How to Do a Bible Word Study: A Step-By-Step Guide

What is a Bible Word Study?

A Bible word study is a method of studying Scripture that dives deep into individual words in a verse. It’s a focused, intentional, and in-depth way of understanding God’s Word.

By breaking down key words, we can discover their original meanings, context, and theological significance throughout Scripture. This helps us go beyond surface-level reading and grasp the richness of the original biblical languages.

Why does this matter? Because every translation of the Bible is an interpretation of the original Hebrew and Greek. Words can have layers of meaning that aren’t fully captured in English.

A Bible word study allows us to:

• Discover the original meaning of words in Scripture
• See how a word is used throughout the Bible
• Understand deeper theological themes that shape our faith

Now, let’s walk through how to do one for yourself.

Why Do a Bible Word Study?

The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek. Every English translation we have today is an interpretation of those original texts.

Because language is complex, words often have multiple meanings. This is why different Bible translations sometimes use different English words for the same Hebrew or Greek term.

For example, the Greek word agape is often translated as “love,” but some translations clarify it as “unconditional love” to distinguish it from other Greek words like phileo (brotherly love) or eros (romantic love).

A Bible word study helps us dig deeper by allowing us to:

• DIscover the true depth of biblical words
• See patterns in how a word is used across Scripture
• Gain insight into God’s character and His promises

Words in the Bible carry power. God spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). Jesus Himself is called the Word (John 1:1). Studying Scripture’s words isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a way of drawing closer to God.

How to Choose a Word to Study

A Bible word study is one of the deepest ways to explore Scripture, so it’s important to choose a word with purpose.

How do you pick the right word?

• Notice repeated words—If you see a word popping up in different passages, it likely has a bigger biblical theme.
• Look for words that stand out—If a word catches your attention in a sermon or Bible study, write it down.
• Choose words that confuse you—If a word seems unclear or used in different ways, it’s a great candidate for study.

Try to avoid picking words at random. While every word has meaning, it’s easier to stay engaged when you have a connection to a verse or theme.

How to Do a Bible Word Study

Now that we understand what a word study is and why it matters, let’s walk through the process step by step.

To complete a Bible word study, you will:

1. Select a word
2. Define it (both in English and the original biblical language)
3. Translate it (from Hebrew or Greek)
4. Find occurrences of your word throughout Scripture
5. Analyze how it is used in the Bible

Let’s walk through it together!

Step 1: Gather Your Bible Word Study Tools

Essential tools you need:

• A Bible (preferably multiple translations)
• A notebook or Bible word study template
• Pens and highlighters
• A Bible concordance
• A lexicon or Bible dictionary

Concordances & Bible Dictionaries

• Strong’s Concordance (Updated) by James Strong
• NIV Exhaustive BIble Concordance by John Kohlenberg
• The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Thomas Nelson
• Eerdman Dictionary of the Bible by David Noel Freedman
• Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Chad Brand & Eric Mitchell

Online Bible Study Tools

• Step Bible
• Olive Tree
• Blue Letter Bible
• Study Light

My favorite online study tools are Blue Letter Bible and Step Bible. You can do word studies with all of these options but these two are the most user-friendly.

If you prefer a simple interface, Step Bible is great. If you want comprehensive word studies, Blue Letter Bible provides the most details.

Step 2: Start with Your Verse

A word study should always begin in the context of a specific verse.

For this example, let’s use Jeremiah 17:7-8:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream…”

The word “planted” stood out to me—so let’s dig into what it really means.

Step 3: Define & Translate Your Word

1. Look Up the English Definition

Start by looking up the definition of your word in a standard English dictionary.

For example, “planted” is defined as:

To place (a seed, bulb, or plant) in the ground so that it can grow.

2. Look Up the Original Hebrew or Greek Word

Now, find out what your word meant in the original language.

If you’re using Blue Letter Bible, follow these steps:

1. Type your verse into the search bar.
2. Click on your translation (e.g., ESV).
3. Click on “Tools” next to your verse.
4. Select the “Interlinear” tab.
5. Find your word and note its Strong’s Number.

For “planted” in Jeremiah 17:8, the Hebrew word is שָׁתַל (shathal), meaning “to plant” or “to transplant.”

Write down:

• Strong’s Number
• Hebrew/Greek word
• Definition
• Root word (if applicable)

Step 4: Search For Occurrences of Your Word

Now, look up where else this word appears in the Bible.

If you are using Blue Letter Bible, scroll down in the lexicon to see all occurrences.

The Hebrew word for “planted” appears 10 times in the Old Testament. Since that’s a small number, I would read through all 10 occurrences to see how it is used.

However, if a word appears hundreds of times (e.g., the Hebrew word בָּרַךְ (ba.rakh) or “blessed” appears over 300 times), focus on key passages where the word is central to the meaning.

Step 5: Analyze Your Findings

Now that you’ve gathered your research, ask yourself:

• What patterns in word use do I notice?
• Does the word have multiple meanings, or is it used consistently?
• How does this deepen my understanding of the original verse?

Let’s take our example, the Hebrew word שָׁתַל (shathal), which means “to plant” or “to transplant.”

Key insights from studying “planted” (shathal):

• It’s an active verb, meaning it requires intentionality.
• It’s mostly metaphorical, referring to spiritual growth rather than physical planting.
• It implies purpose and stability—plants don’t place themselves; someone plants them in the ground.
• The cross-references show that being planted by God leads to flourishing (Psalm 1:3, Jeremiah 17:8).

Reflect and Apply

A word study is not just about acquiring knowledge—it is about transformation.

Consider these questions as you reflect:

• Is God revealing something specific to me through this study?
• What personal application can I take from this word?
• How can I live differently based on what I have learned?

For the word “planted,” here are a few key takeaways:

• Spiritual growth requires intentionality. Just as a tree must be planted near water to thrive, I must position myself in God’s Word and presence.
• Being planted is a long-term process. It is not about a single moment of faith but a lifelong commitment to staying rooted in Christ.
• What I am rooted in will determine my fruit. If I plant myself in God’s truth, I will grow and flourish. If I plant myself in distractions, I will wither spiritually.

Taking time to reflect on and apply what you learn through a word study will deepen your understanding of Scripture and strengthen your relationship with God.

Final Thoughts on Bible Word Studies

A Bible word study is an incredible way to dig deeper into God’s Word and grow in your understanding of Scripture.

This type of Bible study is not just for pastors, scholars, and BIble teachers. Diving into original Biblical languages can be intimidating, but doing the work to learn will be incredibly fruitful.

I pray this guide helps you explore the Bible with confidence and develop a love for studying God’s Word. May your time in Scripture be rich, fruitful, and life-changing.r heart and relationships.

Your Sister In Christ,