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Using Atla Religion Database with AtlaSerials PLUS

Hierarchical Scripture Authority

Find articles on specific passages from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament using the Atla Hierarchical Scripture Authority. To access the Scripture Authority, select "Atla Scripture Search" from the left "Research Tools" menu:

Research Tools Menu with Atla Scripture Search selected

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A hierarchical index of all books from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament will display below the "Subjects" tab. You can search all of Scripture Search by immediately typing in search terms where you see "Search for terms in Atla Scripture Search." Or, use the plus signs (+) to expand any book, then chapter, then verse to narrow down to the specific passage you would like articles about. Use radio buttons to select the desired book(s), chapter(s), or verse(s) and select "Add to search".

Selection of book, chapter, and verse in Scripture Search

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With the passage specified, click the blue "Search" button and Atla will display articles about or related to that passage:

A search of Scripture search with "SR "Genesis 1:1"" in the first search box.

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The results will include articles on verses usually studied together with the verse selected, giving users an idea of the emphasis of scholarship on a given passage.

Article search results for "SR "Genesis 1:1""

See the Refining Search Results section of this guide for guidance on limiting your results and accessing articles.

Advanced Search Options in Scripture Search

Search for articles about Bible passages without using the Hierarchical Scripture Authority menu by entering "SR" followed by a scripture citation surrounded with quotation marks in an Advanced Search:

Screenshot of Advanced Search with "SR "Numbers 4:25"" in the first search box.

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If desired, use the additional search fields to add other scripture citations to locate articles that connect two related passages:

Advanced search with "SR "Exodus 22:21"" in the first search box and "SR "Deuteronomy 10:19"" in the second search box. Results shown below

Alternatively, enter a topical keyword in a second search field to narrow the focus of article results:

Advanced Search with "SR "Exodus"" in the first search box and "stranger" in the second search box.

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