Background Information
Bible is an important source of knowledge for many people; it is a source for both humans and those who are searching for spirituality. People who study the Bible often quote it in various publications and speeches, and it must be properly cited when it is used in these settings. The American Psychological Association’s Publication Manual (which provides guidance for formatting research and data) specifies how the Bible should be cited in different settings.
Citing Bible Books
When citing individual Bible books, the author, book title, chapter, and verse number must all be specified. The book title of the Bible should be written out in full, for example, “Book of Isaiah”. The chapter and verse number should be separated by a colon. For example, “Isaiah 1:2”. The citation should appear in the sentence before the quote and be enclosed in parentheses. For example, “As stated in the Bible (Book of Isaiah 1:2)”.
Citing Bible Verses in a Reference Page
When citing the Bible on a reference page, the title of the version or translation of the Bible must be specified. For example, “King James Version”. The Bible should be referenced in italics. The version or translation should be specified after the book title, rather than before it. The chapter and verses should be specified just as they would be in the in-text citation. The citation should include the editors of the version, and the date of publication. For example:
Book of Isaiah (King James Version), edited by T.C. Green, K.R. Matthews, R.H. Osborne and G.R. Osborne, (1996).
Citing Multiple Bible Verses
When citing multiple Bible verses, all the verses must be specified in the sentence, before the citation is specified. The citation should be the last part of the sentence. For example, “Isaiah 1:2-4 states”, followed by the in-text citation.
Citing Bible Quotations
When citing a Bible quotation in an essay or article, the quotation should be introduced with a brief statement. The author, book title, chapter and verse must all be specified. The in-text citation should be included in the quotation itself, rather than in the sentence introducing the quotation. The date of the translation should also be included in the in-text citation of the quotation. For example:
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11, New International Version, 1996).
Citing Bible Translations
When citing Bible translations, both the author and translator must be specified. If no author is given, the translator should be specified. The publisher and year of publication should also be included. For example:
The Bible: Authorized King James Version (1996). Edited by T.C. Green, K.R. Matthews, R.H. Osborne and G.R. Osborne. London: Oxford University Press.
Formatting Bible Citations
When quoting the Bible, the citation should be formatted according to the style specified by the American Psychological Association (APA). The author and book title should be italicized. The verses should be separated from the book title by a colon. The edition used should also be specified. For example:
Book of Isaiah (Authorized King James Version): Isaiah 1:2.
References
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Insight and Analysis
It is important to remember that when citing the Bible in any publication, the specific version or translation should be specified. The date of publication should also be specified. The proper formatting according to APA standards should be used to ensure that the Bible is accurately and properly cited. This will ensure that the Bible is properly referenced, and that any quotes are attributed to the Bible, rather than to the person citing it.
Examples
Below are some examples of how to properly cite the Bible in APA format:
In-Text Citation:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1, King James Version).
Reference Page Citation:
Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version), edited by T. C. Green, K.R. Matthews, R.H. Osborne and G.R. Osborne (1996).
Detailed Explanation of APA Formatting
When citing the Bible in APA format, the author, book title, chapter, and verse number must all be specified. The book title of the Bible should be written out in full, for example, “Book of Isaiah”. The chapter and verse number should be separated by a colon. For example, “Isaiah 1:2”. The version or translation should be specified after the book title, rather than before it. The date of the translation should also be included in the in-text citation of the quotation. The Bible should be referenced in italics. If a reference page citation is needed, the title of the version or translation of the Bible must be specified as well as the editors of the version, and the date of publication. When citing multiple Bible verses, all the verses must be specified in the sentence, before the citation is specified. The citation should be the last part of the sentence. When citing a Bible quotation in an essay or article, the quotation should be introduced with a brief statement. The author, book title, chapter and verse must all be specified. The in-text citation should be included in the quotation itself, rather than in the sentence introducing the quotation.
Impactful Quotes Cited From The Bible
Using biblical quotes in publications can be very powerful and allow the writer to make a strong point. There are many quotes from the Bible that remain relevant to today’s society and may be used to illustrate a point or to provide comfort to those reading the article. Some examples of impactful Bible quotes are:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, King James Version).
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12, King James Version).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, King James Version).
Accurate Citation Practices
When citing the Bible, it is important to not only properly format the citation according to the APA guidelines, but also to ensure that the quotation is accurate. Many different versions and translations of the Bible exist, and it is important to specify which one is being used in the text. By being accurate and precise when citing the Bible in any academic publication, the author can ensure that they are giving credit to the correct source and that their writing is accurate.
