Holy Bible by Zondervan Publishing House (2006, Hardcover)

Some people have very firm beliefs about which version
of the Bible has the most accurate translation. I was
raised as one of those people. I grew up “knowing”
that the King James Version was the most accurate, and
the NKJV was the most readable of the Bible. After
reading through Zondervan’s TNIV Study Bible however,
I believe it is the most useful. While the translation
is more oriented on a thought-for-thought translation
than a word-for-word one, the accessibility and
abundance of information has made it my Bible of
choice.

The Bible starts off with two immeasurably valuable
tools. First is the clear, color-coded timeline that
helps put Biblical events in a clear order for those
studying the Bible. The other is a concise
step-by-step guide on how to use this nearly 2,500
page tome. Rather than a cursory explanation, this is
a step-by-step introduction replete with diagrams.

Each book is stared off by analyzing key elements
(author, dates, message, literary features, etc.)
which any decent study Bible should have. In addition
to this, each book has detailed outlines identifying
specific chapters and verses. The book is rich with
graphs, charts, illustrations, and diagrams that
enhance the reader’s understanding making it far more
accessible for the visual learner.

The text itself also adds to the reader’s
understanding. Not only are the words of Christ
printed in red, but the single-column format makes the
reading flow much more naturally either for those
choosing to read aloud or those who tend to easily
lose their place. Additionally, the use of this
single-column format allows ample room room for a
comprehensive side-column cross reference.

While the 20,000+ study notes, which averaging between
a third and half a page, are useful, what I found
particularly valuable were the highlights that were
broke down into 3 categories: personal application,
background, and characters and groups. It is an
obvious help to my students both by putting the
relevant issues into a clear context and by showing
the intent of that specific note. These notes are
written in the same unambiguous manner as the rest of
the material in this book.

The singularly most impressive quality of this study
Bible comes at its end. I instruct my students that
any good study Bible should have a concordance. While
the concordance in this book is as good as any I have
seen in more expensive Bibles, it is only a fraction
of the end reference materials. Other study helps that
make up this 400 page section include an index of
topics, an index of notes, an index of maps, a table
of weights and measures, a revised spelling list of
proper names, and numerous applicable, detailed maps.


While the list of characteristics I have listed here
is by no means finite, I think it well-demonstrates
the multitude of qualities that makes this an
extraordinary reference and study tool. All of this
coupled with a prose that is smooth and easily
understood makes this a necessary first choice for
anyone wanting to study the Bible as a whole or enrich
their understanding of specific points. Any Bible
teacher without a class set of these or student
without one on their bookshelf are doing themselves a
disservice.