A request for a two-letter Bible book abbreviation "standard"

Saay · 2025-06-02T20:13:34+00:00

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It would be sooo helpful if we had a standard for Bible book abbreviations. I know there are a few but to save on space when quoting multiple passages, it would be quite useful to have a two letter standard.

I propose the following:
1. The default is to use the first two letters unless there is a conflict, so "Ge" for Genesis and "Le" for Leviticus, etc.
2. For books preceded by a numeric, such as 1 Corinthians, we can use "1Co" as it will not conflict with Colossians ("Co"); and likewise, 2 Timothy ("2Ti") will not conflict with Titus ("Ti").
3. Regarding Ezra and Ezekiel, since Ezra comes before Ezekiel so I would give the nod to "Ez" for Ezra and "Ek" for Ezekiel.
4. Similarly, Malachi ("Ma") precedes Matthew ("Mt") and Mark ("Mk").
5. Joshua gets "Jo"; Job gets "Jb"; Joel gets "Jl"; John gets "Jn".
6. Habbakuk comes before Haggai, so "Ha" for Habbakuk and "Hg" for Haggai.
7. Philippians gets "Ph" and Philemon gets "Pm".
8. Zechariah gets "Ze" while Zephaniah gets "Zp".

Of course, folks may have other preferences, but I hope we can have a friendly discussion about what is simple and most digestible :)

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Graham Criddle

Where would you see this default being used / applied?

Saay

I just need Logos to identify shorter abbreviations and convert them to Bible reference links in my study notes, sermons, and personal books, etc., especially passage lists. Right now, I have to guess what the shortest ones will be or reference their long list:
https://www.logos.com/bible-book-abbreviations

I'm surprised Logos supports 13 ways to abbreviate 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles. I really don't want to add another to their list but it is often guess-work trying to figure out what would work (i.e., what abbreviation would convert to a Bible reference link).

I think the easiest method to remember would be the first two letters, with the 6 exceptions I noted above. Once we know the order of the books of the Bible we will know that Ezekiel follows Ezra so Ez=Ezra and Ek=Ezekiel — easy to figure out :)