How To Cite A Bible Mla

How to Cite the Bible in MLA Style: A Comprehensive Guide

The Bible, a cornerstone of Western literature and a foundational text for numerous religions, frequently appears in academic writing. Knowing how to cite biblical passages correctly within the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, covering various editions, different types of citations, and addressing common challenges.

Understanding MLA Citation Basics

Before delving into Bible citations, let's refresh our understanding of fundamental MLA principles. MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity. Citations typically include the necessary information to allow readers to locate the source material. For the Bible, this information includes the book, chapter, and verse(s). Unlike other sources, the Bible doesn't have a typical author, publisher, or date in the traditional sense.

Citing the Bible in MLA: The Core Elements

The core elements for citing biblical passages in MLA are:

• Book: The name of the biblical book (e.g., Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, Revelation). Use standard abbreviations where applicable (see the list provided later in this guide).
• Chapter: The chapter number (e.g., 1, 2, 3...).
• Verse(s): The verse number(s) (e.g., 1, 1-3, 5-10, 12-15, 20-22).

Different Ways to Cite Biblical Passages in Your Text

There are two primary ways to incorporate biblical citations into your writing: parenthetical citations and in-text citations.

1. Parenthetical Citations (the most common method)

This method places the citation directly within the text, enclosed in parentheses. The format is generally as follows:

(Book Chapter:Verse(s))

Examples:

• The creation narrative describes God creating the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1).
• The Ten Commandments are detailed in Exodus 20:1-17.
• Jesus's Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5-7.

Note: Always use the abbreviated form of the book name when using parenthetical citations. A complete list of standard abbreviations is provided below.

2. In-Text Citations (less common for biblical passages)

In-text citations are less frequently used for Bible verses. They usually only appear when referring to a specific translation or edition that might affect the interpretation of a passage. The format might resemble this:

The interpretation of Psalm 23:1 varies significantly across translations. King James Version (KJV) reads differently from the New International Version (NIV).

In such cases, you would need to mention the specific translation used in your parenthetical or works cited page.

Handling Multiple Verses and Chapter Ranges

• Multiple Verses within the Same Chapter: Use a hyphen to separate the first and last verse numbers (e.g., (Gen 1:1-3), (Matt 5:1-12)).
• Multiple Chapters: Use a hyphen between the chapter numbers (e.g., (Matt 5-7), (Isa 53:1-12)).
• Verse Ranges Across Chapters: List each chapter and its corresponding verses separately (e.g., (Gen 1:1-2; 2:1-3)).

Including the Bible Version in your Citation

While not strictly required by standard MLA guidelines for every citation, it is strongly recommended, especially if you are analyzing the nuances of different translations. The most common method is to list the version in your works cited entry.

Example of a Works Cited Entry:

Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.

This would allow you to cite any verse without specifying the version in every parenthetical citation. However, if comparing different versions, the abbreviation of that specific version should be included in the parenthetical citation. For instance, if referring to a specific passage from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), you would note that in the parenthetical citation.

Example:

The prophet's message is presented differently in the NRSV (Isa 40:31).

Abbreviations for Books of the Bible

Using standard abbreviations saves space and improves readability. Here's a list of common abbreviations:

Old Testament:

• Gen – Genesis
• Exod – Exodus
• Lev – Leviticus
• Num – Numbers
• Deut – Deuteronomy
• Josh – Joshua
• Judg – Judges
• Ruth – Ruth
• 1 Sam – 1 Samuel
• 2 Sam – 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings – 1 Kings
• 2 Kings – 2 Kings
• 1 Chron – 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chron – 2 Chronicles
• Ezra – Ezra
• Neh – Nehemiah
• Esther – Esther
• Job – Job
• Ps – Psalms
• Prov – Proverbs
• Eccl – Ecclesiastes
• Song – Song of Solomon (Song of Songs)
• Isa – Isaiah
• Jer – Jeremiah
• Lam – Lamentations
• Ezek – Ezekiel
• Dan – Daniel
• Hos – Hosea
• Joel – Joel
• Amos – Amos
• Obad – Obadiah
• Jonah – Jonah
• Micah – Micah
• Nah – Nahum
• Hab – Habakkuk
• Zeph – Zephaniah
• Hag – Haggai
• Zech – Zechariah
• Mal – Malachi

New Testament:

• Matt – Matthew
• Mark – Mark
• Luke – Luke
• John – John
• Acts – Acts
• Rom – Romans
• 1 Cor – 1 Corinthians
• 2 Cor – 2 Corinthians
• Gal – Galatians
• Eph – Ephesians
• Phil – Philippians
• Col – Colossians
• 1 Thess – 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thess – 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Tim – 1 Timothy
• 2 Tim – 2 Timothy
• Titus – Titus
• Philem – Philemon
• Heb – Hebrews
• James – James
• 1 Pet – 1 Peter
• 2 Pet – 2 Peter
• 1 John – 1 John
• 2 John – 2 John
• 3 John – 3 John
• Jude – Jude
• Rev – Revelation

Handling Apocryphal Books

Apocryphal books, which are included in some Bible versions but not others, require specific handling. Clearly identify the version you are using (e.g., NRSV, Septuagint) and include this information in your citation. For example, if you cite from the Book of Wisdom, you would indicate the version in parentheses after the citation.

Example:

The wisdom literature emphasizes... (Wis 7:27, NRSV)

Works Cited Page Entry

Your "Works Cited" page requires a full entry for the Bible you used. Here are some example entries:

• King James Version (KJV):

Holy Bible. King James Version. [Publisher varies. Include publisher and publication date if available.]

• New International Version (NIV):

Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.

• New Revised Standard Version (NRSV):

Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version. National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, 1989.

Remember to replace bracketed information with details specific to the Bible version you consulted. Always provide the publisher and publication date if known.

Dealing with Specific Challenges

• Different Translations: Always specify the translation if the wording is crucial to your argument. This ensures that readers can easily find the relevant passage.
• Paraphrasing: Even when paraphrasing, you need to cite the biblical source. Direct quotes require quotation marks, while paraphrases still need a parenthetical citation.
• Multiple Citations in One Sentence: If you have multiple citations in one sentence, list them in chronological order, separating each with a semicolon.

Conclusion: Mastering Biblical Citations in MLA

Citing the Bible correctly in MLA style is crucial for upholding academic honesty. By understanding the core components of the citation – the book, chapter, and verse(s) – and adhering to the guidelines for formatting, you can confidently incorporate biblical passages into your research papers while demonstrating your commitment to proper scholarly practice. Remember that consistency and clarity are key elements in effective academic writing. Always aim for precise and clear citations to maintain credibility and facilitate easy navigation of your sources for your readers. Using a standard abbreviation list, clearly indicating your Bible version, and providing a complete "Works Cited" entry are essential steps to ensure your academic work meets the highest standards of scholarship.