Greetings fellow Highlanders! Today I want to show you a free, useful tool that you can use to enhance your biblical studies. Please click on the link below or enter that URL.

https://www.stepbible.org/

This is the STEP (Scripture Tools for Every Person) Bible. It is an online, ESV Bible that is published by Tyndale House where each word is linked to to its Strong’s entry. If you hover your cursor over a word, a red box will appear, showing you the original Hebrew or Greek word and all of the definitions for that word. If you click on a word it will open another panel that provides more detailed information. Perhaps the most fascinating function is when you click on a word and open the new window you can click on the link that says “search for this word.” When you click on that link you will see every time that Hebrew or Greek word appears in all of Scripture.

This will not replace a Hebrew or Greek class. In fact, knowing the language’s grammar will only unlock a deeper understanding of the STEP Bible. For example, in Genesis 1:1 the phrase וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ is translated “and the earth” but if you scroll your cursor over these words you will see that אֵת is the “direct obj. marker” and אָרֶץ is “land, earth, etc…”. At first it might seem like the English translators are adding in words, but If you have taken first year Hebrew (which I highly recomend) you will learn that the וְ on אֵת is generally translated as “and” or “but” and the הָ on הָאָרֶץ is generally translated as “the.” If the word was lacking the הָ it would be “an earth” instead of “the earth.” But even without this understanding the STEP Bible can still help you look up words or passages in their original language.

The STEP Bible is very easy to use. All you need to do to lookup a verse is click the “X” next to “Gen 1” in the search bar and then type in the reference you want to look up. What I want to show you is how to make the most of this useful tool. So here are my top five tips for making the most of the STEP Bible.

1) Use Ancient Texts and Modern Translations

• ESV is the default translation on this website. If you click on “ESV” while it is in the search bar, a window will open that shows you all of the available translations. From that window you may click on a translation to either add or remove it from the search bar. Want to see Genesis 1 in ESV, NIV, KJV, Hebrew and Latin? Enter “ESV,” “NIV,” “KJV,” “OHB,” “VulgJ” and “Gen 1” into the search bar.

2) Use Interlinear Mode

• Perhaps my favorite function of the STEP Bible is its interlinear power. Interlinear is when two translations are shown on the same line. Generally this means that the original text is shown and the word for word english translation is shown either above or below. To find this in STEP, just clear the search bar, enter the passage you want to look up, choose your desired translations or texts, (For example “ESV”, “Gen 1”, “OHB”) hit “enter” and there it is. To refine this view, click the cog in the upper right corner of the panel and choose how you want to view it. My personal favorite is “column view.” (Note: you can only see interlinear options if you have more than one translation chosen.)

3) Use Comparing Translations

• Let’s say you want to critically examine the difference between the ESV and NIV. Enter your desired passage, “ESV” and “NIV” into the search bar, click on the cog in the upper righthand corner of the panel and select the option “interleaved with comparison” or “column view with comparison.” Now the major differences between the texts are colored blue. Take note that the first translation in the search bar will be the translation that the others are compared against. So if you enter more than two translations the first translation will appear every other line.

4) Use Word Searches

• If you know what English word you are looking for, you can easily find that word, the Greek and Hebrew for it and every time it appears in Scripture. For example, type “love” into the search bar but do not hit enter. Instead, look at the drop down menu. The green bars are the Greek words that are translated as love and the blue are the Hebrew. If you click on the blue bar, searching for the Hebrew word “Chesed” which is translated “Goodness, kindness, faithfulness, steadfast love, etc.” now you should see Chesed highlighted in gray every time it is used in Scripture. Now when a pastor says “In the original Hebrew this word really means and is always translated as…” you can open the STEP Bible on your phone and check if he’s right. This search can also be done by clicking on a word in the text. Another panel will open and you can click “Search for this Word.”

5) Use STEP to Seek Understanding, Not Arrogant Knowledge

• This point is not a technical point but it is just as necessary to make the most of the STEP Bible, or any study of ancient biblical languages. Many people will use their knowledge of ancient languages to assert their interpretation of Scripture over others. Just knowing what “love” is in Hebrew, or how the direct object is handled, does not make their view more authoritative or unbiased nor does it grant them license to put others down. Instead, the study of the original text should humble the reader as they spend a significant portion of time trying to understand one or two words. If one endeavors to use ancient languages to assert their view over others, they will become puffed up with arrogant knowledge. On the other hand, if one studies ancient languages to seek understanding, they will find riches that are far better than silver or gold (Try entering “ESV” and “Pro 3:13-18” into the search bar).

I hope this helps you in your studies here at Cairn and aids you as you go out into the church, society and the world. This wonderful tool greatly helped me better understand God’s Word in my studies.