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Listed on this page are reviews of several very unique "electronic Bibles" which you may download from the net free of charge. That's right, they cost you nothing. If you'd rather save yourself the download time many of these programmers allow you to purchase CD-ROM versions of the same software, thus supporting their wonderful ministry in getting the Word of God into the hands of everyone. Intended for both the serious student or those just wishing to puruse the Word of God, these computer Bibles are quite easy to understand and use. You can now have at your fingertips the most comprehensive theological library which was once the dream of most divinity school students a few years ago. In my reviews the highest rating is 5 stars.
At the end of each review you can either visit their homepage or, if still not decided, you may see a screen shot. One word of note: The screen shots are full-sized and may take a moment to download. To get a better view press the F11 key if in Internet Explorer or Opera. To return to normal view press the F11 key again. The colours of the programme are how they are set on my computer and not yours. Also, at the end of each screen shot is the link back to this page, or you may use the link to the navigation bar to the left of this page.
On with the reviews!
The e-Sword Bible: In the words of the programmer: "e-Sword is a fast and effective way to study the Bible. e-Sword is feature rich and user friendly with more capabilities than you would expect in a free software package. The fact that e-Sword is free is just one of the blessings and does not speak of the quality of the software." The programmer is being very modest here---as this is truly a fabulous piece of programming. While not quite as many modules/plugins as The Online Bible (see below), more are definitely in the planning stages. There are approximately 10 to 12 different Bible versions, commentaries such as "Matthew Henry's", "John Wesley's Comments", "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" plus several more. You can download such dictionary modules as "Nave's", "Easton's", "Hitchcock's", "Torrey's", "Strong's", etc. The interface is intuitive and immediately understandable. No tutorial needed to teach you how to use the programme. You're a pro in 5 minutes. One interesting feature that I found is if in the KJV with Strong's is selected, all you need do is rest the cross pointer over the number and a popup screen gives you the Strong's discription. Likewise with any Bible cross-reference verses that are listed in the windows. Installation is a breeze. Just download the .exe file and run. Same with adding modules: download, run (they self-install) and start e-Sword and the newly added module is there. I also found that while the initial download starter programme was a large file (16megs), the connection was great and it took around 40 minutes. Once more modules are written e-Sword is going to give The OnLine Bible a run for its money. 5 stars for depth and scope of study, and 5 stars for ease of use, installation, and download speed. This is definitely another "must have" programme!
You can download e-Sword at:
Or, you can view a screen shot here.
The OnLine Bible: Perhaps the most versitile of any electronic Bible, this one operates on modules (plugins) that you can download from their website. You can obtain more than 15 different versions of the Bible, plus numorous foreign-language Bibles. Other modules/plugins are several different original Koiné Greek texts, the Syriac Peshitta, the Septuagint and various Hebrew translations of the Old Testament. For study aids you can download Barnes New Testament Notes, Jamison, Fausset and Brown Commentary, The Concise Matthew Henry's, Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Thompson's Chain References, and Easton's Revised Bible Dictionary (and this just naming a few!). The OnLine Bible is a "must-have" for anyone who is truly serious in the study of God's Word. While this Bible rates 5 stars because of the depth and scope of study, it rates 4 stars on ease of use. It is advisable that one follow the excellent step-by-step tutorial that comes with this software.
You can visit OnLine Bible at:
Or, you can view a screen shot here.
The FreeBible: Another great computer Bible. While not as many language translations available (comes with the King James Version) there are plugins for Reina Valera, Africaan and World English Bible (with more plugins in the planning stages). Included are very good reference works. Some are "Easton's Bible Dictionary", "Nave's Topical Bible", "Torrey's Topical Textbook", "Strong's Lexicon" plus a synopsis of New and Old Testament miracles and parables. It is also filled with various maps and charts. This on-line Bible version rates 5 stars for study and ease of use, and a 3 for trying to locate it on the net. The entire programme is 15.6megs in size and can take around one hour to download on a 56k modem, depending on the server speed the programme is stored on. I have found that the best time to download this version is after 8pm EST USA.
Unfortunately at this time FreeBible is no longer being offered by the programmer. You can, however, go to HotBot or Yahoo and do a search under "FreeBible" as there are some who independently still offer this fine computer Bible programme. Do the websearch! this programme is well worth a little hunting (and besides, you get to see some nice sites out there as well, right?).
You can view a screen shot here.
Holy King James Version 5.1.3: The Holy Bible King James Version is a free, 32-bit, electronic edition of God's Word. Along with the complete KJV text, you'll find a variety of reference resources to aid your Bible studies. Included are Easton's Bible Dictionary, the Matthew Henry Commentary, Hitchcock's Bible Name Dictionary, Nave's Topics, and Torry's Topics. The program also offers links to 12,000 topics, parables, prophecies, and maps; Microsoft Word and Internet support; as well as font and color customization. If you're looking for an electronic edition of the most popular version of the Bible, this offering is well worth the download. In fact, this may be the exact type of programme that Sunday school teachers are looking for in preparing classes, or ministers for preparing sermons. I did find this just a little confusing at first to use (plus there are no help or tutorial files) but with 30 minutes of poking around you get a feel for it. I rate it 4 stars for the interesting features that will keep me coming back, but 3 stars on ease of use and downloading time (you obtain it from ZDnet which can have high user traffic).
You can download The Holy King James Version 5.1.3 at:
Or, you can view a screen shot here.
The World English Bible: You've probably noticed by now that all of the quotes on my pages in English come from the World English Bible. This is an ongoing Public Domain project of Rainbow Missions, Inc. They are taking the American Standard Version and upgrading it to modern contemporary English plus comparing and translating from the Majority Greek Text. Personally I think it's one of the most comprehensible Bibles out there. It has an ease of reading and yet a faithfulness to the original authours.
You can find the World English Bible here:
The World English Bible is also available in an Online Bible module. You may get this module at http://www.onlinebible.simplenet.com/ (OnLine Bible programme required).
You may also access an online version of this Bible back on our Main Page.
The New International Version (NIV): Yes, the exciting news out there is that Zondervan has jumped into the free Bible programmes download. They've taken and made a very basis package of their more in-depth computer Bible available free on the net. It's a tease of "wouldn't you just love to have more?" But even though this is stripped down it's well worth the download. And where it's smaller the package is around 5megs, meaning it's about a 10 minute waiting period. Not bad as downloads go. It has the complete text of the NIV plus Bible footnotes, a great search engine, and other features. If you're someone who needs a quote from the NIV in a hurry for that Sunday school class, or just for reading without all the distractions, then this is it. I rate this a 3 (because of lack of features) and a 3 for ease of installation (it can be a bit complicated if you don't know your computer).
You can download your free copy of the New International Version at:
Or, you can view a screen shot here.
For More Bible reviews feel free to visit the following links:
Bible Reviews: FreeBibles:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet,
And a light for my path."
Psalm 119:105 (The World English Bible)