NASB Zondervan Study Bible

by Kenneth L. Barker, Donald W. Burdick (Editor), John H. Stek (Editor)

Extensive in-text notes help readers to understand the message of Scripture and apply it to their lives in a practical way.

Genres: Christianity

2080 pages, Hardcover

First published December 17, 1999

About the author

Kenneth Lee Barker is an American Biblical scholar and professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. In addition to writing several books, he was also one of the original translators of the New American Standard Bible[1] and the New International Version of the Bible.[2]
Barker earned his B.A. from Northwestern College, his Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary (1960), and his Ph.D. from the Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning (1969).[3] He joined the faculty at Dallas in 1968 as professor of Old Testament, where he remained until 1981. In 1974, he was invited to join the Committee on Bible Translation,[4] and later served as its secretary, as well as executive director of the International Bible Society's NIV Translation Center. He has also served as academic dean at Capital Bible Seminary.[5]
Barker retired from the International Bible Society in 1996, and is currently living in Lewisville, Texas.

Reviews

[Kacey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024: Read it chronologically this year

[FJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this after having become a fan of the NTSB based on its reputation of being a highly reliable literal translation of the Scriptures which is also very readable in modern English, and I thought what better than a study Bible so I can have a guiding hand?

I really like the concordance in it as well as the color maps, the background of each book of the Bible plus outlines of them, the charts such as the one outlining the prophecies of Christ, it has an index to subjects, an index to maps, index to notes. It also has nice color charts outlining Old and New Testament chronology.

However, there is some odd commentary in it. Granted, I haven't read a ton of the commentary yet, but in reading about the Parable of the Ten Talents, I came across some rather unbiblical comments which flatly contradict the Sola Fide teachings of the Bible, specifically regarding Matt. 25:31-46. It reads in part,

"The criterion for judgment will be the kind of treatment shown to the Jewish people ('these brothers of mine,' v.40) during the preceding great tribulation period (vv. 35-40, 42-45). Ultimately how a person treats the Jewish people will reveal whether or not he is saved (vv. 41,46). The judgment referred to occurs at the great white throne at the end of the age (Rev 20:11-15). Its purpose will be to determine who will be allowed to enter the eternal kingdom of the saved and who will be consigned to eternal punishment in hell (vv. 34,46). The basis for judgment will be whether love is shown to God's people (see 1 John 3:14-15)."

One of the bases of the Reformation and the founding of Protestantism is the doctrine of Sola Fide, and this commentary flatly contradicts a consistent theme in the Scriptures. No, salvation does not revolve around kind acts toward Jewish people! What on earth is this nonsense doing in a Bible? This is a false teaching.

[Paul Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a mere book!

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A long journey, but excellent

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily the best study Bible I have ever used or am aware of. I have now bought it in two different formats: leather and hardcover. I wore out the leather-bound version I bought in college and bought the hardcover a couple of years back.

What really makes this edition special is the immense amount of historical, social, and archaeological data found in the introductions, notes, and appendices, drawn from an assortment of expert sources. This additional content was edited together for the NIV Study Bible, and has been lightly re-edited to fit the differences in translation between the NIV and NASB. Those curious about the quality of these features can find all of the Introductions here. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Over the years, I have found this Bible to be indispensable. It functions as a quick-reference "cheat sheet", distilling several libraries' worth of scholarship down into one volume, providing necessary historical context and background info to the civilization and societies that produced the documents contained within.

This is a must-have for any historically-minded Bible scholar.

[C.H.E. Sadaphal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bottom line: Buy this Bible if you want an easy-to-read version, and desire to “dig deeper” into the text.

First, let me just say that this review is NOT of the content of the Bible itself, only of those items surrounding the text.

I have been using The Zondervan NASB Study Bible for many years now, and I develop a novel appreciation for this Bible each and every day. Because of this book I am always learning something new, and its greatest value lies ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/the-zonder...

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend!