Bible handbooks are a time-tested way to supplement a person’s study of Scripture.
Many bible readers keep one on a home bookshelf for easy access, and use it to aid their devotional reading, bible study, or understanding of a sermon.
Bible handbooks are user-friendly, even to those that are new to reading Scripture.
So what exactly are bible handbooks?
Bible handbooks are a middle-of-the-road reference tool that are not as in-depth and complex as commentaries, yet they provide more information than bible dictionaries and concordances.
Arranged in order of the books of the bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bible handbooks aren’t necessarily intended to be read strait through like an introductory textbook to the Old or New Testament.
Bible handbooks are glorified study bibles and often include more visual aids, like photographs, maps, and charts, than other popular resource tools.
Bible handbooks provide similar information on each of the 66 books of the bible.
This includes discussion on the book’s message, setting, literary type, and theological emphasis, and a brief overview of the major sections of the biblical book itself.
Occasionally, authors will include an in-depth article on a topic that is important to the bible as a whole, like creationism or the Trinity.
Bible handbooks also provide book recommendations so readers know where to go to dig deeper on a book or topic.
Also see What is a Bible Concordance? to learn more.
Bible Handbooks: Example Information
Take the book of Matthew, for instance. After an approximately 100-word introduction, in which the author, date, and historical setting are discussed, the writer begins to give an overview of the biblical text.
Scripture isn’t usually quoted word-for-word in bible handbooks, like it is in most commentaries, because the purpose of this tool isn’t to be a heavy reference work, but a quick-access study aid.
Matthew is 28 chapters in length and author of the handbook organizes his information according to the common outline of this Gospel. He first comments on Matthew, chapters one and two. The total section amounts to about 300 words.
He writes a paragraph on the genealogy in 1:1-17, another paragraph on Jesus’ birth story in 1:18-25, and two paragraphs on the arrival of the wise men and the flight to Egypt in Matthew 2. Certain verses are singled out in sidebars, like 1:1-3, where the author describes how it was unusual to list women in a genealogy at this time in history.
Following this, the rest of Matthew, usually organized in two or three blocks of chapters at a time, is explained and discussed.
An important feature of bible handbooks, and something that usually makes them different than other study aids like commentaries and concordances, is how heavily illustrated they are. For example, in just the few pages that cover Matthew 1-2, there are two half-page, full-color pictures.
The first shows the present-day town of Bethlehem at dusk as the lights of the town shine over the brown and green landscape below. The second picture is of the city of Nazareth in the daytime, taken from a nearby hilltop, looking down over homes and buildings that cover the hillside.
Well-reviewed Bible Handbooks
The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook
From the publisher: The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook offers the most up-to-date evangelical biblical scholarship in a format that is readable and easy to understand. This book-by-book guide brings the Bible to life with more than 1,100 full-color pages packed with illustrations, maps, and photos, and 112 in-depth articles on a wide range of topics important to students of the Bible. Readers will discover how each part of the Bible fits into and informs every other part, giving them a cohesive understanding of God’s Word.
Halley’s Bible Handbook, Classic Edition: Completely Revised and Expanded Edition
From the publisher: Halley’s Bible Handbook makes the Bible’s wisdom and message accessible to everyone. Whether you’ve read the Bible many times or never before, you will find insights that provide a firmer grasp of God’s Word and an appreciation for the cultural, religious, and geographic settings in which the story of the Bible unfolds. Written for both mind and heart, this completely revised, updated, and expanded edition features:
- All-new maps, photographs, and illustrations
- Contemporary design
- Practical Bible reading programs
- Helpful tips for Bible study
- Fascinating archaeological information
- Easy-to-understand sections on how we got the Bible and on church history
- Improved indexes
Zondervan Handbook to the Bible
Continuously in print since 1973, this fifth edition of the classic Zondervan Handbook to the Bible has been updated with new imagery. From the history and design of the temple in Jerusalem to God’s relationship with the universe, you’ll find it here. The land, culture, battles, feast days, heroes, and villains of Scripture come alive through spectacular color-filled articles and images of meticulous clarity and detail.
Special features include:
- A four color guide to all the books of the Bible
- Over 120 articles by an international team of experts
- More than 700 color photographs, many of them new
- 68 maps and 20 charts
Concordia’s Complete Bible Handbook
This book presents a survey of all 66 books of the Bible and the time between the Old and New Testaments. Readers will explore and discover the who, what, when, where, why and how of:
- The Books of Moses
- The Books of History
- The Books of Wisdom
- The Books of the Prophets
- The Time Between the Testaments
- The Gospels and Acts
- The Pauline Epistles
- The General Epistles and Revelation
The handbook also includes articles, charts, diagrams, genealogies, illustrations, maps, outlines, overviews and timelines that provide additional detail for personal, group or class study.
The MacArthur Bible Handbook
From the publisher: The MacArthur Bible Handbook is the ultimate book-by-book survey of the Bible, including charts, graphs, and illustrations from today’s leading expository teacher. A unique reference tool that is committed to quality and biblical teaching—will help you easily understand each book of the Bible, its historical context, and its place in Scripture.
Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook
From the publisher: The Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook is designed with an awareness of the obstacles people have to understanding the Bible. It begins with an essay on “How to Read and Study the Bible” before proceeding to chapters that provide a thorough overview of each of the Bible’s 66 books, summarizing each one’s content, author, evidences of authenticity, and historical context.
In addition to the full-color maps, photographs, reconstructions, and charts that equip readers throughout the volume, a smartphone-accessible QR code is included for each chapter that leads to related online teaching from noted Bible scholar Gene Getz.
The New Unger’s Bible Handbook
From the publisher: The New Unger’s Bible Handbook remains indispensable to quality study, chocked-full of color illustrations, photographs, maps, diagrams, charts and more. Now with updated graphics, this classic is sure to be a favorite among the next generation of Bible scholars.
Ryken’s Bible Handbook
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!” (Romans 11:33)
Go beyond merely reading the Bible, and discover it’s deeper treasures with the help of “Ryken’s Bible Handbook.” Whether you’re new to Bible study or have read the Scriptures countless times, greater riches are waiting to be unearthed. The background and literary genre of each book will come alive as you gain insight into each book’s message and learn methods for analyzing its content. The handbook’s countless applications for life will increase your appreciation for the ways God reveals himself and his character through the Scriptures.
Inside you’ll find Maps, charts, and illustrations A fact sheet for each book Key verses Key doctrines Overviews and main themes Perspectives from theologians, educators, and authors One Year Bible-reading plan.
Also see What Is a Bible Atlas?
Vitabu vya Biblia ni njia iliyojaribiwa na wakati ya kuongezea funzo la mtu la Maandiko. Wasomaji wengi wa Biblia huweka kitabu hicho kwenye rafu ya vitabu nyumbani ili kiwe rahisi kukipata, na kukitumia kusaidia usomaji wao wa kidini, kujifunza Biblia, au kuelewa mahubiri. Vitabu vya Biblia ni rahisi kutumia, hata kwa wale ambao ni wapya katika kusoma Maandiko. Kwa hiyo, ni nini hasa vichapo vya Biblia? Kitabu cha Biblia ni chombo cha msingi cha kutafakari ambacho hakina kina na kina kama maelezo, lakini hutoa habari nyingi kuliko kamusi za Biblia na makubaliano. Kwa kuwa vitabu vya Biblia vimepangwa kwa mpangilio wa vitabu vya Biblia, kuanzia Mwanzo hadi Ufunuo, vitabu vya Biblia havina kusudi la kusoma moja kwa moja kama kitabu cha kuanzisha Agano la Kale au la Mpya. Vitabu vya Biblia ni vitabu vya kujifunza ambavyo vimepewa utukufu na mara nyingi hutia ndani vifaa zaidi vya kuona, kama vile picha, ramani, na chati, kuliko vifaa vingine vinavyojulikana. Kitabu cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia cha Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia ya Biblia. Hii inatia ndani majadiliano juu ya ujumbe wa kitabu hicho, mazingira, aina ya fasihi, na mkazo wa kitheolojia, na muhtasari mfupi wa sehemu kuu za kitabu cha Biblia chenyewe. Mara kwa mara, waandishi hutia ndani makala yenye kina juu ya habari muhimu kwa Biblia nzima, kama vile uumbaji au Utatu. Vitabu vya Biblia pia hutoa mapendekezo ya vitabu ili wasomaji wajue mahali pa kwenda kuchimba kina zaidi juu ya kitabu au kichwa. Ona pia Ni Nini Concordance ya Biblia? kujifunza zaidi. Maelezo ya Biblia: Mfano wa Maelezo Kwa mfano, chukua kitabu cha Mathayo. Baada ya utangulizi wa maneno 100 hivi, ambapo mwandishi, tarehe, na mazingira ya kihistoria yanazungumziwa, mwandishi anaanza kutoa muhtasari wa maandishi ya Biblia. Kwa kawaida Maandiko hayatajwa neno kwa neno katika vitabu vya Biblia, kama ilivyo katika maelezo mengi, kwa sababu kusudi la chombo hiki si kuwa kitabu chenye marejeo mazito, bali ni msaada wa kujifunza wenye kupatikana upesi. Mathayo ina sura 28 kwa urefu na mwandishi wa kitabu hicho anaandaa habari zake kulingana na muhtasari wa kawaida wa Injili hii. Kwanza, anataja Mathayo sura ya kwanza na ya pili. Sehemu ya jumla ni maneno 300 hivi. "Hii ni kwa sababu ya kwamba katika Mathayo 1:17, Yesu anaelezea ""uzazi"" wake, na katika Mathayo 2:18, anaelezea ""kufika kwa wachawi"" na ""kukimbilia Misri.""" "Mstari wa pili wa kitabu cha Biblia ni mstari wa pili, ambao mwandishi wa kitabu hicho alitaja kuwa ""haikuwa ya kawaida kuorodhesha wanawake katika ukoo katika kipindi hiki cha historia.""" Baada ya hapo, sehemu iliyobaki ya Mathayo, ambayo kwa kawaida hupangwa katika sehemu mbili au tatu za sura kwa wakati mmoja, hufafanuliwa na kuzungumziwa. Sehemu muhimu ya vitabu vya Biblia, na kitu ambacho kwa kawaida huwafanya wawe tofauti na vifaa vingine vya kujifunza kama vile maelezo na makubaliano, ni jinsi vinavyoonyeshwa sana. Kwa mfano, katika kurasa chache tu zinazozungumzia Mathayo 1 na 2 kuna picha mbili zenye rangi na nusu ya ukurasa. Picha ya kwanza inaonyesha mji wa Bethlehemu wa leo wakati wa mapambazuko huku taa za mji huo zikiwaangazia mandhari ya rangi ya kahawia na kijani kibichi iliyo chini. Picha ya pili ni ya mji wa Nazareti wakati wa mchana, iliyochukuliwa kutoka juu ya kilima kilicho karibu, ikitazama chini juu ya nyumba na majengo yanayofunika mteremko wa kilima. Kitabu cha Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, kilichochapishwa na mwandishi wa Biblia, kinatoa habari za kisasa zaidi kuhusu Biblia katika namna inayoeleweka na inayoeleweka kwa urahisi. Kitabu hiki kinaonyesha Biblia kwa njia ya mfano, na kina zaidi ya kurasa 1,100 zenye rangi nyingi, picha, ramani, na makala 112 zenye habari nyingi kuhusu mambo mbalimbali muhimu kwa wanafunzi wa Biblia. Wasomaji wataona jinsi kila sehemu ya Biblia inavyofaa na kuelimisha sehemu nyingine zote, ikiwapa uelewevu thabiti wa Neno la Mungu. Kitabu cha Halley's Bible Handbook, Classic Edition: Completely Revised and Expanded Edition Kutoka kwa mchapishaji: Kitabu cha Halley's Bible Handbook hufanya hekima na ujumbe wa Biblia upatikane kwa kila mtu. Iwe umesoma Biblia mara nyingi au hujawahi kuisoma, utapata ufahamu unaotoa ufahamu thabiti zaidi wa Neno la Mungu na uthamini kwa mazingira ya kitamaduni, kidini, na kijiografia ambayo hadithi ya Biblia hujieleza. "Toleo hili lilirekebishwa kabisa, lilibadilishwa, na kupanuliwa na makala zifuatazo: ""Mapya kabisa, picha, na picha - Mpangilio wa kisasa - Programu za kusoma Biblia zenye kutumika - Vidokezo vyenye manufaa kwa ajili ya funzo la Biblia - Habari zenye kuvutia za akiolojia - Sehemu zenye kueleweka kwa urahisi kuhusu jinsi tulivyopata Biblia na historia ya kanisa - Viashiria vilivyoboreshwa - Kitabu cha Zondervan cha Biblia - Kilichapishwa kwa kuendelea tangu 1973." Kutoka historia na muundo wa hekalu huko Yerusalemu hadi uhusiano wa Mungu na ulimwengu, utaipata hapa. Nchi, utamaduni, vita, siku za sikukuu, mashujaa, na wahalifu wa Maandiko hufufuka kupitia makala zenye rangi na picha zenye uwazi na maelezo ya kina. "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika kitabu cha Concordia, ""Mwongozo wa rangi nne kwa vitabu vyote vya Biblia"" - zaidi ya makala 120 na timu ya kimataifa ya wataalamu - zaidi ya picha za rangi 700, nyingi zikiwa mpya - ramani 68 na chati 20 - Concordia's Complete Bible Handbook - Kitabu hiki kinatoa uchunguzi wa vitabu vyote 66 vya Biblia na wakati kati ya Agano la Kale na Jipya." "Msomaji atajifunza na kugundua ""ni nani, nini, lini, wapi, kwa nini na jinsi"" ya vitabu vya Musa, vitabu vya historia, vitabu vya hekima, vitabu vya manabii, wakati kati ya Agano la Kale, Injili na Matendo, barua za Paulo, barua za jumla na Ufunuo, na pia makala, chati, michoro, ukoo, picha, ramani, muhtasari, muhtasari, na mstari wa wakati ambao hutoa maelezo ya ziada kwa ajili ya utafiti wa kibinafsi, wa kikundi au wa darasa." Kitabu cha MacArthur Bible Handbook ni kitabu cha mwisho cha utafiti wa Biblia, pamoja na chati, grafu, na picha kutoka kwa mwalimu mashuhuri wa leo. Chombo cha kipekee cha kumbukumbu ambacho kimejitolea kwa ubora na mafundisho ya Biblia - kitakusaidia kuelewa kwa urahisi kila kitabu cha Biblia, muktadha wake wa kihistoria, na mahali pake katika Maandiko. Kitabu cha Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook (Kichapo cha Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook) ni kitabu cha Kiingereza kilichochapishwa na mwandishi wa Biblia aliye na uzoefu wa kutafakari Biblia. Kitabu hiki kinaanza na makala kuhusu jinsi ya kusoma na kujifunza Biblia, kisha kinaendelea na sura zinazotoa muhtasari wa kila moja ya vitabu 66 vya Biblia, zikifupisha yaliyomo, mwandishi, uthibitisho wa uhalisi, na muktadha wa kihistoria. Kwa kuongezea ramani za rangi, picha, na chati ambazo huandaa wasomaji katika kitabu chote, kila sura ina QR code inayoweza kupatikana kwa simu ya mkononi ambayo inaongoza kwenye mafundisho yanayohusiana ya mtandaoni kutoka kwa msomi mashuhuri wa Biblia Gene Getz. The New Unger's Bible Handbook: The New Unger's Bible Handbook bado ni muhimu kwa ajili ya utafiti wa ubora, chock-full ya picha za rangi, picha, ramani, michoro, chati na zaidi. Sasa kwa kuwa picha zake zimebadilishwa, bila shaka kitabu hicho kitakuwa cha kupendwa na kizazi kijacho cha wasomi wa Biblia. "Kama vile kitabu cha Biblia cha Ryken kinavyosema, ""Utajiri wa Mungu na hekima na ujuzi wake ni mkubwa kama nini!"" (Waroma 11:33) Usiwe tu msomaji wa Biblia, lakini pia utagundua hazina zake zenye kina kirefu kwa kutumia kitabu cha Ryken cha Biblia." Historia na aina ya fasihi ya kila kitabu itazaliwa unapopata ufahamu wa ujumbe wa kila kitabu na kujifunza mbinu za kuchanganua yaliyomo. Maombi mengi ya kitabu hiki yatakufanya uithamini zaidi njia ambazo Mungu anajifunua na utu wake kupitia Maandiko. Ndani utapata Ramani, chati, na vielezi Karatasi ya habari kwa kila kitabu Mistari muhimu Mafundisho muhimu Maelezo ya jumla na mandhari kuu Maoni kutoka kwa wanatheolojia, walimu, na waandishi Mpango wa mwaka mmoja wa kusoma Biblia. Ona pia Kitabu cha Biblia kinachoitwa What Is a Bible Atlas?