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eSword
main website | free modules | eSword forum
eSword is probably the best free bible study software that you can pick up. eSword is easy to use and has a fair amount of features. However it is only for PCs, so if you own a mac you will have to use the alternative MacSword.
Translations
The main translation that is missing in eSword is the NIV, due to copyright issues. It has the English Standard Version, which is a very good translation, as well as many more (including ASV, ISV, MKJV, KJV). Also, if you want the Message, NASB or NLT you will have to pay between $10 and $20 – you cannot buy the NIV yet. It also has various other languages, and has Greek & Hebrew versions should you wish to delve deeper.
Compared to online options, it is therefore lacking in bible translations.
Commentaries and Dictionaries
As with the bibles, there are some you can purchase and some you can get free with eSword. The best free commentaries are John Gill’s exposition, Mathew Henry’s commentary, John Wesley’s notes and The Treasures of David (on the psalms by Charles Spurgeon). There are a fair few dictionaries too, with Easton’s Strong’s and Smith’s bible dictionaries providing good resources.
You can also download various other stuff such as daily devotionals, maps, books and STEP “Standard Template for Electronic Publishing”.
It is worth looking at all of the free downloads, to see which you prefer and feel add value to your studies. Most of these are quite old (i.e. 100 years!), as the copyrights have expired. However don’t let that put you off, they are really valuable and rich resources and have helped me immensely with my studies.
Ease of use etc.
eSword is very easy to use, and this is a huge selling point. It easy to install the software and the various module. The whole menu system is also easy to understand and use too.
Searching
You can search either by using the drop down list on the side of the program, or by typing in a reference. Both work well. You can also search for keywords.
… all of the commentaries will automatically be synchronised …
Navigation
It is very simple to navigate around eSword, due to the clear and logical layout. It is quick to switch between bible translations or parallel lists, commentaries and dictionaries and the like. I also find it easy just to move around the bible – due to the slidebar on the left. You can see a screenshot later in the review.
Copying to your notes
It is very quick to copy any verses or commentary bits into your own study notes, with buttons provided to do so. There is the option of including your own personal bible commentary as well, though I have never used this myself.
Help
There is plenty of help available including some tutorials that can be viewed on line, and also a manual that you can download. These are all held on the website, as detailed below. There are also a few forums on the internet, one of which is listed in the links section at the bottom of the review.
Presentation
The presentation is not flash, and very much in the mold of PC software from a few years ago. However, this really is not an issue as the navigation (mentioned early) is just so easy. I think am just used to better looking things now I tend to use a Mac more! There are some screenshots below:
The future outlook
eSword is a popular application, with five million downloads of the software having been made by January 2007. The last release of an updated version was in December 2006 (and before then July 2005) so the application is likely to improve over time, just like a fine wine!
Summary
Overall, this is a great free piece of software. If you can’t afford to buy a fully fledged package then this is well worth getting your hands on. I personally have found it very beneficial when studying them bible, so if you aren’t one of the millions of people that have downloaded it then get in now!
Strengths
- Very easy to use
- Good commentaries and dictionaries
- Simple to copy into your own notes
Weaknesses
- PC only
- Lack of some of the big bible translations, the NIV can’t even be purchased
Links
Main website:
http://www.e-sword.net/
User Modules (additional unofficial legal free resources):
http://www.e-sword.net/usermods/
Modules available for purchase:
http://estudysource.com/platform/site/homepage/index.aspx
eSword forums:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eSword/
Alternative reviews:
http://www.bsreview.org/index.php?modulo=Reviews&id=19
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32 Responses to “eSword – bible study software review”
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22nd Jul 2008
Please let E-Sword update its software compatability. Christians here in the Gulf are desperate to have E-Sword on our Nokia N-Sereies Mobile phones.
Thank you,
Henock
30th Jul 2008
Correction: The NIV Bible translation IS available for e-sword. Go to the Bible section of the E-sword website at the Bible section. You pay about $12 for three versions of the NIV. Well worth it.
31st Jul 2008
Hi Jim,
I’m pleased eSword is now able to provide the NIV translation. As you say, it is well worth the $12. Thanks for letting me know – I’m going to be updating the review soon.
31st Jul 2008
Hello Hencock,
I’m not sure exactly what type of phone the Nokia N-Series is but they do have an eSword available that can be used on smartphones and the like:
http://www.e-sword.net/pocketpc/index.html
28th Aug 2008
I have been an Pocket e-Sword user for a few years. Unfortunately, Pocket e-Sword is NOT compatible with all smartphones. Especially those that are NON-touch screen or run Windows Mobile 6 Standard.
It would be an INCREDIBLE day if/when this FANTASTIC Bible study app would be usable for WM6 Standard. No other Bible study app has the INTEGRATION
30th Aug 2008
I will be posting a review soon for Pocket e-sword. However I don’t have a smartphone so it won’t be a thorough review. I’m not sure if any updates are plannned, but there has just been the release of the online eSword (which is great) and a newer version of the PC software so eSword is being continually developed.
24th Sep 2008
Bless you and may the Grace and favor of God encompass you complete
Peter Walker
30th Sep 2008
Hello Peter,
Thank you very much for you kind words
24th Nov 2008
can i use e sword on iphone?
25th Nov 2008
Hi Pavel,
Unfortunately you cannot currently use e-sword on your iPhone. The best bible applications for iPhones and iPod Touches can be found at the following page:
http://www.freechristianresources.org/iphone/bible-applications
17th Feb 2009
how do i download this helpfull and fantastic bible study tool on to my computer.
Pastor Bwalya Chanda,
Ndola, Zambia.
26th Feb 2009
Hello Pastor Bwalya Chanda
Go to the download page on eSword and choose the version you want – it should then download automatically.
Here is the link: http://www.e-sword.net/downloads.html
5th Mar 2009
i wnat application bible in my phone
13th Mar 2009
great site… tks for your insight..
11th Apr 2009
you are a blessing to me, thank you for your love
13th Apr 2009
There is a site that is dedicated to e-Sword users and the modules that are available. http://www.e-sword-users.org please stop by and check it out.
29th Jun 2009
MacSword is a Bible Study program created by _The Sword Project_. It has nothing to do with, and is incompatible with e-Sword.
For those who want to run e-Sword on the Mac OS X platform, it can be done using CrossOver. It isn’t much more difficult than running e-Sword on Linux, using WINE.
jonathon
7th Aug 2009
NIV translation is now available as I have purchased it and download it to my E-Sword.
7th Aug 2009
NIV translation is now available as I have purchased it and downloaded it to my E-Sword.
2nd Sep 2009
I would like to have a bible (not dramatized) and devotionals for MP3 since I have a Creative Zen V plus, MP3 player and it is the greatest ever for listening to books while doing anything! What do you recommend? Thank you.
3rd Oct 2009
I also made a review similar to this but I just did not focused too much on e-sword alone, but i guess I also gave some very important insights about the other FREE softwares. Please refer to this post:
http://thedisciplers.com/paid-and-free-bible-softwares-for-everybody/
May this also help everybody. Blessings!!!
3rd Oct 2009
By the way before I forget, e-Sword can also be installed in Ubuntu Linux using WINE and Virtual Box.
But HOW???
Here’s the link:
http://wsmuniversity.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-install-e-sword-in-ubuntu-better.html
8th Oct 2009
Have you considered the free Bible software The Word (http://www.theword.gr) ?
Everyone i know of and tries it says it’s much better than eSword. Can you review it also?
8th Oct 2009
what is the importance of miracles in the ministry
5th Feb 2010
A Catholic Lay Evangelist working with tribals in the villages – giving them faith formation.
5th Feb 2010
Dear Friends,
Re: the NIV on E-Sword. I apologize but earlier I quoted a wrong price. The NIV _package_ contains three versions of it for $29.99. (I guess I was thinking…”about $10 a book.”) I have been using it for several years and recommend it to everyone. Still well worth the price. – Jim.