Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 106
 A Truly Great Publishing Event! April 2, 2006
Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.)
173 out of 180 found this review helpful
I have been using the New King James Bible since 1984, but prior had bought an NIV published by Zondervan back in the early 1980's that was called the NIV Pictorial Bible. Have searched many times unsuccessfully to find a newer copy, since my original is pretty beaten up.
Coming upon this new Archaeological Study Bible by Zondervan in NIV I could hardly believe my eyes. Finally this was the bible I had been seaching for, but this copy is a vast improvement over the older NIV Pictorial Bible. Where the old Pictorial, for example, had 1266 pages, this newer Bible has 2306.
I differ from several reviewers in that I am now using this Bible as my main, daily study Bible. Yes, the print is small, but even at 62 years of age and retired, I can handle that without difficulty. Plus the added feature of the CD-ROM included with this Bible allows one to load it into the computer to read off-line when desired. Thank you Zondervan, a very nice added feature to this Bible.
Since I purchased a black, top grain leather covered Bible, the only smell I receive is one of newness, and leather. Possibly the glue on the bonded or lesser copies accounts for that. But since I will be using the Bible as an everyday one, I opted for the leather. When active in ministry I had a few bonded leather copies, and they just don't hold up. I have found through experience the full leather is the best for my use.
I could not be happier with this Bible. And though it is termed an "archaeological" Bible, it is much, much more than that. While it does offer archaeological information, it equally offers social, historical, and cultural as well. This is the best well rounded Bible I have ever seen.
If you are seeking a very exceptional Bible, I would suggest you at least look this one over.
Semper Fi.
Exciting! March 25, 2006
T. Leaf (CT USA)
43 out of 47 found this review helpful
For serious students of the bible, this is a valuable resource.Fonts, smell, whatever, aside, the important thing is the content! When we read our bibles we're trying to put ourselves back in time, to experience what those biblical people experienced for the first time; to hear, smell and taste what everyday life was like, and to have some small sense of God entering our lives.
The contents of this book can help. The translation doesn't matter - use whatever one you want. But where else will you find Noah and Gilgamesh, prayers by David and prayers to Marduke, side by side?
I wouldn't use this bible for devotions, but I would certainly use it for LEARNING!
A Wonderful Resource March 7, 2006
C. H. (Sterling, VA USA)
25 out of 27 found this review helpful
This Bible has become my new favorite NIV study Bible. I have several NIV Bibles, but nothing compares to this one. It supplements my reading of scripture and aids my understanding in ways I didn't think possible. It inspires me to read scripture every chance I get.
Reading and studying the Old Testament is often a challenge for me, but with the Archaeological Study Bible, it really helps put scripture in better context. It's fascinating to read all the notes concerning ancient texts, artifacts, peoples, lands, culture and history. The color pictures are better than I ever expected for a hardback edition under $50.
My only qualm is the font/text size, as it is a bit of an eyestrain after an hour or so of reading. But, I understand that with well over 2,000 pages, font size is often compromised.
I was able to preview several pages from this book at the Zondervan website. That was all I needed to realize that this was the Bible for me!
Excellent Bible with Excellent Historical Commentary. November 8, 2006
Exegete (Western New York)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
If you own another version of the bible I would highly recommend purchasing this version for the historical commentary alone. I am a graduate divinity student and it is an invaluable resource. Admittedly, the NIV translation is not perfect but the footnotes and commentary are without equal. Furthermore, the commentary and footnotes are hermeneutically and exegetically more "to the point" and actually more scholarly than the footnotes in some of the allegedly more academically accepted versions of the bible. The cross referencing of verses is also more extensive than most bibles I have used. I have been faulted for using this text as a primary biblical reference, however the footnotes and commentary simply make it too valuable to ignore. You cannot call yourself a serious student of scripture without having access to this text.
Study Bible with a diiferent twist September 17, 2006
A Fan (VA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is a study Bible that takes a different approach than most other study Bibles. It focuses on the archaeological evidence and proofs for Biblical events. It is very good and presents material in an easy to read format!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 106
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