How to Cite the Bible in APA

The Bible is a frequently used source of information for many types of papers, but is referencing it the same as citing a book? This page will help you format citations for the Bible based on APA 7th edition guidelines.

Guide overview

• APA reference page entry for a Bible
  • Citing a Bible (print or ebook)
  • Citing a translated Bible
  • Citing a Bible on a website

  APA reference page entry for a Bible

  Reference page citations for the Bible are similar to that of a book; however, Bible texts are treated as not having an author.

  However, if an editor or translator contributed to the text, then they must be included following the same citation conventions as a book.

  In terms of dates, you must include the current version’s date after the title. For the original publication date, include the republished date only (if provided), as the date of publication for the Bible and for other religious texts is uncertain.

  Citing a Bible (print or ebook)

  Reference page structure:

  Bible name. (Year published). Publisher. URL (Original work published year)

  Reference page PRINT Bible example:

  King James Bible. (2019). Christian Art Publishers. (Original work published 1769)

  Citing a translated Bible

  Reference page structure:

  Bible name (Translator’s F. M. Last name, Trans.). (Year published). Publisher.

  Reference page example:

  The holy Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate (R. Challoner, Trans.). (2017). Andesite Press.

  Citing a Bible on a website

  If there is no site/page published date, use “n.d.” which stands for “no date.”

  Reference page structure:

  Bible name. (Year published). Publisher or Website Name. URL (Original work published year)

  Reference page PRINT Bible example:

  Holy Bible – American Standard Version. (n.d.). Holy-Bible.online. https://holy-bible.online/asv.php (Original work published 1901)

  APA in-text Bible citations

  In-Text Citation Structure:

  When quoting or paraphrasing specific excerpts from the text, use the name/version of the Bible, the year(s) (remember to write the original publication year, a slash, and then the year of the version you are using), the chapter name, the verse, and then the line.

  (Version name, Year, Chapter name line:verse)

  In-Text Citation Example:

  The Bible extols the virtues of love; “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (King James Bible, 1769/2019, 1 Corinthians 13:4).

  APA Formatting Guide

  APA Formatting

  • Abstract
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Block Quotes
  • et al Usage
  • Footnotes
  • In-text Citations
  • Multiple Authors
  • Paraphrasing
  • Page Numbers
  • Parenthetical Citations
  • Reference Page
  • Sample Paper
  • Title Page
  • APA 7 Updates
  • View APA Guide