Here is a list of Bible software and other related applications. The usual disclaimer applies: I do not work for any of the companies that produce or distribute these programmes. However, in some cases I have translated into Spanish, revised and corrected some databases and/or beta tested some of the products mentioned here. The brief comments are only meant to reflect my personal opinion. I use many of the software packages listed here, and would welcome any suggestions and feedback from other users. Should any company or individual feel that a given application should be included in this webpage, I can be reached at the following e-mail address:
LATEST NEWS
My book on Bible software (Guía práctica de software bíblico - A Practical Guide to Bible Software), published by Editorial CLIE — ISBN 84-8267-181-2 — is already available! It is written in Spanish, but it contains very practical and up-to-date information on the most relevant Bible software packages available (particularly those that have been or are being translated into Spanish, or carry some Spanish Bibles and tools). The Appendix includes extensive reviews of Accordance, BibleWorks, and Logos. There is no English edition planned as yet (sorry!), but many people will be able to make good use of it. It is very user-friendly and contains dozens of illustrations. Get it at your nearest Christian bookstore!
Meanwhile, if any Christian publisher should be interested in an English version (adapted to the English-speaking world), feel free to email me (see address above). You are also welcome to send me your comments, suggestions, and so on.
To make things easier, I have split
up the programmes into various categories.
General-purpose Bible Software
Original Language Learning Tools
This software is especially good for doing Bible studies in the original languages and scholarly research. Knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew is necessary if one wants to fully benefit from them. However, they can be quite useful to any experienced student of the Bible.
Bibloi (formerly known as BibleWindows) This programme allows the user to create full concordances of the Bible. The latest version, 6.0, was recently released. The GUI is not very attractive. Some of the lexicons are powered by Folio Views. It also presents some limitations when it comes to performing morphological searches. All in all, it is not the best choice available right now, although it remains a pretty good programme.
BibleWorks This is, undoubtedly, the best Bible software currently available for Windows (95, 98, 2000, ME, NT, XP). The tagging system for the original Greek follows a functional rather than a formal analysis. BibleWorks' technical support remains unmatched, and programme and module updates are available on a regular basis at Hermeneutika's webpage. There is a List-Server for BibleWorks users (BibleWorks@topica.com). The software package contains a vast amount of original and foreign language Bibles. Version 5.0 hit the street a few weeks ago. Among the outstanding programme enhancements are a new Word List Manager, a Synoptic window, and a tool for building user-made Bible versions. This version becomes a serious competitor for Accordance (see below), at least in the area of searching Bible texts. It is very reasonably priced, considering what you get. A Spanish version of the User Manual for BibleWorks 4.0 is available at the web site. The Spanish Bibles included in version 5 are the Reina-Valera 1909, Reina-Valera Actualizada (1989), La Biblia de las Américas (Spanish NASB), Reina-Valera 1960, Reina-Valera 1995 and a Catalan version known as BCI. Clic here to read a review of BibleWorks 4.0
Accordance for Macintosh It is considered the best Bible software on any platform. This is THE programme to beat! If you try it you will know why. Right now it is only available for Macintosh (although it runs fairly well under Basilisk II, a Mac emulator for PCs -- Note, though, that you need a Mac Rom in order to run it!). The tagged texts follow a formal analysis. Technical support is simply superb. There is also a very helpful forum for Accordance users (accordance_users@lists.exegesis.org). By the way, most of the programmeme's on-line documents are already available in Spanish since March 1998, as well as the complete Accordance 4.3 Mini-Manual. They can be downloaded for free from OakTree Software or The Gramcord Institutes's webpages. So far, there are two Spanish Bibles available as optional modules (Reina-Valera 1960 and La Biblia de las Américas). There should be a localized Spanish version in a little while. An outstanding Bible atlas, fully integrated with Accordance Bible software is also available. See below under "Bible Atlases".
Gramcord for Windows This is the Windows version of Gramcord for DOS, a real landmark in Bible software. It also follows a formal approach. It is very good, but still cannot match Accordance's graphical interface and ease of use. It works seamlessly with Bible Companion as an add-on module. All three modules are already available (Hebrew OT, Greek OT and Greek NT).
Bible
Companion Series Very good programme. It can work with or without Gramcord.
It is included here because of the Gramcord BHS, Gramcord LXX and Gramcord GNT
add-on modules. It offers a good number of Spanish Bibles (Reina-Valera 1909,
Reina-Valera 1960, Reina-Valera Actualizada -1989- with footnotes, and La
Biblia de las Américas) depending on the package and add-on modules one
chooses. Two versions of Bible Companion are out (2.0 and 4.0), but
unfortunately none of them is yet compatible with the Gramcord search
engine.
General-purpose Bible Software
The following applications can be useful for in-depth study
and research. Some of them carry original language texts and tools, but they
are not particularly suited for scholarly study.
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These applications are outstanding for the sheer amount of data included in their CDs. The distinction between pure Bible software and Electronic Libraries is becoming increasingly blurred.
Logos/Libronix The best electronic library available nowadays. The LLS (Logos Library System) has been adopted by many publishers and Theological institutions to release many of their works in electronic format. Earlier this moth, the new Logos Library System Series X (using the Libronix Digital Library System) was released. The only unlockable Spanish Bible available until recently was the Reina-Valera Actualizada (1989), but UBS/Logos have released a Spanish version of the programme with the following Bibles: Reina-Valera 1960, Reina-Valera 1995 (Study edition with dictionary), Dios Habla Hoy (Latin American ecumenical study Bible), King James Version (with Strong's numbers), BHS (Hebrew OT text), GNT Nestle-Aland (Greek NT text), Maps, book introductions, Bible concordance, and the book "Descubre la Biblia" (Discover the Bible), with articles written by UBS scholars (There is also a new professional edition which includes even more Bibles and study tools). There is a list currently running for all Logos/Libronix users (LLSNEWS@ChristianEmailService.com).
QuickVerse Uses STEP technology (Standard Template Electronic Publishing), the alternative to Logos. A number of publishers are already using STEP. Version 7.0 is a major "step" forward.
The Master Christian
Library Excellent value for money. A huge library in Adobe's PDF format.
Recently, Ages Software has decided to publish some of its works using the LLS
standard.
These are fonts one can use in most word processors and desktop publishing applications.
Galaxie Software Quite good. There is a utility that allows writing Hebrew from right to left.
Linguist's Software Very professional indeed. They are simply the best. Fonts for Macintosh and Windows. Hebrew can be written from right to left.
Teknia Software Good
fonts for Mac and Windows.
Original Language Learning Tools:
If you want to learn Hebrew and/or Greek, you may try some of these.
GreekFlash Pro Excellent.
QuickMem Greek Freeware flashcard programme written in Visual Basic. It quizzes the vocabulary of Bruce M. Metzger's Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek.
Teknia Language Tools Includes FlashWorks and ParseWorks. Both programmes are intended as electronic companions to William Mounce's excellent Greek grammar Basics of Biblical Greek.
There are also some online resources where one can learn the Biblical languages. Among these I would mention the following:
There are also two moderated mailing lists for more advanced students of Greek and Hebrew:
Biblical Greek Home Page, with information on how to subscribe to the list. The B-Greek Archives can also be searched at Biblical Greek Archives
Biblical Hebrew
Home Page ,with information on how to subscribe to the list. The B-Hebrew
Archives can also be searched at
Biblical
Hebrew Archives
Accordance Bible Atlas Superb two-dimensional and three-dimensional maps of the land of the Bible! Maps are fully customizable. Please note that this is a Macintosh-only product (fully integrated with Accordance Bible software).
Logos Bible Atlas Excellent maps for Windows. Includes 3D maps.
PC Bible
Atlas Very good programme. Past versions used to work seamlessly with other
Parsons Technologies Bible software (QuickVerse, Holman's Bible Dictionary,
Bible Illustrator, etc.). Right now it is no longer a stand-alone application.
It has been included in the new QuickVerse as a STEP book. This means that it
can be read by other applications using the same format (like WordSearch and
Bible Companion).
In Europe: Sunrise Software I do not know them personally, but they are reasonably close to where I live (just about a two-hour flight!)
In the United States:
Rejoice Christian Software In
my opinion they offer the best prices, and a very good service.
The Digital Word Filled with information and reviews of the main Bible software programmes. I highly recommend it.
Scripture Site Excellent page for users of Logos Bible Software. Theres is also a review of the alpha version of Titus.
Bible Study
Software Newsletter The name says it all.