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SBL Style

SBL is the style of the Society of Biblical LiteratureSBL is used for footnotes and bibliographies by students in the biblical tracks of the PhD THS program and may be required by other professors also. Check with your professor if you are not sure which style to follow.

Bible abbreviations

From SBL Handbook of Style 8.3:

Use the following abbreviations without periods. Example: 1 Cor 13:1

Old Testament abbreviations: New Testament abbreviations:
  • Gen
  • Exod
  • Lev
  • Num
  • Deut
  • Josh
  • Judg
  • Ruth
  • 1-2 Sam
  • 1-2 Kgs
  • 1-2 Chr
  • Ezra
  • Neh
  • Esth
  • Job
  • Ps/Pss
  • Prov
  • Eccl
  • Song
  • Isa
  • Jer
  • Lam
  • Ezek
  • Dan
  • Hos
  • Joel
  • Amos
  • Obad
  • Jonah
  • Mic
  • Nah
  • Hab
  • Zeph
  • Hag
  • Zech
  • Mal
  • Matt
  • Mark
  • Luke
  • John
  • Acts
  • Rom
  • 1-2 Cor
  • Gal
  • Eph
  • Phil
  • Col
  • 1-2 Thess
  • 1-2 Tim
  • Titus
  • Phlm
  • Heb
  • Jas
  • 1-2 Pet
  • 1-2-3 John
  • Jude
  • Rev