E-Sword
E-Sword is a scriptural suite in the form of a computer program. It is written for computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. A version is also available through iTunes for the iPad, and E-Sword can also be used on computers running Macintosh or Linux operating systems through CrossOver (by CodeWeaver). As of January 2012, E-Sword has been downloaded 20 million times.[1]
The authour of E-Sword, Rick Meyers, cites Matthew 10:8 for his release of the software free of charge (as freeware).[2]
Features
The E-Sword installer contains the main program bundled with the King James Version with Strong's Numbers and Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. A built-in system allows easy downloading of additional modules from within the program. The program features simultaneous or independent viewing of the Bible, various commentaries, various dictionaries, and a notes module. A graphics viewer and STEP reader are also included. The program can also line up multiple translations of the same passage to enable easy comparison. A full list of features is available on the web site.[3]
Bibles
Bible translations are available in multiple languages. Many are available free of charge.
English Translations
Many versions of the English-language Bible are available. The King James Version is installed by default. Several old versions are available, including a 1611 King James Version, a 1568 Bishop's Bible, and the Geneva Bible. More current free translations include (among others):
- American Standard Version
- Douay-Rheims Bible
- English Standard Version
- Good News Bible
- God's Word
- Jewish Publication Society translation of 1917
- Modern king James Version
Scholarly Interest
Several Bible translations of interest to scholars are also available. These include the Vulgate, Textus Receptus, and the Hebrew Old Testament.
Commentaries, dictionaries, graphics
Matthew Henry's Commentary, John Gill's, and several other classic and modern commentaries are available, as well as familiar dictionaries and graphics modules.
Topical add-ons
These modules are available for viewing within the Topical interface, and consist of devotional material, famous sermons, and the like; included also is the works of Flavius Josephus.
Pay modules
Several modules for E-Sword are with payment only; these particular ones are owned by the corporations still retaining copyright, such as the Lockman Foundation for their New American Standard Bible. These few modules are the only ones where the user must pay; E-Sword and the majority of its modules are freeware.
References