Zondervan KJV Study Bible

Rating:
Summary: AN INSTRUCTIVE ONE VOLUME BIBLE EDUCATION
Review: If you get stranded on a deserted island or are trapped in a mountain cabin for the winter - THIS IS THE STUDY BIBLE YOU WANT TO HAVE! I have owned DAKES', RYRIE, T-CHAIN REFERENCE, and SCOFIELD, but this Bible has more notes, maps, geneological diagrams, and charts than any of them. If you ,for example, are having a hard time reading and understanding the Major or Minor prophets (many people do because of obscure or arcane references and poetical manners of speech) then it will absolutely helpful to have this Bible. There are enough study notes at the base of the page explaining and guiding you through the text to allow you to study any book of the Bible and get a good understanding of what the historical setting or cultural context is. There are diagrams of Solomon's and Herod's temples that give you an outstanding idea of what these structures looked like at the time they existed. The notes also explain some of the Greek or Hebrew words that sometimes are translated in a hard to understand way in the KJV version.
I purchaced the Black Top Grain Leather Regular Print version. I must warn you however that while the quality of the leather cover is very good, the binding is done in the typicaly cheap American way of single sheets glued onto some sort of Nylon spine. I hate this method because it is less sturdy and reliable then the better quality binding offered by some of the other Bible publishers. Oxford, Cambridge and Ryrie bind thier bibles by STITCHING(with thread)and glueing the pages in FOLDED SECTIONS (not in single sheets)onto the spine. This method is the best to ensure that the consumer is buying a Bible that will last more than a few months.
I would however still consider buying this Bible anyway because the study helps are so extensive. Just take some extra consideration and care in handling this Bible and it will probably last a while.

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource To Enhance Bible Sutdy
Review: The Thompson Chain Reference KJV has been my primary Bible since 1984. Based on a desire to dig deeper and get more perspective, I started to look for an additional Bible.

The Zondervan KJV Study Bible has been a great choice. I went with the same translation to keep a continuity when cross-referencing.

The Study Bible has great resources, specifically book introductons, center column reference, and study notes at the bottom of the page.

In the near future, I am hoping to add a NASB (Life Application or possible Classic Reference) and an Amlified Bible to the library. This is not out of inadequacies with this Study Bible - just as glimpses into additional resources.

Bottom-line: I would encourage looking into any Zondervan Study Bible, regardless of translation. The Zondervan site ( http://www.zondervan.com ) has also been a great tool when looking for a good fit for my Bible needs.