Which Bible would you recommend for an excellent study Bible?

Question

Do you have a favorite Bible that helps you to better understand the Bible?

Answer 1

The first one i used for about 15 years is the King James version with the Thompson Chain Reference system, which is absolutely great, it has enough references from verse to verse that looking them up and comparing scripture with scripture gave me a lot of understanding of what the meanings are.

then one day my new puppy got ahold of my bible and tore it up while i was gone to the store, so i had to go to the bible store to find another one.

i now have a NASB and another KJV both with the Thompson Chain Reference system, and a few other versions so that i can compare them and see the different wordings of verses, which also helps to understand things.

the Amplified version is also good.

But i still find the Thompson Chain Reference to be the best Bible Study Tool i have ever used.

,,,,,,,,
kay

edit for links >> i did a search for links so that you can see what it is that i'm talking about,,, if you love bible study you can't go wrong with this >>

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=thompson+chain+reference&ei=utf-8&fr=b1ie7 ; http://www.kirkbride.com/howto.html ; http://www.studylight.org/con/ ; http://www.thestudybible.com/help.php?section=about ; http://www.thompsonbible.net/site/1616979/page/45029 ;

Answer 2

It depends on what you want to study. Are you reading the Bible stories? Try The Living Bible. It makes the stories more vivid and real. Are you studying prophecy or Bibical doctrines? Try the King James Version. It is a little closer to the original manuscripts, so you can't go wrong with this version when studying these important topics. But for just general study, the New International Version is the best. It puts the Bible in simpler, more understandable terms.
God bless you in your study! Don't forget to always ask the Holy Spirit for guidance before you study!

Answer 3

The 5 most popular study Bibles are:

1 The NIV Study Bible (NIV) Zondervan
2 Life Application Study Bible (NIV) Tyndale/Zondervan
3 KJV Study Bible (supersaver ed.) (KJV) Thomas Nelson
4 Archaeological Study Bible (NIV) Zondervan
5 Life Application Study Bible (KJV) Tyndale

A great article is:
http://www.god4me.com/HowToSelectStudyBible.htm

It says:

In the following survey, features that provide explanations are labeled "subjective" because the explanation is subject to the interpreter’s point of view. Features that direct one into and within the text are labeled "objective" because they allow the text to speak for itself.

Of course, there can be objectivity in interpretation and subjectivity in the selection of texts. Still, I believe this broad categorization is useful to differentiate between study systems that instruct one what to believe and those that take one to the text so one can make up one’s own mind. A study Bible that is primarily objective in its features can be used by anyone, regardless of theological affiliation. On the other hand, a study Bible that is primarily subjective is most useful to someone who agrees with the interpreter — and can even be offensive to someone who does not.


The article also identifies the doctrinal perspective of each Study Bible.

Answer 4

Well, first of all like anything good, it's not cheap, but I researched this myself back in 2001 and found the leading study Bible in the world to be the Zondervan Study Bible, so I purchased one fully loaded for a little less than $100.00 in total. Now, what I mean by full loaded is; there are lots of options for Bibles. Mine has, of course, Christ' words in red, over 20,000 in-text study notes, center column cross reference system with over 100,000 references, in-text maps, charts, diagrams, & illustrations, 16 pages of full color maps, & and full concordance & dictionary. I simply have found anything else to be just less than. Mine is a NIV, which has exclusive introductions, & oulines for each book of the Bible. This is very interesting history on the writers of each book. There is also a section titled "Time between the testaments", which is tells about the four-hundred years of history between the Old & New Testaments.
Anyway, mine is top grain leather bound and has the cut out placements for each book. These are also options that cost more. Oh, in my price, I also had my name embossed in 24ct. gold, so just for a good Zondervan Study Bible, you may only pay $50.00 - $60.00.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Check out the NRSV and the NASB - they are widely accepted by most evangelical scholars as being the most accurate translations in the mainstream. I personally would love to own the study NRSV with the Apocrypha included.

Also, there's a great Archaeological bible out these days and I think it's with the NIV translation. At any rate, I hear that it's great for giving great insight into what was happening and being said.

And if you're doing a study, I'd suggest in gaining access to tools such as a Concordance, bible dictionary, and a couple of commentaries. For the basics in learning how to interpret scripture check out "Grasping for God's Word" by Dr. Scott Duvall. It's easy to read and is used at several major Christian Universities in their Interpreting Scripture courses.

Best of luck!

Answer 6

I would recommend a version you feel most comfortable with.
I read the KJV or NKJV because I find that more like the original versions of the Bible. However I still read other versions to help throw more light into a particular topic. Generally the newer versions seem so watered down that the underlying message kind of losses it's intended impact.
The NIV and NKJV are the two most popular with me.

Answer 7

Hi, I love the Inductive Study Bible. It is New American Standard Version, easy to read, areas to write in the margin, vast self helps. It does not provide a commentary (which is one of the reasons I wanted it), I have not seen it in leather bound. But if you truly are looking for a Bible to learn from and grow with...The Inductive Study is one of the best.

Answer 8

Hi there Gilbert. Like yourself I yearn to have a better understanding of the Bible and I find lots of the verses hard to understand. I now read the Recovery Version Bible. It's still a Bible but with loads and loads of footnotes (almost one to every verse!) explaining what things mean. You can find one here: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=06323&netp_id=228352&event=ETS or find out more at www.lsm.org

Answer 9

The Large Print Reference Bible version of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.

The reference version has a very good concordance in the back, as well well extensive appendices. Great cross-reference system throughout the main text, and a great many footnotes, many of which provide alternative renderings of passages, as well as explanations as to why certain passages are translated the way they are.

Although the reference version is not available online, you can read the plain text version at the first link below:

Answer 10

This book helps understand bible passages. It is not a bible but it helps you better understand. It's called: Touch Points for Students: God's Answers for Your Daily Needs

http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Points-Students-Answers-Touchpoints/dp/0842333088