How do I format a scripture index (manually) like the one pictured?

Question

Using a table didn't work, and I am kind of at a loss on where to even begin. I read the documentation for makeidx, and sense I'm not referencing pages, but rather verse citations, I don't think it will work. Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

This isn't as tough as you think. Use imakeidx instead of makeidx.

You can format how the biblical book titles (e.g. Genesis) look by using .ist files that dictate how the index should be formatted when it gets converted into working LaTeX code when you process the index.

Next, when you index an entry in your text, you do so like this:

\index[HB]{02@Exodus!3210 @32:10}

Here, \index is the command. [HB] signals this is a separate index called HB (for Hebrew Bible citations). We open the brackets to signal what is actually being indexed. On the left side of the @ signs is the key for sorting the entry with other entries. The 02 means this item goes into the second group, after whatever is labelled 01 and before 03. On the right hand side of the at signs is what it should actually look like in the index. So 02 looks like "Exodus" in the pdf. The ! separates one index level from the next, so our main item is 02 which shows up as "Exodus" and the sub-item is 3210_ which shows up as 32:10. (The space after 3210 means it sorts before a verse range like 3210-15). So you get...

Exodus

32:10.........123

For more info see my older posts, e.g. How to use different formatting for multiple indices with imakeidx and .ist files?, imakeidx - grouping under italic term, and Automatically italicise index entries with subitems. I'm by no means an expert but I did build a scripture index and format it exactly as I needed it doing this. It is doable, so don't despair.