SBL citation style is used by the Society of Biblical Literature for its journals. It is based largely on the Chicago Manual of Style, which offers two distinct citation styles: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date. Determine which style is appropriate for your work and use it consistently. For more reference and citation information, please visit the SBL Student Supplement or the formatting guide created by Dr. Johnson.
Note-Bibliography style combines footnotes with a comprehensive bibliography. Footnotes are added in-text with sequential superscript numbers (1,2,3) and a corresponding note at the bottom of the page. Whenever possible, include page numbers in the citation. The first time a source is cited in a footnote, use the full note form. Each subsequent citation of that source can use the shortened form. When the same source is cited several times in a row, replace the shortened form with the phrase "Ibid." – remember to include the page numbers.
Bibliographic references are ordered by the author's last name. When referencing multiple works by the same author, order the works by publication date as well. When including page ranges, cut-down pages numbers (i.e. instead of 119-134 use 119-34, but not 14-7 instead of 14-17). All bibliographic references should use a hanging indent (the first line is flush with the left margin and every other line is indented .5 inch). SBL makes extensive use of abbreviations for publishers, journal titles, and book series. Refer to The SBL Handbook of Style (particularly chapters 6 and 8) for more information.
For books with more than two authors, it is acceptable to include only the first author followed by "et al." rather than all of the authors' names. Include abbreviated series information when the book is a part of a series. Include the editor as the author of an edited volume and include information about the translator for any translated work.
Talbert, Charles H. Reading John: A Literary and Theological commentary on the Fourth Gospel and the Johannine Epistles. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
Cogan, Mordechai, and Hayim Tadmor. II Kings: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB 11. New York: Doubleday, 1998.
Tigay, Jeffery H., ed. Empirical Models for Biblical Criticism. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1985.
Egger, Wilhelm. How to Read the New Testament: An Introduction to Linguistic and Historical-Critical Methodology. Translated by Peter Heinegg. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996.
Layerle, Blake. “John Chrysostom on the Gaze.” JECS 1 (1993): 159-74. Article in Encyclopedia or Volume of Essays
Attridge, Harold A. “Jewish Historiography.” Pages 311-43 in Early Judaism and Its Modern Interpreters. Edited by R. A. Kraft and G. W. E. Nickelsburg. Philadelphia: Fortress; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1986.
Citing a volume from the Loeb Classical Library, especially if the work is well known, requires only the primary reference. If the translation is being quoted, it is appropriate to cite the translator.
Tacitus, Cornelius. The Histories and Annals. Translated by C. H. Moore and J. Jackson. 4 vols. LCL. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1937.