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Hebrew Bible / Old Testament

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This is a guide that explores resources in biblical studies focusing on the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament.

The tutorial videos in this section were designed to help students become familiar with some basic tools that will be instrumental in any research project at Boston College.

Searching for content in the Atla Religion Database by scripture citation

To find content on particular biblical passages, you can search the database by scripture citation.  The easiest way to do this is by using the Atla Scripture Search tool.  That tool appears in the left panel, under the "Research Tools" section (see below).  

Atla Religion Database interface

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • If you click on the "Atla Scripture Search" link, the search feature will appear in the bottom half of the center part of the screen.  There you can navigate to the passage you want to search by typing the book name in the search box containing the text "Search for terms in Atla Scripture Search." It will advance that book to the top of the list. 
  • You can then search for a passage by either clicking on the check box next to the book name (this will search for all items that focus on that book), or drill down to the chapter and verse level by clicking on the blue button with the white plus sign in it.  If you click on the check box next to a chapter number, it will search for items on that book and chapter number; if you drill down to the verse menu and select a verse number, it will search items that feature citations containing that verse. 
  • Once you have clicked on the check box to select your search options, click on the "Add to Search" button on the right side of the screen to add the terms to your search box.   
  • Then, to perform the search, click on the blue "Search" button in the top half of the center screen.

Scripture search features EBSCO interfaceBlue search button on EBSCO interface

 

Oxford Bibliographies in Biblical Studies

Oxford Bibliographies in Biblical Studies is a great resource as you begin your research for identifying seminal works of scholarship in your area of study.  The bibliographies are extensive and integrated with links to the library catalog.  To check if a source is available via BC Libraries, click on the "+" sign and then on the "Find it @ BC" button.

Oxford Bibliographies find it at BC button

 

Old Testament Abstracts

Old Testament Abstracts was established in 1978 and contains abstracts of journal articles and books related to Old Testament Studies.  It is available in print and online as an e-journal.  You can also search the publication in database form.  Please note that the database version contains a Scripture Search feature that functions in the same manner as the Atla Religion Database as seen in the video tutorial to the left.