How To Cite The Bible Mla

The Bible, as a foundational text for billions, often finds its way into academic papers, theological discussions, and literary analyses. Citing the Bible correctly in Modern Language Association (MLA) format is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper credit to the source material. Mastering this skill ensures clarity and precision in your work, allowing readers to easily locate the specific passages you've referenced.

Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation

MLA style emphasizes clarity and conciseness. When citing the Bible, you'll need to include specific elements to guide your reader directly to the text you're referencing. The basic format includes the version of the Bible, the book, chapter, and verse. Let's break down the components:

• Version of the Bible: Different versions like the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), or New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) have varying translations. Always specify the version you're using.
• Book: Abbreviate the book titles to save space and maintain consistency.
• Chapter and Verse: Use numerals to denote the chapter and verse, separated by a colon.

Citing the Bible in the Text (In-Text Citations)

In-text citations are brief references within your writing that point to the full citation in your Works Cited list. In MLA, these citations usually include the author's last name and page number. However, since the Bible doesn't have a traditional author, and page numbers vary across editions, the in-text citation will focus on the book, chapter, and verse.

Basic In-Text Citation:

The general format for an in-text citation is: (Book Chapter:Verse).

For example:

• (Gen. 1:1)
• (John 3:16)

Including the Bible Version in the First Citation:

When you first cite the Bible, it's essential to include the version you're using. You can integrate this information into your sentence or include it in the parenthetical citation.

• Integrated into the sentence: In Genesis 1:1 (NIV), it is written, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
• In parenthetical citation: (Gen. 1:1, NIV)

After the first citation, you can omit the version, assuming you're consistently using the same one throughout your paper.

Citing Multiple Verses:

When citing a range of verses, use an en dash (-) to connect the first and last verse.

• (Rom. 8:38-39)

If you're citing non-consecutive verses, use a comma to separate them.

• (1 Cor. 13:4, 7)

Citing Different Books in the Same Citation:

If you need to cite multiple books in the same parenthetical citation, separate them with a semicolon.

• (Gen. 1:1; John 3:16)

Creating a Works Cited Entry for the Bible

The Works Cited entry provides complete publication information for your sources. For the Bible, this includes the version, editor or translator (if applicable), publisher, and publication year.

Basic Format for Works Cited:

• The Bible. Version Used. Edited by [Editor's Name if applicable], Publisher, Year.

Examples:

• The Bible. King James Version, Thomas Nelson, 1972.
• The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 1984.
• The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Michael Coogan, Oxford University Press, 2018.

Key Considerations for Works Cited Entries:

• Version: Always specify the version you used.
• Editor/Translator: Include the editor or translator if the version emphasizes their work.
• Publisher: Include the publisher's name.
• Year: Use the publication year of the edition you consulted.

Abbreviations for Books of the Bible

MLA style uses abbreviations for book titles in both in-text citations and the Works Cited list. Here's a comprehensive list of commonly used abbreviations:

Old Testament:

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

New Testament:

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

Examples of Bible Citations in MLA Format

To illustrate the principles discussed, here are several examples of how to cite the Bible in various contexts using MLA format.

Example 1: Basic In-Text Citation and Works Cited Entry

• In-Text: (John 1:1)
• Works Cited: The Bible. King James Version, Thomas Nelson, 1972.

Example 2: Including the Version in the First Citation

• In-Text: In John 3:16 (NIV), the most well-known verse in the Bible states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
• Works Cited: The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 1984.

Example 3: Citing a Range of Verses

• In-Text: (Ps. 23:1-3)
• Works Cited: The Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press, 1989.

Example 4: Citing Non-Consecutive Verses

• In-Text: (1 Cor. 13:4, 7)
• Works Cited: The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Michael Coogan, Oxford University Press, 2018.

Example 5: Citing Different Books in the Same Citation

• In-Text: (Gen. 1:1; John 3:16)
• Works Cited:
  • The Bible. King James Version, Thomas Nelson, 1972.
  • The Holy Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 1984. (Note: List each version separately if they differ)

Example 6: Citing a Specific Edition with an Editor

• In-Text: (Exod. 20:1-17, NRSV)
• Works Cited: The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Michael Coogan, Oxford University Press, 2018.

Example 7: Integrating the Citation into the Sentence

• In-Text: According to Romans 12:2, we should "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
• Works Cited: The Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2001.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the Version: Always specify the version of the Bible you are using, especially in the first citation.
• Incorrect Abbreviations: Use the correct MLA abbreviations for the books of the Bible.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your paper.
• Missing Works Cited Entry: Ensure you have a complete Works Cited entry for every version of the Bible you cite.
• Mixing Citation Styles: Stick to MLA format and avoid mixing it with other citation styles like APA or Chicago.

Advanced Scenarios and Special Cases

Citing Different Translations in the Same Paper:

If you use multiple versions of the Bible in your paper, you must specify the version each time you cite a passage. In your Works Cited list, include a separate entry for each version.

Citing Study Notes or Commentary:

If you are citing study notes or commentary from a specific edition of the Bible, cite the editor or author of the notes in your in-text citation and Works Cited entry.

• In-Text: (Brown, note on John 1:1, NRSV)
• Works Cited: The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Michael Coogan, with study notes by Raymond E. Brown, Oxford University Press, 2018.

Citing Online Versions of the Bible:

If you are using an online version of the Bible, include the URL and access date in your Works Cited entry.

• The Bible. English Standard Version, BibleGateway, www.biblegateway.com. Accessed 15 May 2023.

Citing the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books:

When citing books from the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical texts, follow the same MLA guidelines as for other books of the Bible. Be sure to specify the version you are using, as not all versions include these books.

• In-Text: (Wisd. of Sol. 3:1-9, NRSV)
• Works Cited: The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Edited by Michael Coogan, Oxford University Press, 2018.

Using Citation Management Tools

Citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can help you organize your sources and generate citations in MLA format. While these tools can be helpful, always double-check the citations to ensure they are accurate and comply with MLA guidelines.

Conclusion

Citing the Bible in MLA format may seem daunting at first, but with a clear understanding of the guidelines and consistent practice, you can master this essential skill. Remember to always specify the version you are using, abbreviate book titles correctly, and include a complete Works Cited entry for each version. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the accuracy and integrity of your work while giving proper credit to the foundational text that has shaped so much of human history and culture.

By adhering to these detailed instructions and examples, you can confidently cite the Bible in MLA format, enhancing the credibility and clarity of your academic and scholarly work.