How To Cite The Bible In APA
The American Psychological Association (APA) is one of the most commonly used citation formats. To cite the Bible in APA format, you need to create a separate reference for the Bible source. Generally, if you are writing a research paper, you must include a reference list at the end of your paper. When citing the Bible, include a shortened form of the book title, where capitalized words refer to different parts of the Bible.
Due to the wide variation in Bible printings and editions, APA recommends you include several elements in the citation. This information helps your reader locate the specific passage you referenced in your paper. Some of the elements to include are the Bible version, publication date, edition, volume, and page number. Depending on the source, some elements may be omitted.
Books From The Old Testament
The Old Testament is commonly cited in APA by its abbreviated name, OT. To cite one book from the OT, list the book’s author, followed by the abbreviated title “OT”, the chapter and verse numbers, and the translation in parentheses.
For example, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (King James Version) could be cited as:
Genesis. OT, 1:1 (King James Version).
Books From The New Testament
The New Testament is commonly cited in APA as its abbreviated name, NT. To cite one book from the NT, list the book’s author, followed by the abbreviated title “NT”, the chapter and verse numbers, and the translation in parentheses.
For example, Luke 1:1 “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” (KJV) could be cited as:
Luke. NT, 1:1 (King James Version).
Whole Books Of The Bible
To cite a whole book from the Bible, provide the full book title, followed by the translation in parentheses.
For example, Mark (KJV) could be cited as:
Mark (King James Version).
Multiple Versions Of The Bible
If you are citing multiple versions of the Bible, include the abbreviation “v.” and the appropriate book name, chapter, and verse.
For example, if you are comparing 1 Kings 16:12 from both the NIV and NLT, you would list the reference as:
1 Kings. OT, 16:12 (NIV v. NLT).
Whole Chapters Of The Bible
To cite an entire chapter of the Bible, start with the book title, followed by the chapter number and name in parentheses.
For example, to cite Chapter 1 of Matthew, you would list the reference as:
Matthew (ch. 1).
Summary Of Verses
When summarizing verses in an APA paper, use the reference with “information taken from..” before the citation. You do not need to include the volume number or page number.
For example, summarizing Psalm 23:1-3 would be cited as:
Information taken from Psalm. OT, 23:1-3 (King James Version).
Interpretations Of Verses
When interpreting verses in an APA paper, also include the publisher in the citation. The publisher may be a newspaper, magazine, or website.
For example, if you are citing an interpretation from a magazine, list the full publication name followed by the specific article, compared to citing a book chapter, list “In” followed by contributor name and title.
For example, citing an interpretation from a magazine would be referenced as:
New York Times Magazine. “The Power of Psalm 23.”
Citing The Bible In An Online Format
In some cases, you may need to cite the Bible in an online format. To do so, prefer citing the specific source you consulted unless you only read the Bible reference online. In that case, provide the bible website’s URL and the date accessed.
For example, Philippians 2:7-8, which reads: “but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (KJV) can be cited as:
Philippians. NT, 2:7-8 (King James Version). BibleGateway.com, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2&version=KJV. Accessed 3 May 2021.
Citing The Bible In Text
When citing the Bible in your paper, avoid using direct quotes and paraphrase instead. Include a brief indication in the text that points to the full reference in the reference list.
For example, the phrase “God made the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 KJV) in text would be referenced as:
God made the heavens and the earth (Genesis. OT, 1:1 (King James Version)).
Common Errors To Avoid
When citing the Bible in APA format, always use quotation marks when quoting a section of a verse and never bold, italicize, underline, or place a word in all caps. To ensure proper formatting, use the APA style guide and the in-text citation provided in the guide.
APA and Endnotes/Footnotes
APA recommends that you use in-text citations and a reference list. However, if needed, endnotes or footnotes can be used with some caution. When citing the Bible in any notes, include the author and full title, accompanied by the abbreviation “in” and the version of the Bible being used.
For example, Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (King James Version) would be cited as:
Genesis. OT, 1:1 (King James Version) in The King James Version of the Bible, 1611.
Beyond APA Guidelines
APA guidelines provide a framework for citing the Bible, but there is still some potential for variance. Refer to the publisher’s style guide for your publication and check any examples the publisher may have provided. Taking that advice into account, and sticking to the citation format as closely as possible will help your paper meet the guidelines of your target publication.
Overall, understanding the APA citation guidelines for the Bible will help you create an accurate citation for your paper. Make sure you include the necessary elements and remember to cite the source in both the text of your paper and the reference list.
