Book Review: Nelson's Biblical Cyclopedic Index

I recently received a copy of Nelson’s Biblical Cyclopedic Index from BookSneeze, a program that provides bloggers with free books in exchange for honest reviews. I was excited to receive my copy because this index contains everything – not only subjects, but people and places as well. Looking for information on Galilee? The meaning of the word is “circle, circuit”, and the references are listed under two categories: “A. History of” or “B. Christ’s contacts with”. How about your biblical namesake? Mine, Rebecca (or Rebekah) can be found in Genesis 22-27, with her burial being in Genesis 49. Her name means “loops of a rope”, and she is also mentioned by Paul in Romans 9:10.

Throughout the index, you will also find “word studies”. For instance, did you know that “law” and “instruction” are both translations of the same word? The word is the noun “torah”, which is also the term used for the first five books of the Old Testament. There is a whole explanation of how and why it is translated differently depending on context, all found in the “word study” for LAW.

If you have ever found yourself unsatisfied with the subject index at the back of your Bible, this book is definitely for you. It’s clear, concise, and informative, and it definitely lives up to the claim on the cover that it’s the “Best Bible Subject Index Ever”.