KJV, The King James Study Bible, Leathersoft, Brown, Red Letter, Full-Color Edition: Holy Bible, King James Version

This Nelson KJV Study Bible is without a doubt the most gorgeous Bible, inside and out, that I have ever encountered! The cover is absolutely beautiful in a two tone dark/light mahogany "leather soft" material (which I'll take over a mediocre leather bound) with a stunning gold embossed title on the front. Same on the side. Stitching is very high quality around the front and back at all edges. The binding is sewn, not glued. On the inside, the full color maps, tables, illustrations and photos are amazing. The print (this is large text version) is very highly readable for both Biblical text and notes alike - this iteration of comfort print is very attractive and easy on older eyes. Inclusion of thumb-indexing and red lettering - both of which are not a true deal breaker for me either way - are both very nice. I started off with the Quest Study Bible (NIV) some years ago, which I still think is great for new/younger Christians, but not necessarily for in-depth study. I have recently moved to the ESV Study Bible, which I think is outstanding in terms of content. The ESV articles and study notes are top notch in my opinion (specific theological opinions aside). However, I got caught up into the trap of ordering several more expensive, "upgraded" versions of this volume, only to end up returning several copies (Amazon and also Christianbook.com) due to defects and Crossway's apparent poor quality control. I ended up getting a good copy of the ESV SB with no defects (the inexpensive "TruTone Portfolio Edition") so I stuck with that. It's a great Bible and I love reading and studying it. However, after much research into the many different English translations, I have decided to explore the classic KJV with this one. This KJV SB seems to have good study notes/aids/articles, but I'll need to get into it further before I can legitimately comment on that vs the ESV. For what it's worth, I'll amend my review if I come across any glaring shortcomings or discrepancies. Again, this Nelson KJV Study Bible is absolutely stunning in it's beauty, quality and readability. I can't believe that they are offering this Bible for this price! Even if you're not currently into the KJV, get this one to have on your desk or bookshelf for future discovery.

A little information about myself before I begin my review. I do not consider myself a Bible Scholar, but I have been teaching Bible studies for over 13 years and I do read/study the Bible on a daily basis. I have read the Bible completely through more times than I remember and I just finished the New Testament two days ago. I own over 40 study Bibles and I use them as a one stop resource for lesson preparation or just personal study. Because I own so many study Bibles, I can write a knowledgeable comparative review. This review will be a comparison between the Holman KJV Full Color Study Bible and the King James Study Bible Full Color by Thomas Nelson. In my opinion, these are the two best KJV study options on the market today. You can't go wrong ordering either one, but I do want to advise you on the differences/similarities. Most concerns would be doctrinal teaching in the footnotes/articles so I will begin here. KJV Nelson: I would consider the doctrinal approach to be conservative scholarship with a particular emphasis on scriptural authority, the doctrine of unconditional eternal security, the doctrine of the trinity and divinity of Jesus Christ. While I do not see eye to eye on some doctrinal points, I do appreciate the respect for scripture (minus the note on Mark 16) and the straight forward approach of the notes from a doctrinal standpoint. There is no beating around the bush here. They are not afraid to state what they believe. If you do not agree with the above mentioned doctrines; then you will read things in the notes that you do not agree with. KJV Holman: The Holman Study Bible takes a stand-off approach to divisive issues. As Southern Baptists they do believe in baptism by immersion and the notes tend to lean towards the essentiality of baptism, but they do not state this as a matter of fact. Gifts of the Spirit are also discussed but a clear position cannot be determined by the footnotes. Orthodox positions are clearly presented, but any other doctrines are mentioned, but no sides are taken. Now let's discuss the quality of the footnotes: KJV Nelson: The notes in the Nelson Bible are not so much verse by verse as they usually discuss themes rather than an in depth study of verses. The New Testament footnotes are more extensive than the Old Testament. Large passages in the Old Testament contain no commentary at all. While I understand no commentary in Leviticus and Lamentations; I do not understand the small amounts of commentary in Judges and 1 and 2 Samuel. There are some beautiful passages in these books! However, much of the commentary is quite good. In particular, Matthew is excellent. KJV Holman: If we were only comparing commentary, the Holman would be the clear winner. This is a verse by verse commentary and even the Old Testament commentary is extensive and in depth. Some of the notes are packed with background and doctrine while others merely illuminate the meaning of the text. I love much of the commentary in the Holman and when I need help determining meaning or am searching for cultural information; the Holman KJV Study Bible is likely to be the first study resource that I look at. Presentation: KJV Nelson: Visually; this is the most beautiful Bible I have ever seen. The full color photographs, paintings, illustrations and maps are fantastic for aiding one in picturing the events of the Bible. I really love the feel of the paper as well and ghosting is hardly noticeable. Perhaps its greatest feature is the full color maps. As far as the leather, I own the Brown Leathersoft and it is the most beautiful leathersoft Bible I have ever seen! It is stitched on both sides and says King James Study Bible on the front in two tones. It is sown binding and feels like it will last for a long time. The gold edging is also very nice. This is also a lay flat edition and I have proven this to be true. If you lay it on a desk, it will not slam shut in Genesis like the Holman. Even Genesis one lays flat! KJV Holman: This Bible is also incredible in its full color presentation. Gold edging has held up (I have owned this Bible since 2013) and the binding is also sown. The two tone simulated leather edition is incredible in its beauty. The full color aspect is best in the illustrations and photographs. There are charts sprinkled throughout and the articles are given a gold backdrop. If I had to pick a favorite for presentation, I would go with the Nelson, but only with a slight edge. That would be a tough call. Special features: KJV Nelson: The notes add up to over 5,700 and they are good for the most part. A little more basic in its approach, the Nelson doesn't put all emphasis in its study notes. Instead, there are over 200 doctrinal notes separate from the commentary that aide in understanding doctrines of orthodox Christianity. There are also over 100 archeological notes with full color photographs. This is one of the greatest features of the Nelson. I find the archeological notes to be extremely helpful in study. There are also over one hundred personality profiles that highlight characters in scripture. While this adds to the Bible and some profiles are good; they are very basic (unlike the Life Application Study Bible which is the king in this area) and only slightly informative. I believe that the single greatest feature of this Bible (beside the text itself) is the indexes in the back of the Bible and the fantastic large print concordance. Of all the Study Bibles that I own, this is the best concordance. It also includes Strongs numbers and small definitions. There are a handful of full color maps in the back of the Bible that are decent. The in text maps are more helpful. The book introductions are fairly extensive (nowhere close to the ESV Study Bible) and helpful. KJV Holman: Where do I start? This Bible is packed with information. The footnotes probably amount to over 15,000 (much more than Nelson) and they are the primary feature. However, the full color photographs make for a visual experience that draws you into the text. One of my favorite features in the Holman is the illustrations (Noah's Ark, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, Solomon's temple, the priestly garments). There are plenty of awesome full color maps and charts (the charts are more in number than Nelson). The articles are also a nice feature. The book introductions are fantastic. Though there are Study Bibles with longer intros, the Holman has a nice balance of information and presentation. I would give the nod to the Holman over the Nelson in book introductions. Other features are a King's English glossary of terms, one-year to three-year Bible reading plans, two ribbon markers (Nelson only has one) and a small concordance in the back (small print and not anywhere as extensive as the Nelson). Overall vote on features? I would say the Holman might win by a hair, but both of them are packed with special features. Print size and readability: KJV Nelson: This is where the Nelson really shines. 10 point print and beautiful typeface. It is red letter and the red letter is the best I have seen. The commentary is also readable. I don't even have to wear my glasses to read this Bible. KJV Holman: The text and notes are readable. I would guess the print size is 9.5 or 10 with 8 for the notes. It is red letter, but it is a little brighter than I prefer. However, it is readable. Overall: So which would I pick between the two? Overall...I'm not sure. Both are wonderful in presentation, design, information and readability. If I were you, I would buy both of them. Which one would I get first? I would probably get the one that is on sale. You can't go wrong either way.

A total 5-star. The binding is sturdy and beautiful. The paper is lovely. It is very thin, yet strong and has a silky feel to it. You will feel drawn to this Bible. Explanations are given for the interpretation of verses to aid understanding. It has gold edges and is quite a hefty book. Two ribbon bookmarks, one for the Old Testament and one for the new. This Bible is worth the price. You can study this Bible the rest of your life and not get through it all. It is very detailed, a constant source of information and study. It comes in a nice, sturdy box. Unfortunately, mine got a little bashed in in one spot, which is disappointing but not a reason to ding this Bible a star.

Goood

De bendición para predicar la palabra de Jehová Dios!! Muy bonita, pars edificación y estudio!!!

Love this bible

It came way before the expected delivery date said which is great. When we opened the boxes and looked into the bibles I could not believe how great the layout was! I am in LOVE with them. The cover may not be the most feminine but I have yet to find a study bible that I like as much as this one. They have so much information about the text. Not just about the text though, it has information about what went on in between the new and Old Testament. The currency is listed what was used during biblical times. This study bible has all that you would need to study the bible and MORE! Thank you so much for creating such an amazing bible:) Only thing I would say is to create the exact same bible just have a more feminine cover.

Nice and large, soft flexible leather effect cover. I enjoy the maps and explanations alongside the text. Very informative. Always a pleasure to hold the Word.