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, iPadOS 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 iPadOS 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.
On a Mac, the results appear in the dictionary window on the right screen.
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 translation. In iPadOS, Android and macOS this is defaulted to the active Bible but other Bibles (and Apocrypha) can be chosen. In iPadOS, Android and macOS, the open translation is suggested, but that can be changed. In Windows, you can search other titles in addition to Bibles at the same time. In the iOS and Android apps, you can also search other titles, but only in the Reference (second) screen. On a Mac, this is not possible. Another translation can be chosen in the pop-up screen on an iPad or Android device. On a Mac, choose a different translation in the left window.
Examples of four search screens, 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 an iPad (iPadOS)
Search screen on the Mac
In the Mac app, only options 1 and 2 mentioned above are available. On a Mac, simply choose a different translation in the left-hand window.
To open the dictionary window again, click on the corresponding character at the top of the right-hand screen:
It may happen that the dictionary does not open. In that case, select the desired dictionary in the left-hand window.
The other options available on this screen are described under Additional Information, below.
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. |
And to make things a bit more complicated. There can be multiple symbols in a single query. Brackets (as in arithmetic) do not work. The operator * attached to a word has the highest priority, the others a lower priority. Then everything is completed from left to right.
One example:
In the Amplified Bible the query Comma* & stone tablets wil find two results: Ex 24:12 and Heb. 9:4.
And if that all sounds very complicated, you can just memorise:
Multiple words in a row = a phrase search. Example ‘in the house’.
Two (or more) words separated by & = these words in one verse. Example ‘word & spoken’.
In the iPadOS, Android and Mac app, 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 (∨ sign). This is 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 the iPadOS and Android apps, it is possible to search in the opened Bible or a title in the second screen. The latter is not possible on a Mac. Because every translation is different, the same words do not appear in every Bible. Therefore, it is important to choose the right translation.
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. On an iPad this can be selected with the S symbol and on a Mac by selecting the empty square box. See also the search screens above.
- 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.