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NASB | John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 5:39 "You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; |
Bible Question:
What features would the best possible study bible have? I have been looking for a study bible to give to my daughter as a 21st birthday present and I can't find what I am looking for. I wanted one in NASB with a good referencing system (preferably a concordance). I had a look at the Zondervan one but I was not impressed but the question on the best study bible recommended the McArthur Study Bible so I will go back to the shops and look for this one. It occurred to me that since this site is sponsored by a bible translator I would like to put a wish list of what I would like to see in a study bible that others could add to. (Note to the moderator. If you feel that this would be best directed to some contact within the Lockman Foundation you are welcome to send it on and not include it for answers on this site.) In a study bible I want to be able to understand what God's word is saying so word for word accuracy is essential (hence the NASB). Thomas Nelson put out a version with "read along" aids where a superscripted "a" or "t" indicated respectively an alternate or literal translation of the word indicated which was placed at the end of the verse. (I have contacted Thomas Nelson and they no longer publish this version.) This version was excellent and took the NASB to a new height where we could understand multiple meanings and shades of the words being used. What would be even better would be footnotes giving the "thought for thought" translation(s) where they were not immediately apparent. I would like to be able to distinguish the received text from the more modern Greek texts as the later tend to lean heavily upon two particular manuscripts which have a gnostic influence. Besides if these two manuscripts contained information necessary for our salvation why would God allow them to be lost for so long? Another item on my wish list is a topical concordance in the back keyed to the verses somehow. I had thought that the key words in the concordance should be underlined where they appear in the verses but that might be too disruptive and perhaps just having them bolded or italicised would be better. While the concordance could have some commentary on the word (e.g. greek and hebrew of the underlying word and a brief overview of the concept) the key value would be that the student would be "comparing scripture with scripture" rather than scripture with the word of man. The concordance would reduce the need for cross referencing verses and enable the user to research a topic as well as follow a lead from a verse. Other than that there are the normal aids like introductions to books, maps, weights and measures etc. I have a thing against "Words of Christ in red" as sometimes it is a matter of interpretation which were Jesus' very words. Besides it makes for a multi-level bible where some verses have more authority than others. Still, I can ignore it if others find it valuable. What do others think? Thanks, Mark. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Mark! The single best, most comprehensive Study Bible that I have ever used is the MacArthur Study Bible. Of the 11 Study Bibles that I own, the MacArthur Study Bible is #1 when it comes to comprehensive notes, cross-reference system and study aids that make Bible interpretation that much easier! If I were meeting all of you fellas in person to discuss topics of this Forum on a "personal" face-to-face basis, and I could only take one of my Study Bibles for such a meeting, then I would grab my MacArthur Study Bible above all else. However, the MacArthur Study Bible only comes with the NKJV translation, which is a very good translation, being a literal 'formal equivalence' translation like the NASB. Christ's words are not in the red-letter format in the MacArthur Study Bible. But if you are looking to get your daughter a NASB Study Bible, then a most excellent choice is the Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition (1995) in the NASB! I have this beautiful, excellent Bible, and it excels in outlines and Biblical aids, being complete in every aspect! The verse-by-verse notes in Ryrie are not as comprehensive as MacArthur's, but they are very good. The typeset in the Ryrie Study Bible is a bit larger than that of MacArthur, and it is presents itself very well, comparable to the beautiful typeset in my Cambridge KJV Bible. The cross-references in the Ryrie Study Bible are most excellent, and the words of Christ are presented in Red Letter format. There are many neat treasures that you will find in the Ryrie Study Bible! :-) The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible may be more comprehensive, but my Ryrie Study Bible gets the greater use! I love my Ryrie NASB Study Bible, and this Bible is my #1 Bible that I use all of the time. I have only had it for 2 years; I received it on Memorial Day weekend (2001) and I am already wearing it out! :-) Two choices that you simply cannot go wrong with in choosing a Study Bible for your daughter: the Ryrie NASB Study Bible, Expanded Edition, or the MacArthur NKJV Study Bible. Blessings to you, Makarios |