Recently I had time to spend with the HCSB Study Bible
Here are some reasons why:
The translation is clear and readable. I liked how the compilers translated many of the texts. While there is no perfect translation, the HSCB scores high.
The commentary notes are often helpful. I compared the commentary in this Bible with the commentary in a few other Study Bibles, and the HSCB is far more helpful in the area of historical background and insight on some texts. It also did a good job in shedding light on some difficult texts, offering various viewpoints. However, for other texts, I didn’t like that they just presented only one view and didn’t bring in contrary views. The scourge of all Study Bibles is that you are only getting one person or team’s interpretation of the text. There’s not enough space to present all alternative interpretations. So keep that in mind whenever you read the comments in a Study Bible.
The cross-references are unique in that there are two levels. One level references to other Biblical texts; the other level references Old Testament texts and Greek/Hebrew word meanings. Both are very easy to spot as this Bible uses colors and graphics in an elegant way.
The eye-candy is peerless. Cosmetically, it’s the most beautiful Bible I own. The colors work perfectly, making the text, the cross-references, and the notes a delight to read.
Every Old Testament quote is bolded, making it easy to spot them within the text. This is going to come in handy for my next project. But it just underscores how often the New Testament (“Second Testament”) draws from the Old Testament (“First Testament”).
The study notes are informative. The study notes are an addition to the verse-by-verse commentary. They are also written by various scholars. So it’s a nice mix.
The illustrations, maps, photos, timelines, and charts are powerful. These are not only valuable, but they are very well crafted. Again, this Bible gets an A+ in its use of color, image, and elegance.
Word studies are peppered throughout the pages. Beyond the commentary, it contains helpful Greek and Hebrew word studies in easy-to-spot colored text boxes.
In short, I highly recommend this Bible to every student of Scripture. If you want an extra Bible in your library, make it this one. It would also make a beautiful gift for someone.
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HCSB Study Bible: Hardcover Edition
Great translation. I like how the HCSB includes God’s Name, “Hallowed by thy Name” Yahweh. That is, beginning in Exodus 3:15 and follow throughout the Old Testament where God’s name is emphasized. I like that, it’s about time.
HalleluYah!
Glad to read this review.
I have used the HCSB for over 5 years. Having used the NASB for nearly 25 years before that, I really like the HCSB. In comparison with the NASB and ESV, I personally like this version better. The ESV still has too much of an archaic reading with odd phrasing at times. The HCSB is really not a Baptist Bible if you read their information in the introduction. The HCSB Study Bible is my first real study bible.
I’ve used the Holman for about 3 years and love it. I have the ESV and like parts of it but it is very. Academic. I use it supplementally.
Bill: The ESV Study Bible is on its way. I’ll be reviewing it down the line.
Hmm, I had thought it didn’t have a concordance, or not much of one. I’m going to give the study bible a second, and much more thorough, examination. I do enjoy the HSCB text, and, like your review stated, this bible has a wealth of information, maps, and other study aids.
Thanks for the reply back
Jeffrey: Someone recently recommended to me the ESV Study Bible. Looks quite impressive — looks more academic than any of the other Study Bibles on first blush. It’s on the way. Will review it as well.
FROG
It has no concordance in the back, which to me, means not only a lack of oversight but also epic fail. A study bible should, at least, have standard gear. Additionally, I thought the notes were too closed on various topics (clearly a conservative evangelical/fundamentalist bias). I still think that the NLT Study Bible is the best
Jeffrey: Actually it does have a concordance in the back. It’s not as large as the NTL Study Bible’s, but even that one isn’t exhaustive. Personally, I am not a fan of concordances in the back of a Study Bible as they can never be exhaustive. I personally think the other helps are much more important.
Regarding your comment about conservative evangelical/fundamentalist bias, the same bias exists in the NLT Study Bible (they are published by Tyndale, after all, a very conservative evangelical publisher. All the more reason why it’s a near-miracle that they published “Pagan Christianity”).
I do agree with you that the NLT commentary on some texts is better than those of the HCSB Study Bible. But on other texts, I feel the latter is better.
I am always interested in study Bibles with great visuals and comments, etc. and checked this out a bit more deeply to discover which ancient texts were given more weight in the translation process. I found this link pretty helpful in that regard: http://www.bible-researcher.com/csb.html
Sometimes the choices for a study Bible are just overwhelming so thank you for your recommendation on this study Bible Frank. I have placed my order today.
Fiona
Glad you are liking the HCSB. I’ve got it for my Kindle. My curent fav however, is the ESV Study Bible (Kindle Edition):
http://www.amazon.com/ESV-Study-Bible-ebook/dp/B001CDWFPC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
I really love the study notes. Some of them remind me of the “Untold Story…”, which I also have on my Kindle.
Cheers!
Frank, The HSCB has been my fav for several years. I’m excited to learn they now have a study bible. On my way to Amazon.
Thank you for pointing this out. I haven’t investigated the HCSB much. I looked at a few pages on Amazon. I like the way they use the colors for verses and refs. It’s often hard to find verse numbers in paragraph form when the numbers are the same color as the text. The commentary seemed very helpful as well. Definitely something to put on the wishlist.
I really like my Holman Bible!! Glad to see you have been converted
It has no concordance in the back, which to me, means not only a lack of oversight but also epic fail. I still think that the NLT Study Bible is the best
Thanks for the heads up Frank! Looks exciting.
This is a good Bible for sure. We were about to pick it up – but we found the ESV Study Bible was better for us as a family. Perhaps sometime down the road we will acquire a copy of this too for reference and comparison.