how to cite scripture in turabian

2 min read 18-01-2025

The Turabian style guide, widely used in the humanities, provides specific guidelines for citing various sources. Biblical citations, however, require a slightly different approach than standard book or article citations. This article will guide you through the process of correctly citing scripture in Turabian, ensuring accuracy and consistency in your academic work. We'll cover both in-text citations and bibliography entries.

In-Text Citations of Scripture in Turabian

The key to proper in-text scripture citation in Turabian is brevity and clarity. Avoid lengthy descriptions; your reader should easily understand the reference. Here's how to do it:

General Format: Book Abbreviation Chapter:Verse(s).

Example: (Gen 1:1). This cites Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
Multiple Verses: (Matt 5:1-12). This cites Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1 through 12.
Multiple Chapters: (Isa 53:1-12; 55:1-5). Use semicolons to separate references spanning multiple chapters.
Specific Versions: While Turabian doesn't require specifying the Bible version in-text, you can include it if necessary for clarity, especially if using a less common translation. Do this parenthetically, following the verse reference: (Gen 1:1; ESV). This uses the English Standard Version (ESV). Common abbreviations include KJV (King James Version), NIV (New International Version), ESV (English Standard Version), and NRSV (New Revised Standard Version). Ensure consistency throughout your work.

Bibliography Entries for Scripture in Turabian

Your bibliography requires more detail than in-text citations. Here's how to create a complete bibliography entry for your scripture references:

General Format:

Bible, [Edition Name]. [Publisher], [Year of Publication].

Examples:

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. (This is for a standard NIV Bible)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Crossway, 2016. (This is for a standard ESV Bible)
Note: If you are citing a specific commentary or study Bible, use the appropriate format for a book (Author, Title. Publisher, Year).

Handling Different Bible Versions and Translations

Consistency is critical. Choose one version of the Bible and stick with it throughout your entire paper. If you must use multiple versions, clearly indicate which version is used for each citation, both in the text and in the bibliography. This avoids confusion and maintains scholarly integrity.

Common Questions about Citing Scripture in Turabian

Q: How do I cite the Apocrypha?

A: Cite the Apocrypha similarly to the canonical books, but clearly identify it as such. For example: (Wis 1:1). The book abbreviation for Wisdom would be "Wis." Include it in your bibliography similarly to other biblical texts.

Q: What if I'm citing a specific edition of a particular translation?

A: Include the edition details in the bibliography, like a standard book. For instance, instead of just "The Holy Bible, New International Version," you could add details like "Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2011."

Q: I'm quoting a specific verse—how much should I quote?

A: Keep quotes short. If the quote is longer than four lines, set it off as a block quote, following standard Turabian block quote formatting rules.

Conclusion

Citing scripture accurately in Turabian requires attention to detail. Remember to keep in-text citations brief and your bibliography entries complete and consistent. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the accuracy and credibility of your scholarly work. Remember to always consult the most up-to-date version of the Turabian manual for the most current formatting guidelines.