3 Resources for a Starter Library

We hear this question a lot: “What are some great resources to get me started with the Olive Tree Bible App?” We’ve decided to share our recommendation because there might be others asking the same question. So, here are 3 resources for a starter library!

1) STUDY BIBLE

WHAT MAKES A STUDY BIBLE USEFUL?

If you’ve ever opened-up a paper version of a study Bible, you know it looks a little different than a regular copy. At the bottom of each page there are notes that give deeper insights to the passage you are reading.

These notes aren’t difficult to understand or highly academic, like a commentary would be. Instead, a study Bible provides you with tidbits of information to enhance your Bible reading along the way.

WHY GET A STUDY BIBLE FOR THE OLIVE TREE BIBLE APP?

First, at Olive Tree, we sell you the study Bible notes. What does this mean? If you purchase the ESV Study Bible, you will receive two resources: the ESV (which we offer for free) and the study Bible notes.

If you open the notes in the Resource Guide, they will follow along with your Bible reading in the main window.

COOL TIP! You can open any Bible translation along with your study Bible notes. For example, you could be reading the NKJV but have the NIV Study Bible notes open.

NIV Study Bible

ESV Study Bible

NKJV Study Bible

NASB Study Bible

KJV Study Bible

2) CONCORDANCE

WHAT MAKES A CONCORDANCE USEFUL?

God’s Word is the best interpreter of the Bible. When we use tools like a concordance to gain more insight, we aren’t looking to voices outside of the Bible for clarity. A concordance lists significant words in the Bible, tells you the Greek or Hebrew word, and shows you the other places that word is used in the Bible.

That way, you can make comparisons and double-check the way you are interpreting the Bible.

WHY GET A CONCORDANCE FOR THE OLIVE TREE BIBLE APP?

When you use a paper concordance, you open not only multiple pages inside the concordance, but also have your Bible open next to you! With the app, all you do is select a word and tap “look up.” Choose your concordance and you’ll be given a list of every instance that word is used in the Bible.

Better yet, the list is hyperlinked! All you need to do is tap on the reference in order to see the verse. You can also tap “Dictionary” to read the Strong’s definition.

NIV Concordance

ESV Concordance

NKJV Concordance

NASB Concordance

KJV Concordance

3) STRONG’S TAGGED BIBLE

WHAT MAKES STRONG’S USEFUL?

The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is one, huge book when it’s printed in paper. It lists every single significant word in the Bible! Then, it pairs the English word with the Greek or Hebrew word and provides you with a definition. You can also discover other places the word is used in the Bible.

This tool is perfect for the beginner’s library because it equips you to understand Greek and Hebrew… without needing to learn Greek and Hebrew. You will be able to discern the original language and meaning of the Bible.

The only problem is… with a paper version of Strong’s, you do A LOT of page-flipping and time-wasting. But we have a solution.

WHY GET A STRONG’S TAGGED BIBLE FOR THE OLIVE TREE BIBLE APP?

Instead of leaving Strong’s as a separate concordance that you have to search through, we fused it into the Bible text.

Every blue, hyper-linked word will open a pop-up window, providing you with the Greek or Hebrew word, Strong’s number, and a definition.

If you want to see all the other places this word is used in the Bible, just tap “Search for ###” You can scroll through a list of verses and even tap on them to read in more context.

What makes this different than the concordances we mentioned in point #2? First, this information is fused into the Bible text. Second, a concordance will first show you the list of verses; meanwhile, Strong’s will show you the definition first. Both are useful for studying the Bible and provide you with a different angle for learning more.

NIV Word Study Bible (Strong’s)

ESV Strong’s

NKJV Strong’s

NASB Strong’s

KJV Strong’s

LEARN MORE

Interested in learning more? Visit the product page of any of these resources to read more about what comes with the resource. You can even watch a video to see how it works in our app.

As always, if you have any questions, email support@olivetree.com. We’d be glad to answer any of your questions!