This is the second installment in my review of Bible software. The first one, on Bible Explorer, is here.
This time, let’s look at e-Sword, which has been around since January, 2000, written by Rick Meyers. It’s pretty fascinating to read the history of this software and read about the various challenges and milestones.
The premise of this software is freely use it how you want to, just don’t charge for it or imply a charge. The feature list is extensive, many downloads available, such as Bibles, commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, devotionals, maps and more.
Many of these downloads are free, the ones that are not are due to copyright. You’ll pay for these versions in whatever format you get it, NIV for example.
In my opinion, e-Sword is a little more difficult to setup and navigate but once you understand how it all fits together, it’s not a problem. For instance, the process to download additional books is not intuitive. You can either go to the site and browse and download or you can click Help, e-Sword On The Web, then choose what category you want to download. Either way you have to download from the website, then run the exe file to install it. Not hard, just not intuitive.
Here’s a page with the features and once you understand all that is available, go to the download page and pick and choose what you want.
One feature integrated with e-Sword is STEP Libraries:
e-Sword has an integrated STEP Reader. STEP stands for “Standard Template for Electronic Publishing”, and it is a file format designed for the storage of electronic Bible reference books. This file format is used by QuickVerse, WORDsearch, Bible Companion, and other Bible software products. If you happen to already own one of these programs, then this means you can use these resources within e-Sword.
As before, I would encourage you to go and download e-Sword and give it a try. Plus if you donate at least $15, you will receive a CD with many of the resources that you can download.
I have used esword for two years and it reall helps in studying and preparing Bible studies. I tell all of my friends.
God’s Word to the nation is available which I like, but I vould not find NIV which is widely used in Churches.
James
I have been trying to download http://www.esword.net. It keeps coming up Can’t find http://www.e-sword. Am I missing something.
Thank you for your help in this matter
Rev. Mason Barker
Mason, make sure you put the – in the url. (www.e-sword.net) I just went there and was able to download it. It’s possible the site was down at the time you went there. Let me know if you still have trouble, i’ll do what I can to help.
Jim
I’ve been using e-Sword for a few years, and with every new version a new feature has been added.
Currently there are over 5 million users of this program, and it has a large online User Support group with over 5,600 members. Within this support group there are members who create third party resources, of which is distributed via the internet.
Blessings
Stephen (Phi 1:21).
also try…
http://www.swordwarrior.net