OVER 100 YEARS OF BIBLE SCHOLARSHIP
In 1890, creator of the Thompson Chain-Reference system, Dr. Frank Charles Thompson began working on the “chain-links” that became the foundation of the unique Thompson referencing system that is used by millions of Bible readers across the world. The Kirkbride Bible Company, Inc., published the first complete Thompson Chain-Reference Bible in 1908 and continued that legacy for over 100 years, adding visual, maps, archeological insights, and over 100,000 references.
Zondervan Bibles is excited to take the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible forward, and to continue to steward this important brand. Revised and expanded editions of the Thompson Chain-Reference Bibles using the Comfort Print® fonts, as part of the company’s Beautiful Bibles initiative, began releasing in multiple translations in 2022. NIV, KJV and NKJV editions are now on sale, with NASB editions to follow in October 2023.
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ABOUT
An easy-to-learn, easy-to-use tool for in-depth Bible study
Beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This unique reference Bible enables you to search the breadth of Scripture’s teachings on thousands of topics and allows you to follow those topics throughout the entire Bible. With over 100,000 references, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible also offers a library of additional study resources that allows readers to interpret the Bible using related scripture passages rather than consulting a commentary.
About Dr. Frank Charles Thompson
Dr. Frank Charles Thompson was a young preacher in the late 1800s when he became disappointed with the reference Bibles being used by preachers. Dr. Thompson believed Bible study tools should be presented in a simple but scholarly way. He saw the need for a well-organized reference Bible that would be of practical use to the lay reader as well as to preachers. In 1890, Dr. Thompson began the work he would continue for the rest of his life. He completed a series of "thought suggestions" opposite key verses throughout the Bible. These are what became the "chain links" that comprise the heart of the Thompson system. Some in Dr. Thompson's church saw his Bible and told him this would be a great help to them in their Bible study too. They encouraged Dr. Thompson to have his Bible, with its extensive marginal references, published so that everyone could enjoy the blessing of this helpful study system. In 1908, the first edition of the Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible was printed. It became known as the most helpful, comprehensive, and unbiased study Bible available. After Dr. Thompson’s passing in 1940, his work and legacy continued with several major updates and enhancements to the study system over the years.