There are lots of different types of bible aids.  They loosely fall into these categories :

1) Bible Dictionaries - A bible dictionary attempts to list the main words, topics and characters in the bible so you can easily find things you're looking for.  For example if you want to know about swords in the bible, you could either go through the references in the concordance at the back of your bible or use a bible dictionary.  Typically a bible dictionary would give more complete references and discussion and would be easier to use in these circumstances.  You can view a selection of bible dictionaries at our on-line Christian bookstore...

2) Bible Commentaries - A bible commentary has been written by an author who hopes to make sense of the bible.  It is their interpretation of what is being said and often goes on to say how this might be applied in our lives.  It is important to note that commentaries whilst being useful at stimulating thought and understanding they represent the opinions of the author.  You must decide for yourself their validity. You can view a selection of bible commentaries at our on-line Christian bookstore...

3) Bible Concordances - A bible concordance lists words in alphabetical order similar to a bible dictionary.  Rather than explain the meaning or application of the word (or sometimes a phrase), a bible concordance lists the bible references where such a word is used.  For example   You can view a selection of bible concordances at our on-line Christian bookstore...

4) Others - There are numerous other types of books in the market that aim to help us understand the bible better.  These include bible application handbooks, which take sections of the bible and show how we might apply them to our lives, bible chronicles, which present the sequence of events in the bible (it's very difficult to picture where and when events happened without extensive study), graphical bibles, which put pictures and graphics around events in the bible to draw our their meaning, etc.  One of our favourites is a new idea by Walter Wangerin called the "The book of God".  It's the bible told as a fast moving novel.  It makes compelling reading, for bible novices and the most knowledgeable bible scholars.  Note that it is not an in-depth study of the bible and isn't meant to be. You can search for other resources at our on-line Christian bookstore...