We have mentioned on our website the basic requirements for using the BibleX product, however, we find it noteworthy to mention such again but perhaps with more detail and context. Since the initial release of BibleX (not the current 2024 release) was an installable application, and at the time, even now, since it aimed at preachers it was designed with that in mind. Meaning, Since one of the requirements for the previous edition was that users have a good understanding when it comes to Semitic languages such as Hebrew and Aramaic and also Koine Greek much of the academic version of the BibleX application was geared more towards features that would help preachers in terms of scripting of Sermons and so on, some of the features we used in the academic edition which was a Windows application have been reused in the 2024 but because the 2024 release is an online application and developed using different programming and scripting languages much of the code had to be rewritten to produce the same or similar results.

Now having said that, the updated academic version resembling the original will be released under the newly termed edition called the Theologian Edition and is not yet available. At present the Premium Edition closely resembles what the starting point of the Theologian Edition would be with the addition of the features used by preachers. Additionally, since aforementioned edition have to contain the work such as previous sermons scripted by the respective users using the first release of BibleX. At present, the Premium Edition is vastly superior to the any edition/Bible related product we have ever created.

Now since the 2024 release is an online application it means that access to it is via a modern web browser. The requirements to use the 2024 of BibleX is as follows.

1. Users must have access to the internet. Speed is not a qualifier as long as it is a stable and always online connection (or online for the during of using the BibleX application.
2. Users must have access to laptop/PC. Some tablets may also work but it depends on the resolution and screen size of the device.
3. Users must make use of a modern browser such as Edge, Chrome, Safari or Brave. Firefox would also be a good choice but the only reason we do not recommend it as the first choice for users is because it uses much more resources than the aforementioned browsers and not everyone has a device that fast. This would be true insofar as overall use and not just our product.

At present we do not have a native mobile application of BibleX but it may be something we consider going forward. The main reason for this is the layout of the application and the sheer number of features it has. Having said that, we want to keep our prices as low as possible and releasing a native application on the Play store for Android users requires our developers to have a license which is expensive and means we will need to adapt our pricing model to accommodate for this. In addition, since the application is hosted on Google’s PlayStore they would take a certain percentage of each purchase made. Lastly, there is the matter of their own Policy(s). Not in regard to safety and security of our products but in terms of data collection on their part. Which is outside of our control should we have an Android application.

The same or similar would go for Apple’s iTunes store which is vastly more expensive in terms of licensing for developers. So even then if we create a native mobile application, we would have to make use of adverts in our Free Edition which at present is not the case. This is not to say we need the paid editions as we do since that is our primary source of income and besides the cost of living, fees that goes towards third party licenses, hosting of our products, our team and those who offer expert academic advice, testing and time. However, the reason why our product compared to others that are able to provide similar features is exceedingly less expensive is because at least in terms of ourselves is to reach as many people who are not familiar with the Christian message and to provide inexpensive tools for students of the Bible.

At this point I want to make a point that there are translations that are better than other translations. Not for the reasons as mentioned above but for reasons I have already pointed. Sometimes yes, translators may introduce their own biases into the Bible when translating it and mostly this not done on purpose but we need to remember that the original scripture according to the original source material was inspired by the Holy Spirit and the same cannot be said about translations. Another reason why some translations differ from other could be because other old source material such as the Vulgate is used which is in turn a Latin translation of the Hebrew and Greek and the same can be said of the LXX/Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the Bible including the Greek. Most modern translation make use of the LXX for the NT and the Masoretic Text (The Hebrew original source) MT for the NT.

Older translations make use of the LXX and MT but remember the LXX is updated when older more complete manuscripts, which are confirmed not to be forgeries are used to update the LXX. This is the reason why modern translations of the Bible using the LXX will include for one the DSS (the Dead Sea Scrolls) and that is why one would often see for example and updated release of a certain translation every few years, that is, if and when new discoveries are made that sufficiently provides evidence that the findings would have a significant effect the Bible is understood and for good reason, since it costs quite a bit of money to fund such an endeavour. Then there is the cost of printing new translations although this is less expensive when Bibles are not printed and instead only digital but at the time of writing this, the standard is still mainly the same as always used to be.

Now the way translators may go about adapting the Bible if the criteria are met would be either within context of directly altering the verses or by way of adding footnotes. The case can also be both. Having said this, we must also say that some translations of the Bible or rather their copyright prevents us to use those translations. Some translations to do not have a digital version.

Regardless, since we do not rely on this since we make use of the MT and LXX, the original source material quite extensively so for student of the Bible this should not be a problem and they can still use their desired translation(s) be it in terms of the translations we provide or the translations they have. In fact, we do not oppose this at all. As a matter of fact, if a student has a printed translation, then it can amplify the utility and function of the features we produce.

Unfortunately, we do not offer translations that include books used by the Roman Catholic Church. Again, we suggest people to read the mission statement on our website to understand why. We do however, include certain books that might be found the Catholic Bible. We have a separate section (EXTRA-BIBLICAL BOOKS), some of which we consider to be endorsed by the 66 books / Scripture such as 1 Enoch, the Book of Jubilees as Canonical books make reference to these books, in fact, the book of Jude quotes almost verbatim from some of these other books. However, we strictly state that books found in this section should be used for research purposes only.

For Christian who are familiar with the Biblical narrative but want to study the scripture in a more detailed fashion then we have ample resources to make more advanced Bible study easy but not undermine the depth to which a student can go into. For the Christian who already have done years of Bible study but want to delve into the the harder and more complex aspects of the Bible we provide all resources you could possibly need. We do not hold back on references and sources used should you happen to be on your way to become a theologian in the academical sense and even to graduate students of theology who go on to preaching, short of the Theologian Edition that is not part of our products online, it will certainly not let you down.

You know, one thing that I find never thought about but I find disrespectful is when I created BibleX 2024. A good 26000 hours went into it to make is possible to more than just academics. I created a free edition. If the project is made available as result of people with the academic background and still actively provide help… when you host this service it has a cost… when you use certain material there is licensing fees and since it is your primary form of income.

You would think people would be grateful that you have a free edition and not after the first thing you do when you tell people face to face about all the features which if anyone either read the PDF giving a summary, went on the site to look at the massive set of features or actually used the free edition expect the question “is it entirely free”

Furthermore, we are structuring the costing modality to make it even more affordable, we did not have to create a free edition. People can go pay up to 40x the amount of what BibleX can do and probably more given it provides way more information than some of the competitions top-of-the-line product which do not have free edition.

Now, the free edition is having no advertisements from third parties. Suffice to say, the people I encounter asking such I would ask them “so you work, are you working for the love of it or are you getting paid? Of course not, because you need to do something we often refer to as paying bill, eating, paying for school fees and other fees”

We created 3 editions, one of which is completely free, the articles and post we add on our website and social media is researched in extensive detail and images, graphics, many of which is of our own making and if we use material, it is often royalty free images just as our articles is free. So, besides this the content on our website is free, we have an active community on social media and none of it is monetized. So, there is a lot we do for free at our own cost, own expenses.

You know, when you are granted so much for free with literally no cost, you consider that for this to be maintained, we must have an edition to provide the income as mentioned in the first place as mentioned.

Also, if when something is free then you do not complain, you are either thankful or have nothing to say. It is Christian software, personally I would expect appreciation, not unfounded hatred or disrespectful feedback.