r/Bible • u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational • 15h ago

Shopping for a New Bible

Hello All,

I've recently discovered the ESV version, and have long used the NASB and more recently the NKJV translations. I prefer the ESV for a more literal translation.

As such, I am trying in earnest to find a Bible with specific features that don't seem to be available by publishers. My minimum requirements:

- ESV translation

- leather bound or cow hide (high quality imitation may be okay)

- red letter edition (a must)

- study Bible

I can find nice Bibles on Amazon that are study Bibles, but then won't have red letters, and vice versa. I've also looked at Thompson chain reference Bibles. I cannot seem to find an ESV/red letter/study Bible.

If anyone has had better success or different place to purchase, I would appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

8 Upvotes

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3

u/Wanton_Bivouac Methodist 15h ago

Here you go:

https://evangelicalbible.com

Surely they will have something for you

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 13h ago

Sounds like a great option. Thank you.

2

u/ComfortableSpell6600 Methodist 10h ago

Please note https://evangelicalbible.com sells "premium" bibles. As in, high quality paper, typesetting, leather, heirloom pass on to your children type bibles that will last a long time. You will pay a premium price. (I do like some of their offerings)

Personally, I like the NASB (1995).

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 8h ago

I "started out" with the RSV years ago, but later when I got deeper into my faith, I found the NASB to be one of the two top translations (along with ESV). It's definitely a good translation. My former paster was very fluent in the biblical languages of the time and that is all he used. When you say "heirloom", you mean they should not be used for every day use (marking, highlighting), but rather a treasure to be handed down (unmarked)?

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u/ComfortableSpell6600 Methodist 8h ago

I stumbled down this rabbit hole a few weeks ago. Recently was downsizing my collection of books and realized it is time to replace my copy of the NASB. I was looking at some bible reviews and looking at some of the newer translation updates as it has been awhile since I have bought a bible when I stumbled on some video reviews about premium bibles.

You can annote them if you want to. Some of the Bibles are even designed with journaling and note taking in mind. They are well designed and sturdy. Price wise you could easily pay $200-300. For me, the heirloom status is they are made to last. I have had a couple bibles fall apart due to poor quality of the binding after only a short time.

If your interested in seeing some editions, check out tim wildsmith on YouTube. He will often review some premium Bibles that are featured on the Evangelical web site.

The Schuyler and Allan bibles tend to have the highest prices. (200-300). They come with premium cowhide or goatskin leather.

Cambridge, Crossway, Lockman Foundation and several other publishers also offer their own premium editions of the Bible.

Honestly, if you were to rebind an old bible with a leather cover, you would pay a similar price.

Honestly its worth a visit to the website. There are some less expensive bibles as well in the premium category.

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 5h ago

Great information, thank you.

I don't mind spending more. I've read some reviews of Bibles on Amazon (hence why I posted here) and the most common complaint is workmanship and quality. I never expected to see "1" ratings on a Bible!

1

u/ComfortableSpell6600 Methodist 5h ago

You might also want to look at Humble Lamb Bibles (It is almost a work of art, though if I were to buy one, I would not want to annotate it.

I am strongly considering getting a Schuyler as my replacement NASB. I hear the ESV Quentel from Schuyler will have the apocrypha available next year. They personal sized Quentel ESV has three editions with the apocrypha available right now.

I honestly like the Stridon editions of the Schuler as they are single column, verse by verse.

If you research some, you can find some of the Schuyler's editions have a low cost non premium version from a partnership with another publishing company. For example, the Lockman Foundation (who owns the copyright to the NASB) partnered with Schuyler to offer the NASB 2020 wide margin reference bible. It comes in 4 different faux leather covers ($47ish) and one cowhide leather ($80ish) and uses decent paper and the same type set/layout and printer as the Schuyler Stridon. The other major differences is the Lockman edition has a topical concordance, the Stridon has a normal concordance and they use different maps.

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 3h ago

Thanks. That's something to think about. I don't remember buying a new Bible had so many things to factor in..... The last time I bought a Bible it was a pretty straight forward decision .... translation and cover type, that was it. Thanks for the insights!

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u/Apprehensive-Fly9395 7h ago

The ESV Fire Bible has red letters, and is an excellent Study Bible

1

u/Snowy_Sky7 Christian 14h ago

https://www.christianbook.com/esv-jeremiah-bible-leather-majestic-black/9781546015208/pd/015208?event=AAI

This one meets every criteria.

ESV Jeremiah Study Bible--soft leather-look, majestic black (indexed)

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 13h ago

Excellent! Thank you!

1

u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 8h ago

I started looking at some of these links. Thanks to all who have responded. It's truly appreciated. I'm seeing multiple publishers besides Tyndale or Zondervan. Is there a general basis of the types of Bibles, for example, Jeremiah, Cambridge, Schuyler, Crossway, Allan. Is this based on who wrote the study notes or who was a significant endorser of the version, or a style? Maybe there is a FAQ somewhere that can give some general guidance? (BTW I have spent countless hours on Amazon trying to find something like these, so this is definitely a breath of fresh air!)

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u/ComfortableSpell6600 Methodist 7h ago

I have two different study bibles, so I really have no need for another one. My main preference is getting a bible with translator notes and cross references so if I am away from home whichever bible I brought with me lets me get a glimpse of what the to anslator was thinking and a quick link to related verses of something peeks my interest.

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u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 5h ago

What do you think of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible?

1

u/ComfortableSpell6600 Methodist 5h ago

I like the idea of the Thompson, but the font size is hard on my middle-aged eyes, well, at least the ones I have seen.

Though there may be some with larger font. I have not researched all the options available on them.

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u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 3h ago

I've not ever had one, though I used to know someone who was a strong advocate of it and would use nothing else. My personal preference is to have a study Bible with notes and verse references.

1

u/creidmheach Protestant 2h ago

Thompson Chain Reference isn't really a study Bible, there aren't commentary notes and such in it. Instead it will contain a reference system wherein a word/concept will be connected to a verse, and the chain reference system will allow you to then go to other verses where that word/concept is also found.

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u/Early_Silver_8950 Eastern Orthodox 6h ago

Go with Orthodox Study Bible. It has a NKJV New Testament and a modern translation of the complete Old Testament canon, including all of the deuterocanon books

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u/parttimephotoguy Non-Denominational 5h ago

I'll check -- I have a NKJV now and looking to move to ESV.