How to Cite the Bible in MLA
Citing the Bible in MLA Format
To cite the Bible in MLA, you must identify the specific version used and provide both in-text citations and a Works Cited entry. Unlike standard books, Bible citations prioritize version titles over authors. You will learn to format the bibliography entry, handle the first in-text mention, and abbreviate biblical books for subsequent citations.
Step 1: Identify the Version and Edition
Start by locating the specific version of the Bible you are using. Because different translations (e.g., King James Version vs. English Standard Version) use different wording, the reader must know exactly which one you consulted. Check the title page for the full name of the version and any editors or translators involved. In MLA style, the version title is the most important element because the Bible has no single author. If you are using an online version, note the name of the website and the URL for your Works Cited entry.
Step 2: Create the Works Cited Entry
Write the full citation for your Works Cited page. Start with the italicized title of the Bible version. Follow this with the editor's name (if applicable), the publisher, and the publication year. If you accessed the Bible online, include the name of the container (website) and the DOI or URL.
Format:
Title of the Bible. Edited by Editor Name, Publisher, Year.
Note that you do not list 'God' or 'Various Authors' as the author. The title of the specific edition is the primary identifier.
Step 3: Format the First In-Text Citation
Include the italicized title of the Bible version in your first in-text citation. This establishes which translation you are quoting. Follow the title with the specific book, chapter, and verse. Use a period to separate the chapter and verse numbers. MLA 9th edition recommends using abbreviations for books of the Bible that are longer than four letters. For example, use 'Gen.' for Genesis but 'Ruth' remains 'Ruth'. Place the entire citation in parentheses at the end of the sentence before the closing period.
Step 4: Use Shortened Subsequent Citations
Simplify your citations after the first mention. If you continue to use the same Bible version throughout your essay, you do not need to repeat the version title in subsequent parentheses. Instead, provide only the abbreviated book name, chapter, and verse. If you switch between different versions of the Bible, you must continue to include the version title in each citation to clarify which translation is being referenced for that specific quote.
Bible Citation Examples
Use these examples to model your own Works Cited entries and in-text parenthetical references. **Works Cited Entry (Print):** `*The New Oxford Annotated Bible*. Edited by Michael D. Coogan, Oxford UP, 2010.` **Works Cited Entry (Online):** `*The Bible*. New International Version, BibleGateway, 2023, www.biblegateway.com.` **First In-Text Citation:** `"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (*The New International Version*, Gen. 1.1).` **Subsequent In-Text Citation:** `The text describes the creation of light on the first day (Gen. 1.3).`
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using page numbers: Never use page numbers for Bible citations. Always use book, chapter, and verse to ensure the reader can find the passage in any edition.
- Omitting the version: Failing to specify the version (e.g., KJV, ESV) is a major error because translations vary significantly.
- Incorrect punctuation: Do not use a colon between the chapter and verse; MLA style requires a period (e.g., John 3.16, not John 3:16).
- Listing an author: Do not list 'God' as the author in your Works Cited list. Start the entry with the title of the Bible edition.
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