Commentaries in the Library of Congress Classification System
The Master's Seminary Library utilizes the Library of Congress Classification System for the shelving of our collection. This system was originally designed for a "closed stack" system (one where patrons do not retrieve books for themselves or "browse" through the library holdings). However, over time the LC System became the standard for universities and colleges, even those with "open stacks" (where patrons browse and take books off the shelves themselves).
Since The Master's Seminary Library has open stacks, some familarity with the LC System is necessary. The LC system can be a little intimidating (and confusing) for those who are used to the Dewey Decimal System. Since a major portion of the collection is dedicated to biblical studies we have detailed the LC arrangement for commentaries to assist those in both locating materials and to help them become familar with the number sequence.
Other than the Book of Psalms (which is organized differently to account for commentaries on individual Psalms), each book of the Bible has a fairly consistent numbering system.
Old Testament
BS 1235 Genesis
BS 1245 Exodus
BS 1255 Leviticus
BS 1265 Numbers
BS 1275 Deuteronomy
BS 1295 Joshua
BS 1305 Judges
BS 1315 Ruth
BS 1325 I-II Samuel
BS 1335 I-II Kings
BS 1345 I-II Chronicles
BS 1355 Ezra
BS 1365 Nehemiah
BS 1375 Esther
BS 1415 Job
BS 1419 Psalms
BS 1465 Proverbs
BS 1475 Ecclesiastes
BS 1485 Song of Solomon
BS 1515 Isaiah
BS 1525 Jeremiah
BS 1535 Lamentations
BS 1545 Ezekiel
BS 1555 Daniel
BS 1565 Hosea
BS 1575 Joel
BS 1585 Amos
BS 1595 Obadiah
BS 1605 Jonah
BS 1615 Micah
BS 1625 Nahum
BS 1635 Habakkuk
BS 1645 Zephaniah
BS 1655 Haggai
BS 1665 Zechariah
BS 1675 Malachi
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New Testament
BS 2575 Matthew
BS 2585 Mark
BS 2595 Luke
BS 2615 John
BS 2625 Acts
BS 2665 Romans
BS 2675 I-II Corinthians
BS 2685 Galatians
BS 2695 Ephesians
BS 2705 Philippians
BS 2715 Colossians
BS 2725 I-II Thessalonians
BS 2745 I-II Timothy
BS 2755 Titus
BS 2765 Philemon
BS 2775 Hebrews
BS 2785 James
BS 2795 I-II Peter
BS 2805 I-III John
BS 2815 Jude
BS 2825 Revelation
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Beyond the basic four digit number there are decimal numbers, all of which convey different information about the individual book in terms of content and dating. Using The Book of Hebrews as an example here is how the LC System classifies different commentaries:
- 2775 All Commentaries Written before 1950
- .2 Critical Commentaries (1950-2000)
- .3 Commentaries (1950-2000)
- .4 Sermons, Meditations, Devotions (1950-2000)
- .5 Other (1950-2000)
- .52 Critical Commentaries (2001- )
- .53 Commentaries (2001- )
- .54 Sermons, Meditations, Devotions (2001- )
- .55 Other (2001- )
- .6 Special Topics in Hebrews A-Z
Biblical commentaries are created either as "stand alone" volumes or as an individual work in a larger set or series. In the LC System a commentary may also be shelved in a location reserved for Sets. There are different numbers for sets of commentaries covering the entire Bible (e.g The Expositor's Bible Commentary), just the Old Testament (e.g. The New International Commentary of the Old Testament), or just the New Testament (e.g. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary).
The "Set" Numbers for the LC System are as follows:
- BS 490 - BS 491.5 Whole Bible Commentary Sets
- BS 1150 - 1151.5 Old Testament Commentary Sets
- BS 2340 - BS 2341.3 New Testament Commentary Sets
In The Master's Seminary Library commentaries from sets will normally have a copy in the individual book number and another copy in the "set" number.
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