Subject Librarian
All-Hours Research Help
Generalist librarians offer particularly helpful guidance with online source identification and access.
Online Reference Sources
- Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary This link opens in a new windowProvides authoritative entries on diverse topics.
- Oxford Bible CommentaryProvides commentary for each biblical verse in canonical order.
- Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish ReligionProvides information on the concepts, beliefs, and practices of Judaism historically and today.
- Encyclopaeda JudaicaProvides extensive information on topics related to Judaism and Jewish culture, history, and societies.
Old Testament Volumes in the Anchor Bible Commentary Series
Access these volumes online; use the title lists to reach the book of interest.
Print editions of the books in the Anchor Bible Commentary Series are shelved in the Cudahy Library Reference Collection, located in a space referred to as Stack Deck B. You will see this space on the library floor map or you may ask for direction to it at the library Circulation Desk.
The volumes are shelved in order at the call number BS 192.2 .A1. (Note that a volume for Deuteronomy 12-34 has not been published.)
Other Bible Commentaries
Many more Bible commentaries are in the Cudahy Library Main Stacks. They can be searched for in the library catalog using the keywords bible commentary genesis, replacing "genesis" with any book. Alternatively, you may simply browse the shelves for a commentary of interest. Look for them by Library of Congress call number on the third floor.
Historical Books: Genesis – Esther (BS 1231-1371)
Poetical Books: Job – Song of Solomon (BS 1411-1481)
Prophetic Books: Isaiah – Daniel (BS 1511-1551)
Minor Prophets: Hosea – Malachi (BS 1561-1671)
Deuterocanonical books: Tobit – 2 Maccabees (BS 1721-1825)
Rather than seek commentary on a particular passage, you may prefer to find commentary on a concept such as hospitality, marriage, prayer, mourning, or the Sabbath. Search the library catalog using keywords such as bible commentary family which locates, among other possibilities, a book titled Abraham and all the Families of the Earth: A Commentary on the Book of Genesis 12-50.
Sources on Themes in Contemporary Judaism
- Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new windowLocates articles from journals and magazines covering all subject areas. For example, a search for the keywords family AND Judaism AND United States locates a 2006 article titled "Identity Conflict in Modern Orthodox Judaism and the Laws of Family Purity" published in a journal titled Method & Theory in the Study of Religion.
- Atla Religion Database with AtlaSerials This link opens in a new windowLocates articles from journals and magazines focused on theology, biblical studies, and religious studies; use as a supplement to Academic Search Complete.
- LUC Library Catalog Advanced Search This link opens in a new windowWith the books filter in use, locates volumes in Loyola's library facilities and ebooks.
Books located in the Cudahy Library Main Stacks may be retrieved from the shelf or requested. Books in other locations (such as Lewis Library at the Water Tower Campus or the Library Storage Facility) may also be requested.
Use the Get Item button in a catalog record to reveal the request link. Click on the request link and log into your library account. Click on the request link again; select your preferred pick-up location and then submit the form. As soon as the requested book is available for you, you will receive an email message.
Obtain help with the request process by calling the Cudahy Library Circulation Desk at 773-508-2632.