Jerusalem of the Returning Exiles

The Persian Empire

Assyrian Invasions of the Promised Land

The Babylonian Invasion of the Promised Land

Nations and Cities under Judgment in Jeremiah

Ezekiel in Babylon

Nations and Cities under Judgment in Ezekiel

The Northern Kingdom of Israel

Jerusalem During the Time of the Prophets

The Book of Obadiah

The Book of Jonah

Region of the Shephelah

Jerusalem

Holy Land During the New Testament

House of Herod

The Sea of Galilee

Jerusalem During the Ministry of Jesus

Passion Week Bethany, the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem

Jesus’ Early Ministry Took Place Mostly in Galilee

The Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day

Jesus in Judea and Samaria

Jesus in Galilee

The Gospel Message Spreads

Philip’s and Peter’s Missionary Journeys

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Paul’s Journey to Rome

Locations Visited by Paul

Corinth (Paul Wrote from Ephesus)

Ephesus

Philippi, the First Church in Europe

Colossae

Letter to Thessalonica

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

Philemon Was a Member of the Church in Colossae

Peter’s Letters

Dead Sea Area

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Q&A

Are These Literal 24-Hour Days?

How Widespread Was the Flood?

Who Was the Angel of God?

Would God Ever Ask Us to Do Wrong?

Are Dreams Messages from God?

What Are Angels, and How Do They Interact With the World Today?

Why Did God Put Some People to Death?

How Were Jacob’s Predictions Regarding His Sons Fulfilled?

Does God Overrule Our Intentions?

Why Did God Choose These Particular Plagues?

Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart?

Why Does God Harden Some People’s Hearts?

Why Did God Require Sacrifices?

Does the Bible Support Slavery?

How Do I Balance Concern for the Poor With the Needs of My Family?

Why Was All This Blood Needed for Worship?

Can Our Prayers Cause God to Change His Mind?

Why Kill Animals to Worship God?

What Was the Significance of Offering All the Animal’s Fat?

Why Did God Keep Some Meats Off the Menu?

What Is the Relationship Between Physical and Spiritual Health?

How Are These Laws Relevant to Us Today?

Why Is Divination Wrong?

Is There Anything Wrong With Same-Sex Relations?

Does Obedience Bring Prosperity?

Are Christians Required to Tithe?

Does God Punish Children for Their Parents’ Sins?

Why Was Moses Punished So Harshly?

What Right Did the Israelites Have to Take the Land?

Did God Love Israel More Than Other Nations?

Which Is Better, Spiritually Speaking—to Be Rich or Poor?

Does the Bible Speak to the Issue of Immigration?

Did Jesus Take Away from These Commandments?

Why Was It Acceptable to Kill a Murderer?

Isn’t This Like the Modern Health-and-Wealth Gospel?

Is There a Connection Between Spiritual and Physical Health?

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

Why Kill Every Living Thing?

Why Would the Israelites Be Tempted by Other Gods?

What Values Does a Christian Family Hold?

Why Was This Time of the Judges So Troubled?

Can We Determine God’s Will by Putting Out a Fleece?

What Was Behind This Bizarre Deal With God?

Why Did God Choose Such Sinful People to Be Judges?

How Could a Man as Wicked as Samson Lead Israel?

Did Samson Commit Suicide?

What Was a Guardian-Redeemer?

Was Samuel the Faithful Priest God Promised to Raise Up?

Why Did David Lie to the Priest?

Can Spirits Be Called from the Dead?

Who Were the Main Players in David’s Ascent to the Throne?

Why Did David Have So Many Wives and Concubines?

Why Would God Kill Someone Who Was Trying to Help?

Does God Sometimes Play Favorites?

How Did People Mourn Death in the Old Testament?

Was God Asking for Human Sacrifices?

Why Would God Make Someone Do Wrong?

What Kind of Wisdom Does God Give?

Does It Matter When and Where We Pray?

Is One Man, One Woman the Only Kind of Union God Approves Of?

Did Solomon Get Away With Idolatry?

Why Did Judah Fear Assyria So Much?

Why Was Elijah Afraid After His Great Victory?

Was This Personal Revenge on Harmless Boys?

What Influence Did Prophets Have With Kings?

Was Leprosy a Curse from God?

Who Were the Assyrians?

Why Was the Lord Unwilling to Forgive?

Why Read an Ancient List of Faceless Names?

Why Repeat Material Covered in Other Accounts?

What Power Did the Ark Have?

Why Did 70,000 Die While the Sinner Lived?

What Was the Ministry of Prophesying?

Can the Bible Exaggerate and Still Be True?

What Was the Significance of the Temple?

How Did Solomon’s Temple Compare With the Tabernacle?

Do God’s Promises to Israel Apply to Us Today?

Did God Cause Rehoboam’s Foolish Choice?

Why Did Israel and Judah Fight Each Other?

How Did God Judge the Kings?

Does Seeking God Guarantee Success?

Why Build a Temple for a God You Don’t Worship?

How Did the Temple of the Exiles Compare to Solomon’s Temple?

How Can We Handle Guilt and Regret Over Our Past Decisions?

Wasn’t Abandonment a Rather Harsh Solution?

Is This Spirit the Same as the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?

Why Exclude Outsiders?

Should Christians Today Observe the Sabbath?

Do Queen Vashti’s Actions Tell Us Anything About God’s Ideal for Marriage?

Why Isn’t God Mentioned at All in the Book of Esther?

Are People Just Pawns in God’s Chess Game?

Is God Guilty of Neglect?

Is It Wrong to Be Angry With God?

Is God Responsible for Satan’s Actions or People’s Sins?

Why Did Testing Come to Job?

Are We Responsible for Sin in Our Nature at Birth?

How Much Does the Bible Explain About the Afterlife?

If We Are Treated Unfairly, Is God Still Good?

Why Seek a God Who Is Beyond Understanding?

Did God Answer Job’s Charges?

How Had Job Changed?

How Should We Understand Biblical Poetry?

Is the God of Love Also a God of Hate?

Why Does It Sometimes Seem Like God Is Far Away?

Why Were David’s Emotions So Erratic?

Can Believers Expect Victory Over All Their Enemies?

How Does God Refresh Our Souls?

If We Trust In God, Are We Guaranteed Safety?

Why Do Our Prayers Seem Ineffective at Times?

Is It Right to Pray for Revenge?

Does God Send Troubles?

If I Have a Relationship With God, Why Do I Feel So Lonely?

Does God Choose Some People and Reject Others?

Why Does God Test Us?

How Do I Know if My Heart Is Divided?

Does Anything Prevent God from Responding to Our Prayers?

How Does a Person Meditate on God’s Word?

Is It Wrong for Christians to Use Contraception?

Does the Bible Define When Human Life Begins?

Does God Approve of War?

Should We Live in Terror of God?

How Do I Show Love to People Who Violate God’s Standards Without Endorsing Their Sin?

Are Proverbs Ironclad Promises?

Is Hard Work the Secret to Success?

Can Our Mouths Ruin Our Lives?

How Can We Achieve Financial Security?

How Can We Know Who Our Friends Are?

How Should Children Be Disciplined?

How Can Parents Prepare Their Children to Impact the World?

What Is Wrong With Eating Too Much?

What Does the Bible Say About Rest and Sleep?

How Is This Woman a Model for Today?

Is It Wrong for Both Parents to Work Outside of the Home?

Is Life Meaningless?

How Does God Want Us to Save, Spend and Give Our Money?

Is It Wrong to Accumulate Wealth?

Must a Person Be Old to Have Wisdom?

What Can We Believe in This Book?

After Everything the Teacher Has Said, Why Fear God?

Does This Describe a Love Affair?

What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

Did the Prophets Know What Their Predictions Meant?

How Should We Read Prophetic Visions?

How Valid Are Visions Today?

Why Should We Fear God?

What Is the Day of the LORD?

What Did God Show Isaiah About His Plan for the Gentiles?

What Do Ancient Prophecies Have to Do With Us Today?

How Could God Be So Unforgiving?

How and When Will God Devastate the Earth?

How Involved Should Christians Be in Caring for the Earth?

Why Did God Change His Mind?

Who Was God’s Servant?

If God Forgives for His Own Sake, Should We Forgive Others for Our Own Sake?

What Does the Bible Definitively Reveal About Creation?

Why Won’t God Listen to Sinners?

How Will God Judge the World?

When Does God Refuse to Hear Our Prayers?

Does God Change His Plans Based on What We Do?

Does God Have a Specific Plan for My Life?

Has God Revealed Himself Differently to Different Cultures and Time Periods?

Why Does God Allow Innocent Children to Suffer?

How Can We Hope in a God Who Abandons Us?

Why Were the Leaders Accountable for the Sins of the People?

Why Did Ezekiel Engage in Such Bizarre Behavior?

How Was Judah Worse Than the Pagan Nations Nearby?

How Does Sin Undo the Good We Have Done?

Why Did God Punish Everyone?

What Does the Bible Say About the Dangers of Pornography?

Did God Want to Get Even?

Did Ezekiel Foresee the Existence of Modern Israel?

What Is Holy About Wiping Out a Nation?

What Temple Is This?

Does God Still Speak Through Visions and Dreams?

Why Does This Book Use Such Obscure Symbols?

How Were These Prophecies Fulfilled?

What Was a Spirit of Prostitution?

Does God Change His Mind?

Does God Always Pursue Those Who Run from Him?

Did Jonah Have a Warped View of God?

What Does God Require of Us?

Why Does a Merciful God Punish Anyone?

Can We Pass the Point of Forgiveness?

Does God Use Evil to Do Good?

Is It Okay to Argue With God?

Is This Book a Warning or an Encouragement?

Why Does God Send Calamity?

Do Ancient Visions Have Any Meaning for Us Today?

When Does Worship Become Insincere Ritual?

Why Pray for Rain?

When Will the Lord Be King Over the Whole Earth?

How Can We Understand the Trinity?

Does the Spirit Lead Us Into Temptation?

What Is Hell Like?

How Can I Tell if I Have Too Much Stuff?

What Is Blasphemy Against the Spirit?

Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?

Why Didn’t Jesus Want Anyone to Know He Was the Messiah?

How Involved Should the Church Be in Politics?

What Does It Mean to Love My Neighbor?

Are Good Works Necessary for Eternal Life?

Why Do Details Sometimes Differ from One Gospel Account to Another?

Why Did Jesus Call Himself the Son of Man?

Do Demons Still Possess People Today?

How Can We, Imperfect People, Live the Way Jesus Wants Us to Live?

Does the Bible Talk About Remarriage After Divorce?

Are Natural Disasters Literally Acts of God? Does He Cause Them?

Do These Verses Belong in the Bible?

What’s Wrong With Standing Up for Our Rights?

Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?

What Are Demons, and How Do They Interact With the World Today?

How Do Prayer Customs Become Meaningless Ritual?

Can Believers Commit This Unpardonable Sin?

Does Saving for Retirement Show a Lack of Trust in God?

Does Jesus Really Want Us to Hate Our Families?

Does God Give People a Chance to Believe in Him After Death?

Does God Expect Me to Forgive Someone Who Keeps Hurting Me?

Did Jesus Promise Complete Physical Protection?

How Did the Resurrection Change the World?

Is There More to the Gospel Than Being Assured of Heaven?

Does God Allow Pain in Order to Display His Power?

Is Accepting Jesus the Only Way for People to Get to Heaven?

How Can the Christian Church Become What Jesus Intended?

What Is the Holy Spirit’s Role in Evangelism?

What About Those Who Have Never Heard About Jesus?

Did People in the Early Church Often Predict the Future? Should We Do So Today?

In Light of His Sins, How Was David a Man After [God’s] Own Heart?

What Is the Value of Baptism?

How Are We Justified?

Does Sin Ever Quit?

Does God Play Favorites?

What Determines a Person’s Eternal Destination?

Does God Support Bad Government?

The Erastus Inscription

Is It Wrong for Christians to File Lawsuits?

Does God Expect Me to Keep My Mind and Body Pure in Today’s Culture?

How Do Christians Practice Evangelism in a Culture That Resists Proselytizing?

What Is My Purpose in Life, and How Can I Be Certain of It?

How Can We Identify Our Spiritual Gifts?

Why Did Paul Say Women Couldn’t Speak in Church?

What Do We Have to Look Forward To?

How Do Christians Share in the Sufferings of Christ?

How Will Believers Be Judged?

What About Tithing?

Is There Value in Other Religions?

Which of the Bible’s Instructions Regarding Male and Female Roles Are Specific to First-Century Culture?

As a Christian, Am I Supposed to Do Good Works?

What Does the Bible Mean About Wives Submitting to Their Husbands?

What Is Spiritual Warfare, and How Does It Affect Me?

What Can Christians Do to Become More Like Jesus?

In What Ways Should the Church Be Serving the World?

How Can We Gain Victory Over Secret Sins?

Are We Tempted by Satan or by Our Own Evil Desires?

What Does It Mean to Be Sanctified?

Where Are the Dead?

What Has to Happen Before Christ Returns?

Should Women Be Prohibited from Certain Leadership Roles Within the Church?

How Important Is It That We Understand All Doctrines Correctly?

How Should Christians Teach Their Children About God?

Does the Bible Have Answers for All of Today’s Moral Dilemmas?

Why Didn’t Paul Help a Runaway Slave Escape?

How Do We Know the Bible Is True?

Should We Fear Falling Away?

Do Christians Really Need to Attend Church?

What Does It Mean to Have Faith?

In What Ways Can People Experience God Today?

Should We Regularly Confess Our Sins to Other Christians?

Why Doesn’t the Bible Condemn Slavery?

What Does Peter Mean When He Says Wives Should Submit to Their Husbands?

How Much Influence Does Satan Have in the World Today?

What Do We Know About a New Heaven and a New Earth?

Why Are So Many Parts of the Bible Difficult to Understand?

What Happens to a Christian Between Death and the Day of Judgment?

How Do We Contend for Our Faith?

Why Did John Use Such Obscure, Mysterious Language?

What Is Heaven Like?

What Are These Objects All About?

Where Is Armageddon?

What Does the Wedding of the Lamb Represent?

Why Bind Satan for Only A Thousand Years?

What Will Eternal Life Be Like?

About the NIV Starting Place Study Bible

Welcome to the NIV Starting Place Study Bible!

There are many different ways to explore God’s Word: question-and-answer studies, detailed study notes, timelines, photos and charts, helpful devotional insights, profiles of Bible characters and the list could go on. Our goal for the NIV Starting Place Study Bible is to help you easily explore Scripture through a multifaceted, exciting format that combines study styles to help you read the Bible in a variety of ways. Because everyone encounters God’s Word differently, as you read you will discover which type of note provides you with the clearest understanding, allowing you to tailor your exploration of the Bible.

The NIV Starting Place Study Bible combines the best parts of a variety of Zondervan’s most popular Bibles and study materials:

Book Introductions

Get a quick overview of each book of the Bible through organized and informative book introductions adapted from The Essential Bible Companion. In these book introductions, you will find an About section, key concepts, verses, teachings and terms for each book, as well as a helpful timeline taken from the NIV Quest Study Bible. Some book introductions contain maps or charts, or a special People to Know section.

Study Notes

For a more traditional approach to Bible study, check out the notes tied to Scripture, adapted from the NIV Foundation Study Bible. Here you’ll find explanations of the text, and you will discover how the events and truths of the Bible fit together.

Context Notes

Understand the fascinating historical significance of the Bible with articles and photos adapted from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible. You’ll find that these articles fall into one of five categories: peoples, lands and rulers; culture and history; archaeology; ancient texts and artifacts; and reliability. Within these articles you may see references to maps; these can be found at the back of this Bible.

Q&A Notes

Get concise, easy-to-grasp answers to your most perplexing questions about the Bible with questions and answers adapted from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

Bible Characters

Have you ever wanted to know more about the characters of the Bible? These notes allow you to examine Scripture through the stories of the most important people in the Bible; these notes are adapted from the NIV Student Bible.

Bible Truths

Throughout the NIV Starting Place Study Bible, you’ll find helpful articles, or Bible Truths, adapted from the NIV Rock Solid Faith Study Bible. Written in an approachable style, these notes highlight important truths found in Scripture. At the end of each note are questions to help you relate the notes to your life.

Throughout the NIV Starting Place Study Bible you will also find various photographs, charts and maps placed strategically to help illustrate the information you’ll read in God’s glorious Word.

So if this sounds like a lot of information to include in one Bible, you’d be right. But the features flow together perfectly to give you, the reader, a chance to sample many different kinds of Bibles, many different ways to read the Bible, many different ways to understand the Bible.

If you’re stumped about where to start, begin by reading the book of Genesis in the Old Testament or the book of Mark in the New Testament. Or, go here to discover a reading plan that fits your interests and lifestyle.

Read the Bible text first. That’s the most important piece, of course. Then look nearby to find the notes that apply to that particular Bible text.

Our prayer is that in using the NIV Starting Place Study Bible you’ll discover not only the truths of the Bible text, but within its pages you’ll meet God—the God who offers you himself, who walks with you each day, and who wants to tell you about himself through his divinely-inspired book.

Preface

The goal of the New International Version (NIV) is to enable English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is motivated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form. We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convictions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evangelism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-speaking world.

The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word. Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were regularly updated, the original translators established the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). The Committee is a self-perpetuating group of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the NIV. The CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole responsibility for the NIV text. The Committee mirrors the original group of translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

In obedience to its mandate, the Committee has issued periodic updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the separately published TNIV. The updated NIV you now have in your hands builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest effort of the Committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English to the global English-speaking audience today.

Translation Philosophy

The Committee’s translating work has been governed by three widely accepted principles about the way people use words and about the way we understand them.

First, the meaning of words is determined by the way that users of the language actually use them at any given time. For the biblical languages, therefore, the Committee utilizes the best and most recent scholarship on the way Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words were being used in biblical times. At the same time, the Committee carefully studies the state of modern English. Good translation is like good communication: one must know the target audience so that the appropriate choices can be made about which English words to use to represent the original words of Scripture. From its inception, the NIV has had as its target the general English-speaking population all over the world, the International in its title reflecting this concern. The aim of the Committee is to put the Scriptures into natural English that will communicate effectively with the broadest possible audience of English speakers.

Modern technology has enhanced the Committee’s ability to choose the right English words to convey the meaning of the original text. The field of computational linguistics harnesses the power of computers to provide broadly applicable and current data about the state of the language. Translators can now access huge databases of modern English to better understand the current meaning and usage of key words. The Committee utilized this resource in preparing the 2011 edition of the NIV. An area of especially rapid and significant change in English is the way certain nouns and pronouns are used to refer to human beings. The Committee therefore requested experts in computational linguistics at Collins Dictionaries to pose some key questions about this usage to its database of English—the largest in the world, with over 4.4 billion words, gathered from several English-speaking countries and including both