When writing, you may need to use the abbreviations for books of the Bible according to the SBL Handbook of Style. Throughout my studies, I have often found myself having to reference these abbreviations from time to time.
The abbreviations for both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament are provided below. You can access the SBL Handbook in print, but I have found it easier to use the version available on Logos Bible Software, since it’s easier to search.
Old Testament
| Book Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Genesis | Gen |
| Exodus | Exod |
| Leviticus | Lev |
| Numbers | Num |
| Deuteronomy | Deut |
| Joshua | Josh |
| Judges | Judg |
| Ruth | Ruth |
| 1-2 Samuel | 1-2 Sam |
| 1-2 Kingdoms (LXX) | 1-2 Kgdms |
| 1-2 Kings | 1-2 Kgs |
| 3-4 Kingdoms (LXX) | 3-4 Kgdms |
| 1-2 Chronicles | 1-2 Chr |
| Ezra | Ezra |
| Nehemiah | Neh |
| Esther | Esth |
| Job | Job |
| Psalms | Ps/Pss |
| Proverbs | Prov |
| Ecclesiastes (or Qoheleth) | Eccl (or Qoh) |
| Song of Songs (Song of Solomon, or Canticles) | Song or (Cant) |
| Isaiah | Isa |
| Jeremiah | Jer |
| Lamentations | Lam |
| Ezekiel | Ezek |
| Daniel | Dan |
| Hosea | Hos |
| Joel | Joel |
| Amos | Amos |
| Obadiah | Obad |
| Jonah | Jonah |
| Micah | Mic |
| Nahum | Nah |
| Habakkuk | Hab |
| Zephaniah | Zeph |
| Haggai | Hag |
| Zechariah | Zech |
| Malachi | Mal |
New Testament
| Book Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Matthew | Matt |
| Mark | Mark |
| Luke | Luke |
| John | John |
| Acts | Acts |
| Romans | Rom |
| 1-2 Corinthians | 1-2 Cor |
| Galatians | Gal |
| Ephesians | Eph |
| Philippians | Phil |
| Colossians | Col |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | 1-2 Thess |
| 1-2 Timothy | 1-2 Tim |
| Titus | Titus |
| Philemon | Phlm |
| Hebrews | Heb |
| James | Jas |
| 1-2 Peter | 1-2 Pet |
| 1-2-3 John | 1-2-3 John |
| Jude | Jude |
| Revelation | Rev |
You can order the SBL Manual of Style on Amazon here.
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