Study Bible Notes Project

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In this topic:

linkInternal Extended Book Introductions

linkInternal Division and Section Introductions

linkInternal Study Notes

linkInternal Reflective Questions

 

Each book in the study Bible notes project should contain all chapter (\c) and verse markers (\v) corresponding to the reference text project. The simplest method to accomplish this is to select the option to "Include all chapter and verse numbers" when creating a new book in the notes project. This creates a helpful structure for entering note content into, and also assists the author in quickly identifying areas of text where note content is concentrated or sparse.

Extended Book Introductions

Any USFM introduction elements can be included in the notes project before chapter 1 (\c 1) and will become a replacement for the standard book introduction text when the project is published.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example 1 - Introduction Outline; Paragraphs

Text - Introduction to Mark (GNSB)

\id MRK - Good News Study Bible - Notes Material

\iot Outline of Contents

\io1 The beginning of the gospel 1.1-13

\io1 Jesus' public ministry in Galilee 1.14-9.50

\io1 From Galilee to Jerusalem 10.1-52

\io1 The last week in and near Jerusalem 11.1-15.47

\io1 The resurrection of Jesus 16.1-8

\io1 [An Old Ending to the Gospel 16.9-20]

\io1 [Another Old Ending 16.9-10]

\ip The opening words of \bk The Gospel according to Mark\bk* tell its readers that the subject of this book is the Good News about Jesus Christ. With the coming of Jesus Christ, it announces, the time set by God to bring salvation to humankind has arrived (1.15). Though the book concentrates on his deeds and words, it is not a biography of Jesus of Nazareth. Only one year, or a little more, of Jesus' life appears to be recorded (chapters 1--10), and over one-third of the book (chapters 11--16) is taken up with the last week of Jesus in and near \w Jerusalem\w*. Nothing is said about his birth, childhood, home, or parents. When he first appears, unknown and unannounced, Jesus is a full-grown adult who comes to John the Baptist to be \w baptized\w* by him.

\ip The author's primary interest in writing is religious. The Gospel is written "from \w faith\w* to faith". ...

Formatting Example

sb-intro1

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example 2 - Introduction Section

Text - Introduction to Mark (GNSB)

\is1 The Story

\ip \bk Mark's\bk* story of Jesus is told quickly and with an abundance of details that enhance its dramatic impact. Jesus appears suddenly in Judea, where he joins those who are being baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. Just as suddenly, he returns to Galilee, where he proclaims the message that the \w kingdom of god\w* is about to arrive...

Formatting Example

sb-intro2

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example 3 - Introduction List

Text - Introduction to Mark (GNSB)

\ip However, he is more than a teacher, healer, or \w miracle\w*-worker. He is also the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man. These three titles express the first Christians' understanding of who Jesus is.

\ili 1 \k The Messiah\k* is the one promised by God, the one who would come and free God's people. By the time \bk The Gospel of Mark\bk* appeared, the title "Messiah" (in Greek, "\w christ\w*") had become a proper name, so that the Gospel opens with "the Good News about Jesus Christ" (and not "Jesus the Christ"). Peter's confession (8.29) marks a turning-point in the ministry of Jesus. The title "\w son of  david\w* " (10.46-48) also identifies Jesus as the Messiah, who would restore to Israel the power and glory it enjoyed under David's reign (also 12.35-37).

\ili 2 \k The Son of God\k* is the title by which the heavenly voice addresses Jesus at his baptism (1.11) and his transfiguration (9.7). And at Jesus' death the Roman officer confesses that Jesus is the Son of God (15.39).

\ili 3 \k The Son of Man\k* is the title most often used of Jesus, and it appears only on the lips of Jesus. This enigmatic title appears in \bk The Book of Daniel\bk* (Dan 7.13n), where it is applied to the exalted figure to whom God gives universal dominion. In \bk Mark\bk* the title is used of Jesus in three ways: the Son of Man acts with divine power (2.10, 28); he will be rejected, will suffer and die (8.31; 9.9, 12, 31; 10.33-34, 45; 14.21, 41); he will return in power and glory (8.38; 13.26; 14.62).

Formatting Example

sb-intro3

Division and Section Introductions

Study Bibles often include additional explanatory text at the beginning of divisions or sections within the scripture text. The following USFM markers can be included in the notes project at the appropriate chapter/verse location:

 

·major section (\ms), or section (\s) markers
·parallel reference or scope markers (\mr, \sr, \r)
·introduction paragraph markers (\ip)

 

Headings in the notes project will become a replacement for any headings at the corresponding reference text location when the project is published.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example

Text - Mark 1.14 (GNSB)

\c 1

...

\v 13

\ms Jesus' Public Ministry in Galilee

\mr 1.14--9.50

\ip Jesus returns to Galilee and does not go back to Judea until the close of his public ministry. There is no indication of how long his Galilean ministry lasted: only when he is back in Judea is a \w festival \ft (\w passover\ft ) mentioned (14.1). He spends much of his time in Capernaum (1.21; 2.1; 3.1, 20; 9.33) and other places around Lake Galilee (1.9; 2.13; 3.7; 4.1). Twice Jesus ventures out of Galilee: into the region of the Ten Towns (5.1-20) and Phoenicia (7.24-31). His actions and teachings soon arouse opposition from the religious leaders (2.6-7, 24; 3.6, 22; 7.1-13; 8.11-12), and before long he predicts his coming arrest, condemnation, and crucifixion (8.31; 9.30-31).

\s1 Jesus Calls Four Fishermen

\r (Mt 4.12-22; Lk 4.14-15; 5.1-11)

\ip Jesus' message is about the arrival of the \w kingdom of god\w*, which will happen soon. To prepare for it, the people need to repent (1.15). He immediately summons two pairs of fishermen brothers to be his followers and helpers.

\v 14

Formatting Example

sb-div

Study Notes

The extended textual (study) notes are created within the notes project at the appropriate chapter/verse location and use a markup syntax which is nearly identical to the standard USFM footnotes in the reference text.

 

·Each study note in the notes project begins with the marker \ef.
·The remainder of the note is written using standard USFM footnote content element markers. A closing marker is not required.

 

The use of particular footnote markers and sequences implies that the note belongs to one of the following 4 general types:

 

Note type

Key Marker

Example

A study note relating to the entire verse.

\ft - Note text only.

\ef \ft ... study note text...

A study note relating to a range of verses.

\fr - Origin reference

\ef \fr 1.3-5 \ft ... study note text...

A study note relating to a word or phrase within the verse text.

\fq - Quotation from the reference text.

\ef \fr 3.7,8 \fq quoted text \ft ... study note text...

A study note relating to a keyterm within the verse text.

\fk - Keyterm from the reference text.

\ef \fk quoted text \ft ... study note text...

 

·The \xt (cross reference target) element can be used for the purpose of marking references within note text to other scripture or note passages
·Other standard USFM character level markup may be included, such as:
o\w - Wordlist/Glossary/Dictionary reference
o\nd, \bk, \tl, \pn - Name of Deity, Quoted book title, Transliterated word, Proper name

 

 

check

Paratext Formatted Display:

The verse marker (\v) must be defined as a character style within the Paratext USFM stylesheet(s). For this reason, verse numbers will remain "floating" inline at the end of the text of the previous note paragraph (\ef)  when viewing a formatted display of the study notes project.

 

In order to create a more helpful formatted display, add an \ip marker before verse numbers as you author your study note content.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Examples

Text - Mark 1.1-5 (GNSB)

\v 1

\ef \fq the son of god \ft Not included in some manuscripts.

\v 2

\ef \fk \w prophet\w*

\ef \fq Isaiah had written \ft The quotation in 1.2 is from Mal 3.1; \em ahead of you”\em* may be from Ex 23.20, Someone is shouting in the desert, Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for our God to travel!’”.

\v 3

\ef \fq someone is...travel \ft is from Is 40.3, following septuagint; the Hebrew means, Get the road ready in the desert.

\v 4

\ef \fq John appeared \ft John probably began his ministry in AD 27 (Lk 3.1-3).

\ef \fq the desert \ft The desolate region on the west side of the River Jordan, not far from where it empties into the Dead Sea.

\ef \fq John...baptizing and preaching. \ft Some manuscripts have John the Baptist appeared in the desert, preaching.

\ef \fk \w baptizing\w*

\v 5

\ef \fq Judea \ft One of the provinces, in the south, into which the land of Israel was then divided.

Formatting Example

sb-ef

Connecting Notes to the Reference Text (Callers)

In many scripture publications the presence of a footnote or study note is indicated within the printed text by a type of "caller" character, which connects the note text with the exact location in the translation text which the note refers to. The caller is often an alphabetic character, a number, or a symbol (like an asterisk).

 

In a standard Paratext project (i.e. the reference text), footnote text is created inline directly at the location within the translation text for which the note is being created.

 

In the case of a study Bible project, the note text is created in a separate project and is implicitly "connected" (or related) to the reference text primarily by its chapter and verse location. Study notes relating to a word, phrase, or keyterm are further connected to the reference text by the text quotation which is a part of the note itself. These connecting points can be used for locating callers within the scripture text when the project is published. For this reason it is very important that quotations (\fk, \fq) are accurately copied from the reference text into the notes project. Suspension dots (or ellipsis "...") can be used to shorten the quotation text.

"Connect Study Bible Notes" Tool

The creation of an additional software tool is planned for "connecting" a Paratext study Bible notes project with the corresponding reference text. The tool will attempt to match each study note with it corresponding location in the reference scripture text, and insert a matching caller in both projects. The tool could be re-run at any time, and would warn the user about any "connection" failures. The texts for both projects are never merged.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example - Before and After Note Connection

 

Before Note Connection

Note Project Text - Mark 1.1-5 (GNSB)

\v 1

\ef \fq the son of god \ft Not included in some manuscripts.

\v 2

\ef \fk \w prophet\w*

\ef \fq Isaiah had written: \ft The quotation in 1.2 is from Mal 3.1; \em ahead of you”\em* may be from Ex 23.20, Someone is shouting in the desert, Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for our God to travel!’”.

\v 3

\ef \fq someone is...travel \ft is from Is 40.3, following septuagint; the Hebrew means, Get the road ready in the desert.

Reference Project Text (GNT)

\c 1

\s The Preaching of John the Baptist

\r (Matthew 3.1-12; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28)

\p

\v 1 This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

\v 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written:

\q1 God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you

\q2 to open the way for you.

\q1

\v 3 Someone is shouting in the desert,

\q2 Get the road ready for the Lord;

\q2 make a straight path for him to travel!’”


 

After Note Connection

 

\v 1

\ef 373 \fq the son of god \ft Not included in some manuscripts.

\v 2

\ef 374 \fk \w prophet\w*

\ef 375 \fq Isaiah had written: \ft The quotation in 1.2 is from Mal 3.1; \em ahead of you”\em* may be from Ex 23.20, Someone is shouting in the desert, Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for our God to travel!’”.

\v 3

\ef 376 \fq someone is...travel \ft is from Is 40.3, following septuagint; the Hebrew means, Get the road ready in the desert.

 

\c 1

\s The Preaching of John the Baptist

\r (Matthew 3.1-12; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28)

\p

\v 1 This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God\efm 373\efm*.

\v 2 It began as the prophet\efm 374\efm* Isaiah had written:\efm 375\efm*

\q1 God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you

\q2 to open the way for you.

\q1

\v 3 Someone is shouting in the desert,

\q2 Get the road ready for the Lord;

\q2 make a straight path for him to travel!’”\efm 376\efm*

Manual Connections

In the (hopefully rare) case where a connection failure occurs, and the error was not the result of a mistake in the creation of the note content, the author can place a manual connection mark in the text. This mark will assist the Connect Study Bible Notes tool with locating the connection point. In order to accomplish this the reference project text will need to made editable, or an editable copy of the project created.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example - Manual Connection Mark (%)

Note Project Text - Mark 1.1-5 (GNSB)

\v 3

\ef %\fq someone is...travel \ft is from Is 40.3, following septuagint; the Hebrew means, Get the road ready in the desert.

Reference Project Text (GNT)

\q1

\v 3 Someone is shouting in the desert,

\q2 Get the road ready for the Lord;

\q2 make a straight path for him to travel!’”%

Note Categories (Optional)

Categories can be applied to study notes by including the \cat marker, followed by an optional category name or number. For example:

 

\ef \cat 3 \fr 3.7,8 \fq quoted text \ft ... study note text...

 

A list of categories is defined individually and uniquely for each study Bible project.

Reflective Questions

A series of reflective questions can be added to the notes project at the appropriate chapter/verse location using the following syntax:

 

·Indicate the start of a series of reflective question with the marker \erq.
·Any USFM introduction elements can be included within a reflective questions section, which ends with the next study note (\ef), major section (\ms) or section (\s) marker, or the end of the current chapter.

 

hmtoggle_arrow1Example

Text - End of Mark 1 (GNSB)

\v 45

\erq

\is1 Questions About Mark 1

\ili 1. \bk Mark\bk* begins with the words, "This is the good news about Jesus Christ." What exactly is this "good news"? Give two or three examples from the first nine chapters to support your definition.

\ili 2. \bk Mark\bk* tells how Jesus healed many people. For example, read 1.40-45. Who did Jesus heal? What did he tell the man "not" to do? Why? What happened anyway?

Formatting Example

sb-erq