We’ve had tremendous response to the NIV Zondervan Study Bible notes released earlier this week. Have you had a chance to look at it yet?
I’d like to take a moment to clarify one very important aspect of this new study Bible. Many people assume that the NIV Zonderan Study Bible is simply a revision of the best-selling study Bible of all time, the NIV Study Bible. I even made the same assumption myself initially, but after closer examination realized I was incorrect.
Accordance used to sell both the 1985 and 2002 editions of the NIV Study Bible. I happen to still have both of these editions on my computer, so look at the screenshot below to compare the content of the 2002 NIV Study Bible with the 2015 NIV Zondervan Study Bible.
Click/tap on the image above for a larger view.
As you can see, they’re quite different. Although the publisher is the same, the NIV Zondervan Study Bible is an all-new project, edited by D. A. Carson. Both are flagship study Bibles from Zondervan; and because of this, I’ve called the NIV Zondervan Study Bible the “spiritual successor to the NIV Study Bible.”
Hear D. A. Carson discuss the benefits of the NIV Zondervan Study Bible:
More videos about the NIV Zondervan Study Bible, as well as its contributors, contents and approach, can be found at the official website.
What’s included in the NIV Zondervan Study Bible?
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Nearly 20,000 Verse-by-Verse Notesby today’s leading biblical scholars offer insight on every passage of scripture.
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Over 60 Color Charts help summarize information and concepts.
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Thousands of Cross-References help you see the connectedness of Scripture.
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28 Articles by biblical experts on theological topics such as, “The Covenant,” “The Glory of God,” and “Love and Grace.”
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Section Introductions to the Bible’s literary genres such as the Pentateuch and the Historical Books and Comprehensive Book Introductions including purpose, theme, outlines, and photos.
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Hundreds of Color Photos such as biblical artifacts are placed within the Scripture text.
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Over 90 Color Maps with explanatory notes are placed near relevant passages.
I always consider a study Bible to be a “first stop” kind of tool for research. Study Bibles offer abbreviated commentary that can quickly get me acquainted with a passage or topic. The NIV Zondervan Study Bible has so much information though, don’t be surprised if you find yourself lingering for much longer than a “first stop” usually takes!
