What is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible encourages believers to study God’s Word carefully, so they can understand and apply it rightly (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11). Tools like Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance were created to support this purpose. Compiled in the late 1800s by James Strong, it lists every English word in the King James Version and shows where it appears throughout the Bible. Each word is given a unique number to connect it with the original Hebrew or Greek term. This numbering system, still widely used today, makes it possible for people without formal training in biblical languages to link the English text to the original words behind it.

While no concordance is inspired like Scripture, and each, like Strong’s, becomes more limited with age, they reflect the biblical value of pursuing understanding with diligence (Proverbs 2:1–5; Ezra 7:10). Used rightly, they can help readers see patterns, compare verses, and better grasp the meaning of the text, always under the authority of God’s Word itself. See BlueLetterBible.org for just one of many online and free resources that use Strong’s Concordance.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is a reference book that shows every time a word appears in the King James Version and links those words to their original Hebrew and Aramaic forms. Dr. James Strong, who was a professor of exegetical theology at Drew Theological Seminary from 1868 to 1893, spent thirty-five years creating this work before it was published in 1890. Since the Old Testament was mainly written in Hebrew, with some Aramaic, Strong’s provides a basic dictionary of those languages, giving each word a number, pronunciation guide, definition, and an index of all passages where the word appears.
• The word “exhaustive” means it lists all 773,746 words in the King James Bible, including every book, chapter, and verse where they appear. This broad scope helps readers follow major themes—like covenant, mercy, or justice—throughout the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, instead of focusing on a single verse. The result is a tool that allows ordinary readers to see patterns of meaning across the Old Testament.
• While concordances weren’t used in biblical times, the careful study they facilitate reflects a similar precedent. For example, when the Law was read aloud in Nehemiah’s day, we learn that the Levites explained it thoroughly (Nehemiah 8:8). They made it a point to ensure that those who lacked the same level of learning or fluency in the original language fully understood what God required from them. Strong’s offers a modern way to pursue that same diligence by making the original terms of Scripture more accessible, encouraging readers to gain a complete understanding of Scripture.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Just as Strong’s links the Hebrew and Aramaic of the Old Testament to English, it also connects New Testament Greek words to their English equivalents. This allows readers to follow how a word is used without needing formal Greek training.
• The New Testament praises such dedication to study. For example, Paul encouraged Timothy to handle the word of truth accurately (2 Timothy 2:15) and to focus on the public reading of Scripture and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). Although he didn’t have, or need, a tool like Strong’s, it is now used by pastors and laypeople to help them see how the same word can have different meanings, depending on the context.
• Another example is how the Bereans, in Acts 17:11, conducted an in-depth Bible study whenever Paul taught them something. Their examination of the Scriptures reflects how readers today can use tools like Strong’s to verify what they've been taught, even without knowing the original language.
• However, while Strong’s is a valuable tool, it remains just a tool. Strong’s offers an entry into the original wording, but it must always be understood within the context and the teaching authority of the church (Ephesians 4:11–12). Words can have many meanings (for example, the word “love” in English), and an author never intends all those meanings at once. Therefore, Strong’s should only serve as a starting point for study, with the specific context of the word’s usage being the main guide to its meaning.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is one of many tools God has provided to help His people understand His Word. It can guide you to passages that use the same word, highlight themes across the Bible, and give a window into the original languages. But it is most helpful when used as part of a broader approach to study, rather than in isolation.

Bible study involves reading carefully in context, seeking the author’s intent, and seeing how each verse fits into the larger flow of the book and the storyline of Scripture. Strong’s can point you to helpful connections, but prayer, meditation, and time in the text itself are what shape understanding. Other resources—faithful preaching, commentaries, and the wisdom of the church—provide balance and keep word studies from becoming disconnected from the passage’s meaning.

Used well, a concordance can deepen your engagement with the Bible. It can stir joy when you discover how a theme appears from Genesis to Revelation, and it can strengthen confidence that God’s Word is unified and trustworthy. Yet it serves best as one tool among many, reminding you that the goal is not simply to gather information, but to know God, love Him more, and walk in obedience to what He has revealed.

UNDERSTAND

• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists every word in the King James Bible and assigns each a unique number, linking it to the original languages.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance helps readers track words, themes, and usage across the entire Bible.
• While a valuable study aid, the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance must be used alongside prayer, context, and other biblical resources.

REFLECT

• How can you use Strong’s to deepen your understanding of a verse that has confused you?
• How does seeing the original meaning of a word affect how you apply Scripture to your life?
• How do you balance using study tools with trusting the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding?

ENGAGE

• How can we use a Strong’s Concordance individually and corporately to help us dig deeper into God’s Word?
• What are the limitations of relying solely on Strong’s for understanding Scripture, and how can we guard against misinterpretation?
• How can studying the original languages of the Bible together encourage both accountability and spiritual growth?