Types of Bible Dictionaries

Studying the Bible would often require one to have access to Bible dictionaries. There are least 3 types of Bible dictionaries. ⁠Understanding the differences between these resources is key to building a useful study library and knowing which tool to reach for when you have a specific question. While they can sometimes overlap, their primary focus and purpose are distinct. 

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between a standard bible dictionary, a theological dictionary, and an exegetical dictionary:

• Primary Focus: Facts and Background. Think of this as the “encyclopedia” of the biblical world.
• Purpose: To provide concise, factual information about the “who, what, where, and when” of the Bible. It helps you understand the basic context of a passage.
• Typical Content:
  • People: Biographies of individuals like Moses, David, Paul, and Mary.
  • Places: Descriptions of cities (Jerusalem, Corinth), regions (Galilee), and geographical features (Sea of Galilee, Mount Sinai).
  • Objects & Customs: Explanations of things like phylacteries, types of sacrifices, marriage customs, and farming practices.
  • Books of the Bible: Brief overviews of the author, date, and general theme of each book.
  • Basic Concepts: Simple definitions of terms like “covenant,” “sabbath,” or “apostle.”
• Who should use it? Everyone. This is the foundational reference tool for any student of the Bible, from a beginner to a seasoned scholar. It’s the first place to look when you encounter an unfamiliar name, place, or term.
• Example: The New Bible Dictionary or the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. If you look up “Corinth,” it will tell you about the ancient city’s geography, its history as a Roman colony, its reputation for commerce and immorality, and the key events of Paul’s ministry there.

• Primary Focus: Concepts and Doctrines. This is the “dictionary of ideas” of the Bible.
• Purpose: To trace the development of major theological themes and concepts throughout the entire biblical canon and sometimes into church history. It answers the “what does the Bible say about…?” question on a deeper, more systematic level.
• Typical Content:
  • Doctrines: In-depth articles on topics like Grace, Justification, Redemption, Sanctification, and the Trinity.
  • Themes: Exploration of biblical themes like Creation, Kingdom of God, Exile, and Mission.
  • Ethics: Articles on biblical perspectives on justice, poverty, forgiveness, and ethics.
  • An entry will often discuss the relevant Hebrew and Greek terms, survey the concept’s treatment in the Old Testament, its development in the New Testament, and its overall theological significance.
• Who should use it? Preachers, theologians, and serious students who want to move from the facts of a text to its doctrinal and thematic significance. It’s for when you want to understand not just what “grace” means in one verse, but how the entire Bible develops the concept of grace.
• Example: Evangelical Dictionary of Theology or the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (NDBT). If you look up “Covenant,” it won’t just define the term; it will provide a long article explaining the different biblical covenants (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant), their relationship to each other, and their central role in God’s redemptive plan.

• Primary Focus: Original Language Words. This is the most specialized of the three, centered on biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
• Purpose: To provide a detailed analysis of the meaning of words in their original linguistic and literary context. It is the primary tool for exegesis—the careful, critical interpretation of a text. It answers the question, “What did this specific word mean to the original author and audience?”
• Typical Content:
  • Etymology and Semantics: The origin of a word and its range of possible meanings (its “semantic domain”).
  • Grammar and Syntax: How the word is used in sentences and phrases.
  • Contextual Usage: A survey of how the word is used throughout the Bible, in other ancient literature from that period (like the Septuagint or writings of Josephus), and in different genres.
  • This is far more detailed than the brief definition you’d find in a concordance or standard dictionary.
• Who should use it? Pastors, scholars, and students who have at least a basic understanding of the original biblical languages. For those without language skills, “expository” dictionaries like Mounce’s or Vine’s serve as a simplified, accessible bridge to this kind of study.¹
• Example: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT), often called “Kittel,” or the more modern New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDNTTE). If you look up the Greek word charis (grace), it will provide an exhaustive analysis of its use in classical Greek literature, in the Greek Old Testament, and then detail how authors like Paul and Luke used it in very specific theological ways.

Feature	Standard Bible Dictionary	Theological Dictionary	Exegetical Dictionary
Primary Unit	People, Places, Things, Events	Concepts, Doctrines, Themes	Original Language Words (Heb/Grk)
Main Question	“What is this?” (Factual)	“What does the Bible teach about this idea?” (Conceptual)	“What does this specific word mean in its original context?” (Linguistic)
Typical User	All Bible readers	Pastors, Theologians, Serious Students	Pastors/Scholars with language training
Example Task	Learning about the city of Ephesus.	Studying the doctrine of the Church (ekklesia).	Analyzing the meaning of logos (“word”) in John 1:1.