One of the most frequently used funtions is the search. This can be done in all the types of Online Bible. The Windows version probably offers the most possibilities, but the Android, iOS and Mac apps are catching up and have a large variety in search options.
A search is started with the looking class icon.
The search results in Windows are shown in a separate frame. The results in iOS, macOS and Android show in a pop-up screen in which any verse can be selected. But going back to the search function shows the same results at the same place.
There are three criteria for searching:
- Search text, i.e. the specific word(s) you are looking for.
- Search range, i.e. which part of the Bible. This criteria is currently only available in Windows and Android, but in a next release of iOS and Mac apps Old/New Testament or a specific Bible book can be specified.
- Where to search, i.e. in which title. In iOS and Android this is defaulted to the active Bible but other Bibles (and Apocrypha) can be chosen. It is also possible to search in other titles by using the search icon in the lower "reference" screen. In the Mac it can be any open Bible, and in Windows it is a variable to be selected (both Bibles and other titles).
Examples of the search screen, with numbers referring to the three criteria above.
Search screen in Android
The other options available on this screen are described under Additional Information, below.
Search screen on the Mac
Search screen in Windows
1. Search text
One or more words can be entered in the search text. If it is not a phrase the words must be separated by an & (AND). The result is where one verse contains the words.
The following symbols are available to allow more complex searches:
| * | Partial words (joined to text). E.g. man* will retrieve man, mankind, Manasse, many and other (depends on the Bible translation). The asterisk can be at the beginning and/or end of a word, but without a space. |
| ? | The character can be anything. Wom?n will search for woman and women. |
| | | OR - Find verses containing either word. E.g. Jesus | Christ |
| ~ | AND NOT - Contains first word, but not second in one verse. E.g. Jesus ~ Christ - all verses containing the word Jesus, except where the word Christ is in the same verse |
| & | AND - Find verses containing both words (sequence not important). E.g. angel & Lord |
| ... | Similar to AND, but words must in that sequence, e.g. earth ... void finds verses which contain words earth and void in that sequence. |
| * | One word in a phrase can be anything e.g. silver * gold finds phrase silver and gold, and silver or gold. Note the asterisk only replaces one word. |
| @n | Proximity (n is a number). Normally words must be in one verse, but this shows results within a specified number of verses. E.g. gold @5 silver shows all results where these two words are used (in any sequence) within 5 verses. |
In the Android app and on the Mac, these symbols can be entered via the keyboard, or by clicking on the + symbol and selecting the relevant symbol.
In Windows and on the Mac the previous search criteria can be seen with drop-down lists (not possible in iOS or Android). In the Mac this list can also be cleared. In WIndows that is not possible.
2. Search range
The range determines if the search is in the whole, or part of the Bible (or other books).
The options in Windows, which are the most extensive, are described below:
- A. This field shows the current search range. You can enter an abbreviation of a Bible book here, or a B (entire Bible), OT (Old Testament) or NT (New Testament).
- B. With this "Set range" button a specific range can be chosen, down to verse level.
- C. In the drop-down list you can see a list of previous ranges.
Note: "Select all" on the right does not belong with the search range.
In Android, iPad/iPhone and on the Mac you can click on the Entire Bible field, to get a dropdown list where you can choose which Testament or a specific Bible book. Here the Android screen
3. Where to search
In iOS and Android apps, the search icon is available both in the Bible (main) screen, as well as in the Reference (second) screen. The relevant icon must be chosen based on ewhere the title appears. In all versions, the default place to search in the apps is the current Bible. The default in Windows is the Bible marked as "standard" in the favourites. Obviously in different translations different words are used, so when looking for a phrase it is important to know in which Bible that phrase occurred.
In the apps the default can be changed, and the drop-down list shows all Bibles and apocrypha.
For Windows there are some special features: The default shows all Bibles and apocrypha, but the check-box "Show Bibles only" can be unchecked, so that also commentaries are available for searches in the same screen. Multiple sources can be checked at the same time, and this will create one screen per source. So a search on two translations produces two lists. To do this the check-box "Search multiple databases" must be set.
Additional information
It is also possible to use Strong numbers in searches. For more details see the articles on Strong numbers, specifically Using Strong numbers in search criteria
Additional option in Android the Mac and iOS
- By clicking this symbol you get a list of the Boolean operators, discussed under Search Text above. You can choose an operator here rather than opening the keyboard. Some documentation is also available.
- Strict matching. This option is irrelevant in English but it provides a way to show if diacritics are to be taken into account when searching. Normally in a search, accents and other diacritics on a letter are disregarded (such as á, ç, ë). In some languages accents are used e.g. to emphasise a syllable. However sometimes the spelling with or without diacritics provides two different words. With this option set, the search is strict, diacritics have to match, so o is not the same as ö.
- This shows the total number or search results found. With a large number it wuld probably be better to limit search criteria further.
- By sliding this blue bar up or down you can quickly more through different Bible books.
When you select a particular verse the search text will be highlighted. There is a button to remove the highlighting if required. Once the screen is closed this highlighting will also disappear.