True Vineyard is a comprehensive biblical study tool built by John Bigelow, director of True Vine Ministry. It is not just an app — it is a research platform that works on desktop and mobile. You can use it directly within this website or open it in its own window for a full-screen experience.
The platform is organized into five interconnected modules: an interactive map, a people groups database, a biblical figures library, a multi-tradition calendar, and a chronology lab. Each module is designed to be used independently or together. John continues to add new features and content — so check back often.
New here? Start with the Interactive Map. It is the most visual and intuitive entry point. You do not need any prior knowledge to explore it meaningfully.
The map is the heart of True Vineyard. It plots 138 biblical locations across the ancient Near East with rich contextual data — each tied to scripture, history, and the relevant manuscript tradition. You can explore freely or follow guided biblical moments.
138 Locations11 Biblical MomentsTerrain ViewSatellite ViewParchment ModeMidnight Mode3D ViewMeasure / Itinerary ToolLayer Toggles
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Open the app and the map loads as the default view. You will see location pins across the ancient Near East.
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Click any pin to open the location panel — it shows the biblical name, modern equivalent, key scripture references, and manuscript notes.
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Switch view modes using the toolbar — try Parchment for an ancient-map aesthetic, or Satellite for modern geographic context. Midnight mode is ideal for extended reading.
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Select a Biblical Moment (e.g. "Exodus Route" or "Paul's Missionary Journey") to filter the map to only the locations relevant to that narrative moment.
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Use the Itinerary tool to measure distances between locations — useful for understanding travel times in the ancient world.
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Toggle layers to show or hide different data sets — territory borders, trade routes, topography, and more.
Tip: On mobile, pinch to zoom and tap pins to open them. The 3D view works best on desktop with a mouse.
61 biblical figures with full textual documentation — LXX Greek and Hebrew name forms, biographical summaries, key events, and — uniquely — a "Common Misconceptions" section for each figure that addresses misreadings present in MT-based traditions.
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Select "Biblical Figures" from the navigation.
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Browse or search by name. Results show the LXX Greek form of the name — which may surprise you (e.g. "Joshua" in the LXX is "Iesous" — the same as "Jesus").
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Open a figure's profile to read their biography, key scripture references, and how they appear in the LXX vs. MT textual traditions.
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Read the Misconceptions section — this is one of the most valuable features for researchers who want to understand where popular teaching has departed from the oldest textual evidence.
Did you know? The name "Jesus" (Greek: Iesous) is the same word the LXX uses for "Joshua." This connection is referenced in Hebrews 4:8 and Acts 7:45 — the NT authors used it deliberately.
The Calendar module is unlike anything else available online. It presents seven calendar traditions used in the biblical world side by side — each with its strengths, its watch points (areas of uncertainty or debate), and its significance for biblical chronology. Understanding which calendar is being used in a given passage often unlocks the meaning of otherwise puzzling texts.
Torah AvivRabbinicKaraiteSadduceeSamaritanEnoch / JubileesQumran
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Select "Calendar" from the navigation.
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Select a tradition to read its overview — when it originated, how it calculates months and years, and which communities used it.
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Read the Strengths and Watch Points for each tradition — this is an honest, unbiased presentation designed to help you evaluate the evidence yourself.
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Compare traditions side by side for specific festivals or dates — invaluable when studying the timing of Passover, Pentecost, or the Day of Atonement across different communities.
The Chronology Lab is the most advanced module in True Vineyard — designed for researchers who want to work directly with the numerical data of the three major textual traditions (LXX, SP, MT) and see how each affects the biblical timeline. This is where the chronological arguments of "Beyond the Consensus" come to life.
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Select "Chronology" from the navigation.
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Select the Genesis genealogy to see the patriarchal ages (birth of first son + remaining years) in LXX, SP, and MT side by side. The differences are striking — and deliberate.
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Use the timeline simulation to see how each textual tradition places the date of creation, the flood, and the birth of Abraham on a timeline. The LXX/SP timeline is roughly 1,300 years older than the MT.
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Read the annotations explaining why specific numbers were altered in the MT tradition and what messianic timeline calculations each set of numbers produces.
Advanced tip: This module pairs directly with the "Beyond the Consensus" article — specifically the section on Patriarchal Ages and the Seder Olam Rabbah. Read them together for the full picture.
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Desktop gives you the most. The map's 3D view, the side-by-side comparison panels, and the chronology lab all work best on a larger screen. Use a desktop or laptop for research sessions.
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Mobile works great for map browsing. The map, figures, and people groups modules are fully mobile-optimized. Calendar and Chronology are more comfortable on a larger screen.
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You can link directly to any location, figure, or group. If you find something you want to share, copy the URL in your browser — it will link directly to that specific entry.
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Scripture references are clickable. Throughout the app, scripture references link to the relevant text. The app uses LXX-primary sourcing — so the verse numbers and wording may differ slightly from your MT-based Bible.
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Have questions or want to share a finding? Email us at
truevine.hello@gmail.com. A community discussion area is being planned for future release.