How do I cite the Bible in BibTeX?

To cite the Bible in BibTeX (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

How to Cite the Bible in BibTeX (standard)

Learn how to cite the Bible, scripture, and other sacred texts in BibTeX format (standard). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

BibTeX Reference List Format

Here is the standard BibTeX format for citing the Bible in your reference list:

BibTeX Example for the Bible

A complete BibTeX reference for the Bible, formatted by the official BibTeX CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

@book{1989Holy, address = {New York}, year = {1989}, publisher = {Meridian Bibles}, title = {The {Holy} {Bible}, {New} {Revised} {Standard} {Version}}, }

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Bible.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the BibTeX (standard) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match BibTeX requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: bibtex.csl

Metadata to collect

version or translation
book, chapter and verse
publisher and year of the edition, when the style requires them
URL for an online edition

Common metadata traps

Name the version in the first citation; translations word verses differently.
Cite book, chapter and verse, never page numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite the Bible in BibTeX?: To cite the Bible in BibTeX (standard), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the BibTeX format for the Bible citation?: The BibTeX format for the Bible is: @book{1989Holy, address = {New York}, year = {1989}, publisher = {Meridian Bibles}, title = {The {Holy} {Bible}, {New} {Revised} {Standard} {Version}}, }