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Various Bible Versions, Translations, Formats                      

                           

 Which Study Research Bible Should You Choose?

 When you decide to begin to study and research the Bible, there are many choices - in translations and in formats.

The following are among the more popular Study Bibles that are currently being used by Believers in the United States. This Cyber Study Bible Research website is designed to be used with most Study Bibles, regardless of its translation. If you do not own a Study Bible, stop by either one of the publishers’ web sites or a Christian Book store in your neighborhood and pick out a Study Bible or two!

Consider the challenge of becoming a "Studied Study Bible Owner"!  When you use one --- or more Study Bibles for your research --- you qualify to be known as a "Studied Study Bible Owner and Researcher!"

Listed in Chronological Order:

& Tyndale House Publishers' New Living Translation (6.3 grade reading level) features a number of age-approritate and interest-friendly Study Bibles for Children, for "Tweens" (Ages 9-13), and Student Study Bibles for youths and young adults.  
[Great ideas for your grandchildren --- especially if you take time with them to investigate (research) the special features of their Study Bible for quality research time together.  Few children or grandchildren have ever enjoyed such a relational luxury.   (See the www.studiedbible.org website "Study Bible Shopping" for some other  research Study Bibles.)]

& LASB-NLT 2004 (Different versions & dates available) This is my "default Study Bible" that I have preached from since 1996 and graduated to the 2004 edition when it appeared. Tyndale's 2004 Edition  (6.3rd grade vocabulary level) ~ [Also available in King James (12-14th grade vocabulary); New King James Version (10th grade vocabulary); New American Standard Bible (11th grade vocabulary).]   Author's Evaluation: Suitable for Lay People, Pastors, and/or Beginners.

& NIV Archaeological Study Bible 2005 --- good for archaeological eyes and interests and a great second Study Bible side-by-side companion for serious and exciting research. Edited by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. Gordon - Former President of Conwell Theological Seminary & Zondervan.

& NIVSB --- 2008 – (Soon to be replaced by Zondervan with their 2011 NIVSB edition).(7.8th grade vocabulary) ~ Zondervan's 2002 edition (published first in 1985)  Their Today's NIVSB was published in 2006.

& NLTSB -- 2008 - Tyndale's new addition advance study companion to LASB (Published in 5 different versions) Author's Evaluation:  Suitable for Pastors or Professors ~ Advanced Researchers.

& ESVSB - 2008 - The "Graduate School" or scholar’s comprehensive research Bible. Almost too much info for a beginner. (Look at 2011 Editions below.) That is probably why they came out with the 2011 "ESV Student Study Bible" ("ESVSB Jr."?) that came out this summer. ESV (8th grade vocabulary).  Author's Evaluation: Suitable for Professors or Preachers ~ Advanced Research.

&  Transformation Study Bible -2009  (NLT) - David C. Cook's 2009 Edition by Warren Wiersbe. Author's Evaluation ~  Suitable for Pastor's Sermons & Lay People's Devotional Reading.


Exciting 2011 Bible Research "Gold Mining" Tools!

& ESVSSB 2011 - Crossway's simplification of the original ESVSB.  That is probably why they came out with the simpler 2011 "ESV Student Study Bible" ("ESVSB Jr."?) that came out this summer.

& PSB - 2011 --- "The World's First Parallel Study Bible" from Tyndale. It is handy and "user-friendly!" It is my "Place-to-begin-research Study Bible" that has become my "Sermon-Listening" and "Group Study Companion!" It saves me from carrying and manhandling two study Bibles.

 The PSB is the combination of the LASB and NLTSB. (It does not have the LASB charts, personality profiles, and 200 in-text maps.) I don't use those "on the road or in the pew anyway."  It is especially "user-friendly" as a "Go-to-Meetin'-Research-Bible"!

& Attention:  The 2011 KJV 400th Anniversary Edition of the newest revised NIV is now on the market.  It's Study Bible is promised for the Fall of 2011.
                                        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Are you looking for an inexpensive New Testament with Research Topic Options?
&  "HOW TO FIND GOD" ~  This New Testament edition of the New Believer's Study Bible in the NLT is published by Tyndale House Publishers (also available in Spanish).  It  has been used by many different parachurch organizations for evangelism and  is only available from the Bibles At Cost distributor --- wwwbiblesatcost.com.  Billy Graham, Campus Crusade, Prison Fellowship, Youth For Christ,  and several other organizations have all had their own editions with the same study research notes.  [Visit "10 Related Links" for more information.]
This New Testament in paper back is a very excellent evangelism tool has time-tested features that can help a new believer to get started in their new life in Christ. 
The Bibles At Cost Edition cover is titled: "HOW TO FIND GOD"  It has four "reading  tracks."  [1] "Cornerstones" ~ deals with "Foundational Topics".  [2] "First Steps" are the "Building Blocks" for "growing your faith."  [3] "Off and Running" focuses on topics deal with practical application of faith in daily action. [4] "Big Questions" addresses answers to eleven difficult questions that believers who share their faith need to know. 

What else is available for Bible research?

You will find that there are many valuable Study Bibles that are user-friendly for use with children, youth, students, and other special needs that are available from Crossway, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale, and Zondervan Publishers.

                                      & + & 

  Double your previous habit for your Bible study pleasure by adding a new Study Bible on your study desk, table, or lapboard.  Yes, they are heavy, but they are very convenient.  Remember Study Bibles are really two libraries in one already researched from hundreds of reference books at your fingertips.  It is a fact that you have two Bibles in one!

[1] The 66 books of the Bible which most people have. 
[2] A second portable virtual "library" of sorts that has an equal number of pages of researched study notes from several hundred biblical sources that are located on the same page where you need them.  These research features are in the form of character studies, charts, concordances, cross-references, footnotes, maps, and very important indexes to topics and other research features that make your study so very rewarding. 

An internet search of their websites will introduce you to a wonderful world of Bible Study research options that can encourage you as you mine the treasures of God's Word --- whatever your age or interest level from beginner to a mature Bible student still hungering to learn more!  

         & & & & & 

Here are five current Study Bibles and their features.

   

Research Study Bibles ~ Features Comparison Chart

 

Translation           LASB       NLTSB         ESVSB**          NIVSB          NIVSB~AB                                              2412 pp    2486 pp       2752 pp          2198 pp           2307 pp

  Study Helps Front Pages    

  • Timeline of History        10 ½ pp*      5 pp              +                     8 pp. Clr.        All 66 Bks. 
    Bible Research How-To    8 ½ pp        8 pp     4 pp Guide             Intro.                  2 pp      
  • Features Guidelines     10 ½ pp      8 pp                                 +                Index  
  •                *LASB = Bible & World Events
  • Ancient Texts Relating to OT                                              +                 +       
  • Theology of OT & NT                                        +                                              

  Book Introductions

  • Book Overview – Sum.     +          +        Hist. of Salvation      +              +          
  • Book Outline                    +          +                  +                     +              +          
  • Book Setting                    +          +                  +                     +              +          
  • Book Setting Maps         16         +                  +               50 maps          +        
  • Book Timeline                   +         +             OT- Intr - NT                         66 Bks. 
  • Book Summary                  +         +                   +                     +              +          
  • Book Autho & Destiny      +         +                  +                      +             +          
  • Book Mssage/Thems         +         +                  +                      +             +          
  • Discussion of Book Title                                                         +                         
  • Thought-Provoking Questions     +                                                                     
  • Cross References              +          +           80,000             100,000         +          
  • Further Reading List                     +                                                                     
  • Section Introductions      +          +                  +                     +                         
  • Chronology Articles          +          6                  +                                    3          
  • Archaeology Articles                Chsrt 3 pp            4 pp           Acts        Chart      

Study Helps “In Text”
  • Study Footnotes      10,000  Appl          +            20,000          3,000 Appl                    8,000   
  • Theme Articles                  +                     +               50                                500  (5 categories)  
  • Bible Characters                131                   +                                         900                                      
  • Maps                          16 Bk  200 I-Txt         200 Clr    48+14 Clr              +                       Clr I-Txt      
  • Introduction 4 Gospels                        3 pp                                                                                     
  • Diagrams                                                       +                40                                                                    
  • Epigraph Quotes                              +                                                                  
  • Illustrations                     +                     +                 41                                            500 Photo    
  • Charts                                 +                     +                200                             38                 + ___     
  • Cross Refrences                  +                      +                   +                                +                  +             
  • Literary Outline                  +                      +                   +                                                                    
  • Jesus’ Words in Red          +                      +                   +                                +                  +___       
  • Color Format               21 Maps          19 Maps   13 Maps                                      S.B. - Full Color 

Study Helps at the End of the Bible  

  • Concrdnce–Dict.  10,000–81 pp      117 pp      +                40,000–147 pp        35,000-266 pp
  • Dictionary-Index Orig. Wrd Stud.              11 pp                                                                        
  • Concordance Definitions & Terms           +                                                                             
  • General Indices:              +              +             +                     +                           +      
  • Subject Index                                    141 pp         9 pp           32 pp                                                      
  • Indices: Chrts, Char, Maps, Tpcs      +                 +                                                                 +     
  •   LASB = 265 Charts, 131 Personality Profiles, 200 In-Text Maps, 10,000 Application Footnotes 
  • Index - Study Materials                         +                                                                                             
  • New Test. Intro                                    4 pp                                                                                            
  • Synoptic Gospel Comparisons         +        Intro – 3pp                                                         +       
  • Christian Worker’s Resource       19 pp                                                                                          
  • Bible Doctrine Overview                       (ESVSB) 14 Articles)                                                     
  • Biblical Ethics                                         (ESVSB – 13 Articles)                         War – Deut.   
  • Ch Hstry & Rom. Emp. Aftr Acts        +                                                                                          
  • Heb – Grk Word Sudy & Indx                  +                    6 pp                                                            
  • Color  Maps                       21                      19                +                 200**                   15 maps          
  • Satellite Generated Color Maps                                                                              16 pp            
  •  ** ESVSB = 15 Color Map Supplements   (In-Text)                                                   

Extra Features  

  • Time betwn OT & NT     4 pp              3 pp + Chrt           +                      +               1 = p.1551 
  • Period ~ Mal. - Christ    4 pp                                                                     +                                    
  • N.T. Background                                     3 pp               5 articles                                                  
  • OT & NT Theology                                                       2 articles                                                  
  • Chronlgy of Christ’s Life                   3 pp                                           3 pp                              
  • Harmny of Gspls     250 Events      215 Events               +                   3 pp                              
  • Glossary                                                                                                                                 10 pp   
  • Gospel Cmprsns (Synptc)   +               3 pp                      + Synoptic        +                            
  • List of Miracles              35          21 Concrd..Refs            35                                                    
  • List of Parables             32                     40                                                                                   
  • Messianic Prophecies & Fulfillments (LASB ONLY)                                                     
  • Holy Land History                                                        NT Background      +                      +    
  • Bible Reading Plan      +                  +                    +                                          

ESVSB INFO - “Reference material—equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library.”

ESBSB’s Extra Feature Articles Include:

  1. Interpreting the Bible
  2. Reading the Bible    (5 different ways Pages 2567-74)
  3. The Cannon of Scripture   (including the Apocrypha)
  4. The Reliability of Bible Manuscripts
  5. Archaeology and the Bible
  6. The original Languages of the Bible
  7. The Septuagint
  8. How the NT Quotes and Interprets the OT
  9. The Bible In Christianity    (5 articles on Pages 2613-2622)
  10. The Bible and World Religions
  11. The Bible and Religious Cults
  12. History of Salvation in the Old Testament
  13. Seven Architectural Outlines of Israel’s Worship History
Comparison of Tyndale’s Life Application Study Bible and New Living Translation Study Bible; Crossway’s  English Standard Version Study Bible, and Zondervan’s New International Version Study Bible, and the  NIV Archaeological Study Bible
has been compiled by Virgil V. Reeve for his www.studiedbible.org website internet Study Bible Research Course.



 Attention Kids, Parents, & Grandparents - A Research Bible For You!

  

Introducing… Tyndale All-Age-Appropriate Options

 

 & A "Kid-Friendly" Research Study Bible

 & Using the New Living Translation (6.3 Grade Reading Vocabulary)   
         Published by Tyndale House Publishers – Carol Stream, IL.

& Designed for pre-school, grade school, junior high ("tweens"), high school, & college "Student Study Bibles that will help all readers to figure out not only what they should believe but why they should believe it!  A 24-7-365 accessible guide to life with Christ as the Matthew 11:28-30 "Teacher"

&  What better way to research truth than in God’s Word than for a Parent or Grandparent to do research side-by-side using their own Study Bible with their Child or Grandchild.!
Get excited along side your young scholar to discover the NLT age-appropriate Stdy through their eyes and understanding.
I can honestly say:  "I wish I had received such an age appropriate Study Bible as a birthday or Christmas gift at each stage of my growth."  

 & The popular NLT text will cause kids to dig deeper in the Scriptures for life-changing truth, helping them live their lives for Christ!  

Note:  Other publishers website links also have age-appropriate gift Bibles for every gift occasion.

                                                ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

                A Short History Of Study Bibles

                                                              ~ 1908 to 2009 ~

  1. 1908 Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (Kirkbride) KJV Frank Charles Thompson, Editor[Objective orientation] Vocabulary of KJV: 12th to 14th grade. NKJV: 9.1 Vocabulary. Other versions: NIV, NASB
  2. 1909 Scofield Reference Bible (Oxford) KJV [Dispensational] Vocabulary of KJV: 12th to 14th grade. Other versions: 1967 – New Scofield Reference Bible (archaic words to the margins) KJV, NIV, (World) NASB
  3. 1964 Harper Study Bible (Zondervan) (Harold Lindsell, Editor) RSV, Vocabulary of grade 10.4. Other versions: NASB (Vocabulary of grade 11.3) , NRSV grade 10.
  4. 1976 Ryrie Study Bible (Moody) Expanded Editions: KJV, NASB, NIV [Dispensational] (Charles Ryrie, Editor)
  5. 1976 Good News Bible ~ The Bible In Today’s English (American Bible Society) Vocabulary of 7.3. (Minimal Introductory Study Helps, Illustrations, & In-Text Maps.)
  6. 1983 The Open Bible NKJV (Nelson) Other Versions: NLT  The special feature is its extensive 8000 Topical Index. There is also a New Open Bible (Nelson, Expanded Edition) KJV, NASB, NKJV
  7. 1985 New Internationas Version Study Bible (Zondervan) NIV has a 7.8 Vocabulary. Updated in 1995 & 2002
  8. 1988 Life Application Study Bible ~ Living Bible (Tyndale) KJV, NIV, NKJV, NRSV; NLT 1996 & 2004 (Vocabulary of NLT is 6.3 compared to the media vocabulary of fifth grade) Probably one of the simplest translations available and in wide use with multiple research support helps: concordances, commentaries.  This may well be the closest common man's everyday vocabulary to the original of the New Testament Koine Greek.  [Some scholars and publishers would probably take issue with this evaluation.]
  9. 1989 - Zondervan’s NIV Serendipity Bible (Group study questions focus)
  10. 1996 – New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible – Tyndale  The NLT has replaced the Living Bible after it sold 40 million copies from 1971 to 1996.
  11. 1996 -  Biblia del Diario Vivir (Nelson) 1996 - Santa Biblia, Version Reina-Valera 1960.
  12. 2002 – Spanish New Living Translation NT – Como Encontrar a Dios
  13. 2002 – New International Version Study Bible - Up-date from 1985-1995 - Zondervan
  14. 2004 – Life Application Study Bible – New Living Translation Update
  15. 2005 – Life Discovery Bible – English Standard Version published by Crossways –    Good News Publishers ESV published in 2001 (Limited features)
  16. 2006 – Today’s New International Version Study Bible - NIV Update – Zondervan
  17. 2008 – New Living Translation Study Bible – Tyndale
  18. 2008 - English Standard Version Study Bible – Crossway.
  19. 2009 - The Transformation Study Bible (NLT) – D. C. Cook – W. Wiersbe

A Worthwhile Habit --- Use Two Bibles At Once ---

               "Double Your Pleasure!"

        For more information visit the website: www.studiedbible.org

                  And/or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

© by Virgil Reeve ~ 2010.  All rights reserved, but permission is granted for the free use where Jesus Christ is the Matthew 11:28-30 "Teacher" and the goal is: "all to the glory of God!"  1 Corinthians 10:31.