Style Guides
The SBL Handbook of Style by Call Number: Reference Desk PN147 .S26 2011ISBN: 9781565634879Publication Date: 1999-11-01
About SBL
The SBL citation style was created by the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) for works in Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and early Christian studies. It is similar to the Chicago Manual of Style's "footnote" style. Along with citing works from various formats and sources; it includes standards and information for transliteration and transcription of ancient languages. The library has a print version of the style guide at the Reference Desk as well as an eBook version.
About using Endnote and SBL: Endnote does have a citation style for SBL which can be downloaded here BUT due to limitations of the software, Endnote cannot fulfill all the requirements for the SBL citation style. Double-check your references and citations before submitting your paper.
Examples
Note: the journal title is abbreviated in SBL and the list of abbreviations can be found in the style guides.
Footnote: 1. Author Firstname Author Lastname, "Article Title," Journal Abbreviation Volume (Year): page(s) used.
Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Author Lastname, "Article Title," page(s) used.
Bibliography: Author Lastname, Author Firstname. "Article Title." Journal Abbreviation Volume (Year): pages.
Footnote: 1. Author Firstname Lastname, Book Title: Subtitle (Publication City: Publisher, Publication date), page(s) used.
Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Author Lastname, Abbr. Book Title, page(s) used.
Bibliography: Author Lastname, Firstname. Book Title. Publication City: Publisher, Publication date.
Note if citing an entire website, put the main URL in the footnote. If it's a specific webpage use the following format.
Footnote: 1. "Webpage Title," Website Name, URL.
Subsequent Footnotes: 2. "Webpage Title."
Bibliography: "Webpage Title," Website Name, URL.
Note: the commentaries series title is abbreviated in SBL and the list of abbreviations can be found in the style guides.
Footnote: 1. Author Firstname Lastname, Book Title: Subtitle, Abbreviation of Series (Publication City: Publisher, Publication date), page(s) used.
Subsequent Footnotes: 2. Author Lastname, Abbr. Book Title, page(s) used.
Bibliography: Author Lastname, Firstname. Book Title. Abbreviation of Series. Publication City: Publisher, Publication date.
Citation Tools
- EndNote This link opens in a new window
This link goes to our guide with in-depth information on this powerful citation tool. Once EN is installed export, save, & organize citations in one place. Let EN atomically format citations in your paper.
- SBL EndNote Add-OnTo use EndNote for SBL you will need to install this add-on. Important Note: the EndNote software cannot fulfill all the requirements of SBL due to software limitations, so double check your work.