Nave's Topical Bible

This is an oldie but goodie from years past, first copyrighted in 1896 and first full print publication in 1921, and it was written by Orville J. Nave. Other publishing houses have published the book over the years, and now the Henderson Publishing Company has put out the 15th printing in hardback.

Orville Nave served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, and it was during his military career he prepared his Topical Bible and a later published Nave's Study Bible. It is in the Nave's Topical Bible that it presents subject matter in a cyclopedic form and headings familiar on particular subjects.

Nave prepared this book as a means to analyze topically each verse of the Bible, each series of verses, and each chapter and series of chapters. From this, Nave was able to group the subject headings of all the Scriptures found in the analysis. This was a Herculean task that took several years to accomplish. Nave's work is based solely on the King James Version (KJV) and it is quite a work.

Some folks have seen this book as similar to the Thompson Chain Reference (TCR) Bibles, but it seems to cover Scripture subject material in greater detail. This book is a definite must in anyone's library. I'm an advocate of the KJV TCR, and I use the rare 1988 wide-margin Bible. It is the Naves Topical Bible that is being used to enhance the notes added to my wide-margin Bible.

On the major subject of the "Righteous" it is broken down into sub-topics, such as "Contrasted with the Wicked," "Described," and "Promises to, Expressed or Implied." All of this is covered in 20 pages, followed by "Righteous - Unity of Christ." There are no notes, only Scripture. So that leaves out any biases of denominations, including but not limited to their own teachings, practices, doctrines, and traditions of men.

Nave's Topical Bible allows a pastor or even a layperson the ability to prepare a sermon or write a paper on a topic in short order. As a pastor, this book is always at my side when I write articles on Bible issues and preparing to doing video mini-sermons, teachings, and helping others of the faith to grow in the grace and knowledge in Christ.

If there were a situation where I can choose only two books to live by, it would be my Thompson Bible, inclusive of all my notes, and the Nave's Topical Bible. They are the Gold and Silver of God's word, and one can never have the full life in knowing Christ without these two treasures.

We are very lucky to be living in a free country, where the Bible can easily be available to us in our public libraries, in our private collection of books, and not be under the scrutiny of a dictator government against Christianity. Nave served in the military to ensure our freedom of religion and wrote this marvelous book as a tool and treasure to enhance our walk in faith in Christ. God surely blessed us with a man such as Nave and his Topical Bible.

I don't know how I managed without this Topical Bible for so long! It makes Bible study so much easier. I'm never lost for ideas of what to study as there are so many topics listed to choose from that it would take me the rest of my life to work my way through it! Although it appears that it does not list every Scripture reference on each topic it is still comprehensive enough that in conjunction with a reference Bible you should be able to get a great overview on any topic listed. I highly recommend this Nave's Topical Bible as an invaluable addition to every Christian's library.

I purchased this Topical Bible for a Sister in the Lord because she liked the one I have had for many years. It is a wonderful source of scripture according to topics (subjects). I bought mine from CBD about 30 years ago and have been very satisfied with it. When I want to read about a certain topic, I go to my Nave's Topical Bible.

This is a great tool for research or just looking up verses that fit an application you are intereted in.

I like this topical Bible very much. I had one before but gave it to my son. I am glad to have another, and I recommend it to others.