Crossway ESV Premium Bible Comparison - Omega, Legacy, Heritage, and More!

[@Rubberglass]

Been a believer for 15+ years and am now looking for my final Bible that I’ll use till I die then pass to my son. Thanks for these videos. 🙏

[@paulwetherell2599]

Seems I’ve watched this video so many times! Such useful information and comparison. Thanks. Omega is on the wish list for when my eyes can’t handle the Pitt minion anymore.

[@timwildsmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1334cass]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I am currently trying to research all the Premium bibles as I would love to save for one in the future. This video really helped me so much. The side by side helped more than you could know! I have pretty much narrowed it down to a Horween Omega. Now, just have to wait until there is a pre-order.

[@timwildsmith]

Glad to help!!

[@jackclancy5747]

Thank you for this review. I struggled with which premium bible I wanted. It's the Omega. You explained the differences well.

[@C6v1999]

I've been researching Single Column ESVs recently (for reading) and you just drop a superb video to help with my choice. I have to say my first choice is the Heirloom Heritage followed closely by the paragraph Preaching Bible. Thanks so much for making these videos!

[@timwildsmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gilbertculloden87]

Tim didn't address it in this video but the ESV preaching bible does have higher gsm paper than the heritage. So the preaching bible will have less show-through than the heritage

[@C6v1999]

@@gilbertculloden87 Thanks. In another video on just the Heirloom Heritage, he mentions that detail but states that the opacity is very similar to the Preacher's Bible because of the higher quality European bible paper. So I'm torn between the Heritage or getting a rebind of the Preacher's Bible with nicer leather, liner and ribbons. Paper quality is so important to me.

[@gilbertculloden87]

@@C6v1999 You're welcome, I don't have the Heritage but I do have the ESV omega and preaching bible. I believe the Omega and Heritage both have the same 28 gsm paper while the preaching bible has 36 gsm paper. Comparing the omega to the preaching bible, the preaching Bible's paper is noticeably more opaque with less showthrough (though the omega is certainly not bad). Assuming the heritage has the same paper as the omega, I'd recommend the preaching bible if you want the least amount of showthrough. Also, if you're planning to rebind and want to save money, crossway makes a hardcover version of the preaching bible with identical paper as the goatskin edition for around $30. But I think the hardcover preaching bible only comes in paragraph version rather than verse by verse.

[@C6v1999]

@@gilbertculloden87 That decides it for me! I own the hardcover Preaching Bible so I think it will be going to a rebinder soon. Thanks for the great advice!

[@reedebrown6006]

This has confirmed my previous comment on the Heritage Bible being my favourite. It looks so clean and simple. Great review! Nice to see the preaching Bible options too.

[@timwildsmith]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@drkylewallner]

Awesome video Tim! I recently purchased the goatskin Heritage, and I love it. Yes, I really hope Crossway brings back the Heirloom Study Bible, been trying to find one for a while!

[@timwildsmith]

Me too!

[@logan.stark777]

Tim, there are many others out there sharing their thoughts and giving Bible reviews. Have to say after much research will say, you’re the best.

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks, Logan... I'm glad you enjoy them.

[@christopherbrown2222]

Would LOVE for Crossway to do another collab with EB on the Heritage! A beautiful, hand-sized single column with green or blue GS would be perfection!!

[@timwildsmith]

Oh yeah!!!

[@Jedwardharper]

@@timwildsmith This aged well!

[@jakesolis734]

As my premium Bible collection has grown, I've discovered what I do and don't like. By far my favorite Bible is the ESV Omega from Crossway. Over the years I've bought three of them; the quality has improved dramatically with each new edition. That said, my main Bible is currently the green Evangelical Bible edition of the Omega from 2021. I couldn't be happier!

[@timwildsmith]

I love the EVB exclusive collection!

[@grantkruger3689]

That's a great looking Bible. Each of the colour options is really appealing. The only reason I didn't buy one was that I found a Schuyler Quentel ESV dark green full yapp being sold somewhere.

[@Mrbankstx]

Does the ESV Omega by Crossway come with red letter text?

[@kathymabry1798]

Crossways Omega edition with cross references

[@toobalicious]

To answer your question at the end of the video, if I could only have one of these bibles, I'd pick the Omega. However, the incredibly tiny cross-reference font combined with the realities of my vision mean that this information is only usable to me if I have a magnifying glass handy. So, it's kind of wasted on me, as I don't have a magnifying glass handy. Since I already havre a Reformation Study Bible (with readable cross-references and more), I think the cleaner Legacy bible is best for me. I think I prefer the thinner form factor to that of the Heritage. When I want to "dig deep", I can grab the study bible and follow cross-references to my heart's content.

[@timwildsmith]

I like this rationale!

[@alexkliever4659]

toobalicious I agree. I was close to purchasing the Omega for the sake of the cross-references. But they are incredibly hard to follow being all bunched up together in such tiny font, as you pointed out. The omega has an attractive format, to be sure. I too will use my ESV Study Bible and ESV Classic Reference Bible (unfortunately Crossway has not yet produced a Premium Heirloom edition of the Classic Reference, though you can get it in a premium from R.L. Allan currently) to use cross-references and look them up in another ESV. Like you, I am considering the Heirloom Legacy to use for looking up my cross-references in while studying. The Heritage does have more of a brick sort of feeling in the hands, similar to the T. Nelson NKJV Single-Column Reference (which is even thicker than the ESV Heritage) and it still is an attractive page layout. The Legacy’s layout is very unique having the section headings in the outer margins instead of in with the text. Its a very aesthetically pleasing layout which I wouldn’t get tired of looking at, I believe. But the heritage might be a bit easier on the eye since there is more spacing between the lines. There are always some compromises with most Bible layouts. Ideally I would get one of each in those video and use them all, rotating them for study and reading sessions, but I’d break the bank too quickly.

[@mikehoward455]

Thanks for another great review and comparison video Tim. I grew up with 2 column Bible’s and they have always been my favorite, so I would go with the Omega. I do like the Heritage’s combination of old and new, using a traditional layout with a single column. I’m intrigued by the single column VBV Stridon that Schuyler is getting ready to release.

[@timwildsmith]

I’m excited to check that Stridon out!

[@mfacundo7]

Thanks again for helping me chose my green legacy!

[@timwildsmith]

Any time!

[@sandracoombs2255]

That green cover is beautiful. Thanks Tim for showing us these - I love cross references though so these Bibles are really not for me. I think the verse-by-verse single column side reference is unbeatable for ease of reading, marking up and study. But they’re all so beautiful.

[@timwildsmith]

You're welcome, Sandra!

[@mandyrawlinson7687]

The Omega would suit my needs best - larger font, the size is just right and while I would usually prefer single column , they did the double column so nicely that I like it!

[@shuttergirlUK]

Great video - really useful to understand Crossway's premium offerings. If fact, it's the clearest guide I've seen. I have the Heritage in black and the Preaching vbv. I love the Heritage as it's such a great size and sooooo fantastically readable. It's the kind of size between a Schuyler Quentel and PSQ that Schuyler need to make! I have chronic migraines, and the layout of the Heritage is the best for reading. The Preaching vbv is also good, because it's so open, but it's much heftier Bible. More like a Quentel in that respect. I really don't get why the Omega is so incredibly popular. The layout looks so squashed to me. I would find that quite migraine inducing! The Legacy looks amazing - I would love one of those for note taking. The margins just scream 'write in me!'...! Is - or was - there a trutone version of the Heritage textblock? 🤔🤔 Thanks for the vid!

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks for sharing, Susie!

[@BrettBrett1299]

You always good a great job! Your work is much appreciated

[@kapirk2244]

Omega!! All day! I still love a 2 column bible. With footnotes! Yes, sir.

[@gmcenroe]

I like the Legacy out of the 3 choices because it is single column and looks very readable.

[@timwildsmith]

Definitely.

[@GanttCarterservant]

Good choice 😎

[@interestingiftrue8668]

​@@timwildsmithI wonder why they left out Matthew 17:21..

[@colbyharris7229]

@@interestingiftrue8668 hey friend, may I ask, have you by chance heard of textual criticism?

[@carmennooner2027]

I loved this video! I have no interest in any of these, meaning I have saved money. I'm very happy with my Large Print ESV Study Bible in faux leather. It weighs a ton, but my tired old eyes can easily read both the text and the notes. I enjoy the comparison videos, so please continue to do them. It's one of the reasons I enjoy watching Randy Brown. However, you take the comparisons a bit more slowly then he does, which I appreciate. :)

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@abc-wv4in]

You know, I wanted a NKJV that was inexpensive so I could mark and write in it. I just got a Nelson Comfort Print in NKJV in purple Leathersoft (fake leather) that is beautiful! It was just under $20. I'd be satisfied with it if it was the only Bible I had. I'm really enjoying using it. I also have some premium ones that I want to leave to my kids, but there are some very good inexpensive Bibles out there! It's the content that is precious.

[@Kulring]

I would probably go with the Omega, as I am a two-column reader and do like to have cross references.

[@troymaragos2445]

Tim - excellent videos. Would love a measurement of the hight of the spine (as the bible lays flat) in future videos. For some reason, Crossway does not add this measurement of the text block on their website.

[@JosephAlanMeador]

I like that green one 😍 Thanks for the review!

[@grantkruger3689]

The Omega and the Heritage are both very attractive, the Omega for text size and cross references, the Heritage for size and single column layout. I'd ultimately choose an Omega I think. I wonder if Crossway will ever print a premium edition of their Classic Reference text, maybe enlarged a bit like Allen do. That in an Omega size Bible, and better ribbons of course, would be fantastic.

[@timwildsmith]

Now you’re taking, Grant. I’d LOVE a premium like the Classic Reference.

[@thomasthompson8192]

Omega would be my choice for the double column layout and 10 pt font.

[@gastie1]

Crossway also used to do their wide margin bible in the heirloom collection. It is my everyday (maybe for life) bible and it is a pity they don't do it anymore. I realise the paper could have been better, but the formatting really is the perfect wide margin

[@timwildsmith]

I had one of those for a minute... very nice!

[@Cliff_Dixon_42]

Among those three premium Crossway options, I would lean more towards the Heritage, on account of the very generous line spacing in that single-column text block; looks to be the easiest to read through. But I would definitely be JAZZED to have ANY of those in my hands! Would be nice to see more color options on the Heritage . . . (BLUE!! BLUE!! BLUE!! BLUE!!) VERY familiar with that Buffalo Leather Thinline; it's the Bible I'm going through RIGHT NOW!! (Banging through Leviticus -- and banging my head at times because "Oh Lord, I'm back on Leviticus!!")

[@timwildsmith]

I know that feeling!!

[@abc-wv4in]

I like generous line spacing (leading?) too! Some Bibles just have solid walls of text that are rather intimidating at first glance. I like some white space!

[@amptown1]

I really liked this video. Thanks Tim! I'd pick the Omega out of these three.

[@timwildsmith]

Thank you… and great choice!

[@abc-wv4in]

Nice comparison as usual; thanks! Maybe I missed it, but what size print on the new heirloom thinline coming out? As I like larger type, I'd go with the Omega at 10+, which I have in an older version with four ribbons I bought in 2016. I also have a calfskin Heritage that i bought before that with smaller font. I also have a less expensive ESV journaling Bible for marking and writing notes that I love. It's hardback with a floral cover and brown corners. (I don't mark in my helrloom quality Bibles.) ESV offers so many choices. Oh, I also have a beautiful cordovan calfskin ESV Study Bible that I got on clearance from CB for $39 (!) years ago. Big fan of Crossway and Schuyler.

[@robpetry84]

Love the channel Tim! I currently own a Schuyler Quentel just because of your video comparisons. I think the next one I want to save up for is the Crossway ESV preaching bible verse by verse edition. You should have way more subscribers!

[@timwildsmith]

Thanks so much, Gunner!

[@PastorCory]

If I could only have one, it would be the legacy. I’m a sucker for wide margins and writing space.

[@timwildsmith]

It’s a beauty!

[@GeorgeHillmanJr]

I have all three but the Omega is my daily “go to” Bible in my backpack.

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@brianwdavidson]

George, how has that omega held up as a EDC bag Bible? Thinking about using mine that way. Do you just toss it in your bag?

[@GeorgeHillmanJr]

@@brianwdavidson Just toss it in there. I want the character to show on the Horween.

[@KevinSavedByGrace]

Tim, i really like the energy and polish with which you present and produce your videos. You’ve certainly got me hooked on the premium Bible world :) Regarding the ESV Bibles in particular, I’m thinking about buying a heirloom omega (not the thinline). Would you happen to know the GSM ? Also, if you have a link to a video where you reviewed that, please let me know :)

[@timwildsmith]

28 GSM!

[@KevinSavedByGrace]

@@timwildsmith thank you so much !!! I so wish all the premium Bible manufacturers would go to 36 GSM :( I guess one can dream right ;) Btw, in one your video I think I heard you say that you gave away a 36GSM Bible in favor of the 28 GSM opaque paper which Schuyler uses. So that gives me assurance regarding the readability. Do you know if there is a difference with marking up the Bible with a Micron 005 pen?

[@timwildsmith]

@@KevinSavedByGrace I think the 28 GSM that Schuyler uses is great... I have not written on it myself, but I know many people who have and don't have problems using microns.

[@Tax_Buster]

The ESV Omega you by EB has a 10-point font. I so wanna have a Heritage!

[@timwildsmith]

That Heritage is NICE

[@douglassowter9600]

Thanks for the video I am looking to add another ESV

[@timwildsmith]

You’re welcome!

[@DualCannons]

The legacy is top for me. Nothing extra and plenty spaces for pencil notes. Says out of print everywhere

[@sluggo562]

Legacy, for sure. Omega second.

[@rjtracy1853]

Hey Tim, I’m new to your channel but am loving it! I’m looking for a new ESV and I’m deciding between the Omega and the Heirloom Thinline. Aside from the references, what are the differences between those two?

[@timwildsmith]

The thinline is slightly smaller. I’ll do a comparison when the new ones come out.

[@rjtracy1853]

@@timwildsmith awesome, thanks!

[@FredHenry1850]

My wife has enjoyed the ESV Value Thinline for a few years now, but the fake leather is peeling now and leaving little pieces all over the place. She told me how she would like a new thin Bible. Say no more, love! I decided to buy her the Omega. It is a little bigger, but it is still thin, which is what she likes. She can get her beloved Crossway ESV and I will get my Allan NAS95. Shhh! 🤫 Lol 😂😅

[@peterpascone6942]

Thank you so much for this great comparison. I am wondering how the Legacy compares in size to my NKJV Schuyler Quentel? Is it smaller or larger than the Quentel? Thank you so much😊

[@timwildsmith]

About the same overall trim size.

[@spiritus.script]

In regards to the cross references, the Thinline Reference Bible text block looks exactly like the Omega text block, but at an 8 point font. That is why I would love to get the Thinline Reference Bible rebound (unless Crossway decides to reprint it & bind in goatskin/horween 🙏).

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@brianwdavidson]

Tim, what do you think about using the goatskin ESV omega heirloom (2021, Netherlands) as an everyday carry? The print size + thin footprint makes me want to use it this way but I wonder about the durability. I don’t want to ruin it. Would carry it in a padded case in my bag.

[@timwildsmith]

I think it's a great Bible, and should hold up pretty well in the circumstance you describe!

[@the_hd_yt]

Going from digital bible to print, i just cant consider anything that doesn't have thumb indexing. Tabs dont cut it either

[@jacobperez9613]

Hi Tim, correct me if I am wrong but did I hear you say crossway was going to be coming out with Thinline heirloom this year? Ive had my thinline forever and been hoping for a more premium version!

[@timwildsmith]

Yep! September!

[@jacobperez9613]

@@timwildsmith Do you know if they will be releasing a trutone version of the new premium esv thinline? I really want that good paper! Kind of how they did they premium legacy and the trutone addition.

[@marcusaurelius8605]

Thanks

[@KKrusey1011]

I’m drawn to the Omega. I like that thin floppy feel in a Bible.

[@jhowdle]

Question, the VBV preaching Bible, what is the paper like being a China print? Similar to the CSB WM by chance.

[@timwildsmith]

It feels slightly different than the CSB to the touch... but about the same opacity.

[@mchaywood83]

It's nice though

[@Anteater23]

Could you look at the ESV Large Print Topgrain please?

[@timwildsmith]

I’m sorry, I don’t have that Bible.

[@bstring3967]

Esv large print wide margin is super nice, super slept on

[@arichardson880]

About the heirloom thinline. When is it supposed to come out? is it smaller than the omega thinline?

[@timwildsmith]

Yes, it’s much smaller. Arrives in September or October.

[@pappywinky4749]

The heritage is my favorite due to the size and line-spacing, it's a bummer it doens't have a concordance though.

[@timwildsmith]

Yeah... but then it would be even BEEFIER!!!

[@lucas22walsh]

looking at gettting one of these wanting to know what you guys would recommend if anyone has these?

[@toddvoss52]

I find the string consumerist ethos of the premium bible world somewhat troubling

[@jamesmiddleton1278]

Help. Does anyone know of a premium bound ESV with ANGLICISED spelling?

[@MARLENIAMOSLEY]

Can you zoom in do we can see the text size thank you

[@timwildsmith]

Maybe next time!

[@sfgfan63]

Do you have any reviews of bibles that are not going to break the bank just curios I still enjoy your channel

[@timwildsmith]

Oh yeah! Lots of Bibles under $50 on my channel.

[@sfgfan63]

@@timwildsmith oh nice ok cool thanks

[@kevinbrown348]

Funny thing about Crossway is you can spend 20$ or 200$ and get the same ribbons 😂 Crossway makes some awesome premium bibles though.

[@timwildsmith]

Hahahaha. Wild.

[@jonburnett4950]

I love my brown Omega!

[@timwildsmith]

The best!

[@douglassowter9600]

preachers Bible VBV is my favorite..

[@timwildsmith]

Nice!

[@seek4truth]

Line matched? Thanks

[@timwildsmith]

All of them.

[@sfgfan63]

I would say heritage

[@timwildsmith]

👍🏼

[@pappywinky4749]

Ouch the canadian price for the horween leather is high !

[@timwildsmith]

I bet!

[@pappywinky4749]

@@timwildsmith I would have love to get one but when I can get a schuyler for almost half the price of horween, the decision is pretty easy :P

[@MCGaar]

I bought all of these and now I can’t afford my car payments 😅😂

[@timwildsmith]

😅😂

[@Andrew5tuff]

Weighing the pros and cons between the Preaching Bible and the Heritage Bible…

[@timwildsmith]

I like both a lot... many similarities.

[@patriciapification]

❤️

[@timwildsmith]

👍🏼

[@JBass33]

Just saw this video so this comment may not reach you, Tim. Some of the Bibles you mentioned are printed in China. I understand that the printing is excellent but I will not buy a Bible printed by a regime that limits religious freedom. All of my Bibles are printed in the US, the UK or the Netherlands. You talk to Bible publishers. How to they justify their use of Chinese publishing? Thanks.

[@timwildsmith]

It’s a very complex issue. Christianity is actually thriving in many ways in China. And the companies that produce bibles over there are filled with incredible people. I may work on a video addressing this.

[@JBass33]

@@timwildsmith Thanks, Tim. I love your videos. When will your book be out? Or have I missed the big news? Is there a way to pre-order it?

[@timwildsmith]

I will be announcing the release date and more information in the coming weeks.