Turabian Bible Citations: A Clear and Simple Guide

The Turabian style, also known as the Chicago Manual of Style, offers a flexible and widely accepted approach to academic citation. While primarily used for humanities research, it also provides clear guidelines for citing religious texts, including the Bible. This guide clarifies the process of citing biblical passages in Turabian, ensuring accuracy and consistency in your academic work.

Understanding Turabian's Approach to Biblical Citations

Turabian's system emphasizes brevity and clarity. Instead of lengthy footnotes or endnotes, it primarily utilizes parenthetical citations within the text itself, followed by a bibliography for full publication details. For the Bible, this means directly referencing the book, chapter, and verse within the text, then including a bibliographic entry for the specific Bible translation you used.

How to Cite Biblical Passages in Your Text

The in-text citation for a biblical passage is straightforward. Simply provide the book (abbreviated), chapter, and verse(s) in parentheses. For example:

• Single Verse: (Gen 1:1)
• Range of Verses: (Matt 5:1-12)
• Multiple Verses, Different Chapters: (Ps 23:1, 6; Isa 40:31)

Important Considerations:

• Abbreviations: Use standard abbreviations for biblical books. You can find comprehensive lists of these abbreviations in most Bible dictionaries or style guides. Consistency is key.
• Capitalization: Capitalize book names (e.g., Genesis, Matthew).
• Spacing: Use a colon to separate the chapter and verse (e.g., Gen 1:1). Use a semicolon to separate multiple references (e.g., Ps 23:1, 6).

Creating Your Turabian Bibliography Entry

The bibliography entry provides the complete details of the Bible translation used. This is crucial for verifying your source. Here's the basic format:

[Bible Version]. [City of Publication]: [Publisher], [Year].

Examples:

• New International Version (NIV): Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
• King James Version (KJV): The Holy Bible, King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2017.
• New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): The New Revised Standard Version Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

Remember to replace the bracketed information with the specifics of the Bible translation you cited in your work.

Common Questions about Turabian Bible Citations

What if I'm using a specific edition of a Bible translation?

Include the edition information after the publisher. For example:

Holy Bible, New International Version, 15th Anniversary Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

How do I cite multiple Bible versions in my paper?

Create a separate bibliographic entry for each Bible translation you used. In the text, clearly indicate which version you are referencing with each citation.

Do I need to cite the Bible if it is considered common knowledge?

While the Bible is widely known, it's still good practice to cite it, especially when quoting specific passages or relying heavily on biblical interpretations in your academic work. Doing so strengthens the credibility of your research.

How do I cite apocryphal books?

Cite apocryphal books following the same format as canonical books, clearly identifying them as such in your text or bibliography if necessary (e.g., (1 Macc 1:1) or mention "Apocrypha" in your bibliography entry if this information is not evident in the book title).

Conclusion

Citing biblical passages in Turabian style is straightforward when you understand the core principles. By following these guidelines and accurately recording your source information, you ensure the credibility and academic integrity of your research. Remember to always check with your professor or institution for specific requirements, as minor variations in style may exist. Using this guide, you can confidently integrate biblical citations into your Turabian-style papers.