The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (Zondervan) (website), first published in 1908, is one of the oldest and most widely used study Bibles available today. Since its first publication, it has been refined and expanded upon several times to create a robust, single-volume library of Bible study tools.
The TCR stands apart from other study Bibles in that it doesn’t include verse-by-verse commentary. Instead, it combines a 100,000-entry topical chain-reference system with an extensive topical index that connects over 8,000 topics. This system allows Scripture to interpret Scripture, making it an excellent, unbiased study Bible for anyone in any denomination.
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In this article we’ll discuss the Thompson chain-reference system, indexes, and some of its main study tools, and explore how they work together to create a one-of-a-kind study system that’s as easy to use as it is in-depth.
Thompson’s Topical Chain-Reference System
As you can see in the illustration above, the TCR chain-reference system lists topics that pertain to each verse in the Bible. Each one of these topics includes a topic number that corresponds to a number in the Numerical Index of Topics. They also point forward through the Bible to other references to the same topic. Each of these topics is placed neatly in the margins next to the verses to which they correspond.
As an example, let’s look at the topic “Witnesses (2)” that is in the margin next to Luke 1:2, above. Next to the topic name you’ll see its topic number (3855a), which corresponds to a listing to the Numerical Index of Topics in the back of the Bible. Finally, this entry points you to the next verse in the topic chain, which in this case is Luke 24:48. There you’ll find the same topic with the same topic number, and you’ll be able to follow that topic to the next applicable verse in that chain.
Using this system, you can easily trace a topic through the Bible one verse at a time based on what you’re reading in the Bible. Or, if you want a broader overview of any particular topic, you can search the references in two major indexes to find what you’re looking for (see the following).
Alphabetical Index of Topics
The Alphabetical Index of Topics is the first major index in the back of every TCR Bible. This lists all the topics found in the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible and provides their topic numbers so they can be found in the other study tools. This is a great place for you to start when you’re interested in studying a topic, since each topic is listed here alphabetically.
To find any topic in the Bible, you only need to search the Alphabetical Index of Topics for the topic name, which leads you toward your next step: studying the topic in a more in-depth way via the next major index.
Numerical Index of Topics
The Numerical Index of Topics is the second major index in the back of each TCR Bible. This is a large, multifaceted index that lists over 4,200 topics and their related subtopics. The index first provides a short description of each topic and then provides a list of Scripture references that are helpful in studying this particular topic. See, for example, APPAREL, which is topic number 53 above. The recommended verses to study this topic are listed first, with the most applicable references for this topic printed in red. To speed along the overview, the first few of those most important verses are printed in full within the topic category (for example, 2 Chronicles 5:12).
Many topics also include the names and numbers of related topics for further study. Each of the topic numbers match those in the topical chain-reference system found in the margins next to the Bible text.
Once you identify a topic you want to research, either from looking at the marginal references or through searching the Alphabetical Index of Topics, you’ll then turn to the Numerical Index of Topics to see the helpful list of Scriptures, references, and related topics that will deepen your study.
This Numerical Index of Topics is a powerful study tool and the central resource of this topical cross-reference Bible. As it features Bible verses printed out in full, you can get a quick, entry-level overview of how Scripture interprets Scripture for that particular topic, broadening your perspective on the topic studied. Then, using the other robust offerings under that topic, you can explore related topics, each of which likely leads to more related topics. Using this unique, multifaceted tool will yield great opportunities for exploration and discovery as studying the interconnected passages of the Bible opens up new levels of understanding.
Other Tools: Condensed Outline of the Bible
The Condensed Outline of the Bible gives a brief overview of each Bible book. Biblical books are separated into the Old Testament and New Testament, and then further divided into sections that form the traditional literary divisions within the Bible. The Old Testament divisions include
- the Pentateuch
- Historical Books
- Prophetical Books and
- Minor Prophets.
The New Testament divisions include
- the Gospels
- the NT’s one Historical Book (The Acts of the Apostles)
- the Epistles of Paul
- the General Epistles and
- the NT’s one Prophetical Book (Revelation).
This brief overview includes a table that outlines periods of biblical history. This chart covers Old Testament history, the interval between the testaments, and New Testament history. The table also shows how the biblical events overlap in time with secular historical events.
Book Introductions
Book introductions for each book of the Bible list key information related to each book. This includes information on prominent characters of the Bible, key ideas and concepts to look for, a sampling of major chains to follow within each book, and short synopsis of key topics (for example, the Gospel of Luke).
The Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible is one of the more than 50 Bible study references conveniently available to members of Bible Gateway Plus. Learn how you can try it right now!
Bible Character Studies
Bible Character Studies provide biographical sketches and outline studies of some of the Bible’s most prominent characters that includes detailed information about each characters, their families, and descriptions of key events in their lives (for example, the life of Gideon).
Bible Harmonies and Illustrated Studies
Bible Harmonies and Illustrated Studies include life overviews of Moses, Jesus, and Paul. These overviews include maps and detailed descriptions of the lives of these three major biblical characters. Also included in the larger section are maps and other features that detail important events in biblical history. It also includes many helps for Christian workers.
Tools in this study resource section include
- an Outline History of the Early Church
- a chart detailing the Distance in Miles Between Old Testament Cities
- a Topical Treasury of concepts and their related verses
- a helpful listing of Christian Worker’s Texts
- some notable Memory Verses and Aids to Memorization
- a listing of Places of Religious Worship and Religious Leaders and finally
- a helpful description and table that outlines Hebrew Times, Seasons, and Festivals.
But there’s also much more to explore in this resource section.
Conclusion
The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is one of the most helpful and in-depth study Bibles available today. Since its first publication in 1908 it has become a beloved study resource for generations of readers. Its topical tools are designed specifically to help you study any biblical topic, biblical character, event, concept, or idea. The study tools direct you toward deeper study that comes straight from Scripture itself.
Each of the available tools in this Bible allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, which opens up new levels of understanding for you while also ensuring that the tools are unbiased. New updated and revised editions of the TCR are now available in the New International Version (NIV), with the King James Version (KJV) to be released in November 2022.
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