ESV Study Bible

ESV Study Bible

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4.8 of 5 stars 4.80  ·  rating details  ·  3,833 ratings  ·  159 reviews
Winner of the 2008 ECPA Book of the Year Award

The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way. Combining the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV text, it is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published.

The ESV Study Bible features more than 2,750 pages of extensive, accessible Bible re...more
Hardcover, Hardcover, 2750 pages
Published October 15th 2008 by Crossway (first published January 1st 2001)
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Peter Krol
I am not a big fan of study Bibles. In fact I'm not even a small fan.

However, this one has blown me out of the water. Full-color maps right alongside the text highlighting the specific places mentioned in that passage, introductions to books that are somewhat concise and yet actually contain useful information, study notes that focus primarily on observing the text - I could go on and on.

Last night I stayed up late reading my Bible. I haven't done that in ages, but it was totally worth it.

Update...more
Barry
From time to time—usually when someone is thinking of buying a new Bible—people ask me to recommend a translation. So, here it is. The English Standard Version (ESV) has been my preferred Bible for preaching and personal Bible reading since its publication in 2001 because it is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks, as far as possible, to capture the precise wording of the original text while retaining the beauty and dignity of the Tyndale-King James legacy of English Bibles. Starting...more
Jeff Holton
As I prepare for this review I ask myself, “How in the world do you review a Bible?” I’m in a tough spot here because I can’t be neutral in my critique because I can’t criticize the author… That may not turn out well for me. So I have decided to touch on some of the highlights to the newest Study Bible from Crossway Books. The English Standard Study Bible is quite possibly one of the best study Bibles I own. Being a pastor myself, I have my fair share of study Bibles and this one wins hands down...more
Jake Eames
The author of Romans is the Apostle Paul. Romans was written to the Roman church, and is actually a letter turned into a book. Paul's purpose is to reveal the truths about sin and Jesus to the Roman church. THe Roman church had many misunderstandings about how the new Christian faith worked, explained by Jesus the Messiah.
The theme of this book is repentance and redemption. Many people in Romans thought that their sin wasn't a problem, and that since God forgives sin, they figured that the mor...more
Ethan
The English Standard Version with helpful articles and running commentary on the text.

The ESV is an excellent formal equivalence English translation of the Bible. It faithfully renders the words and concepts of the original texts but does so in clear and easily understood English. As such, the ESV is an excellent primary Bible for reading and preaching, and well-suited for everyday use.

The study Bible has many additional resources. The quality of the maps and diagrams are superb: if you really w...more
Peter Moore
This Bible is a great study tool of any Christian who wants to grow in their faith. The translation itself is not extremely difficult to read yet still delivers a message as close to the original scripts as possible. The notes are fantastic; they provide in depth analysis of nearly every verse explaining the significance of the passage in the 21st century as well as suggesting different interpretations of the verse. Detailed maps and tables also help to explain challenging concepts presented as...more
Thomas B.
For years, I used the NIV Study Bible and had marked up nearly every single page with comments of one sort or another. I bought the ESV Study Bible in September 2010 and it has quickly replaced my NIV Study Bible for my daily reading. I use many different translations as I research the Bible with computer based tools such as eSword, PC Study Bible and Biblios. But I have come to respect the value of a more literal translation of the original text, and that is great.

I find the footnotes to be go...more
Patrick
New Testament:

1) Gospel of John - I always new that the Gospel of John was by far the most mystical of all the Gospel writings and thus something that I always feel the most inclined towards. In the Gospel of John, the idea of the trinity is broached in which three person in one God idea is unified. By extension, Jesus, in this Gospel shows his disciples unity toward God which in the end very mystical understanding of the Word of God. Also, something I find interesting in this Gospel and highly...more
Daniel Morrow
This is an amazing Bible. The binding is superb and the overall quality is excellent. I had this one given to me as a gift and am glad because I could not have spent the money on it myself.

If I have any qualifications, they would have to do with the study notes. It's the nature of study Bibles that you are going to be fed the editor's theology, no matter how hard they try to keep it somewhat neutral. That said, these are probably some of the best notes I have seen -- that is, I run into question...more
Danielle S.
This book, the holy in-errant, ispired word of God, is and will always be the most important book anyone can read. It contains the gospel, by which men may be saved. It tells of man's sin, rebellion, and God's holy merciful plan to redeem man and restore him. It tells of Jesus,fully God and fully man; Jesus lived a perfect life, died, was buried and rose again from the dead! Those who repent of their sins and beleive in him will be saved. God will judge the world, but those whom he has saved wil...more
Roberta Brown
Several years ago our church switched from the NIV to the ESV for its pew Bibles. This translation is indeed as it says - as close to the original language as possible yet still readable.
This is not just a book to be read - it must be studied as well. I was one of those people who used to say that there were a lot of contradictions/inconsistencies in the Bible - but that was before I really read and studied it. I highly recommend that those who want to go deeper in the Word learn how to do indu...more
Ryan Coon
One of the best study Bibles I have ever come across. The notes are conservatively evangelical and so far have been quite helpful. The book introductions contain a wealth of information and the other articles I have read so far have been quite helpful. The only downside, if you could call it one, is the vast amount of information they provide. Sometimes I feel like information overload when reading through some of the articles and book intros. But I guess that is definitely a bad problem to have...more
viktor palenyy
The commentaries are great, a bit redundant at times but nevertheless very helpful. In difficult passages gives most of different options in exegesis allowing the reader to weigh in on the options. In interpretation the comments acknowledge their own bias and school of interoperation. One of the best surprises about the commented bible is the different articles in the back of the bible, as well as article in the beginning and inter-testemental period all very helpful in specific topics as well a...more
Kara
I have not read this one all the way through because it's just not THAT type of Bible..it's meant for reference and study..not really a sit and read. I have this in the bonded leather and I received a hardcover personal size from a conference...I love them both! All of the maps and illustrations are a really nice touch and it feels nice.

I'm deducting a bit because sometimes the ESV seems to be a bit more complicated in language than I feel it needs to be....and that tends to detract from the flo...more
Devin
Perhaps the most thorough Study Bible I have ever encountered. I find that this particular translation is very easy to read while it still keeps with text that stays faithful to the original manuscripts of Scripture. This Study Bible not only includes an extensive amount of information in book introduction, study notes, and cross references, but it also includes a large amount of articles throughout and in the back which offer much more insight into Biblical doctrine, history, and ethics than an...more
Susan
The best study notes of any Bible I've ever had!
Mike
Weighs like 2 lbs. Both spiritual and physical weapon -- you could take somebody out with it if you had to.

I've got Joshua and Judges to go and then I'm done.

Seriously, the ESV translation is among the best of the best, along with the NRSV and the HCSB (which I think takes first place). The illustrations are top notch, and some of the general material at the end of the book (introduction to Biblical doctrine) is very good. It's not pointy-headed, nor dumbed-down, and it doesn't shy away from add...more
Jordan
One of the greatest collection of books in this world. A very difficult time is expected as one journeys through the Old Testament and key sections in the New. Very clear understanding of the words written in their original language and the meaning(s) which surround the word, along with historical and cultural context, (in that time & for those people) must be taken into account.
This is a library of poems, history, prophecy, and parables heralded by its followers as the ultimate source for...more
Scott
I collect Bibles and this one is my favorite. The ESV Study Bible is by far the most complete Study Bible I have encountered and I believe it to be the most complete on the market. This is a wonderful tool for studying God's word.

12 Jan 2012 - At approximately 60% through the ESV Bible, reading according to a Chronological study plan. There is so much great material in the Old Testament. Historical accounts of God's people, inspirational accounts of Job, amazingly timeless and practical advice o...more
Pastoralmusings
Crossway’s ESV Study Bible is the subject of our review this week.

For the next three days we shall look at the ESV Study Bible and consider both the Bible text and some of its features.

Today we shall briefly look at the translation.

The ESV is an essentially literal (el) translation. This means that it seeks to translate the Bible text from the original languages word for word. The English translation seeks to accurately translate each word so as to be faithful to the writings of the original pen...more
James
I am not a big fan of study Bibles, but this one was irresistable. Sure the hundreds of artistic illustrations and dozens of articles by renowned scholars are "neat" but this is a study Bible that is much more than the sum of its parts. The ESV STudy Bible stands head and shoulder above nearly all other study Bibles I have ever used.

Despite having used the ESV daily for about 3 years it is still not my favorite translation (too many verses to re-memorize ;) but it is a very good balance. I canno...more
Paul
This Bible is the nicest Bible I have ever owned (yes, I have the calfskin). It is also loaded with scholarly notes and articles written by an all-star cast of theologians. I am very impressed with it. At 2,752 pages it is said to be equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library all in one volume. It is endorsed by men like: Randy Alcorn, Jerry Bridges, Mark Dever, Lig Duncan, Albert Mohler, J.I. Packer, and John Piper. But what's best about it can be found in all Bibles. The gospel is contai...more
Helen
While it is impossible to place enough stars on the contents of the Bible, the ESV Study Bible is probably the best Bible I've owned. It enriches without persuading by personal opinions / worldviews, and enhances study through its thorough explanations of the text - not applications that aren't conducive to individual understanding of God's word. Beautiful illustrations and supplemetal sections make this an essential for serious study. The access to the ESV online content alone is worth the pric...more
Jeanann
I'm reading this version, English Standard Version, this year as I discovered this version is the closest English translation to the Greek. So far, so awesome.

I'm continually amazed at the life relevance of scripture. Does any other sacred text so fully define love? Describe the quandary of the human condition in trying to do the right thing, the good thing, and failing? Capture the essence of compassion, empathy, and sacrifice? Create faith?
John Caneday
I had high expectations for this Study Bible after seeing the list of contributors. I've been using it for a few years now, purchasing it shortly after it was first published. Unfortunately I was more disappointed than impressed. The ESV translation is what it is, like it or not. I like it and have been using it for many years now.

The book introductions are pretty solid, but the real let down are the notes throughout each book. They simply weren't as helpful as I was hoping in so many places. Th...more
Todd Bryant


The ESV is not my favorite translation. It would be about #5 on that list. It is much better than more liberal translations like the NIV which uses a dynamic equivalence method of translation. However, they take more liberty than, say, the NASB which is based on the same text. That said, the study notes are worthy of reading. I do not agree with them all. But do certainly enjoy the perspective.
Rich Weatherly
ESV Study Bible represents some of the best in conservative Christian scholarship.

Introduced in the Fall of 2008 it received the 2009 Christian Book of the Year Award from the ECPA. ESV Study Bible features over 20,000 study notes, 80,000 cross references, 200 charts and 200 maps.

Purchase of the Study Bible provides access to an online version. This is a great addition to anyones reference library.
Dkovlak
Mar 21, 2013 Dkovlak is currently reading it
This is the best book ever written. I have read it for many years and hope to continue reading it for many more years. It is history, poetry, and a life guide all in one. It is "inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." 2 Tim 3:16-17. I highly recommend it!
Mike
This is a great study bible complete with maps, timelines, articles, outlines, thousands of cross references and study notes. Purchase gains you7 access to an online version that is so easily used. You can take all the notes you want, cut and paste in text references, or do word searches for in detail topical study.
Liz Pope
Such an amazing resource! It breaks the Bible down verse by verse, and gives you a full understanding of the Hebrew and Greek. The ESV in itself is a great translation, and pairing it with such an in depth study makes it my number 1 recommendation to anyone looking to understand the word better.
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