Building My PERFECT Bible

[@jydymyyyr9630]

One of the videos I'd really like to see someone do, is to have a description of ALL the intricacies and components of a bible. In other words, have one source that explains what is (and benefits of) a yapp, concordance, apocrypha, references, footnotes, GSM paper, ghosting, opacity/opaqueness, spine and ribs, lining, text block, art gild, paragraph/verse style, single or double-column, typeface - font/print style and size, ribbon recommendations, reading/preaching/reference/wide-margin/note-taking style, red-letter, translations, Smyth-sewn or other, edge sewn, cover/liner material and attachment types, and so much more. There are some very informative videos out there, but I haven't found one that provides all the details and components of a bible. For the new bible enthusiast this would be very helpful, and probably draw in many viewers. If anyone knows of a single source where all this info can be found, please let me know; otherwise, I'd encourage one of the bible reviewers to put together such a useful guide. Thanks for listening.

[@katek.3361]

I agree; this would be a fantastic video!

[@hollyhescht3615]

You know how musicians get custom builds guitar makers sell to the public? I feel like a Bible company should do that for Tim.

[@matreames]

I had a similar thought about you know athletes and endorsement deals, custom branded product

[@nan.starjak]

@@matreamesI would totally go for the Tim Wildsmith ESV.

[@timwildsmith]

Maybe one day!

[@thebubblydreamz]

​@@timwildsmithand when you do please ship to Zimbabwe lol

[@littlemama4two]

That was so fun!

[@missinglink_eth]

So in a nutshell, you want desert camel Schuyler on the outside as well as their maps, the heirloom heritage single column text block with Holman Premier text color highlights, on Korean paper. Not a bad choice. I prefer the French paper. I’d buy that Bible!

[@timwildsmith]

Yeah!

[@VictorDiGiovanni]

I made my own custom Bible last year but I went about it a completely different way. I opted for a binder-style. I found a thin-print in my preferred ESV and then proceeded to cut it out of the binding. I then cut holes (only two holes fit in the 5x8 Bible I used) and stuck them in the binder. I then went online and found some free Bible maps and other free printable resources and punched holes in those and made a reference section. I then went through my library and scanned and printed out some of the more interesting charts and maps and genealogies and whatnot. And then I added in a hole puncher that itself fits in a three-hole binder. What was important to me was being able to stick notes in where they actually fit. I can take the sermon notes from each Sunday, punch some holes in it, and it goes right with the scripture it was about. I've never been good at writing miniscule notes in my Bible, so this is a great compromise for me. It's a Bible that will grow, and can be the home of everything I'm studying or hearing. Granted, it's getting hugely stuffed already, but I still have a couple of sizes of binders bigger than what I'm currently using to grow into. The binder I'm currently using is a nice leathery cover with flat rings, but that's the largest size the make of this type, so my next step up will be a larger traditional white three-ring binder. But I'm more concerned about practicality than aesthetics.

[@BiblicallyNoted]

I tried doing something like this, but it didn't turn out like I wanted. I may end up trying something else eventually.

[@VictorDiGiovanni]

@@BiblicallyNoted what obstacles did you encounter?

[@BiblicallyNoted]

@@VictorDiGiovanni There is a lot I love about it. But, part of the problem was the Bible I used. The paper was way too thin. I need something heavier, I think. With extra large font (I have a 16 font bible). Plus I didn't do a 3 whole punch, but a different binding and it didn't work well. (it's the disc system). Plus - I worry that at some point I won't be able to keep it all in one binder. That's a biggie for me. I want to be able to take it wherever I go - and not have to take 3 or 4 different "volumes".

[@RachelRamey]

I have a couple newer Bibles that use a BLUE in the interior as accents instead of red, and I really like it. It provides nice contrast while being easy on the eyes. (And it would go nicely with your hypothetical navy ribbons.)

[@joshuapearson9950]

So much fun watching this! Love this concept for a video

[@timwildsmith]

Yay! Thank you!

[@BR525]

Trust me, this video is worth so much to people. I am alone. I do not get to ask anyone or rally have conversations about this. I appreciate you so much for sharing the incredible insight you have.

[@jrhatcher1]

I love everything you said. Only addition I would add is that if it is paragraph format, it would have to have the bold verse numbers that Crossway has. There’s is the only paragraph format that is easy to preach from because you can easily find the verse numbers.

[@mrbuck1911]

This is interesting. I’m watching your video because I was visiting my parents for dinner. He and mom are showing me their new Bibles, and I had this talk with my dad - several hours before I watched this! After you got passed text block size and paper, I had the exact same thoughts which I told to my dad - single column, paragraph, no references, no concordance, keep translators’ notes as footnotes, keep maps. I also want to keep those handy pages in the back that contain conversation tables for different measures, and I may even like a few other charts, my idea is more of a “just give me the Bible” approach. My smart phone has probably everything contained in those extra pages in the back. I really like the Humble Lamb NLT Sonrise Bible layout with the blue text highlights and blue line at the bottom of the page. However, I’m not crazy about drop caps, but they look really cool for that Sonrise. I think I might like verse numbers in the margins like the New English Bible did. For preaching, sitting in pew or sharing the greatest story ever told with a friend, I don’t think verse numbers outside the text would be an issue. I’d like chapter numbers out there too. I hadn’t thought as much about font as you, but since I love my ESV, I would probably go with the Lexicon type. I’d like a bit more stiffness than my ESV preaching Bible, so probably a thick calfskin cover like THE Cambridge wide margin that I got in the late 90s. It will still have great flop and lose its page when laid open on the table. I don’t need a full inch of margin around outside but 1 inch one the gutter margins is important. I want words of Christ in the same black print as the rest of the text. I haven’t thought too much about the cover beyond it being calfskin.

[@chrismendezva]

Here we go! I’m so into this!! 🎉

[@millennialranger9716]

Congratulations to all the winners! Merry Christmas everyone! 🔥❤️✝️

[@AtchHed78]

Such a fun watch!!! I’m loving the desert camel Schuyler also!!

[@BlainsTube]

Spiral Bound Quality 36gsm paper 11 point font (old eyes) Single column Verse by verse Thumb index Gutter reference Ancient Faith / Apologetic 7.5" x 10.5" (thickness, whatever is required to house the text specifications) NASB 1995, ESV, CSB or Young's Literal

[@BiblicallyNoted]

I like this! I would want a larger font (my current is 16 and I love it!) and it to also be interleaved. NASB95 is my preference. I like single column but am kind of falling back to the double. It's easier for me to organize my notes that I take in my Bible - so if I did double, my reference column would be in the middle. But I'd be happy with single also. LOL

[@mirmalv4886]

Hear me out, its big but its perfect Cover- Galaxy from Inspire Prayer ( leather though) Paper- white , 40gsm Text bloc- NKJV Cultural Background Study Bible Format- Journaling study bible ( basically add journaling margins, no lines) Font- 9 or 9.5 Bookmarks - 4 double satin ribbons , all different colors Decor- add occassional art or art verse pages throughout Spine-no ridges

[@sharynmccormick8172]

Tim, I was so looking forward to this video and as usual you did not disappoint! I impressed with your choices, especially the little black shroud wrap. You are by far my favorite youtuber, even over my decorating guy, and that's quite a leap, lol. You have such a "sparkling" personality and I could listen to you all day. I love when you have Becca on too, you guys were made for each other!

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@willcooper7345]

Hi Tim, this is EXCITING news! Your new Translation Tuesday is a GREAT idea! I find as time goes on, I actually embrace multiple translations… because speaking another language brings a sensitivity to the nuances that translations always are tricky just because certain words and ideas are not really “translatable” because they convey culture, context, linguistic style and timeperiod aspects that most people ignore or take for granted. With this in mind, I have grown to change my mind from strict word-for-word (which I love) to using thought-for-thought for additional insights and idea transfer to help me absorb MORE of the inherent Spirit supporting the words. I currently find myself unemployed but hoping to find a job soon to order your book. A topic I might suggest to you for discussion… although this is probably difficult for you to confirm… I have a friend who was a pastor in Brasil (my wife is Brasilian) who told me that most (and maybe all) Portuguese translations are translated from the ENGLISH translations - say, like NIV) into Portuguese. In other words, the translations flow from Hebrew/Greek to English to Portuguese. Perhaps this is due to the cost and effort required to produce a new translation, I don’t know…. It fascinates me because it adds yet one more translation layer to the whole process. Anyway, thank you for sharing your knowledge and considerable gifts with us.

[@souldier2425]

Zondervan's Premier Collection NIV Side Column Reference Personal Size is close to my perfect text block. Mid size - 8.5" x 5.4", Premium 36 GSM paper, Single Column without too many words per line, bold easy to read font, beautiful type setting, blue accents, easy to find side references/translator notes, wide margins for notes, perfect length ribbons. Throw on a highland goatskin cover and it would be 👌

[@JosephQuinton]

For the last 13 years I have daily and vigorously used an R.L. Allan, ESV, British Tan, with a Chant-binding. Since this initial purchase of a premium Bible, I have attempted to move into a Cambridge Wide-Margin, Schuyler Quentel, and a Schuyler Wide-Margin all of whom reside peacefully and quietly on my bookshelf gathering dust.

[@susyhebner2456]

We like similar things regarding the perfect Bible. That was a fantastic share today. Thanks!

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshuagarza0623]

- Box - clamshell - Wrap - velvet cloth - Leather - navy natural grain goatskin - Liner - calfskin - Ribbons - (4) 3/8” double sided satin in multi shades of blue, extra long - Art Gilt - blue under gold - Stamping - Holy Bible in Gold with deep stamping - Size - 6” x 9” - Paper - 36 gsm French paper - Typesetting - double column verse by verse - Typeface - 11 pt lexicon - Margins - normal - Red Letter - yes, dark red - Red Accents - yes - Cross-References - yes inside column - Translation notes - complete set - Concordance - not essential - Maps - yes, Cambridge maps - What Else? - Full yapp

[@invisibomykol1]

7:51 😂 my ESV has the letters "ESV", the logo, and the "English Standard Version" written out. I never really paid much attention to it, but now i will.

[@jenrich111]

With the full yap - very nice. I use loose ribbon also (in diff colour) and it does help/protect/open the fine pages. i see ladies making their own Bible wraps on the weekend 😂

[@E9819_]

If there’s one thing your channel has taught me it’s that Protestants really know how to make a really fine bible. This Catholic says kudos!

[@bjsackett]

A fun video, for sure. I’d only add a minor tweak to your margin requirement. I want the margin nearest the binding to be big enough that I could take a picture of the open pages, and see all the words in the passages clearly: no line-bendy fade-into-sunset effects.

[@richardvoogd705]

My preference for text size might loosely be described in terms of readability. Back in the day, before I needed reading glasses (oh the joys of getting older) I was comfortable with what I'm guessing was about 9 point or 10 point. One or two of my smaller "compact" Bibles have a print size where I nearly need a magnifying glass to boost the readability!

[@APercussionLife]

Such an awesome video! I own my dream bible 🙌🏽 ESV Schuyler Quentel in Marbeled Mahogany Calfskin… that Bible always draws me in!

[@timwildsmith]

Love that!

[@RealJamieWorley]

My dream Bible...double-column, verse-by-verse, words of Christ in red, parallel passages next to or under section headings in the NT, concordance, brown genuine leather/highland goatskin/calfskin, some room in the margins (BOTH SIDES), center-column cross references, and preferably ESV/NASB-95, or NKJV. If you know of such a Bible, reply. I like the CSB, but their use of letters (not verse numbers) in the cross references might be the worst idea implemented in a Bible, ever, with the exception of perhaps a "wide margin" Bible with a wide margin only on one side.

[@sandersdca]

The Allan NASB R1 in silverline checks more of my boxes than anything else.

[@JaimeRosario884]

I didnt realize it was gonna be so hard to find the perfect Bible for me. Theres always something I have to compromise on.

[@gunmedic3517]

I love your ideas. Great video.

[@markwardonwords]

Adam wins the typeface competition! Well deserved! It's super close to Lexicon, of course, but it has a little bit of the flair of Lexicon's sister, Trinité.

[@SaneNoMore]

As for text blocks, the only one I have seen that made me say ‘wow” is the Humble Lamb HiStory Bible. Would love to see a larger 10 point font in a ESV

[@theanswerchaos]

Hopefully one of the publishers sees this video & decides to make this a possibility for customers. Id love to build one or two for myself & do some for gifts.

[@BiblicallyNoted]

I've often thought about how I would build my own perfect Bible. The size would be huge, like the OLD style family Bibles. It would be like 10x10 (or something large like that). I'd have the NASB 95 in 16pt font, with a small note taking column between the 2 columns of font. The paper would be heavier, so there was less bleed when I write notes, and it would be interleaved. Likely it wuold be extraordinarily thick. I don't care. LOL As far as covering and binding - I wouldn't care as long as it's a nice lay-flat.

[@nixternal]

My dream bible is a Cambridge Wide-Margin Hardcover, ESV....Bring it back, & add the deuterocanonical books to it. I told ya, all your hardcover are belong to me!

[@fist406]

Hey, it's not exactly what you're looking for but the ACNA's publishing arm released a hardcover leather clad ESV with the deuterocanonical books included. Might be worth checking out. Be warned though, it's not wide margin 😂.

[@nixternal]

@@fist406 that bible could very well end up in my hands soon. It's a good looking bible, with the only thing I am not a fan of in the pics is just how transparent the paper is. The Cambridge Wide Margin & Diadem hardcovers have spoiled me :)

[@blockyartist]

My dream Bible is a note taking, thick paged, comfort or small print, red letter, bendable covers, KJV, with a concordance, maps, and some cross references.

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

Paile pink or beige or dove gray leather cover. ESV or NLT or NASB (only because those are three I haven't read). Two ribbons would be fine, but they need to look nice with the cover color. I don't need a concordance. I don't need wide margins. I'm ambivalent about references. I don't need a reading plan. I'd like introductions to each book. Red letter (or blue). Blue under silver art gilding. Partial nap.

[@evelynmyree5153]

You know, it seems you really enjoyed this video, thank you by the way, good information, I'm a little geeky about knowing things

[@timwildsmith]

I sure did!

[@undignified98]

This was a very fun video! Love seeing all the different Bibles and your thoughts on your personal favs. I was glad to hear you say no cross references. I always feel like a heretic when I don't want a Bible with them! lol.

[@timwildsmith]

Hahaha... totally!

[@jaine2164]

🎉😆😆I knew this video would 1 day come! Party ON!

[@timwildsmith]

🎉🎉🎉

[@sillyrabbi64]

As for my favorites, first, you are a much younger man than I...I need a bigger font which means I will carry a larger bible. My minimum is 9-point, and 9.5- or 10-point is better. I love the Heirloom Legacy block...putting the pericope headings in the margin gives many of the advantages of a reader without losing the versification for use in church, etc. I'm a big fan of 2KD typefaces but any of the new ones will work. I'll take any translation that is not TR based, but lean slightly more toward the ESV. I need good maps, but I prefer to have a couple good Holy Land maps as my endpapers...easier to quickly flip to when reading. I also think the satellite photography that NET uses is a phenomenal tool, but it does take up a lot of space. I love notepaper at the back like some premium publishers use, and a 1" margin is ideal, give or take a few millimeters. As for the cover, I want floppy, butter-soft leather, so goatskin is my preference. Color is mostly incidental. I love the raised hubs, and one feature there that I find incredibly visually appealing is color overlays between a couple of the hubs (bright red or black really stand out).

[@mikeweller2124]

Thanks. Your videos make me think about what I'm looking for in a bible. I was expecting you to discuss the content you want in a bible. After watching many of your bible reviews and buying at least 6 bibles this year, here is my take on an ideal bible content. First I like the multi-volume, spiral bound, journaling bible format. I love extra room to write my own notes and a spiral bound, multi-volume bible format is more manageable for me. I the NIV study bible has the most cross-references of all my bibles. I would expand the old testament references to include the whole passage a new testament author quotes because there was a common rabbinical technique to quote the first verse of a passage and the reader/hearer knew the entire passage was being referenced. I like the use of inserted maps throughout the bible in both the NIV and Ignatius study bibles to better understand the context that I am currently reading. I like the use of inserted articles, which could explain "types" from the old testament that prefigure new testament concepts (e.g. 1 CO 10 where Paul describes crossing the red sea as prefiguring Christian baptism; Melchesidek/Christ; etc.). Articles on cultural background such as the significance of Jesus writing in the dirt, Caananite Gods and religious beliefs; the various Hebrew names for God and their significance; the various nations in and around the holy and and their significance to Israel; etc. Articles that address Christian concepts such as faith, agape I was so disappointed in an article on faith I found in one of my study bibles, I wrote my own based on Paul, Peter, John, James, and the Gospel of Mathew. I find most of the footnotes in any study bible useless. Many restate the referenced text, or beat some doctrinal drum not supported by the text. Footnotes need to be more selective. Prefer to see footnotes identify alternative readings such as Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls. The translator notes in the NET bible are useful to understand issues in translating obscure passages. I'm also interested in how the early church understood the scripture. I am aware the CSB has an "Ancient Faith Study Bible" and I discovered that the notes were based upon a series: "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture", and I bought the 2 volumes on Mathew. The comments selected by the editors surprised me by their frequent use of heretics (e.g. Tertullian) and obscure (e.g. Anonymous) while ignoring more prominent fathers such as Peter Chrysologus, Cyril of Jerusalem (must read commentaries on the Our Father). I primarily use 3 translations: RSV, NIV, and Jerusalem. The RSV provides a word for word translation while the NIV and Jerusalem provide a more thought-for--thought translation. I don't think more modern word-for-word translations (e.g. NRSV, ESV, NKJV) have enough added value to justify the purchase. If you already have one of these it's sunk costs. Same idea with the thought-for-thought translations. I'd like to keep the bible to what the original author's intended to convey. Let's keep your respective church doctrine out of the bible. If your Catholic, get a copy of the Catechism of the Church. If you are another denomination, get your church catechism (or equivalent). Distorting the bible to your church doctrine is an injustice.

[@timochka009]

We should get around 40k of them printed (one for every subscriber); a couple thousand in the most popular translations.

[@scotteramsey]

I would be interested in seeing what a reverse spine hub Bible would look like. The thin hubs could be recessed into the wider protruding hubs.

[@Qbone15]

Mine is almost identical to yours. Mid-size, single column with no references. MORE OF THESE!

[@WilliamWatsonBirch]

This was so much fun! Yay! So, the other night I had a dream I was in a Christian bookstore and I found a Bible I had never seen before. Opening it up, the pages were sort of burnt tan, like an old manuscript, like from the Archeological Study Bible, and it was awesome. The notes were from history, Church history, and archeology. I was fascinated. But it only came in the NIV (lol) and I'm not a user of the NIV (though I certainly do reference the NIV when I study). I was bummed that I could only get it in the NIV (NASB or ESV or CSB or NKJV or even NRSV would have been great). I woke up, laughed, and shook my head. Dreaming about Bibles.

[@timwildsmith]

Fun dream!

[@timothydietz]

Perfect bible: start with a Clarion, move the cross references inside, 2 color red printing like Schuyler, but with verse numbers small like the new Cambridge paragraph bible, Schuyler maps, keep the concordance, green highland goatskin with YELLOW leather liner like the IVP 1662 Book of common Prayer international edition, 3 red ribbons, and a clamshell box. Also, it comes with a companion pocket new testament that hase words only and scales the text to be able to slip into a back pocket of your jeans, red goatskin.

[@GloryQuest]

What no font size preference? LOL You know a lot of this will play in to how thick the Bible is-font, font size, paper quality, margins. Fun video!

[@timwildsmith]

Katharos 9pt !

[@JefferyHunt]

My perfect would use the CSB and have the OT in the Hebrew order, single column paragraph, no chapter or verse numbers in text, but have the chapter and verse range in the corner of the headers opposite the page number. 3 different colored ribbons. Currently, you can buy a CSB OT in the Hebrew order of books, but I’d like one bound with the NT. I’d also like to use “Yahweh” for the tetragrammaton. The HCSB did this on occasion, but without consistency, so they went the traditional route with the CSB.

[@AnnaJunus-hm8cr]

Perfect bible - it can be large since I wouldn't be carrying it everywhere. Outside - faux leather so it's soft, in a pretty colour such as blue, pink, teal, or purple. Maybe floral. Several ribbons all of different co-ordinating colours. I like pretty. Inside interlined. Yep, lots of space for doing notes. Single column. Footnotes, and information at the bottom. It's a study bible. Tabbed. Big margins for , prayers, questions, etc. So it's a devotional bible. Articles, maps. Yes, I want a study, devotional, journaling bible with a soft pretty cover.

[@saranovaa]

I wish more bibles had the hosanna revival cream color paper So comfy to read :)

[@matreames]

I think I have the underrated gem already. Which is the crossway ESV single column thin line Bible It’s a hair smaller than I would like because I actually would prefer a little wider margin. It currently only has like three-quarter inch I’d prefer maybe inch to inch and a quarter But it’s easy to carry everywhere and have a good text block. So if I could get that basic textblock with a slightly wider margin in a premium soft, lay flat leather that would be delightful. I’ve always been partial to on the brown spectrum so that desert camel or something maybe just a little more coffee colored would be perfect. I would want three ribbons, but I would want them in different colors. I would want one ribbon, that was a dark brown one ribbon that was a beige and one ribbon that was a dark olive green. I personally like having different colors because it allows me without thinking to know which is where in the Bible. I’m not a yap person so a light yap, perhaps a little more than what you get with your basic thin line budget Bibles would be good. But I don’t need a full app. I definitely agree with you about the font choices. I don’t own a Bibliotheca, but would gladly love to have one someday. At the same time, I kind of hope they eventually branch out and make few variants of Bibliotheca. You know, ones that aren’t just the readers edition, but using their same design elements to create a more traditional Bible, like a preachers Bible type thing. As for the gilding, a dark gold is cool, if you could get the dark gold, and instead of having the red under gold look have like a Olive or a mocha under gold I think that might be cool. But since I’ve never seen it, I can’t say that it would actually look as good as it does in my head. The crossway velvet wrap, solid choice if you’re going to do a wrap for me personally, I actually prefer sleeve style box like what crossway gave with the Creedence and confessions Bible. I like to be able to have a sturdy box to protect it, but where I can still just pull it right off the shelf, rather than pulling it off the shelf opening the Bible and unwrapping it.if you could do that same kind of slide in box, but have the interior of the box lined with that velvet wrap where I can still just slide it in and out but it has that soft velvet to protect from any scratching a plus right there

[@kirbysmith4135]

No Concordance. THANK YOU!! Just makes the Bible unnecessarily thick.

[@Dylan-wn7dm]

I agree with maps, I enjoy the maps

[@mikedroth]

I would want an RL Allan SPC but with a Crossway typesetting, and then the real kicker is I would want the Robert Alter OT and the David Bentley Hart NT for the translation.

[@mendyhand3895]

Love maps throughout the Bible! I’m a Study Bible Nerd! Lol! ❤

[@RE-ue6oz]

Mine would be NASB 1995 Schuyler, 10.5 font 36 GSM paper, wide margin, verse by verse with full references and notes next to the verse they pertain to, red letter (I know, I just prefer it!). Double column or single would be OK, and don’t care about cover color, but good leather would be nice. And obviously proper binding and Smythe sewn.

[@nnemoyer]

Recommend me a Bible - ESV, Wellington Brown leather, lightweight (due to advancing muscle disease), large print for the best readability (these eyes are getting older), and single column (as influenced by you), or double is fine. Thanks! This video was fun!

[@timwildsmith]

Hmmm… the only ESV single-columns in Wellington are the Legacy and Heritage.

[@nnemoyer]

@@timwildsmith thank you! I'll sort out to my priorities and make a good Bible choice for me. Your videos have been both enjoyable and instructive! Thanks so much!

[@blazers1177]

Awesome video Tim, any thoughts or preferences on red letter for the words of Jesus or perhaps blue letter?

[@timwildsmith]

I prefer black letter throughout.

[@rebeccaly]

What a fun video!! Love the thumbnail too haha 😂❤

[@timwildsmith]

Thank you!! 😁 Becca helped me with that!

[@Mb2IseeU]

Cat Woods also said that about the ribbons in your ribbon video, they need to be long enough to extend to the corner and still hold on to so you can turn the pages.

[@Dr.Mike.Rev.Napier]

This was a lot of fun 😂

[@timwildsmith]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ashrael37]

So...are you going to create a perfect study Bible video next?

[@RachelRamey]

I like that the blue box looks like something that could be easily repurposed, so it's not wasteful. I never gave much thought to the packaging, but I don't like a lot of excess paper (or, worse, plastic) packaging that's not reusable -- that seems like poor stewardship to me. I don't have strong preferences on exteriors/binding, although I do like a flexible-but-sturdy leather. I like art gilding, and if I were making my own perfect Bible I'd probably go for a rich teal. Bibles never have enough ribbons; I'd love at least three. That gives enough to mark your personal reading, family-worship reading, and whatever the church is currently working through. For interiors, I prefer a black-letter edition. I like blue accents. (I might lean those toward teal if we were going with teal art gilding.) Single-column, if the Bible is mid-size or smaller, but two columns if it's a very large Bible, and paragraph format. I've not examined fonts enough to have a strong preference, although I do like the Thomas Nelson Comfort Print. 1-1/2" outer margins because I'm a note-taker. Cross-references optional, but translation notes essential. No commentary (although I do want basic book intros so I don't have to remember things like when a book was written). Concordance would be optional, although I like having a handful of alphabetically-labeled note pages at the back so I can create my own concordance of often-used verses. And I don't love most Bible maps because they usually get the route of the Exodus wrong, but I'd love a set of GOOD maps. (Can't say I've ever seen Schuyler's, so that's not a dis on Schuyler.)

[@ladyameliecharlotte]

I'd just love the Crossway ESV Heirloom Bible, Heritage Edition in Prussian blue that you featured a few months back 😢

[@schrock4ro]

What about verse by verse or paragraph style? I like the paragraph for personal reading, but the verse by verse for preaching because it makes it easier and faster to find the verse.

[@jesuschristbiblebiblestudy]

Bereans Standard Bible (BSB) is also good option. One of very few that are public domain. Blessings. Pastor John

[@tacticaltradingpennystocks7206]

☑️Schuyler Desert Camel Calfskin full yapp w raised spine hubs ☑️38GSM prima Bible paper ☑️Single Column ☑️Verse by Verse ☑️5 double satin ribbons, 2 White, 2 Gold, 1 Red ☑️ Dark red accents on headers & verse numbers ☑️1.5 inch outer margins ☑️References in gutter ☑️KJV

[@lkreinmiller-author]

I use a digital Bible but I did add to my collection of map e-books. Thanks.

[@raywilliams6715]

Hey Tim, thanks for the video. You forgot to mention if the single column would be verse by verse or paragraph! I would go with paragraph with bold verses so that you can find your verses easier. agree with most of your choices. I would add that Allan binding bound in Great Britain is most flexible and the Bible open flatly. I also would add the blue words in Christ like Humble Lamb does.

[@timwildsmith]

Paragraph for me!

[@jonburnett4950]

I think it would have to be a 9-point, single-column ESV Thinline in vintage brown goatskin with full yapp, and two thick golden ribbons. So somewhere between the Heritage and my Omega. 🙏✌️🤓

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@fnjesusfreak]

I want to say 2K's MCM is a variant of Bookman. Don't quote me. But Cambridge's Petit Medieval Clarendon (the Cameo font) is also a Bookman variant...no surprise MCM looks so good!

[@timwildsmith]

Yeah, it has the Clarendon feel!

[@quietedbyHISlove_Zeph3.17]

What you said, but I would have to have the fore-edge gilt from Humble Lamb! Great video!

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@ginamiller6754]

It was a lot of fun! We have very similar taste! 😅

[@Gafortiby]

Tim! Have you considered the Bible font Trinite in Crossway’s six volume reader’s Bible? That’s my all time favorite Bible font. I’m sad it’s not used in other Crossway Bibles, maybe it doesn’t shrink well below 9 point size. My all time favorite thin paper is the LEGO Bible paper Crossway used in the early 2010s. I think it’s 36gsm.

[@timwildsmith]

That's a great typeface.

[@jscottnewland]

Tim maybe I missed it in this long video, but in your "perfect bible" you covered everything very welll but I missed your choice of Translation . For me it would either be the ESV, NASB 95 or the LSB, still wavering on that and the layout would be an inside column reference single column and I would love to see 32 pages of blank or dot lined pages for notes if I were building it it

[@hcltami]

I would start with Tim's perfect Bible, but have: •Black box •Black calfskin •Red ribbons •Wider margins •Larger, less ornate typeface (also called Old Lady Typeface) •Limited cross-references (for direct quotes from other portions of scripture) •And let the size and thickness fall where it may Perfect!

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@lllthink]

Wonderful video. Not fussed about the box a bible would come in, but would love to have it wrapped in fine white tissue paper as you open it up. Bottle green full yapp leather with 2 dark forest green ribbons. No writing on the bind, just the company logo stamped with no colour added. No art guild on the pages. The front just a stamp logo of the version of translation. Inside, two columns with just the translation notes at the bottom. Maps at the back mat, not shiny. Go for the simple look, no bling 😊

[@JosePerez-me7kt]

Fun video thanks. But I think the Humble Lamb NASB2020 is it with out art pictures to get bigger font .just make 8.5x5.5 thiner at least 1.75 and a 9.5 or 10.font and ref. on the inner margin, please . In the NLT, ESV or LSB since they have a relationship with the LOCKMAN publisher

[@67MercuryXR7]

Perfect! I love the chunky style of the Humble Lamb, ditch the pictures, add larger print, make it in LSB. Pretty sure that would be “it”. Maybe add a cool distressed cover.

[@HeartInLight]

Ok, I havent seen alot of bibles so im gonna wing this one. Black goatskin, full yapp, spine ribs, either nelson 36gsm, or a nice 32gsm with comfort print, no concordance, with obscure definitions "for KJV" at the bottom or middle, 2 column red letter, Personal size thinline for 1 handed use. No ribbons...i hate ribbons. I use post it notes folded in half cause they arent fiddly like ribbons are. Would be 5.75 inches wide when closed, and 8.75 height. And anywhere from 1-1.3 inches thick would be in my wheel box. And it has to be a 10 point, no smaller than 10 point. I too, would take the Allen red under gold. As long as its red, and not some pinkish stuff. Ribbons would be immensely better. If they were aligned like the pages are, so mounted sideways. With a small 90 degree bend sewn in. Kind of like the corners of the yapp on the inside. It would make them no fiddle ribbons. And it would be an amazing thing. I have just really started trying to find what I like. And so far literally no bible has had anything close to what I want. Thinline+Personal size, with 10 point font. Seems to not exist. So my current favorite is my Nelson premium thinline text only. Nice 10 point, 1 inch thick. If they had made it personal size also. It would be pretty much perfect for me. And its so close its painful.

[@deanbrandon3615]

Hard to say. Two, one personal size, one larger. For a smaller bible, the Schuyler Red Brick goatskin with blue guilt over silver on the edges, with blue ribbons. For a larger one, Schuyler Quintel size, but in Marbled Brown Calfskin (normal yapp). Yes, put aside the crossreferences and the concordance in these and keep the maps. Put thicker paper in the larger Quintel. Go for 36 gsm! 28 gsm is fine for the smaller PSQ. Use Red (or blue) contrasting chapter and verse numbers. The key thing is readability, so less clutter without the cross-references, more opaque paper, and larger fonts (11-12 point font). A double-column bible is fine, but a single-column would be great as well. I don't know about the font style, but the Milo or the Comfort Print are both good. The translation is a bit more difficult because I use more than one.

[@Meteor_pending]

I feel like the Angelico typeface used in the Word on Fire Bible is the most beautiful.

[@L_C_]

I wish I could get the green crossway heritage, single column, with the spine of the humble lamb and the simple “The word of God” on the back with cross reference. Im not a fan of over branding.

[@AndreFavron]

This was an incredibly useful video and thank you for teaching us how many factors go into producing a physical Bible. When I think of the perfect Bible I have never even considered the vast amount of specific details that go into the basics of how it looks and feels for the manufacturing process... I just knew I wanted something beautiful yet rugged enough to be a legacy item. This brings me to one question though: what is the "purpose" of the ribs? I remember another video you touched on why some have five ribs but why do premium Bibles have ribs at all? Anyway... my perfect Bible is not a Bible but a perfect "set" of Bibles. Not a set like Bibliotheca or similar but two complete Bibles. They would have identical external design features (size, binding, design, etc.) so that they could sit beautifully beside each other on your desk and look identical (except for their thickness) but one would be a thick STUDY Bible with almost no negative space to write in, and its twin would be a "carry size" JOURNALLING Bible with (possibly both?) extra-wide margins and/or interleaved design. The study edition would be replete with tools that would provide accurate knowledge: full-colour, (current) charts, maps, articles, photos, etc. so that I could take this Bible on a private spiritual retreat and not need to have the internet, nor carry many ancillary works like reference books and commentaries. I also love to read my Bible and learn things about the context of the passage without having to put the Bible down to go to other sources. In fact, I want to learn things that I did not know I did not know, (and therefore I did not know to research). The twin Bible would be "basically" Scriptural Text Only and would be used in concert with the study edition to take my notes. These handwritten entries would be both what my heart is experiencing and what my mind is learning. This is the Bible I would carry to church, conferences, and Bible study groups. This would be my "reading" Bible. I would also want the text to be in a version between Word-for-word and thought-for-though, though the CSB uses a term I appreciate... "Optimal Equivalence". The only thing that I would really want insistently though (if I was making this) would be that the binding/cover would be more of a "design" than of a bunch of words. I absolutely ADORE what Tyndale did with their NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible in the LeatherLike, Heritage Oak Brown cover. I bought that Bible SPECIFICALLY for how beautiful it is on my desk, and how it makes me feel to hold it and read it. Even the script on the spine is almost invisible. I have other Chronological and Life Application Bibles - I did not need this one, but I wanted it and use it every day, reading each page thoroughly and in order. I don't care about "branding" and such. I am not advertising the product manufacturer, I am delighting in MY Bible. The other thing I would design if I could would be that the text of the reading Bible would be a (minimum) 10-point font, single-column, extra comfort format whereas the study Bible would be around a 9-point font with the study material maybe even smaller. That, for me, would be the beginning of the Ultimate Bible and I would pay without hesitation for something that would be a pearl of great value.

[@BGID7]

Would you want red chapter/verse numbers with navy ribbons? Or would you rather have navy chapter/verse numbers matching the ribbons? Just curious..

[@timwildsmith]

Hmmmmm.... interesting question. Would love to see what the navy would look like!

[@Presby1646]

Great spec picks. 👍🏼

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks!

[@davidcorzine7573]

I realize this has been out for a while however I just noticed you didn't mention the color of the end pages or inner liner color/ leather. Or the guilt line (solid/herringbone). Just a couple things :) Love your videos BTW.

[@quix66hiya22]

I’d be happy with a flexible real leather NASB or CSB interleaved Bible in one volume with a 12 point font. Like the ESV interleaved Bible which does exist in hardback but with slightly larger font. I want to be able to take copious notes but in one volume to carry around instead of the multiple scripture notebooks.

[@quix66hiya22]

Forgot to add I want a single column Bible.

[@sluggo562]

For me: No opinion on packaging, full yapp dark grean goat with pockets on the inside of both covers to store additional materials. Agree on spine text and ribbons and page size, 5.5x8.25 but I like them thick, 1.5 to 1.75 inches. Speckled edges for me. I like the French paper, but I think I'd prefer traditional, natural materials to the titanium infused space paper we use. Agree on single column, I like verse numbers in the left margin. 2K's MCM sounds right up my alley or a vintage newspaper font of some kind. Large one inch margins and red accents including illustrated drop caps but speech of God not in red. No cross references, no concordance, I agree. The translator notes and maps, no strong opinion. The Treveris is the closest fit to that for me and I love mine.

[@GINZO4849]

Fun idea. That is how Humble Lamb happened.

[@Dylan-wn7dm]

Tim, what if there was a website where you could actually build your own Bible from the ground up 🤔

[@revdavidpeters]

Great video Tim! Cool idea and you should challenge other creators to make this video!

[@timwildsmith]

That would be cool!

[@getmatthew]

Black goat Heirloom Heritage Silver stamped Blue under silver No family history, maps, etc. ONLY the text block and presentation page That’s pretty darn perfect.

[@donriedel5047]

Would love to have you do a bit on large print bibles. I no longer can read the smaller print in many bibles. Have went to the large print Zondervan NIV Life Application bible now but I am always looking for the next best thing. And I’m not sure if my vision will deteriorate more but who knows what I might have to transition to. The NIV Life Application bible is so heavy that it makes it hard to carry to church so I have a smaller bible for that. The pages of the NIV Life Application stand up well to highlighting with a wax marker. I mark up my bibles because I love going back to see what I thought was important last year or the year before. I enjoy you videos. Thank you. Don A. Riedel😊

[@jenrich111]

do you need more than font 16? What font is the one you are using?

[@donriedel5047]

Not sure all my bible says is “Large Print”

[@Mrsadams1]

I think my perfect Bible would be an ESV heirloom heritage with cross references and a good concordance.

[@superproducercbiz]

And thus… my Bible collecting journey begins.

[@poewitx]

I’ve watched a few vids (new subscriber) and I this may be a wild guess but, pretty sure BLUE, is Mr. Wildsmith fav color 🤔🙃

[@sarahreitnour3188]

Esv study bible combined with the Esv interleaved. The leather flap over. I have interleaved version but I want the study notes

[@reedebrown6006]

My Bible would be pretty much what you have said. I would go for blind stamping on the spine and, you didn’t mention liner or end sheet or head and tail bands!

[@Child0fGod7815]

I just came across your channel and appreciate the information and comparisons. Can you include GIANT PRINT options too please. Do you have a recommendation for a NKJV GIANT Print single column Bible, preferably with a cute colorful cover.