Citing scripture

[Klydewannab]

This is a technical question, but I know someone on here will be able to answer. I tried googling it and went to ask jeeves, but no help.

I know how to cite scripture with chapter and verse, but I’m confused when I see citations with other things added. What does it mean when it says cf before the citation?

What does it mean when there are letters after the verse. For example Ps 145: 8a? I’ve seen strings of letters and I don’t know what they mean but I suspect they have something to do with not quoting the full verse. Which leads to my next question.

How do you cite when you aren’t quoting the full verse?

 

[St_Aloysius]

“Cf” comes from Latin, and simply means to confer or compare. It’s not an exact quote usually, but just DRAWING from a particular verse (its theme, borrowed wording, etc.).

For instance: “No one is perfect; we’ve all messed up (cf. Rom. 3:23).”

And the letters just have to do with a particular section of a long verse.

Imaginary Book 13:5a would be citing the first part of the verse.

Hope this helps.

Peace

 

[Klydewannab]

That does help, thank you. But, when do you know when to use a or when to use b–is it by clause/phrase or sentences only or is there no really hard and fast rule?

 

[St_Aloysius]

It would probably be just some unexact convenience tool. It lets you know that whole little diddy about eating pork being an abomination is not what I was quoting, but the NEXT part, etc.

Usually it’s pretty easy to tell, since the work it’s referenced in should give you an idea of what to look for.

 

[Ron_Conte]

That does help, thank you. But, when do you know when to use a or when to use b–is it by clause/phrase or sentences only or is there no really hard and fast rule?

there is no hard and fast rule
‘b’ after a verse number means you are not quoting the beginning part of the verse.

 

[jblake]

Klydewannab;:

What does it mean when it says cf before the citation?

CF: See also.

What does it mean when there are letters after the verse. For example Ps 145: 8a?

The most common instances of that being used are:

• Pericopes;
• Lectionary Readings;
• Somebody is doing prooftexting;

For pericopes and lectionary readings, the breakpoints are well established. And clearly marked in Bibles designed for lectionary use. [Note: different lectionaries use different breakpoints. Pericopes, however,are uniform.]

For proof texting,

• a: Usually the first half of the verse;
• b: Either the second half of the verse or the middle third of the verse;
• c: The last third of the verse;
• d: The last quarter of the verse, or the last phrase of the verse;

How do you cite when you aren’t quoting the full verse?

Quote the relevant part of the verse, then put the scripture after it. EG: Weep (John 11:35)

xan

jonathon