Q. I'm doing a general study of a biblical book. What are some very basic resources you would recommend to start with?

For a general study of a biblical book, it helps to begin with a few core types of resources:

1. Commentaries – Provide explanations of the biblical text, historical context, and theological insights.
2. Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias – Offer background information on people, places, events, and key terms in the text.
3. Word Studies – Help you understand the meaning of important biblical terms in their original languages. Search for a specific word from your passage (e.g., “repentance”) in a dictionary or lexicon.

We have curated a list of recommended resources on our Biblical Interpretation & Commentaries guide.

For help on finding and reading eBooks, visit our eBooks-in-Depth guide.

Many resources are available online for free; see our Free Online Resources page.