Recently, Crossway sent me their premium ESV Study Bible in deep brown cowhide leather.
Honestly, I was monumentally impressed with this Bible.
The deep brown cowhide leather edition is part of Crossway’s Premium Collection.
Here’s why:
The commentary notes are very in-depth. While favoring the Reformed perspective (as the HSCB favors the Baptist perspective), the notes for each verse of Scripture are more in-depth than any other study Bible I’ve come across. They often give different positions on the text, which is a great service for any work like this.
The introduction to each book of the Bible is incredibly detailed. This is a huge strength. Just as you are about to embark on a new book of the Bible, you are given pages of background information that take you to the place, the time, and the situation in a detailed way. The Old Testament book introductions are especially helpful.
The illustrations, charts, and maps are awesome. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Bible with more maps in it. There are 200 color maps, and they appear everywhere. The illustrations are also first-class. It also contains over 200 charts that are very well done and informative.
The articles are excellent. It contains 50 articles on various topics that are solid and educational.
All told, I think every Christian who is into serious study of the Scriptures should own this Bible.
In fact, it’s a good idea to have two Study Bibles, rather than just one.
One reason is to get a different perspective on how interpreters understand various texts. The other has to do with the benefit of having a different translation to consult. For instance, the ESV is very good in translating some texts. But for others the HSCB is much better. For instance, the ESV translates 1 Timothy 3:1 as, “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer . . .”
The problem here is that the word “office” is not in the original Greek, and in the ESV it’s not italicized either to indicate that it’s missing from the original.
So long as you know that there is no perfect translation or study Bible, you’d do well to get a copy of the ESV Study Bible.
It’s outstanding!
Here’s a description from the publisher:
Winner of the ECPA Book of the Year Award
The ESV Study Bible was designed to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way. Created by a diverse team of 95 leading Bible scholars and teachers—from 9 countries, nearly 20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities—the ESV Study Bible features a wide array of study tools, making it a valuable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s word.
Features
- 20,000+ study notes
- 80,000+ cross–references
- 200+ charts
- 50+ articles
- 240 full-color maps and illustrations
- Concordance
- Smyth-sewn binding
- Packaging: Box
Product Details
| Format: | Cowhide |
| Type Size: | 9.00 |
| Page Layout: | Single Column |
| Page Count: | 2,752 |
| Size: | 6.5 in x 9.25 in |
| Weight: | 78.38 ounces |
| ISBN-10: | 1-4335-2178-4 |
| ISBN-13: | 978-1-4335-2178-2 |
| ISBN-UPC: | 9781433521782 |
| Case Quantity: | 6 |
| Published: | July 30, 2010 |
Endorsements
“The ESV is a dream come true for me. The rightful heir to a great line of historic translations, it provides the continuity and modern accuracy I longed for. Now the scope and theological faithfulness of the ESV Study Bible study notes is breathtaking. Oh how precious is the written Word of God.”
John Piper, Founder and Teacher, desiringGod.org; Chancellor, Bethlehem College & Seminary; author, Desiring God
“The definitive clarity and beauty of the ESV Study Bible is extraordinary. In a world where words are distorted to mean anything, it is wonderful to have complete confidence in the reliability and truth of the Bible—so clearly and persuasively demonstrated by this world-class team of Bible scholars and teachers. For everyone who wants to understand God’s Word in a deeper way, the ESV Study Bible is an outstanding resource. I will be an avid user!”
Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
“Outstanding! The ESV Study Bible is a treasure—a beautiful volume, filled with a wealth of resources. It will be just as useful for the seminarian and long-time pastor as it will be accessible to the brand-new Christian.”
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Centennial Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“The ESV Study Bible is an invaluable and inexhaustible resource—for those who already know and treasure God’s Word, as well as for the new generation of Bible students who have yet to discover the wonder and wealth of Scripture. I especially love the way the notes and articles highlight the great redemptive story and ‘connect the dots’ between the various portions and themes of Scripture. Full of rich insight, scholarly yet accessible—I am deeply grateful for this magnificent work.”
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author; Founder, Revive Our Hearts and True Woman
“I was privileged to act as General Editor of the English Standard Version, and now that I look back on what we did in producing that version, I find myself suspecting very strongly that this was the most important thing that I have ever done for the Kingdom, and that the product of our labors is perhaps the biggest milestone in Bible translation in certainly the last half century at least, and perhaps more. And now, as Theological Editor of the ESV Study Bible, I believe that the work we have done together on this project has set an altogether new standard in study Bibles.”
J. I. Packer, Late Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College
“The ESV Study Bible is a tour de force: innovative production, beautiful graphics, and notes by outstanding scholars packed with useful information.”
Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC
“This is surely the most comprehensive study Bible yet! Serious students of the Bible will find this an invaluable aid to understanding the text, the background, and some key theological issues of the Bible. In addition to the reliable ESV text with notes, it has resources that no teacher or preacher should be without. Beautifully produced and accessible, it will also make a great gift for new Christians.”
Graeme Goldsworthy, Former Lecturer in Old Testament, Biblical Theology, and Hermeneutics, Moore Theological College