ESV Compact Bible, TruTone, Olive, Celtic Cross Design, Red Letter Text (Imitation Leather)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Christians who have longed for a more readable literal Bible translation will find much to praise in the English Standard Version. The ESV's translation team of over 100 members has admirably attempted to preserve the stylistic variety of biblical authorship and ease of reading (at the eighth-grade level) despite the word-for-word translation, which historically has resulted in a choppier text flow. Bible study aficionados will appreciate the short introductions to each book, an extensive center column cross-reference system, full-color maps, and a 14,500-entry concordance. The hardcover edition includes the basic Bible frills: a presentation page, as well as marriage, birth, and death registries. --Cindy Crosby --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

The ESV Classic Reference Bible combines the ESV Bible text with an extensive system of more than 80,000 cross-references in the center column on each page. With its readable type, color maps, and a major concordance, the Classic Reference Bible is the first choice for personal Bible reading and in-depth study.

Now released in this durable TruTone^® cover with a Chestnut color and Eternity Design, the ESV Classic Reference Bible is also available in hardcover, bonded leather, genuine leather, premium calfskin, and other TruTone covers.

Features:

• Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
• 9.5-point type
• 1,328 pages
• Words of Christ in red
• Ribbon marker
• Concordance with over 14,500 references
• Over 80,000 cross-references
• Free ESV Bible Resources software offer included

--This text refers to the Imitation Leather edition.

Product Details

• Imitation Leather: 1106 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Bibles; Compact edition (October 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581346409
• ISBN-13: 978-1581346404
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (163 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,832 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How similar is the ESV to the RSV?, February 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: ESV Classic Reference Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter Text (Hardcover)

As one of the people who worked on the ESV, I would like to respond to a comment made in a number of reviews--that the ESV is remarkably similar to the RSV. This is somewhat to be expected, since translations that are essentially literal in terms of translation philosophy are going to be markedly similar to one another--moreso than translations that are more dynamic in their approach. Besides, our stated goal was to improve the RSV where necessary and not to produce a unique translation (if such a thing is even possible). We wanted to stand deliberately in the Wycliffe-Tyndale-KJV-RSV tradition, so that echoes of it could still be heard in the ESV. Nevertheless, we made approximately 75,000 changes to the text of the RSV, ranging from the deletion of a comma to reworking of an entire paragraph. It is not fair to say that the ESV is only a slightly modified version of the RSV--we weighed carefully every word against the original languages and made changes where we believed they were necessary. The full extent of the improvements can only be seen through a careful comparison of the entire text, not just a casual browsing through a few favorite passages.

I would also like to respond to one of the reviewers, who stated that the ESV was completed in two years, and then implied that two years was not enough time to make a significant improvement to a document with the size and complexity of the Bible. First, the project required three years, not two. Second, the fact that we were able to use the RSV as the basis for our text saved a tremendous amount of time--we didn't have to start from scratch. Third, we made the best possible use of Bible software, email, file transfers, conference calls, and other technology to which previous translators did not have access. This enabled us to complete more work in less time. Finally, we had some of the finest evangelical scholars on our Translation Oversight Committee and our Translation Review Committee. They were already experts in their fields, many of them having written commentaries on the books they revised. This also improved the turnaround time on the review process.

I hope this sheds some helpful light on the making of the ESV. Thanks for your interest.

141 of 151 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ESV Sets a New Standard, October 11, 2001

By	Justin G Taylor (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ESV Classic Reference Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter Text (Hardcover)

I have waited for a translation of the Bible like this for some time now, and I am grateful to God that it has finally arrived.

The ESV is an essentially literal translation with an eye for literary excellence. Hence, it is more accurate and precise than the NIV, and more natural and clearly expressed than the NASB. For example, the ESV translates the key conjunctions between propositions, and it also seeks to maintain consistency with recurring words. This is an area that the NIV often fails in, which makes it difficult to rely upon for in-depth study. On the other hand, the ESV seeks clarity of expression in dividing paragraphs and sentences: each paragaph is set apart by a bold section heading. The NASB, on the other hand, begins each verse on its own separate line, which makes reading the text cumbersome and awkward.

The ESV also employs a helpful center-column cross-reference system (which has been updated). It includes (1) references to specific words or phrases, (2) comparative references, (3) less direct references, and (4) quoted references. There are also footnotes which indicate alternative translations and explanations of translation decisions.

J. I. Packer is the general editor, with Clifford John Collins chairing the OT translation, William Mounce chairing the NT translation, and Leland Ryken overseeing the literary aspects of the ESV. More information can be found at [website]

I believe that the ESV will become the Bible of choice for many students of the Word of God. soli Deo gloria!

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pleased, pleased, and more pleased!, November 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: ESV Classic Reference Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter Text (Hardcover)

After having read several excerpts on-line and then purchasing the new ESV for myself and my husband, I am delighted at such an excellent translation! I've always been frustrated with the extent of problems in so many of the modern versions and the annoyance of having way too many versions because someone is too lazy to look up the word "propitiation" in the dictionary. It's about time that word-for-word and clarity are used together in transmitting the Word of God. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I'm more of a "TR" manuscript fan (due to tradition) than Nestle's manuscript. However, I am very unhappy with the NKJV (of which I have seen 3 different editions), and the KJV isn't something my husband is comfortable reading, so we at least are now able to agree on a Bible that is easy to read yet doesn't compromise the integrity of God's Word just to fit into modern culture. All in all an excellent modern version, hopefully to soon replace all the other dynamic equivalence versions. I'm excited that I can use this version to study, memorize, read, and share with my children as well!