The Literary Study Bible: ESV - English Standard Version [Hardcover]

Leland Ryken (Editor), Philip Graham Ryken (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2007

Combining thousands of insightful notes with the complete ESV Bible text, the Literary Study Bible helps readers understand God's Word more fully, in all its richness and beauty. It highlights the Bible's story lines, complex characters, historical settings, literary genres, motifs, theological themes, imagery, and important terms, making the Bible come alive with greater clarity and impact. This one-of-a-kind study Bible is an indispensable tool for devotional reading and in-depth study.

• Size: 6" x 9"
• 8.5-point type
• 1,952 pages
• Black letter text
• Single-column format so it reads like a book
• A general introduction to the Bible as a book and to its literary features
• Introductions to each book of the Bible and literary commentary on individual units within each book
• Free ESV Bible Resources Software available

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1952 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Bibles (September 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581348088
• ISBN-13: 978-1581348088
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Like Other Study Bibles; Helps Reader Understand All of Scripture For Him/herself, February 4, 2008

By 

Jacob Hantla "hantla.com" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Literary Study Bible: ESV - English Standard Version (Hardcover)

While Study Bibles may be some help in gaining an understanding of the Bible (The MacArthur Study Bible: Revised & Updated Edition and The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version would be two examples of good study Bibles that will tend to give you verse-by-verse helps), they can also, I think, tend to take the place of prayer and honest work in the text to find meaning. Sometimes it seems the footnotes in those study Bibles can, for the reader, take on more authority than the text. For that reason, I have often suggested that you stay away from making a Study Bible the Bible you use for your study.

However, I have been using the ESV Literary Study Bible as I've been working through the Old Testament and have found it to be a different sort of study Bible. Rather than commenting verse-by-verse, it's goal is more to help the reader understand how what they are reading fits into the context of the book and ultimately of the Bible. It is very much an overview study Bible, helping to illuminate the author's overall intent in writing the book. The goal is to help the reader gain an understanding each book as a piece of literature and not a bunch of separate verses devoid of context (unfortunately this is often how the Bible is used).

The Literary Study Bible gives an outline of each book of the Bible, a literary introduction and general introduction to the book as a whole, and short section-by-section comments to help situate a passage of scripture into the flow and content of the book.

This Study Bible is very much unlike any other study Bible I've seen and recommend it, particularly for reading through big chunks of Scripture trying to get a birds-eye view of it. You can go to esvliterarystudybible.org and get a free month trial to browse the online version of it before you buy.

After using this Study Bible daily for about 6 months, I highly recommend it, not in that I necessarily agree 100% with everything it says, but in that it truly is a resource well designed to help the reader better understand all of Scripture for himself.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bible & Translation written to honor God!, January 30, 2008

By 

Michelle R. Jaent (Lombard, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Literary Study Bible: ESV - English Standard Version (Hardcover)

I have owned thirty or more bibles in my life and each has met it's end not long after it's purchase. I believe that this bible, though not your typical study bible because it lacks cross references and a concordance, brings me to the place with the Lord that I have longed to be for years and have searched for within the covers of many a good study bible and one-year bibles. I have to give much praise to the ESV translation for it's accuracy and beauty. The scriptures seem to have such a reverence and spirit-filled essence that delivers God's word deeply to the soul. I have to commend the authors of this great work for their book introductions which are like none other. I have such a great understanding of a book before reading it's pages as well as having a paragraph or two of explanation usually before each chapter that offers just enough information to give great insight as well as focus on where the book is going. This has been a bible I actually look forward to reading because of this extraordinary feature. I have felt too bogged down reading study bibles with endless notes that take away from scripture reading but also have tried reading bibles with no notes at all and have found myself to be a little lost at determining a books direction. This bible fits that gap for me in that it's just enough information as it keeps me so focused and excited to read what is next! I hope they come out with a leather version soon with markers. Also the year reading plan is unlike any I've ever seen, it's really incredible! Buy and see for yourself. I didn't expect this bible to deliver this much punch at all. It's a great package.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it - bad paper choice though, December 23, 2007

By 

K. Rasberry (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Literary Study Bible: ESV - English Standard Version (Hardcover)

First things that I don't like: I agree with another reviewer - the font is too small. Seeing the verse numbers is difficult for me. (Yes, I wear reading glasses but still!) Also I don't like the paper used at all. It's the wrong color and it doesn't like to be handled. I read my bible alot - and I write and highlight. The paper just doesn't hold up. Now the things I like: I love the reader's format - and the reflection of a literary perspective...it's different from my other study bible that references and cross-references. So it does what I hope - gets me out of a technical study of God's word and into a more relational/reflective time when I'm reading the Bible. I'm glad I've added this bible to my library. I don't know how long it will last though as I'm seeing the pages in the chapter I'm studying with my small group crinkle and appear more worn out than my 6 year old bible.