How To Cite The Bible In Chicago

How to Cite the Bible in Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) offers specific guidelines for citing biblical texts, recognizing their unique structure and widespread use in academic writing. Accurate and consistent citation is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and allowing readers to easily verify your sources. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of citing the Bible in Chicago style, covering various editions and referencing methods.

Understanding Chicago's Approach to Biblical Citations

Chicago style prioritizes clarity and consistency. Unlike some styles that integrate biblical citations directly into the text, Chicago generally favors using footnotes or endnotes for these references. This keeps the main text flowing smoothly while providing complete citation information in a separate section.

The core information needed for a biblical citation includes:

• Book: The name of the biblical book (e.g., Genesis, Psalms, Revelation).
• Chapter: The chapter number (using Arabic numerals).
• Verse(s): The verse or verses (using Arabic numerals).

Different Editions and Their Citation

The edition of the Bible you use significantly impacts your citation. Different translations (King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, etc.) have varying structures and numbering, so specifying the edition is essential for accuracy.

Citing Specific Editions:

The general format for a biblical citation in a footnote or endnote is:

Book Chapter:Verse(s) (Edition, Year).

Examples:

• KJV: Gen 1:1 (King James Version, 1611).
• NIV: Matt 5:1–7 (New International Version, 2011).
• NRSV: Ps 23:1 (New Revised Standard Version, 1989).
• ESV: Rom 12:2 (English Standard Version, 2016).

Note: If your chosen edition doesn't have a readily available publication year, you can use the publication date of the edition you consulted. If even that information isn't available, you can mention the translator or editorial team if known.

Dealing with Multiple Verses and Chapters:

• Multiple verses within one chapter: Use hyphens to indicate a range of verses. Example: Gen 1:1-3 (King James Version, 1611).
• Multiple chapters: Use commas to separate chapter numbers. Example: Gen 1:1-3, 2:1-7 (King James Version, 1611).
• Multiple verses across multiple chapters: Combine both methods. Example: Gen 1:1-3, 2:1-7, 3:1-15 (King James Version, 1611).
• Using "ff." (and following): While acceptable in some styles, Chicago generally discourages the use of "ff." to denote subsequent verses or chapters. It's clearer to specify the exact range.

Shortened Citations

In subsequent footnotes or endnotes referring to the same biblical book, you can shorten the citation. For example, after a full citation like:

1. Gen 1:1 (King James Version, 1611).

Subsequent references to Genesis can be shortened to:

2. Gen 1:2-5.
3. Gen 2:1-7.

Always ensure the initial full citation provides sufficient detail to enable readers to locate your source accurately. The shortened citations should still maintain sufficient context.

Quoting Scripture in the Text

While footnotes are preferred, short quotations from scripture can be incorporated directly into your text. You should still provide a citation.

Example:

The creation account states, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen 1:1, King James Version, 1611).

Notice the quotation marks around the quoted scripture. This indicates that those words are directly from the Bible, and the citation immediately follows, providing the source.

Citing Apocryphal Books

The inclusion of Apocryphal books varies across different Bible editions. If your work utilizes Apocryphal or Deuterocanonical books (like Tobit, Judith, or Wisdom), clearly state the edition you're using and include the book's name in the citation.

Example:

1. Tob 12:15 (New Revised Standard Version, Apocrypha, 1989).

Dealing with Parallel Passages

Some events or passages are described across different books or sections in the Bible. When referencing parallel passages, cite all relevant locations.

Example:

The account of the Flood is described in both Genesis and 2 Peter: Gen 6–9 (King James Version, 1611); 2 Pet 2:5 (New International Version, 2011).

Using Online Bible Resources

The increasing availability of online Bible versions presents a unique challenge. Although convenient, online Bibles often lack standardized publication information. In such cases, you should provide as much detail as possible:

• Name of the Bible version: (e.g., English Standard Version)
• Website or app name: (e.g., Bible Gateway, YouVersion)
• URL (if applicable): If citing a specific page or commentary, provide the URL.
• Date of access: (to ensure the content hasn’t changed).

Example:

1. Matt 6:9-13 (English Standard Version, Bible Gateway, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.biblegateway.com/).

Always prioritize accuracy and clarity when citing online resources.

Advanced Considerations

• Multiple References in One Footnote: When citing multiple sources within a single footnote, separate them with semicolons.
• Different Translations in a Single Work: If you reference several translations within your paper, ensure each citation includes the precise version.
• Biblical Commentaries: If you're citing a commentary alongside the biblical text, you'll need to cite both. Use separate footnotes or endnotes for each. The commentary citation should follow the standard Chicago style for books.
• Quoting from Translations in Other Languages: If you are citing a Bible in a language other than English, include the language of the translation. For example: (Gen 1:1, Biblia Sacra Vulgata).

Consistency is Key

The most important aspect of citing the Bible in Chicago style is consistency. Once you have established a citation style for a particular edition, stick to it throughout your work. Inconsistency can confuse your readers and undermine the credibility of your research.

Practical Applications and Examples

Let’s illustrate the above principles with some practical examples:

Example 1: Single verse citation

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps 23:1, New International Version, 2011).

Footnote: 1. Ps 23:1 (New International Version, 2011).

Example 2: Multiple verses in one chapter

The Sermon on the Mount contains profound teachings (Matt 5:1-16, New Revised Standard Version, 1989).

Footnote: 1. Matt 5:1-16 (New Revised Standard Version, 1989).

Example 3: Multiple verses across multiple chapters

The narrative of Exodus details the Israelites' escape from Egypt (Exod 1:8-2:10, 3:1-15, King James Version, 1611).

Footnote: 1. Exod 1:8-2:10, 3:1-15 (King James Version, 1611).

Example 4: Shortened citation

In the preceding verse, God declares his covenant (Gen 17:7, KJV). Next, he promises Abraham descendants. (Gen 17:16, KJV).

Footnotes:

1. Gen 17:7 (King James Version, 1611).
2. Gen 17:16 (KJV).

Example 5: Citing an online Bible

The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges readers (Luke 10:25-37, New International Version, Bible Gateway, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.biblegateway.com/).

Footnote: 1. Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version, Bible Gateway, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.biblegateway.com/).

By following these guidelines and examples, you can effectively and accurately cite biblical texts in your Chicago style papers, ensuring both academic integrity and reader comprehension. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy and maintain consistency throughout your work.