CHAPTER 69
Learn about Reverse Interlinears and Their Use

In the previous chapter, I introduced interlinear Bibles—specifically, those in a traditional interlinear format. An even more powerful tool is the reverse interlinear.

Like traditional interlinears, a reverse interlinear displays lines of English and the original biblical language. The traditional interlinear format has the Hebrew or Greek line on top, which means the English word order is disrupted. Unlike traditional interlinears, a reverse interlinear puts the English line on the top. Here is John 3:16 in a reverse interlinear display.

An obvious advantage to the reverse interlinear format is its readability. It has the correct English word order. And concordance numbers are included. But the advantages go beyond the aesthetic. Reverse interlinears in Bible software allow Bible students to link to many tools for Hebrew and Greek word research that don’t use concordance numbers. The reason is that the creation of a reverse interlinear involves directly linking each word of the translation to the Hebrew or Greek word from which it derives.