Review: NLT Illustrated Study Bible
When I received this Bible in the mail, I was excited about
looking it over. Translation wise my
view of the New Living Translation is that it is a good thought for thought
translation; meaning it is not word by word to the original Hebrew (OT) or
original Greek (NT), as would be the case with KJV, NASB, ESV (and some other
translations). It does a good job with its thought for thought at bringing the
original meaning into each verse in a much easier reading style. This Bible is my choice for a new Christian.
When I came to faith in Christ in 1975, I wish a Bible like this existed, as
when I became a Christian it was all so new to me and my first two Bibles were
not study Bibles. A study Bible like
this would have been so helpful to me.
As to the name "Illustrated" in the title, I was
really interested in how "illustrated" this Bible would be, as I have
many good Bibles with pictures, charts and illustrations. Would this Bible be different? This Bible has a good amount of illustrations. As far as color pictures, this Bible may be
the most beautiful Bible I own. Also, some of the photos taken at actual Bible
sites are amazing and give you a little more feel for the environment of that
time period.
One of my favorite features of this Bible is the detailed
information "Features Index" provided on every main person in the
Bible, as well as detailed information on every key event, situation or term
that needs explaining. These are inserted throughout the Bible (usually when the
subject first comes up in the Bible), and this is even before you get to all
the Bible Study notes that take up approximately the bottom half of most
pages. The Bible notes are good to cover
most things, but also fairly general in their explanations. Definitely sufficient and helpful - not my favorite
Bible in study notes - though still very good.
This Bible has great reference material in the back starting
at page 2378 and going through 2557 including (but not limited to): Hebrew
& Greek Word Studies (over 200), Features Index, Notes Index,
Dictionary/Concordance, and in the very back colored maps.
From cover to cover this Bible has over 2600 pages and
weighs 4.7 pounds (so it's pretty big and heavy).
I own other NLT Bibles, but this is my first Study Bible of
the NLT. I'm excited to have it. I hope this review was helpful to you in your
endeavor for the right Bible for you as you read God's Holy Word, the BIBLE.
I only gave it 4 stars overall, but for a new Christian or
someone who needs an easy to read study Bible, I would give it 5 stars.
Best price I found was at: www.christianbook.com $26.99 (Retail $49.99)
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a free copy of this Bible in exchange for my
honest review. I was in no way required to write anything positive, and the
thoughts and opinions expressed here are completely my own.
