What do the scripture reference notations mean?

[bob_kehoe]

I am a faithful reader of the holy scriptures via the NAB. I have begun to use the cross references to “follow” the passages. But I cannot figure out what all the dashes, slashes, periods, etc mean. There isn’t a table of meanings in my bible. Can you please point me to a table of meanings?

 

[Della]

Could you cite an example for us?

 

[SMHW]

I am a faithful reader of the holy scriptures via the NAB. I have begun to use the cross references to “follow” the passages. But I cannot figure out what all the dashes, slashes, periods, etc mean. There isn’t a table of meanings in my bible. Can you please point me to a table of meanings?

My knowledge of reference shorthand is quite limited so hopefully you’ll hear from the experts. But here is what (I think) I know to get you started.

The lower case italicized letter in the actual biblical text refers to all or part of the previous verse. At the bottom of the page you see the letter usually followed by the cross reference to a book, chapter, and verse(s). If there is only one cross-referenced passage then it will be followed by a period. If there is more than one cross referenced text for the same original passage, they will be separated by semicolons with the final one followed by a period. There will be a long dash to signal the end of references for a particular text. It will be followed without spaces by the next italicized letter.

Sometimes you see a verse followed by an *f *or an ff. I am foggy about the distinction but it means that the reference refers to more than just one verse. (ff is short for following.) In the case where the orginally referenced text is more than a single verse, you may see something like –r 23ff prior to the cross-referenced verse. This refers back to the original text on the page and means that letter r refers not only to the verse prior to where it occurred in the text but to following verses as well.

 

[Todd_Easton]

My NAB includes the following on page 42:ABBREVIATIONS OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Acts —Acts of the Apostles

Am—Amos

Bar—Baruch

1 Chr—1 Chronicles

2 Chr—2 Chronicles

Col—Colossians

1 Cor—1 Corinthians

2 Cor—2 Corinthians

Dn—Daniel

Dt—Deuteronomy

Eccl—Ecclesiastes

Eph—Ephesians

Est—Esther

Ex—Exodus

Ez—Ezekiel

Ezr—Ezra

Gal—Galatians

Gn—Genesis

Hb—Habakkuk

Heb—Hebrews

Hg—Haggai

Hos—Hosea

Is—Isaiah

Jas—James

Jb—Job

Jdt—Judith

Jer—Jeremiah

Jgs—Judges

Jl—Joel

Jn—John

1 Jn—1 John

2 Jn—2 John

3 Jn—3 John

Jon—Jonah

Jos—Joshua

Jude—Jude

1 Kgs—1 Kings

2 Kgs—2 Kigns

Lam—Lamentations

Lk—Luke

Lv—Leviticus

Mal—Malachi

1 Mc—1 Maccabees

2 Mc—2 Maccabees

Mi—Micah

Mk—Mark

Mt—Matthew

Na—Nahum

Neh—Nehemiah

Nm—Numbers

Ob—Obadiah

Phil—Philippians

Phlm—Philemon

Prv—Proverbs

Ps(s)—Psalm(s)

1 Pt—1 Peter

2 Pt—2 Peter

Rom—Romans

Ru—Ruth

Rv—Revelation

Sir—Sirach

1 Sm—1 Samuel

2 Sm—2 Samuel

Song(Sg)—Song of Songs

Tb—Tobit

1 Thes—1 Thessalonians

2 Thes—2 Thessalonians

Ti—Titus

1 Tm—1 Timothy

2 Tm—2 Timothy

Wis—Wisdom

Zec—Zechariah

Zep—Zephaniah

NOTE: For greater clarity and convenience, the footnotes and cross-references are printed at the bottom of each page and cross-indexed in the text itself. An asterick (*) in the text indicates that there is a footnote to the text in question. Each footnote is in turn clearly marked with the number of the chapter and verse to which it pertains. Similarly, a superior (ª) in the text indicates that there is a cross-reference to a particular verse. The reference itself is also clearly marked with the same letter. Hence the reader is always aware of a footnote or a cross-reference simply by reading the text.

] Indicates a gloss.

/ = Divides verse

// = Parallel

SIMPLE KEY TO REFERENCES

Gn 1,1 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.

Gn 1,1a refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, the first part of verse 1.

Gn 1,1f refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and the following verse (2).

Gn 1,1-10 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive.

Gn 1,1-10.14 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive and verse 14.

Gn 1,1—2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 to chapter 2, verse 3 inclusive.

Gn 1,1; 2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and chapter 2, verse 3.

 

[Todd_Easton]

My NAB includes the following on page 42: ABBREVIATIONS OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Acts —Acts of the Apostles
Am—Amos
Bar—Baruch
1 Chr—1 Chronicles
2 Chr—2 Chronicles
Col—Colossians
1 Cor—1 Corinthians
2 Cor—2 Corinthians
Dn—Daniel
Dt—Deuteronomy
Eccl—Ecclesiastes
Eph—Ephesians
Est—Esther
Ex—Exodus
Ez—Ezekiel
Ezr—Ezra
Gal—Galatians
Gn—Genesis
Hb—Habakkuk
Heb—Hebrews
Hg—Haggai
Hos—Hosea
Is—Isaiah
Jas—James
Jb—Job
Jdt—Judith
Jer—Jeremiah
Jgs—Judges
Jl—Joel
Jn—John
1 Jn—1 John
2 Jn—2 John
3 Jn—3 John
Jon—Jonah
Jos—Joshua
Jude—Jude
1 Kgs—1 Kings
2 Kgs—2 Kigns
Lam—Lamentations
Lk—Luke
Lv—Leviticus
Mal—Malachi
1 Mc—1 Maccabees
2 Mc—2 Maccabees
Mi—Micah
Mk—Mark
Mt—Matthew
Na—Nahum
Neh—Nehemiah
Nm—Numbers
Ob—Obadiah
Phil—Philippians
Phlm—Philemon
Prv—Proverbs
Ps(s)—Psalm(s)
1 Pt—1 Peter
2 Pt—2 Peter
Rom—Romans
Ru—Ruth
Rv—Revelation
Sir—Sirach
1 Sm—1 Samuel
2 Sm—2 Samuel
Song(Sg)—Song of Songs
Tb—Tobit
1 Thes—1 Thessalonians
2 Thes—2 Thessalonians
Ti—Titus
1 Tm—1 Timothy
2 Tm—2 Timothy
Wis—Wisdom
Zec—Zechariah
Zep—Zephaniah

NOTE: For greater clarity and convenience, the footnotes and cross-references are printed at the bottom of each page and cross-indexed in the text itself. An asterisk (*) in the text indicates that there is a footnote to the text in question. Each footnote is in turn clearly marked with the number of the chapter and verse to which it pertains. Similarly, a superior (ª) in the text indicates that there is a cross-reference to a particular verse. The reference itself is also clearly marked with the same letter. Hence the reader is always aware of a footnote or a cross-reference simply by reading the text.
] Indicates a gloss.
/ = Divides verse
// = Parallel

SIMPLE KEY TO REFERENCES
Gn 1,1 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
Gn 1,1a refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, the first part of verse 1.
Gn 1,1f refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and the following verse (2).
Gn 1,1-10 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive.
Gn 1,1-10.14 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive and verse 14.
Gn 1,1—2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 to chapter 2, verse 3 inclusive.
Gn 1,1; 2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and chapter 2, verse 3.

 

[Todd_Easton]

My NAB has the following on page 42:

ABBREVIATIONS OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Acts —Acts of the Apostles
Am—Amos
Bar—Baruch
1 Chr—1 Chronicles
2 Chr—2 Chronicles
Col—Colossians
1 Cor—1 Corinthians
2 Cor—2 Corinthians
Dn—Daniel
Dt—Deuteronomy
Eccl—Ecclesiastes
Eph—Ephesians
Est—Esther
Ex—Exodus
Ez—Ezekiel
Ezr—Ezra
Gal—Galatians
Gn—Genesis
Hb—Habakkuk
Heb—Hebrews
Hg—Haggai
Hos—Hosea
Is—Isaiah
Jas—James
Jb—Job
Jdt—Judith
Jer—Jeremiah
Jgs—Judges
Jl—Joel
Jn—John
1 Jn—1 John
2 Jn—2 John
3 Jn—3 John
Jon—Jonah
Jos—Joshua
Jude—Jude
1 Kgs—1 Kings
2 Kgs—2 Kigns
Lam—Lamentations
Lk—Luke
Lv—Leviticus
Mal—Malachi
1 Mc—1 Maccabees
2 Mc—2 Maccabees
Mi—Micah
Mk—Mark
Mt—Matthew
Na—Nahum
Neh—Nehemiah
Nm—Numbers
Ob—Obadiah
Phil—Philippians
Phlm—Philemon
Prv—Proverbs
Ps(s)—Psalm(s)
1 Pt—1 Peter
2 Pt—2 Peter
Rom—Romans
Ru—Ruth
Rv—Revelation
Sir—Sirach
1 Sm—1 Samuel
2 Sm—2 Samuel
Song(Sg)—Song of Songs
Tb—Tobit
1 Thes—1 Thessalonians
2 Thes—2 Thessalonians
Ti—Titus
1 Tm—1 Timothy
2 Tm—2 Timothy
Wis—Wisdom
Zec—Zechariah
Zep—Zephaniah

NOTE: For greater clarity and convenience, the footnotes and cross-references are printed at the bottom of each page and cross-indexed in the text itself. An asterick (*) in the text indicates that there is a footnote to the text in question. Each footnote is in turn clearly marked with the number of the chapter and verse to which it pertains. Similarly, a superior (ª) in the text indicates that there is a cross-reference to a particular verse. The reference itself is also clearly marked with the same letter. Hence the reader is always aware of a footnote or a cross-reference simply by reading the text.

] Indicates a gloss.
/ = Divides verse
// = Parallel

SIMPLE KEY TO REFERENCES

Gn 1,1 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
Gn 1,1a refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, the first part of verse 1.
Gn 1,1f refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and the following verse (2).
Gn 1,1-10 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive.
Gn 1,1-10.14 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive and verse 14.
Gn 1,1—2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 to chapter 2, verse 3 inclusive.
Gn 1,1; 2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and chapter 2, verse 3.

 

[Todd_Easton]

I don’t know how helpful this will be but my NAB has the following explanations of page 42:

ABBREVIATIONS OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
Acts —Acts of the Apostles
Am—Amos
Bar—Baruch
1 Chr—1 Chronicles
2 Chr—2 Chronicles
Col—Colossians
1 Cor—1 Corinthians
2 Cor—2 Corinthians
Dn—Daniel
Dt—Deuteronomy
Eccl—Ecclesiastes
Eph—Ephesians
Est—Esther
Ex—Exodus
Ez—Ezekiel
Ezr—Ezra
Gal—Galatians
Gn—Genesis
Hb—Habakkuk
Heb—Hebrews
Hg—Haggai
Hos—Hosea
Is—Isaiah
Jas—James
Jb—Job
Jdt—Judith
Jer—Jeremiah
Jgs—Judges
Jl—Joel
Jn—John
1 Jn—1 John
2 Jn—2 John
3 Jn—3 John
Jon—Jonah
Jos—Joshua
Jude—Jude
1 Kgs—1 Kings
2 Kgs—2 Kigns
Lam—Lamentations
Lk—Luke
Lv—Leviticus
Mal—Malachi
1 Mc—1 Maccabees
2 Mc—2 Maccabees
Mi—Micah
Mk—Mark
Mt—Matthew
Na—Nahum
Neh—Nehemiah
Nm—Numbers
Ob—Obadiah
Phil—Philippians
Phlm—Philemon
Prv—Proverbs
Ps(s)—Psalms
1 Pt—1 Peter
2 Pt—2 Peter
Rom—Romans
Ru—Ruth
Rv—Revelation
Sir—Sirach
1 Sm—1 Samuel
2 Sm—2 Samuel
Song(Sg)—Song of Songs
Tb—Tobit
1 Thes—1 Thessalonians
2 Thes—2 Thessalonians
Ti—Titus
1 Tm—1 Timothy
2 Tm—2 Timothy
Wis—Wisdom
Zec—Zechariah
Zep—Zephaniah

NOTE: For greater clarity and convenience, the footnotes and cross-references are printed at the bottom of each page and cross-indexed in the text itself. An asterisk (*) in the text indicates that there is a footnote to the text in question. Each footnote is in turn clearly marked with the number of the chapter and verse to which it pertains. Similarly, a superior (ª) in the text indicates that there is a cross-reference to a particular verse. The reference itself is also clearly marked with the same letter. Hence the reader is always aware of a footnote or a cross-reference simply by reading the text.

] Indicates a gloss.
/ = Divides verse
// = Parallel

SIMPLE KEY TO REFERENCES

Gn 1,1 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
Gn 1,1a refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, the first part of verse 1.
Gn 1,1f refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and the following verse (2).
Gn 1,1-10 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive.
Gn 1,1-10.14 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive and verse 14.
Gn 1,1—2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 to chapter 2, verse 3 inclusive.
Gn 1,1; 2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and chapter 2, verse 3.

 

[Todd_Easton]

I don’t know how helpful this will be but my NAB has the following explanations on page 42:

ABBREVIATIONS OF BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Acts —Acts of the Apostles
Am—Amos
Bar—Baruch
1 Chr—1 Chronicles
2 Chr—2 Chronicles
Col—Colossians
1 Cor—1 Corinthians
2 Cor—2 Corinthians
Dn—Daniel
Dt—Deuteronomy
Eccl—Ecclesiastes
Eph—Ephesians
Est—Esther
Ex—Exodus
Ez—Ezekiel
Ezr—Ezra
Gal—Galatians
Gn—Genesis
Hb—Habakkuk
Heb—Hebrews
Hg—Haggai
Hos—Hosea
Is—Isaiah
Jas—James
Jb—Job
Jdt—Judith
Jer—Jeremiah
Jgs—Judges
Jl—Joel
Jn—John
1 Jn—1 John
2 Jn—2 John
3 Jn—3 John
Jon—Jonah
Jos—Joshua
Jude—Jude
1 Kgs—1 Kings
2 Kgs—2 Kigns
Lam—Lamentations
Lk—Luke
Lv—Leviticus
Mal—Malachi
1 Mc—1 Maccabees
2 Mc—2 Maccabees
Mi—Micah
Mk—Mark
Mt—Matthew
Na—Nahum
Neh—Nehemiah
Nm—Numbers
Ob—Obadiah
Phil—Philippians
Phlm—Philemon
Prv—Proverbs
Ps(s)—Psalms
1 Pt—1 Peter
2 Pt—2 Peter
Rom—Romans
Ru—Ruth
Rv—Revelation
Sir—Sirach
1 Sm—1 Samuel
2 Sm—2 Samuel
Song(Sg)—Song of Songs
Tb—Tobit
1 Thes—1 Thessalonians
2 Thes—2 Thessalonians
Ti—Titus
1 Tm—1 Timothy
2 Tm—2 Timothy
Wis—Wisdom
Zec—Zechariah
Zep—Zephaniah
NOTE: For greater clarity and convenience, the footnotes and cross-references are printed at the bottom of each page and cross-indexed in the text itself. An asterisk (*) in the text indicates that there is a footnote to the text in question. Each footnote is in turn clearly marked with the number of the chapter and verse to which it pertains. Similarly, a superior (ª) in the text indicates that there is a cross-reference to a particular verse. The reference itself is also clearly marked with the same letter. Hence the reader is always aware of a footnote or a cross-reference simply by reading the text.

] Indicates a gloss.
/ = Divides verse
// = Parallel

SIMPLE KEY TO REFERENCES

Gn 1,1 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
Gn 1,1a refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, the first part of verse 1.
Gn 1,1f refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and the following verse (2).
Gn 1,1-10 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive.
Gn 1,1-10.14 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 10 inclusive and verse 14.
Gn 1,1—2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 to chapter 2, verse 3 inclusive.
Gn 1,1; 2,3 refers to the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1 and chapter 2, verse 3.

 

[bob_kehoe]

Yes, it is the scripture reference notations that I am trying to figure out. The New American Bible, latest Imprimatur Nov 7, 2000. I get the abbreviations which indicate the book names. I get the single f and double f.
Here are some examples all separated by a semi-colon; f; ff; 7,4.21; 7,4-21; /; LXX; -; –

i.e., Acts 18, 8 / Romans 16, 23
What does the / mean?
i.e., when there is no book name before 2, 1.4
What does the period mean? Same book as the one that the reader is in since no book abbreviation is listed?
i., e., Sometimes a short dash (-)and sometimes a long dash (–)? Like 38–39. This is on page 8 of the NAB, Genesis 1,1.

So, thanks to all. The faith is mysterious enough. I don’t need more mystery in the reference notations. Thanks and God Bless You.

 

[bob_kehoe]

Yes, it is the scripture reference notations that I am trying to figure out. The New American Bible, latest Imprimatur Nov 7, 2000. I get the abbreviations which indicate the book names. I get the single f and double f.
Here are some examples all separated by a semi-colon; f; ff; 7,4.21; 7,4-21; /; LXX; -; –

i.e., Acts 18, 8 / Romans 16, 23
What does the / mean?
i.e., when there is no book name before 2, 1.4
What does the period mean? Same book as the one that the reader is in since no book abbreviation is listed?
i., e., Sometimes a short dash (-)and sometimes a long dash (–)? Like 38–39. This is on page 8 of the NAB, Genesis 1,1. Ref a.

So, thanks to all. The faith is mysterious enough. I don’t need more mystery in the reference notations. Thanks and God Bless You.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Yes, it is the scripture reference notations that I am trying to figure out. The New American Bible, latest Imprimatur Nov 7, 2000. I get the abbreviations which indicate the book names. I get the single f and double f.
Here are some examples all separated by a semi-colon; f; ff; 7,4.21; 7,4-21; /; LXX; -; –
f = and the following verse.
ff = and the following verses.

---

A period “.” indicates noncontinuous verses within a given chapter.
7,4.21** =** chapter 7, verses 4 and 21.

A short dash “-” indicates continuous verse within a given chapter.
7,4-21** =** chapter 7, verses 4 through 21, inclusive.

---

LXX = Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament made shortly before the time of Christ.

---

i.e., Acts 18, 8 / Romans 16, 23
What does the / mean?
I am a bit confused myself concerning the “/”. However, it appears that the cross reference preceding the “/” applies to the first half of the Bible verse in question and the cross reference following the “/” applies to the second half of the Bible verse in question. I guess that is what is meant when the guide says / divides verse. As an example, see Romans 3, 4. Two cross references are given for Romans 3, 4, separated by a “/” (z Ps 116, 11 / Ps 51, 6). The commentary says:
3, 4: Though every human being is a liar: these words reproduce the Greek text of Ps 116, 11. The rest of the verse is from Ps 51, 6.
i.e., when there is no book name before 2, 1.4
What does the period mean? Same book as the one that the reader is in since no book abbreviation is listed?
i., e., Sometimes a short dash (-)and sometimes a long dash (–)? Like 38–39. This is on page 8 of the NAB, Genesis 1,1.
When there is no book referenced at the beginning of the cross reference the current book is understood. The 2, 1. 4 mentioned at the beginning of the cross references for Genesis 1, 1, means Genesis chapter 2, verses 1 and 4.
If a particular verse has more than one cross reference to a given book, only the first cross reference in the series is listed with the book abbreviation. For example, Genesis 1, 28 has the following cross references: Gn 8, 17; 9, 1; Pss 8, 6-9; 115, 16; Wis 9, 2. ** This means: Genesis chapter 8, verse 17; Genesis chapter 9, verse 1; Psalm 8 verses 6 through 9; Psalm 115, verse 16; Wisdom chapter 9, verse 2.

---

long dash (–) indicates continuous verses across chapters.
For example, Genesis 1, 1 includes the following cross references: Pss 8, 4; 38–39; 90, 2. ** As written, this means:** Psalm 8, verse 4; Psalms 38 through 39, inclusive of all verses; Psalm 90, verse 2. ** However, there seems to be an error in the notation since Psalms 38 and 39 have little to do with the creation of the world.**

---

So, thanks to all. The faith is mysterious enough. I don’t need more mystery in the reference notations. Thanks and God Bless You.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Todd Easton:

**long dash (–) indicates continuous verses across chapters.
**For example, Genesis 1, 1 includes the following cross references: Pss 8, 4; 38–39; 90, 2. As written, this means: Psalm 8, verse 4; Psalms 38 through 39, inclusive of all verses; Psalm 90, verse 2. However, there seems to be an error in the notation since Psalms 38 and 39 have little to do with the creation of the world.

I could be mistaken but I think that the “38–39” in the cross references for Genesis 1,1, actually refers to the Book of Job, chapters 38 through 39, inclusive of all verses, as these chapters speak of the creation.