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Bible corpus MCP server: scripture, Greek/Hebrew interlinear data, cross-refs, semantic search.

Status
Healthy
Last Tested
Transport
Streamable HTTP
URL
Repository
nirajagarwal/bible-mcp
GitHub Stars
2
Server Listing
bible-mcp

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Tool DescriptionsA

Average 3.9/5 across 13 of 13 tools scored. Lowest: 3.1/5.

Server CoherenceA
Disambiguation5/5

Each tool targets a distinct function: text retrieval, interlinear, word study, cross-refs, citations, entities, search, similarity, reading works, and corpus info. Even search, semantic_search, and find_similar are clearly differentiated by input type (keyword, theme, passage reference) and purpose.

Naming Consistency3/5

The set mixes verb-prefixed names like get_passage and read_work with noun-style names like corpus_info and word_study, plus bare verbs like search. All use snake_case, but the lack of a uniform prefix or consistent verb-noun pattern reduces predictability.

Tool Count5/5

13 tools is well within the ideal range for a specialized study server. Each tool addresses a distinct research need, from scripture retrieval to original-language analysis, without redundancy or bloat.

Completeness5/5

The surface covers the full biblical research workflow: text retrieval, comparison, interlinear, word study, cross-references, patristic citations, entities, multiple search modes, and reading related prose works. Search and semantic_search fill discovery gaps, and corpus_info provides structural orientation.

Available Tools

13 tools
compare_versionsBInspect

Show a verse or short range in both BSB and WEB side by side.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It doesn't mention whether versions differ in language/style, what 'side by side' means in terms of formatting/output, or whether the tool performs translation-level comparison or just text display. The description is minimal on behavior beyond the basic display action.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

One sentence, zero waste, front-loaded with the verb and resource. Every word earns its place. This is appropriately concise given the tool's single parameter and straightforward purpose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has one simple parameter and an output schema exists, so basic completeness is achieved. However, with no annotations and no param-format documentation, the description leaves some gaps around reference format expectations and range limits. The output schema helps, but the description could clarify the 'short range' boundary.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0% and there's only one parameter (reference). The description mentions 'verse or short range' which gives some hint that reference accepts a passage specifier, but it doesn't clarify the expected format (e.g., 'John 3:16', 'John 3:16-18', book abbreviations). The description adds a bit of context but doesn't fully compensate for the zero coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool shows a verse or short range in two specific translations (BSB and WEB) side by side, which is a specific verb+resource combination. It's distinct from siblings like get_passage (single version) and get_interlinear (word-by-word analysis), though it doesn't explicitly name those alternatives.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies use for cross-version comparison but doesn't provide explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance. The 'short range' qualifier hints at a limit but doesn't state what counts as short, leaving the agent to guess the boundary between this and other sibling tools.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

corpus_infoAInspect

What's in the corpus: documents, layers, licenses, and counts.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. Since this is a read-only informational tool with zero parameters, the risk surface is low. The description discloses the scope of information (documents, layers, licenses, counts). However, it does not disclose the return format structure or whether counts follow any particular convention, though an output schema exists to cover this.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence that names the tool's purpose and enumerates its output categories. Zero wasted words, front-loaded with the key phrase 'What's in the corpus'. A question format is used effectively for a quick-overview tool.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

This is a simple parameterless informational tool with an output schema that documents return values. The description adequately conveys the purpose and scope. Given the low complexity (no params, no nested objects) and the output schema covering return structure, the description is reasonably complete. It could optionally note whether results depend on authentication/license access, but that's a minor gap for a corpus-overview tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The tool has 0 parameters, so there are no parameter semantics to clarify. Per the rubric, 0 params = baseline 4. The description appropriately focuses on what the tool returns rather than inputs, which is the correct emphasis for a parameterless tool.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description 'What's in the corpus: documents, layers, licenses, and counts' clearly states the tool reports corpus contents (documents, layers, licenses, counts). It uses a specific noun phrase and enumerates the specific categories of information returned, distinguishing it from sibling tools that operate on passages, entities, or individual works.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies the tool is for getting an overview of corpus contents (a 'what's in the corpus' overview tool), which is clear context for when to use it. However, it does not explicitly state when NOT to use it or name alternatives—e.g., if you need a specific document's content, use read_work. The context is implied rather than explicit.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

entities_in_passageBInspect

List the people, places, and events linked to a verse or chapter, e.g. 'Genesis 14' or 'John 3:16'.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the behavioral disclosure burden. It indicates a read-only listing operation implicitly, but doesn't disclose what happens with invalid references, how many entities might be returned, or whether entities are deduplicated across the passage. The output schema exists which mitigates some unknowns, but the description doesn't add much beyond the safe-read implication.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single sentence with an inline example, which is efficient and front-loaded. Every word earns its place. It could arguably be scored 5, but the example could have been structured more clearly to demonstrate format flexibility.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With a single parameter, a helpful example, and an output schema present, the description covers the core use case adequately. However, since no annotations exist and schema parameter description coverage is 0%, the description could do more to clarify what 'entities' means (people, places, events are named, which is helpful) and any limitations on reference format. It's a minimum-viable description for a single-param tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, meaning the schema provides no description of the 'reference' parameter. The description's example ('Genesis 14' or 'John 3:16') implies the format for verse/chapter references, which adds value beyond the bare schema. However, it doesn't specify edge cases like ranges ('Genesis 1-3') or combined references, leaving ambiguity. The single example format helps but is limited.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'List' with a specific resource ('the people, places, and events linked to a verse or chapter'). It provides a concrete example ('Genesis 14' or 'John 3:16') that clarifies the expected input. This distinguishes it from siblings like get_passage (verse text) and get_cross_references, though it doesn't explicitly name those distinctions.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description indicates the tool is for listing entities within a passage, which implies when to use it (when you want entities associated with a reference). However, it provides no explicit exclusions or comparisons to alternatives like get_entity (which presumably returns a single entity's details) or semantic_search. The context is implied rather than explicit.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

find_similarBInspect

Find passages semantically similar to a given verse or prose paragraph ref — across scripture, Apocrypha, and the classics. E.g. 'Philippians 2:7' or 'JULIAN.27.2'. Powers parallel-finding across corpus layers.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
top_kNo
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. The description indicates this performs semantic similarity across multiple corpus layers (a potentially expensive operation) but doesn't disclose rate limits, cost characteristics, or expectations around semantic search quality. It also doesn't describe return format shape. For a computation-heavy tool with zero annotations, more transparency would be valuable.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Three sentences with zero waste. The purpose is stated upfront, examples are inlined efficiently, and every sentence earns its place. Well-structured and front-loaded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

There is an output schema present, which reduces the burden of explaining return values. The tool has only 2 params (1 required), so complexity is moderate. The description covers reference format via examples and scopes the corpus clearly. Minor gaps: top_k is undocumented and 'parallel-finding' isn't elaborated, but overall it's reasonably complete for a moderately simple tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. The description provides a helpful example of valid 'reference' format ('Philippians 2:7', 'JULIAN.27.2'), which adds meaning beyond the bare schema label. However, it says nothing about 'top_k' semantics beyond its numeric nature, and with 0% coverage the baseline 3 is warranted but not exceeded.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states it finds passages semantically similar to a given ref, with a concrete verb ('Find') and resource (passages across scripture, Apocrypha, classics). It provides examples of valid references ('Philippians 2:7', 'JULIAN.27.2'). However, it doesn't explicitly distinguish from sibling tool 'semantic_search', which could be confused with this one since both involve semantic matching.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage ('Powers parallel-finding across corpus layers') and gives example input formats, but provides no explicit when-to-use vs alternatives. Notably, 'semantic_search' is a sibling that likely overlaps in purpose, yet no guidance distinguishes when to use find_similar vs semantic_search. The examples of reference format are helpful context though.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_citationsAInspect

Where a Bible verse is cited by name in the patristic corpus, extracted from the translators' own footnotes (tier 1). E.g. reference='Ephesians 5:21'. Complements get_cross_references, which links scripture to scripture; this links patristic text to scripture. COVERAGE NOTE: footnote extraction has known recall gaps — an empty result is normal and does NOT mean the verse is uncited; full-text search within the patristic works is the thorough probe (verbatim quotations are regularly found that the footnote index missed).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNo
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Despite no annotations, the description is exceptionally transparent: it discloses known recall gaps, states that empty results do NOT mean the verse is uncited, and reveals the extraction source (translators' footnotes, tier 1). It even explains that verbatim quotations are regularly missed by the footnote index. This fully carries the behavioral-disclosure burden in the absence of annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Tightly written with zero waste — the purpose statement, complementary-tool contrast, and coverage caveat are each one focused sentence. The coverage note is clearly delimited and earns its place given its operational importance for the agent.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a 2-parameter lookup with an output schema present, the description covers purpose, interpretation of results, limitations, and alternative strategies. The coverage caveat is critical context that directly affects how an agent should interpret tool output, and it is addressed head-on. Very complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must carry the parameter-meaning load. It provides a concrete example of the reference format ('Ephesians 5:21') and explains what the reference means in this context. The limit parameter is not explicitly described, but the high-clarity usage context partially compensates. Slightly above the baseline 3 given the useful reference-format example.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb+resource ('Where a Bible verse is cited by name in the patristic corpus, extracted from the translators' own footnotes'), gives a concrete example (reference='Ephesians 5:21'), and explicitly distinguishes from the sibling get_cross_references. Purpose is unmistakable.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Explicitly contrasts with get_cross_references ('links scripture to scripture; this links patristic text to scripture') and offers a clear alternative — full-text search — when footnote extraction returns empty. Also warns about recall gaps and tells the agent when to fall back to search. Very strong when/when-not guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_cross_referencesAInspect

Cross-references for a verse (OpenBible.info, ranked by community votes), with the target text included. E.g. reference='Romans 5:12'.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNo
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden. It discloses that results are ranked by community votes and includes target text, which is useful. However, it doesn't describe behaviors like whether the ranking is ascending/descending, rate limits, or data freshness. It's read-only in nature but doesn't explicitly state so.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two sentences with a concrete example. It packs source, ranking, and output content into the first sentence. The example is well-placed. Minor waste: the example could be considered redundant with the reference parameter, but it adds concrete grounding. No excess text.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has an output schema, so return-value documentation is covered structurally. With 2 parameters and one explained via example, the description covers the core use case. Given the tool's moderate complexity, the description is reasonably complete, though the limit parameter semantics could be more explicit.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It explains the 'reference' parameter through the example 'Romans 5:12' and the target text behavior. However, the 'limit' parameter (default 20) is entirely unexplained in the description, leaving the agent unsure of its meaning without schema explanation.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states verb+resource: 'Cross-references for a verse (OpenBible.info, ranked by community votes), with the target text included.' It names the data source, ranking mechanism, and includes an example query. This distinguishes it from siblings like get_citations, find_similar, and word_study.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides an example usage (reference='Romans 5:12') which implies the query format, but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_citations or find_similar. Usage context is implied but not explicit.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_entityBInspect

Look up a biblical person, place, event, or people group by name (Theographic knowledge graph). Returns details and where they appear. entity_type optional: person | place | event | people_group.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameYes
entity_typeNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the burden of disclosure. It does mention the return content (details and where they appear), which is helpful. However, it doesn't disclose what happens with ambiguous names, whether partial matches are supported, case sensitivity, or whether it returns one result or multiple. It's a read tool so no mutation concerns, but behavioral detail is thin.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two concise sentences with zero waste. The first establishes purpose and output, the second documents the optional parameter's allowed values. Every sentence earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has an output schema (which explains return value structure), reducing the burden on the description for output details. With 2 params (only 1 required) and modest complexity, the description covers purpose and parameter options adequately. However, given 0% schema coverage and no annotations, it could do more with edge cases like ambiguity handling, given the sibling ecosystem has several search/citation tools that could overlap.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It does explain what entity_type means with enumerated allowed values (person | place | event | people_group), which adds value. However, it provides no detail on what the name parameter expects (exact match? partial? canonical form?) or how entity_type interacts with name filtering beyond being optional.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb (Look up) and resource (biblical person, place, event, or people group via a Theographic knowledge graph), and mentions it returns details and appearances. It's clear but doesn't explicitly distinguish from siblings like get_citations or get_cross_references, though the domain (biblical entities) is somewhat distinct.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description notes entity_type is optional with allowed values, providing light guidance. However, there's no explicit when-to-use guidance, no mention of how this differs from correlated tools like semantic_search, word_study, or search, and no exclusions or alternative tool pointers.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_interlinearAInspect

Word-by-word original language for a verse or short range: surface form, lemma, Strong's, gloss, morphology (Hebrew/Aramaic OT, Greek NT). For OT verses also shows Septuagint Greek surface text where available (Swete edition — Genesis-Malachi plus Apocrypha, Theodotion Daniel/Susanna/Bel; no lemma/Strong's/ morphology in that source, surface form only). E.g. 'John 1:1' or 'Genesis 1:1-3'.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the disclosure burden. It transparently states what data is returned, the original language scope, and the Septuagint source's limitation (surface form only, no morphological data). This is helpful behavioral context beyond a simple 'returns interlinear'.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is three sentences, each earning its place: first states the core purpose and fields, second adds the critical Septuagint exception and limitation, third gives practical examples. It is front-loaded and free of fluff.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a one-parameter tool with an output schema, the description covers input format, range constraints, data fields, and special OT/Septuagint behavior. It could clarify what counts as a 'short range', but overall it is complete enough for an agent to invoke correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The single 'reference' parameter is explained through examples and the constraint 'verse or short range', adding format and scope guidance. Since schema coverage is 0%, this description is essential and largely compensates for the lack of schema-level documentation.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's function: provides word-by-word original language data with specific linguistic fields (surface form, lemma, Strong's, gloss, morphology). It distinguishes itself from sibling passage tools by emphasizing original language analysis and the OT/NT distinction.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Concrete examples ('John 1:1', 'Genesis 1:1-3') and the explicit scope 'verse or short range' give clear usage context. It doesn't explicitly mention when to choose this over siblings like word_study, but the focus on original language implies the relevant use case.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

get_passageAInspect

Get Bible text for a reference like 'John 3:16', 'John 3:16-18', 'Genesis 1', or 'Tobit 4:5' (Apocrypha requires version='WEB'). Versions: BSB, WEB.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
versionNoBSB
referenceYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It does note the Apocrypha version constraint, which is useful, and lists available versions (BSB, WEB). However, it doesn't disclose the output format/structure, what happens for invalid references, or whether returned text includes section headings or verse numbers. With zero annotations, more behavioral context is expected.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Extremely concise and efficient. Two sentences cover purpose, examples, a constraint, and supported versions. No wasted words, all information is relevant and immediately useful.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

This is a relatively simple tool (2 params, 1 required), and the description covers purpose, examples, version options, and an edge-case constraint. An output schema exists, so return format doesn't need documenting. Given the low complexity, this description is reasonably complete, though it could note error behavior for malformed references.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for parameter documentation. It explains the 'reference' parameter well with examples ('John 3:16', ranges, books) and the 'version' parameter with supported values (BSB, WEB). However, it doesn't fully compensate — e.g., it doesn't explain what happens with ambiguous references, book abbreviations, or chapter-only queries beyond one example ('Genesis 1').

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool gets Bible text for a reference, with specific verb+resource ('Get Bible text') and concrete examples. It includes reference format examples and distinguishes from siblings by focusing on passage retrieval, which contrasts with tools like get_cross_references, get_entity, or word_study.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description gives clear context on when to use it (to fetch Bible text by reference) with concrete format examples. It also includes a usage constraint for Apocrypha (requires version='WEB'). It doesn't explicitly exclude cases that belong to siblings (like word_study or get_cross_references), but the purpose is clear enough that distinctions are implied.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

read_workAInspect

Read a prose work from the corpus by paragraph range. Works: CONFESSIONS (Augustine), IMITATION (à Kempis), PILGRIM (Bunyan), PRESENCE (Brother Lawrence), JULIAN (Julian of Norwich), ORTHODOXY (Chesterton), 1CLEMENT (Clement of Rome), BARNABAS (Epistle of Barnabas). Chapters = books/chapters of the work; use search(version=) to find passages first, or corpus_info() for the full list.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
endNo
workYes
startNo
chapterNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It explains the chapter semantics mapping and notes that it reads by paragraph range, but doesn't disclose behavior like whether reads are cost-free, pagination limits, or what happens with out-of-range paragraph numbers. Given the field scope covered (setting expectations for chapter vs paragraph semantics), a 4 is generous but reasonable.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is compact—two sentences plus a work listing. The work enumeration takes space but is genuinely necessary since there's no enum in the schema. The usage directive is folded efficiently into the second sentence. Could be slightly more concise in the work list but it serves a real purpose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With an output schema present, the return format isn't the description's job. Given 4 params at 0% schema coverage and no annotations, the description covers the most critical ambiguity (work enumeration and chapter semantics) and points to search and corpus_info as discovery aids. The start/end paragraph range semantics remain slightly under-specified, keeping it at 4.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for all 4 params (work, chapter, start, end). The description clarifies work (lists valid values and how to discover them) and chapter (mapping to book chapters). However, start and end paragraph semantics are implied but not fully spelled out (e.g., whether end is exclusive), so it falls short of 5.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb+resource: 'Read a prose work from the corpus by paragraph range.' It names all 8 available works, distinguishing it from the 11 sibling tools (search, get_passage, etc.) which serve different purposes (searching, comparing, citation retrieval).

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explicitly guides when to use this tool vs alternatives: 'use search(version=<WORK>) to find passages first, or corpus_info() for the full list.' It also clarifies the chapter semantics ('Chapters = books/chapters of the work'), directly addressing a likely source of confusion and providing actionable next steps.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

word_studyAInspect

Original-language word study across the whole Bible. Query by Strong's number ('G26', 'H2617', zero-padding optional — 'H953' works), lemma (pointed or unpointed: 'חֶסֶד' or 'חסד', accented or bare Greek), Hebrew/Aramaic transliteration ('miqweh' finds מִקְוֶה, macrons optional), or English gloss ('lovingkindness'). Returns occurrence counts, gloss range, book distribution, and sample verses. NOTE: homographs are split by letter-suffixed Strong's variants (e.g. H4723 'hope' vs H4723a 'gathering of waters' — same written form) — when a gloss range looks too narrow for a word you suspect is richer, probe the lettered variants; the output lists every variant lemma it finds under your query. Gloss-keyed queries match substrings and may conflate lemmas — prefer Strong's or lemma queries for exact counts. language optional: grc | hbo | arc.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNo
queryYes
languageNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It goes beyond a basic summary by explaining the homograph splitting behavior (letter-suffixed Strong's variants), the substring behavior of gloss queries, and the output scope. This level of detail is substantial and transparent.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Although the description is long, every sentence adds value. It is well-structured with examples, a caveat note, and a final language note. There is no fluff or repetition, and the most important information is front-loaded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool is complex (multiple query types, homograph handling, caveats) and has no annotations, yet the description covers all essential aspects: query formats, output contents, edge-case behaviors, and language options. The presence of an output schema reduces the need to describe return values in detail, and this description handles the rest thoroughly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so description must compensate. It thoroughly explains the 'query' parameter with examples and formats, and specifies the 'language' parameter's allowed values (grc, hbo, arc). The 'limit' parameter is not mentioned, but its meaning is self-evident from its type and default value.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly identifies the tool's purpose: conducting original-language word studies across the whole Bible. It specifies the supported query types (Strong's number, lemma, transliteration, English gloss) and the returned data (occurrence counts, gloss range, book distribution, sample verses), distinguishing it from sibling tools like search or get_passage.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides clear context on when to use the tool (for word studies) and offers guidance on query formats, noting that gloss-keyed queries may conflate lemmas and that Strong's or lemma queries should be preferred for exact counts. However, it does not explicitly name alternative tools or describe when not to use this tool, so it lacks explicit exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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