For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
What Is a Concordance?
A concordance is an alphabetical index of every significant word in the Bible, listing every verse where that word appears. It is, quite simply, the most powerful research tool a Bible student can possess. If you want to know everywhere the Bible talks about "faith," "covenant," "mercy," or any other word, a concordance tells you — immediately and exhaustively.
The most widely used concordance for KJV readers is Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, compiled by James Strong in 1890. What makes Strong's especially valuable is that each English word is linked to a number corresponding to the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) word. This means you can study the original language meaning without knowing Hebrew or Greek.
Before digital search engines, a concordance was the only way to locate a half-remembered verse or trace a theme across the Bible. Even now, with online search available, a concordance remains essential because it provides systematic, complete results — every occurrence, no exceptions — along with the original language connection that simple word searches cannot provide.
How to Use a Concordance
Choose Your Word
Identify the key word you want to study. If studying a verse about forgiveness, the word might be "forgive," "forgiven," or "forgiveness."
Find It Alphabetically
Concordances are arranged alphabetically like a dictionary. Turn to your word and you'll find a list of every verse containing it, with a brief context snippet.
Scan the Entries
Read through the brief context for each verse. This helps you quickly identify the most relevant passages for your study.
Note the Strong's Number
Next to each entry, you'll find a number. This is the Strong's number linking to the original Hebrew or Greek word. Different English words may share the same Strong's number (same original word), while the same English word may have different numbers (different original words).
Look Up the Original Word
Turn to the Hebrew or Greek dictionary in the back of the concordance. Find your number and read the definition, pronunciation, and related words. This reveals meaning that the English translation alone cannot convey.
What Are Cross-References?
Cross-references are links between related Bible passages. Most study Bibles print them in a center column or in the margins — small notations like "cf. Rom 8:28" or "see Ps 37:4" that point you to other verses dealing with the same topic, using similar language, or illuminating the passage you're reading.
Cross-references are extraordinarily valuable because they reveal the interconnectedness of Scripture. The Bible is not 66 separate books — it is one unified book with one Author behind its many human writers. Cross-references make this unity visible, showing how themes, promises, and truths weave through the entire text from Genesis to Revelation.
The most comprehensive cross-reference system is the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, which contains over 500,000 cross-references — far more than any study Bible margin can hold. It is available free online and is an extraordinary resource for serious study.
Letting the Bible Interpret the Bible
The most reliable principle of Bible interpretation is this: let Scripture interpret Scripture. When you encounter a difficult or unclear passage, the best commentary on it is another passage of Scripture that addresses the same topic more clearly. Cross-references are the primary tool for applying this principle.
For example, when Jesus says "Ye must be born again" in John 3:7, Nicodemus is confused. But cross-referencing with 1 Peter 1:23 ("Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God") and 2 Corinthians 5:17 ("if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature") clarifies what Jesus meant — spiritual rebirth, a new nature given by God.
This approach protects you from misinterpreting isolated verses. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, you let the clearer passages illuminate the harder ones. You build your understanding on the Bible's own framework rather than importing ideas from outside. This is why Bible study that regularly uses cross-references produces deeper, more accurate understanding than study that stays in a single passage.
Conducting a Word Study
A word study traces a single word through Scripture to understand its full range of meaning. This is where a concordance truly shines. Here is a practical example:
Word studies reveal nuances that English alone cannot capture. For instance, the English word "love" translates several different Greek words — agape (unconditional, sacrificial love), phileo (brotherly affection), and eros (romantic love). Knowing which Greek word is used in a passage changes how you understand it. A concordance with Strong's numbers makes this accessible to everyone.
For a deeper approach to word study and other techniques, see our Inductive Bible Study Method guide, which incorporates word study as a core component of observation.
Practical Examples
Let's put these tools to work with real examples:
Example 1: Tracing a Theme
Suppose you want to understand forgiveness. Using a concordance, look up "forgive," "forgiven," "forgiveness," and "forgiving." You'll find the concept in the Law (Leviticus 4-5, the sacrificial system), the Psalms (Psalm 32:1 — "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven"), the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 18:21-22 — seventy times seven), and the epistles (Ephesians 4:32 — "forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you"). Together, these passages build a complete picture of forgiveness from God's perspective.
Example 2: Understanding a Difficult Verse
Philippians 4:13 — "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" — is often quoted as a promise of unlimited ability. But cross-referencing with the surrounding context (Philippians 4:11-12, where Paul talks about being content in all circumstances) and with 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (where God's grace is sufficient in weakness) reveals that Paul is talking about the strength to endure any circumstance, not the ability to accomplish any ambition.
Example 3: Following a Prophecy
Isaiah 53 describes a suffering servant. Cross-references connect this passage to its fulfilment: the servant's rejection (John 1:11), His silence before accusers (Matthew 27:12-14), His wounds for our transgressions (1 Peter 2:24), and His burial with the rich (Matthew 27:57-60). Following these cross-references demonstrates the remarkable precision of biblical prophecy across centuries.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? Have you ever used a concordance or cross-references? What did you find most helpful?
- ? Pick a word that is important to your family right now — like "peace" or "patience" — and discuss what you already know about it from Scripture.
- ? Why is it important to compare Scripture with Scripture rather than relying on a single verse?
Family Activity
Do a family word study this week. Choose one word — 'joy' is a great choice. Using an online concordance or Strong's, find five verses containing that word. Read each verse in its context (at least three verses before and after). By the end of the week, write a family definition of biblical joy based on what you found.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best concordance for KJV readers?
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is the standard for KJV readers. It lists every word in the KJV and assigns a number to each Hebrew and Greek word, allowing you to look up original language meanings without knowing Hebrew or Greek. It is available both in print and free online.
How are cross-references different from footnotes?
Cross-references point you to other Bible passages that relate to the verse you are reading — they connect Scripture with Scripture. Footnotes, by contrast, typically provide translation notes, alternate readings, or manuscript information about the text itself. Both are useful, but cross-references are the more important study tool.
Can I do word studies without knowing Hebrew or Greek?
Yes. Strong's numbers bridge the gap between English and the original languages. When you look up a word in Strong's Concordance, it gives you a number. That number leads you to the original Hebrew or Greek word, its basic meaning, and how it is used throughout Scripture. No language training is required.
What is the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge?
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK) is the most comprehensive cross-reference system ever compiled, containing over 500,000 cross-references for the entire Bible. It was originally compiled by R.A. Torrey and is available free online and in print. It is an invaluable tool for seeing how any verse connects to the rest of Scripture.
How many cross-references should I follow for each passage?
Start with two or three of the most relevant cross-references — usually the ones that share the most similar language or context. Following every cross-reference for every verse would be overwhelming. Focus on the references that genuinely illuminate the passage you are studying. As you gain experience, you will develop an instinct for which references are most valuable.
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