What’s a Study Bible & Is it Better Than a Normal Bible?

Here's one big, fun uninterrupted podcast-style episode about all the features of study Bibles and a little bit about how to use them.
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[@msherman6903]

The gideon's have actually stated that replacing a bible in the hotel room means they have succeeded. so Feel free to take the hotel bible make a gideon's day.

[@foolishdrunk2181]

If they used contemporary bibles, maybe people would not ignore them

[@Mulerider4Life]

@@foolishdrunk2181 They place many different translations of the Bible.

[@foolishdrunk2181]

@@Mulerider4Life They used to place only kjv

[@Mulerider4Life]

@@foolishdrunk2181 I talked with one recently and said they use both KJV and NIV. Some churches will only give money if they will place a specific Bible. He also said they will take Bibles you no longer use and repurpose them and give them away.

[@pinkmagicali]

OMG that is so cool. I have a study bible I don’t read so I’m going to get a different one. I wonder if I could donate it. It’s lovely that you can take them home, I never knew that, not that I need to now.

[@sagemorrison360]

I stole my first Bible from a hotel room. It was April of 2018. I wasn't religious at the time. I was in New Hampshire for the annual New England High School Drama Festival ( I was a senior). My school was chosen as one of the best schools in Massachusetts to go. I opened a drawer to put my charger in and there was a Bible. Rebel me thought it would be hilarious to take it. So I did. Read a couple chapters here and there and I ended up reading most of the Gospel According to Matthew (due to me being in a production of Godspell. Great musical, check it out) and now here I am, truly discovering religion.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I love it, and I'm right with you. There's something compelling about this that merits a closer, honest look. Thanks for being here.

[@batachyah1153]

Records & Roses May God bless you brother/sister, it’s not a religion but a relationship with God. 😊😊😊I’m happy your reading 📖 it (Coming from a believer that’s been in the faith for almost 5 years)

[@killersauresrex]

@@batachyah1153 That Bible was most likely a Gideon's international Bible which is meant to be taken, and they'll constantly be replaced in the hotel. So don't fret over it!

[@worldfamousgamer9191]

Wowww amen

[@gre8]

I once took one from a hotel in Brugge. It was "tetra-lingual" (Dutch, German, French and English). It was a Gideon's New Testament and I asked the clerk if I could take it because it was such a cool little souvenir. Still have it today.

[@johnmcafee6140]

I've got to admit, I love Study Bibles and I probably own way too many. My current favorite is the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. One problem we all have to overcome every time we sit down to read the Bible is our cultural filters. The Bible was written to people of the ancient Near East, but I’m a modern Westerner. This often puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to interpreting the Bible. Take for example the parable of the Lost/Prodigal Son. When the son "came to his senses" and returned home, his father saw him coming and "ran to him". This last phrase doesn't stand out to many of us today but, as this Bible's study notes point out, in the ancient Near East it was undignified for an important person to run. To Jesus' listeners this would have been a major plot twist in revealing the depth of God's love. So this just adds a layer of nuance to a familiar story. It's like Dr. John Walton says, when we read the Bible we need to "listen with ancient ears".

[@Laura-qp9iw]

That sounds really cool! Where would one get a Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible?

[@johnmcafee6140]

Laura Ingouf You should be able to find one in most any Christian book store. Or, here is a link to one from Christian Book Distributors: www.christianbook.com/niv-cultural-backgrounds-study-bible-hardcover/9780310431589/pd/431583?event=ESRCQ

[@NnifWald]

I just got mine today. It is awesome! I'm leaving for a vacation soon and the Bible is too big to take with me, but when I get back, I'm planning a read through of Matthew: those notes will be super useful to pick up on all the first century Jewish references in Matthew.

[@mistermacwaffle2800]

@@Laura-qp9iw They have a couple different versions of the Cultural-- NIV and KJV and they are coming out with an NRSV end of the month too. John Walton has written some very interesting commentaries on Genesis as well- His "Lost World of Genesis One" series is on Amazon.

[@KorenJoy]

Ooh thanks for the reference man

[@dabeamer42]

Yes, "eleventy billion". 1:21 and "garganticer" 16:12

[@jwrm22]

The hotelroom Bibles are for the taking, thats the whole point! The Bibles placed by Gideon, that is...

[@Metalhead98793]

Yeah if they aren’t placed by Gideon then make sure who put it there and then see if it’s free to take

[@Tinker_it]

+1 for montage music during the long desk travel

[@11bravocrunchie22]

Matt, the Gideons Bibles in hotels were meat to be taken. It’s a fascinating story, definitely worth a TMBH video.

[@davidtaylorsr]

11Bravo Crunchie Yes, it is MEAT to be taken, not milk!

[@Slking507]

Good use of the word "meat". I heard from one source, don't know which, that those hotel Bibles reach a whopping estimated 2100 or so people every year. Good job Gideons.

[@jokermann100]

Weren't they originally meant to help suicidal people to cross?

[@Metalhead98793]

Slking5.56 yeah and they make a ton of bibles and send them all over the world so a lot of people end up reading them if you did the math which is insane!

[@NotHisRealName]

Thanks for this, Matt. I've had bibles in the past, but they never meant anything to me and I couldn't ever 'get' the stories being told. They were always just words. Although I consider myself agnostic, your videos have inspired me to read the bible again and these recent vids are helping me pinpoint how to get back into it. Thanks again.

[@davidtaylorsr]

Loved your trip to the end of the desk, Matt.

[@TasJess]

Maps are also great during particularly boring sermons if you want to play out imaginary battles in your head but still look pious.

[@johnmcafee6140]

Jessica Guest Glad I'm not the only one who did that.

[@TasJess]

John McAfee highlight of my misspent youth. As a positive I gleaned a semi decent knowledge of Mediterranean, Mesopotamian and Bible lands geography.

[@ferramirez4570]

Dude that's so relatable to me

[@WORTHYOFITALL]

It blows my mind that genealogy in the Bible by defining the names all point toward Jesus, his characteristics and death/resurrection.

[@shellieperreault6262]

I know where you are getting that idea from, but if you go back to Genesis and "do it yourself," you won't get the same results.

[@bubzthetroll]

I think the Gideons would rather that someone take a Bible home with them then that they sit gathering dust in hotel rooms.

[@RCG706]

I like how a guy named Wade sent him flyfishing stuff...cause when you flyfish you WADE into the water....

[@brittainbrad]

I was given an Archeological Study Bible in college and I love it. It also pairs nicely with your Acts series. Also- maps are the best. Love, Mom

[@designedtoworship]

This was super helpful and informative (and funny). Nice job dude!

[@calebgardner7274]

This is really helpful. I grew up in church and felt like I didn't need a study bible because we shouldn't need anything more than what God has given us in his word and his Spirit. Totally makes sense that these would be a HUGE time saver and resource.

[@jesussavedrjm6818]

I draw my own maps and insert it. Helps me remember

[@MicahMcLellan]

Thanks again, Matt, for another great video! I'm glad you mentioned the caution of using the notes exclusively, as I've come to learn (mostly through experience) how, depending on the publisher/translation used, the notes will most definitely have some type of theological bias - even if unintentional (e.g. NIV/ESV more "Calvinist-Reformed", CSB-more Traditionalist, etc.). Keep up the great work!

[@cmac1100]

1:40 what a trip! Thanks for taking us along!

[@time4jesus]

As a Gideon I can confirm that hotel Bibles are placed that people might pick them up, read them, and pass them on to somebody else. On average, each of our Bibles placed is read by eight people. Have a blessed day, and be a blessing by giving somebody a Bible along with helping them in whatever their need might be. There's truly nothing quite like storing up treasures in Heaven!

[@aar0njz]

Nicely done. Keep 'em coming!

[@stephenbuchanan4100]

Thank you. I have bought an ESV study bible and it’s really helping!

[@sfspencer1]

Thanks Matt. Your are quickly becoming an invaluable resource for my theological edification. I am slowly narrowing down how to go about wrapping my mind around Christianity in a much more meaningful way. What a task! God bless you brother. Appreciate all the help. S. Spencer

[@carsonwyndham9693]

Gideon’s place them in the hotels, they are free to take, it’s not stealing. I’m a Gideon.

[@brandi8040]

Thanks Matt! This video was super helpful! (And entertaining!)

[@preston0808]

Thanks for this video. I'm 2 months in on a reading plan, going through my new ESV Study Bible. I wondered what exactly the cross references could be used for. I'll be utilizing them in bible study with my buddies so we can bounce around scripture when studying a particular concept. Oh and I got the personal size -- not too unwieldy! But sometimes I need to squint reading the tiny study notes

[@LindseyMurphy]

Super awesome, Matt! Loved the #neoclassical reference to hooks to hang info on 🤣 #imaneoclassicalhomeeducator 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@IamGrimalkin]

You can "steal" Gideon bibles if you are "in need" of it, according to a sticker inside if I remember correctly (of course, check it's actually a Gideon bible and not the family heirloom copy of the hotel owner, they'd rather you didn't take that).

[@cbeech8622]

IamGrimalkin to add on to this, most of the bibles aren't actually owned by the hotel but by the Gideons. They give hotels a whole stack of bibles to replace the ones in the room if they ever get "stolen". TL;DR, the bibles in hotel rooms are there to take.

[@FaithBasedHome]

If anyone is confused like I was, the Scripture is actually Isaiah 42:5. Not Isaiah 4:25. I looked in all four of my Bibles and chapter 4 only goes up to verse 6. I hope this helps anyone else that didn't know! :)

[@burgers8]

When Matt went to go get the study bibles from the other end of the desk, I imagined Destin Sandlin killing himself laughing as he watched it.

[@jonnytex117]

Great video, Matt! 👍👊🖐️

[@Samsonebug]

Nice transition, great video Matt! Really glad you like the fly box and flies. How are the tying session going?

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

No dumb questions and TMBH all in the same day I don’t know what to do with my self. Mom account number 10781.

[@MarDamas]

Just got done listening to that one. Can’t wait for that haptic glove video, too.

[@johnmcafee6140]

Dimes On His Eyes Hi Matt's mom!

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

Lingering Will I am really kinda torn with VR. On one hand the technology is just fascinating and mind blowing. On the other hand I don’t know if I like the idea of integrating more and more VR technology into our lives divorcing us from the real world.

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

John McAfee Hi sweetly! It’s so nice to see others supporting Matt in his interweb things he does.

[@MarDamas]

Dimes On His Eyes, I think it’s like any other form of entertainment. Okay in moderation.

[@endtimeswarrior6811]

ESV study Bible is great! They make them now in the smaller personal size, so it does make it easier to use on the go. Awesome video!

[@noahwilhelm9201]

Have you ever thought about possibly putting the jumbo study Bible in a bible case? It might make it easier to use. Also, as a LOTR nut, loved the reference. Anyway, awesome and funny video as usual!

[@KickPuncher3000]

That opening killed me! It was fun!

[@GoodnessandTruth]

I am about to enter seminary and am sure I will be knee deep in huge commentaries on different books of the Bible and so I am contemplating if I should buy a study Bible when I know that I am going to have access to those.

[@waynewrz]

Love the video man. Now I need to go and look at the Lord of the Rings maps again.

[@sidewinder814u]

Thanks, LOVE YOU. And thankfully God is always with us.

[@tripp9821]

Has anyone else mentioned Matt's reference to Isaiah 4:25??? LOL In his defense he was reading it upside down. I believe the cross-referenced verse is Isaiah 42:5. It was a great episode even with that in it. Actually that made it a little better. :-)

[@lizhumble9953]

I have a friend who is a Gideon that places Bibles in hotel rooms. Yes, please take them if you need one. If you don’t read it and leave it. That is what they are there for. The Gideons replenish them regularly.

[@2Uahoj]

Very nice is the Ignatius Study Bible (RSV), with notes and commentary by contemporary Bible scholars such as Scott Hahn.

[@calebhooper4266]

I got a NASB study bible for my 18th birthday and it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten!

[@d.d.wulbee]

Hey Matt, I use your videos for my mens group each week. Could you do a spot on how to use an interlinear, like Greens, as well as a Vines and Strongs, to help us non-greekgeeks get the most out of the original languages? Love your stuff!

[@melissasherriff1378]

Hi Matt id like your take on this one Edition-NKJV APPLY THE WORD STUDY BIBLE (HARDCOVER) by Thomas Nelson OR ESV study bible. Not sure which one to go with. Is it worth the price? is it easy to understand etc id like both but cant afford both at the mo. Thanks

[@danajackson36]

Just discovered your videos omg love you

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks Dana!

[@AarmOZ84]

I heard a Gideon spokesperson state that the intention of putting Bibles in hotel rooms and that you will take it and become a Christian through reading it. So, you need a Bible and find one in a drawer at your hotel room, feel free to take it.

[@foolishdrunk2181]

You always want a study bible. There is so much you don't know about bible times, and scholars put study notes in there to help you learn

[@joshuamarino5269]

"Gee wilikers" I actually laughed!

[@plantoposh2840]

Love the clever analogies you use! Always great content! Great channel and great work!!!!

[@SunFlower-xb3gf]

KateOwlMebula9 Thanks for your information. Robert Alter's new translation 'The Hebrew Bible' is a great translation with commentary that also explains the puns, word plays, word choices, syntax, rhythm and dialogue qualities of the text. His 'Art of Bible Translation' goes into the energy involved in keeping repetitions, keywords, and following the Hebrew word order, even if it surprises English speakers. It's terrific.

[@dyomstv8139]

Can I ask some qustion, which one is better ESV Study Bible or Biblical Theology Study Bible by D. A Carson.

[@hello-jy9hf]

I'm trying to read the Bible again - used to be religious but not anymore. I still have the urge to read it though. does that make sense?

[@keshab9533]

Makes absolute sense, read on! I've gone through the same thing. Reading from the start with no "noise" has been such a blessing to me.

[@hello-jy9hf]

@@keshab9533 I'm glad I started reading again. I've discovered my Jewish family yeet

[@adriel115_]

hello you still reading?

[@hello-jy9hf]

@@adriel115_ yes I am! Actually got myself the second edition of the Jewish Study Bible right beside me on my bed

[@adriel115_]

@@hello-jy9hf Nice, I also have a study bible. It’s a Reformation Study Bible

[@chupie3085]

I'm pretty certain you said you would cover this is the next video and I can probably just look it up myself but is the committee that is over the version of the bible the same people that put the footnotes in the version of the study Bibles or are they completely different people. I'm also curious of your opinion of using a lexicon verses a concordance. Love that you make these videos as much about evidence and study as opposed to your personal opinion. I know you throw it in there from time to time but you are very honest in your statements and I respect that.

[@johnmcafee6140]

sarah shibahara The study notes are done separately from the translation and by totally different groups and committees. That's why something like the Life Application Study Bible can be purchased in several different translations. Next time you're in a Christian book store grab a Life Application Study Bible in NIV and one in KJV and you'll see the exact same notes and helps despite being different translations.

[@dancingpotplant]

What's the music at the start of the episode when you're getting your bibles? Come on, it'll be fun ♫😄📚

[@davidmartin5810]

I got a copy of the esv by David jeremiah "study bible ", it not the same as the one you described. I think I would like the one you have . so if you help thanks

[@renfrod17]

Does anyone have any links to the bibles here?

[@JBM12G]

Isaiah 4:25 is my favourite verse! So easy to memorize!

[@jesseengland456]

can you do a video on bible apps?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

As a matter of fact I can. I recorded it 2 nights ago and it will come out in a couple of weeks.

[@jesseengland456]

yassssssssss man! bible nerd alert

[@MrEdchavez63]

I recently found out about your Study Bibles reviews. Great stuff! What's your take in regard to ESV study Bible and NLT illustrated Study Bible. What's your opinion in regard to The Open Bible?

[@dylanrussell654]

I love my NRSV Oxford study Bible with apocrypha fifth edition. I also use my rsv-ce css Bible by saint benedict press.

[@dianadealencar8564]

Hello Matt! I didn’t find the list of the Bible’s you discussed on this video. Could you se d me at least the name and author of the thicker Blue Bible? The one that seams to be more expensive and with more content when studying verse by verse. I would appreciate very much receiving an answer back. Thank you so much! GOD bless you & your family and friends!!!🙏🏼

[@bendover4668]

I’m Mormon and I use the ESV Studybible. I use others too.

[@motion9047]

Where can i get gideons bible except hotels?

[@tabberluck47]

Love that intro bro.

[@doryvallejo1988]

i love to have that one of yours how and where can buy that and how much thanks and God bless you

[@andressantiago7]

@Wade I would like to buy one of those Fly Fishing care packages

[@zacbrewer4368]

Matt: Starts talking about knowing where places are in Middle Earth. Me: Cracks a smile while slowly looking towards the Map of Middle Earth on my wall.

[@lefege444]

Do you happen to have transcripts of your episodes? I’d like to link this episode to my mom but her English isn’t fluent, having something written would make it easier. Or maybe you have the possibility to open up the “add subtitles” option? (If it’s already open I’m sorry, I can’t see it in the app version.) Subtitles are great for both non-fluent speakers and the hearing-impaired/deaf, me and many more would appreciate it. I just found out about your channel thanks to sexplanations, and it’s great work!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks for being here Luisa! I think I have the captions option set to open. I'll double check next time I'm at the computer. Out of curiosity, what is your mom's first language?

[@lefege444]

The Ten Minute Bible Hour Portuguese! 🇧🇷 I'm checking the desktop version right now and yes, the "add subtitles/CC" is open. Thank you again for your work!

[@narratorjamesvo]

Matt, which kind of microphone do you use? I'm in the process of making my own studio, and am researching different kinds of equipment. Many thanks!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

It's the Rode USB condenser. It's fantastic and the right mic for podcasting/KZbin. I use it for my professional voice over work as well.

[@narratorjamesvo]

The Ten Minute Bible Hour that's really good to hear. I, too, do voice over work. I'm currently using the Blue Yeti usb mic and plan on upgrading within the next 6 months or so. Thanks Matt!

[@WadeGlass]

I’m sure you plan to get there, but I’ve got sucked into ESV study Bible on The Olive Tree app. Buying that version was actually cheaper than a paper version, and it’s super light and with me whenever on my phone. A downside for me, though, is you know how you forget people’s phone numbers because the contact is in your phone? I find that when actually handed a paper Bible, I’m a little lost.

[@amandapierce5514]

Eleventy billion is my new favorite number! 🤣 great video!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Mine too! I think it was Keanu Reeve's answer to a Celebrity Jeopardy question if I'm not mistaken.

[@DaveNoe1]

My first study bible was the Criswell Study Bible. It was used until it fell apart. lol

[@juhrunning2096]

Great vid but you didn’t get to the hard hitting question I always have when cracking open my study Bible, what’s up with that super thin paper???

[@root1657]

If the paper was thicker, the whole book would be thicker and heavier. How do you reduce publishing costs on a massive book? thinner slices of paper. How do you break the back of an old lady who carries her study bible with her everywhere? Thicker paper.

[@dnzswithwombats]

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible seems to let the Bible interpret itself. I just got one. I also have study Bibles and also plain reading Bibles. But the Thompson Chain Reference is a whole new eye-opener for me.

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

I love it when YT suggests an old TMBH that I've never seen. It's like discovering an entire Agatha Christie story I've never even heard of. Well, .... maybe not exactly like that. The old bookcases.... the manatee... I'm getting nostalgic.

[@frenzyviz6296]

What is TMBH?

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

@@frenzyviz6296 Ten Minute Bible Hour. It’s what the channel used to be named.

[@frenzyviz6296]

@@jenniferlawrence1372 thanks

[@dindranew.6808]

I need to go to some of your parties with people comparing study Bibles. :D I love the Oxford Annotated Bible--it's not a "study" Bible, but it does have great annotations and I can also ignore them if I just want the Word. Definitely get the hardcover; it's just too heavy for the soft cover, and they'll tear.

[@gpaine]

Ah darn. Now I really don't have a good excuse explaining why I don't have a study Bible.

[@Phazon8058MS]

My preference for study Bibles isn't a theological study Bible like the ESV Study Bible, but an academic/'secular' study Bible like the New Oxford Annotated Bible or HarperCollins Study Bible. I don't need someone telling me how to interpret the Bible theologically, let me do that myself. That's why I'm reading the Bible. However, it is handy to have notes about cultural and historical context of the text because these texts came into being literally thousands of years ago. Society today is definitely not the same as society back then, so I need some sort of assistance in getting that historical context, but without having someone else's theological perspective pushed on me in my own independent study. However, I do like to pair the NOAB (which is in NRSV, a translation that I do really like) with a non-study ESV Bible as I do really like the poetic beauty of the ESV translation. The ESV 23rd Psalm is my favourite rendition of it, (and the 23rd Psalm is my favourite passage. It was my grandpa's favourite before he died, so it's comforting knowing I'm in God's care, and it also makes me feel close to grandpa).

[@Mind_of_MATT]

It seems like having a nice bible with just the scriptures, chapters & chain reference is the way to go. Can't you just refer to separate books for commentaries, outlines, studies, etc. whether digital or physical? This way you can always have the translation you want plus read whatever else you want in separate books. What am I missing?

[@pedrovaldivia7694]

Yes Maul that is actually the best way to do it. In my opinion it is very annoying when I see people's names in the bible. Like the Macarthur study bible, Scofield study bible. I think it is disrespectful to the word of God

[@GR-dk5ju]

song @2:07-2:15? and @19:15?

[@ggbrady]

Dude I have one of those italian leather NIV study Bibles! I prefer ESV, but who can deny the aesthetic beauty of those NIV duo-color leather bibles!?

[@proudamerican4345]

You can buy a Bible at a thrift shop for .99 or a hard cover/ fancy cover for 1.99 In most cases.

[@rvvanlife]

Do study Bibles contain commentaries on the chapters? That, to me is what's most helpful,

[@Psalm144.1]

It is interesting how different translations; sometimes just 1 translation differences has resulted in completely new denominations being formed. #5 of the 10 commandments in many Bible's is "thou shalt not kill." ESV's is "you shall not murder." Even though most people always understood the 5th commandment to mean murder; some took older translations completely literal to the point of becoming a peace faith. The commentators in my NIV study Bible had to explain the 5th Commandment as referring to the murder. However, my ESV study Bible doesn't really have to explain it as much. Seems to me that if you have to explain something as simple as the 10 Commandments, than perhaps the translation needs to be re-looked...

[@alejandronq645]

How many Bibles do you have at home? (Anything that counts like a Bible)

[@bryanbridges2987]

If I could ever find all four of my pocket Bibles, I would have ten.

[@Rikkoshaye]

Where do you get your music for these episodes?

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I buy it from stock music websites for video production. I take a bunch of time to look for the goofiest sounding stuff I can find.

[@Rikkoshaye]

I want to listen to more of their stuff! keep it up haha

[@davejohnson9462]

They actually do have small ESV study bibles too!!!

[@arminyousefi5282]

I like how he went all the day over to the edge of his desk to grab his bibles but ended up grabbing them after he returned to his seat

[@marcustulliuscicero3790]

For the ESV Study Bible I would actually think the Marriages, Deaths etc part in the beginning Is to write down the marriages and deaths in the bible. So you can quickly look it up. Like writ the person and then the chapter and verse they got married or died or born. But that is just me

[@jimothy2361]

It was common hundreds of years ago to record your own family history (like your kids birth dates, when and who they married, etc) in the first empty pages of the Bible. I think that's the origin of this.

[@LyleB314]

Do you have any favourite King James Version Study Bibles?

[@carmennooner2027]

I had a Thompson Chain Reference Bible, KJV, about a year after I was saved. Sadly, I didn't take advantage of it, in any way, because I was still a baby and was not affiliated with a church that taught a great deal of Scripture. Yes, how I got saved only God knows. Now that I am focused on studying though, I would probably use the heck out of the Chain Reference now. A few Study Bibles are helpful at times when I'm really stuck on a particular Scripture and I find it helpful to read what a couple other, very scholarly people, have to say so as to help give me a jumping off point. But my primary teacher is Scripture, so I believe that the Chain Reference would get the most use from me at this time in my life. I prefer the KJV to this day, though I own and use NKJV, NASB, and ESV. I ditched the NIV years ago, after hearing and reading about problems within the text. They may have since been corrected, but I still carry my own bias against that version, along with the NLT and MEV, and a couple others that are politically correct versions. As a woman in her 70's, you could say I'm stuck in my ways. But I use what is comfortable for me, and I guess that's the bottom line for everyone. Read THE Word and spend TIME with God, regardless of your preferred version. The relationship is what's important.

[@shellieperreault6262]

My first Bible was a Thompson's Chain Reference 1978NIV. Now that I am actually on my faith I am shocked at how much I knew of the Middle East and it's culture from the study guides and archaeological information in the back compared to Christians in their 60's and 70's who are just now learning. IMO, the TCR is the best Bible anyone can own. The only downside is that once you have one and get used to it, you won't be able to tolerate center reference columns or the hit-and-miss jumping around trying to figure out which topic of the verse the reference is for. I can't stand anything other that text-only Bibles now... Unless of course, its the TCR!

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

Multiple volume commentaries are probably more useful such as the Anchor Bible series of books. Many things are lost in translation and for those who have time, probably better to learn hebrew and greek.

[@Kevin-mw4oc]

My grandfather gave me my first Religious texts. They are a Leather Study Bible and Luther's Small Catechism.

[@jasonpratt5126]

On a practical note, while I enjoy commentary (variably, y'know, due to quality issues), I've made a ton more use of cross-ref citations over the years. I'm working on a project now well over 1000 pages of material, for several years, where I'm regularly checking cross-reference notes from various Bible editions to see what OT references and citations various authors, plus especially Jesus by report, had in mind, and whether the contexts help inform the meaning of what's being talked about in the NT. Not only do I find this super-helpful in identifying and parsing out high Christology claims about Jesus (relevant to trinitarian Christian theism, i.e. why those of us who are trinitarians go with that overall theology), the references can make a huge difference in understanding salvational and judgment texts. (e.g. Jesus or someone, maybe Paul, says X which sounds like hopeless punishment, but He or he is quoting or referencing Y from the OT; and checking contexts there shows that as ferocious as the judgment may sound, maybe even moreso in the OT, God actually means the punishment to lead the punished people to repent and come back to doing love and justice instead and faithfully following Him. So the punishment isn't hopeless after all. There's a lot of this sort of thing under the hood. {g} )

[@KorenJoy]

So cool

[@kaptainskarlett9927]

I’ve had a Thompson Chain Reference Bible for decades.

[@chicken_punk_pie]

What do you think about the footnotes on Job 40-41?

[@chicken_punk_pie]

I know that's a loaded question, but I've been fascinated with that for a long time.

[@EmethMatthew]

Trevor Leach Care to clue the rest of us in on some details of what you're referring to? Do you just mean Behemoth and Leviathan in general or did you have something more specific in mind?

[@chicken_punk_pie]

Job 40 talks about the Behemoth, with it's tail like a cedar tree, bones like tubes of bronze, and limbs like iron bars. In the footnotes it suggests that this is an elephant or a hippopotamus. There is controversy because this passage might be saying that people lived with dinosaurs.

[@EmethMatthew]

Ok, yeah, that's the controversy I thought you were referring to, but I just wanted to be sure.

[@jwrm22]

The book Job is not in his historical place in the Bible. For me, it is more likely to be before the big flood.

[@manish7k7]

Sir, I like ESV Bible 🙏 but this is very expansive for me. Can't buy. But tnx for your programme. God bless you. From India (Delhi)

[@TruthSeeker52342]

All you need is a Bible in your language.

[@misseli1]

"Come on let's go it'll be fun" *walks a distance of one (1) foot*

[@debjwilliams2911]

Would really like the ISBN for the small NIV. Study Bible you have there