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Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Features
English Bibles
Spanish Bibles
See Inside
How It Works
How To Use It

OVER 100 YEARS OF BIBLE SCHOLARSHIP

In 1890, creator of the Thompson Chain-Reference system, Dr. Frank Charles Thompson began working on the “chain-links” that became the foundation of the unique Thompson referencing system that is used by millions of Bible readers across the world. The Kirkbride Bible Company, Inc., published the first complete Thompson Chain-Reference Bible in 1908 and continued that legacy for over 100 years, adding visual, maps, study helps, and over 100,000 references. Zondervan Bibles is excited to take the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible forward, and to continue to steward this important brand. New editions using the existing print files are now on sale in multiple translations.

Features of the Bibles

• Easy-to-understand Chain-Reference System with over 100,000 references
• Alphabetical and numerical indexes highlight study materials for over 8,000 topics, each with its own topic number, for exhaustive topical study
• An extensive study resource section includes biographical sketches, illustrated studies of the Bible, a concordance, Bible harmonies, and many other helpful study tools
• Fresh, two-color page design
• 66 book introductions
• 16-page full-color map section with map index
• Words of Jesus in red
• Exclusive Comfort Print typeface
• Available in standard size, large print, and handy size editions

ENGLISH BIBLES

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

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KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)

NEW! KJV Comfort Print Editions

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Legacy KJV Editions

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NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)

NKJV, Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, Red Letter, hardcover

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9780310459989

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9780310459989

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ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)

ESV, Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, Red Letter, hardcover

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9780310462019

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NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (NASB)

NASB, Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, Red Letter, 1977 Text, hardcover

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9780310460015

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SPANISH BIBLES (RVR 1960)

9780310460688

COMING MARCH 2023

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SEE INSIDE

Revised & Updated Comfort Print Editions

Use butttons to dowload a Bible sampler.

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Regular Size
Handy Size
Large Print
KJV Sample
Regular Size
Handy Size
Large Print

Original Editions

Use icons to dowload a Regular Size Bible sampler.

KJV Sample
NKJV Sample
ESV Sample
NASB Sample

HOW IT WORKS

An easy-to-learn, easy-to-use tool for in-depth Bible study!

With a patented reference system beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This easy-to-learn, easy-to-use system enables you to see the breadth of Scripture’s teachings on thousands of topics. With over 100,000 references listed in the Bible’s margins, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible also offers a library of additional study resources that allows readers to interpret the Bible using related scripture passages rather than consulting a commentary.

1

In order to see how the Thompson Chain-Reference System works, begin with Psalm 23. 

Example of the Topic Number in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

This nine-word verse includes three main thoughts or topics:

• “The Lord is my shepherd” = we are God’s sheep (3266)

• “The Lord is my shepherd” = Christ is our shepherd (3264)

• “I shall not want” = the Lord provides for our needs (2905)

To the left of the verse, you will see a group of topics and verse references in the margin. Locate the one that shows 3266 God’s Sheep, 74:1. 3266 is the Topic Number for the topic of God’s sheep.

2
Example of the Topic Number in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

If you turn to the numerical index in the back of the Bible and look up 3266, you will see all the verses related to the topic of God’s Sheep. 

3
Example of the Forward Reference in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

Now turn back to Psalm 23. The number at the end of the reference, 74:1, is called a Forward Reference. It points you toward the next verse for your topic – in this case, Psalm 74:1. If you turn to Psalm 74:1, you can search the references in the margin to find the next corresponding reference: 3266 God’s Sheep 79:13. You’ll notice that the Topic Number didn’t change, but the Forward Reference now points you to the next verse: Psalm 79:13. 

Example of the Forward Reference in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

If you turn to Psalm 79:13, you will find the next corresponding reference on the right side, prompting you to visit Mt. 10:16 (Matthew 10:16).

4
Example of the End of the Reference Chain in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

If you follow the entire chain for 3266 God’s Sheep, you will end at John 10:3. This time, there is no Forward Reference, as you have come to the end of the chain of references for this topic. Instead, you will see a small square symbol, marking that the chain is complete.

Reverse the Process

If you already know the topic that you’d like to study, you can easily discover where to start that process. There may be numerous verses on your topic, and you can use the alphabetical index in the back of the Bible to find the corresponding Topic Number and a starting point. 

Example of the End of the Alphabetical Index in the Thompson Chain-Reference System

Say that you wanted to do a study on the topic of “Grace.” Once you find the Topic Number for Grace, you can look that up in the numerical index and find all the related verses, choosing whichever verse you would like to start your chain from.

HOW TO USE IT

Video series from Randy Brown of Bible Buying Guide.

Learn how to use the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible for sermon prep, small groups, individual study and more.

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