For some of us, technology can never fully replace the feeling of a book. However, there’s simply no denying that technology affords so much utility and convenience, normally requiring no more than a little space on our phones. The Olive Tree Bible app (iOS, Android) is one such technology, allowing access to millions of pages of Bible material without needing to haul around an entire library.
What does the app do?
This is an app that lets you get as much mileage out of it as you’d like (and can afford). You can simply download it, get access to your Bible version of choice, and have easy access to the Bible on your phone. You can also drop a serious amount of money on a complete Expositor’s Bible Commentary, getting access to 13 massive books all at once. This app has something for everyone, allowing users to get almost any functionality they could want.
Bible versions on demand
Whatever Bible translation you prefer, you’ll likely find it on Olive Tree. From the KJV all the way to the NET, you can get the translation you want with any amount of bells and whistles you desire. Dictionaries, maps, cross references, and anything else can be tailored to give you as much or as little as you’d like.
Commentaries
Today, there’s no shortage of people willing to tell us what the Bible says. Yet there are few who have taken the time to truly study out the Bible, seeing how all the parts connect to explain why a writer is saying something. Heavy commentaries are becoming a lost art in the face of easy access to quick answers, yet their value cannot be diminished. Although pricey (over $400 for some), a commentary is worth it for anyone who wants to dig deeper into God’s word and see how everything connects.
Maps and dictionaries
We’ve discussed the importance of understanding the context of what’s being said in the Bible. 2,000+ years is a long time for cultural phrases and behaviors to change, and sometimes we walk away from a passage confused or misinformed. Although not as deep as a commentary, the variety of dictionaries and maps hosted on Bible Tree helps clear up some more common confusions, putting the text into a better perspective. Best of all, most dictionaries integrate directly into the text itself, meaning you can just click on a word to see its definition and other places it appears within the Bible.
Notes
Some people are notorious note-takers, filling their Bibles with as much ink as was originally printed on it. The hardest part about that is when that precious Bible starts falling apart at the seams, and all those notes are put in to storage. Olive Tree gives its users access to an easy-to-use note system that allows words or passages to be highlighted and have a note added to it. Best of all, you can even look through all your notes separately rather than having to find which verse you wrote them under.
A suite of paid and free Bible study tools
Olive Tree offers so much to its users that I can’t cover it all. While many of its best features require a one-time purchase, and rightfully so, there are still so many free add-ons to enrich a reader’s experience. Lectures, sermons, Bible studies… there’s almost no end to what can be found on the app.
A strong recommendation for any Bible reader
No matter how simple or detailed you want your time to be, Olive Tree has something for everyone. Whether you’re a parent who needs quick access to the Bible for a few minutes of reading here and there, a pastor who wants to study and prep outside the office, or anyone in between, Olive Tree likely has what you need, using the blessing of technology to let us all dig deeper in to God’s word.
You can learn much more about the Olive Tree Bible app at their website, or download it on iOS or Android devices.
