I was curious about this Bible because most of the ones I have purchased or received for review purposes have had smyth-sewn bindings. It had been a while since I looked at a Bible with a glued binding as I prefer the durability of the sewn bindings to the glued ones.
After looking at this Bible for just a little while now I can honestly say that I love all of the notes, papers, pictures, and resources in it.
I also love the layout and text. It is a great size font and very clear.
This would be a much better Bible if it were a sewn-binding. I am still not a fan of the glued bindings. The genuine leather cover is pretty typical for a Bible in this price range.
I was surprised at how badly the pages stuck together. It would be a pity if any of them tore because of the cheap silver colored gilding.
The pages are printed and laid out so beautifully. The Bible also has two ribbon markers.
This Bible is made in America which is a rare thing these days, when most of the low to mid-range ones are made in China or Korea.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was made here in the USA. There are so many features and things this Bible has got right, but the couple of draw backs are big ones for me. For $79.99 I expect much more in the quality department. So my two biggest gripes would be the glued binding, which is pretty standard these days, and the silver colored edge gilding that made the pages stick together. If they would put this in a sewn binding with real art gild page edges and a goatskin cover for $150.00 I think they would have a winner here. As it is I think this Bible falls prey to the quantity over quality error. Don’t get me wrong, this is a wonderfully useful and informative study Bible. It would be very helpful to someone doing daily studies and it comes in a decent price on Christianbook.com. Here is a list of some of it’s features;
- 15,000 study notes
- 141 photos
- 62 timelines
- 59 maps
- 40-page concordance
- 20 articles and essays on practical and theological issues
- 16 illustrations and reconstructions
- 15 charts.
- Two-column text setting
- Center-column cross references
- The words of Jesus in red type
- Extensive book introductions
- One- and three-year Bible reading plans
- Notes section for personal notes
- Ribbon marker
- Presentation page
- Family record section
- 9-point text size
- 9.50″ X 7.00″ X 1.75″
I wouldn’t let my two gripes about this Bible dissuade you from purchasing it because even though it lists at $79.99 it is available for much less on Amazon and Christianbook.com I will include links to both sites at the end of the review. I am kind of a stickler for bindings. Holman did put a lifetime warranty on this Bible so I imagine if the pages do start falling out you can ship it back to them and get a replacement. So in conclusion if you are looking for a deluxe daily driver then this is your Bible, but if you are looking for a premium Bible you are in the wrong price range. Features for miles and miles with just a couple little quibbles. Hope you enjoy all of the pictures below. http://www.amazon.com/Holman-Study-Bible-Edition-Genuine/dp/1433605147 for Amazon and http://www.christianbook.com/nkjv-holman-bible-black-genuine-leather/9781433605123/pd/605123# for Christianbook.com
I received this Bible from Holman free of charge for review purposes and am in no way obligated to give a good review of this product.
Snyder's Soapbox 
I have a couple of different Holman KJV study Bibles and with each of them I found that the pages stuck together so terribly mainly because of the colored ink. They stick together the worst on the back side of full-colore pages. Otherwise, I’ve been completely pleased with the study Bible. Thanks for the review. Well done.
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*I meant “full-colored.” Thanks.
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It would appear that these are sewn now and made in china, or so I’m seeing, thanks for the review! Do you prefer this to the MacArthur NKJV Study Bible?
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I prefer the MacArthur Study Bible in any translation over the larger, broader ones. MacArthur’s theology and mine are more alike. The study Bibles that approach the meaning of scripture do it in a way to appeal to a broad range of theological traditions within what is know as Evangelical Christianity. I am a Reformed Baptist, Complementarian, Cessationist, with an eclectic approach to eschatology. Knowing what I know now, I would not use the broad ranging Study Bibles or buy them for young Christians. I’ve read them quite a bit when I was younger, and they tend to offer little in the way of harmonizing the scripture you read. I much prefer the MacArthur, the Reformation Study Bible, or the Systematic Theology Study Bible from Crossway.
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Correct me if I’m wrong but he is a Calvinist is he not? Not that that takes away from his knowledge or theological insights but this is going is going to taint some of his views correct? Harmonizing scripture, can you explain? Are you saying the Holman is too generalized in it’s notes, ie doesn’t really pick a direction? I’m for what scripture says, ie – more literal in interpretation. Although the spiritual gifts is another area where MacArthur and I will diverge because my personal experience shows this view to be false. Again…I don’t think this takes away from the value of his notes. Things I like about the holman is Jesus’ words in red letters, cleaner, nicer layout, full color. Ultimately I’ll be referencing other sources but just trying to pick a good most often go to study bible as I’ve never had a thorough one and am trying to get serious about it. The less of a pile of resources i have to reference the better imo but at same time…A Bible is for reading first and foremost and seemed the Holman is nicer for that. Are meanings actually given in the concordance of MacArthur? I read they weren’t in the Holman. I could always just get Strong’s and not worry about it so not a deal breaker. Looking for whatever thoughts you can give me to sway me one way or the other. I originally was going to go with the MacArthur but really liked what I was seeing about the Holman. I’m not sure if they are equal (or even done at all in Holman) in the tackling of explanation of greek / hebrew words..which would be very helpful.
Thanks brother!
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I am a Calvinist. Calvinism isn’t what many people say it is. There are lots of straw man arguments made against it. Most people whether they know it or not are 3 or 4 point Cavlinists if they believe the Bible. It is systematic theology. In other words, there are no doctrines at odds with each other. They all come together, in context, to preach Christ, throughout the entire Bible. Seeming conflicts are reconciled, and trouble verses, make sense within the context of the entire Bible. Cessationism doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit doesn’t work miracles anymore. It also doesn’t mean that God has stopped working in our world. These are also straw man arguments made by people who don’t care to understand what it really is. It is not a primary article of faith, and therefor we can practice adiaphora. The Holman along with many of the other comprehensive study Bibles contains tons of info. and attempts to remain neutral to some degree in drawing a conclusion from the information. The MacArthur study Bible, does draw conclusions, because it works within the systematic theology of Calvinism. That being said, MacArhtur is only a Calvinist in the sense of soteriology. That would set him apart from someone like R.C. Sproul who is Reformed and embraces more of the doctrines of Calvinism. MacArthur baptizes believers, Sproul baptizes babies, and so on. As far as language tools go, I would suggest the Bible Study app from Olive tree/harper collins and the NASB strong’s inside that app with an interlinear keyed to it as well as Mounce’s Greek dictionary.
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I realized I should have clarified, I do not have much knowledge on all the crazy theological subdivision…I don’t have a problem with Calvinism per say…I have a problem with the idea of ‘limited atonement’ because i don’t believe it to be biblical. Jesus’ death on the cross was either sufficient for anyone and everyone or no one…that is say, people need to come to accept the gift of Christ that is already there and waiting for them and that is available for anyone to claim should they choose to accept God’s free gift of grace and ultimately repent of their sin. What is MacArthur’s view in light of this?
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Limited atonement says that if Christ made atonement for all sins, then there would be nothing to hold against anyone, so all people would be justified and going to eternity with Christ, since that is not true, we believe that Christ perfectly atoned for all those who would repent and put their faith in Him. That way there is no extra or wasted suffering on the cross. Since only the elect will respond in acceptance. The call to go out to the world to repent and believe goes out to everyone.
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Ah, nevermind, did not see your response, you answered my question. Yes, I suppose I am calvinist in at least 3 maybe 4 of the so called points with the exception of all ‘elect’ stuff. That’s not to say that I don’t think God chooses people, I think scripture makes clear He does in some divine way I can’t claim to understand but that certainly doesn’t close off what Jesus did as being done for anyone that may come to God.
I think one of the strongest arguments that the spiritual gifts never stopped is that they were going on long before the new testament through the holy spirit when he chose to do so but that goes without saying with any spiritual gift. This alone shows they weren’t dependent upon the timeframe of the apostles and careful reading of scripture makes this clear. Were certain signs that accompanied the apostles that were specific to them? Yes, in context it was clear, I don’t recommend anyone go and get bit by a poisonous snake to test that theory as some fools have. Believe that they’ve stopped despite evidence to contrary bewilders me. You’d also have to completely ignore Paul’s letters on the subject to Corinthians, I don’t see a cessationist can reconcile this. My Uncle has the same view that it sounds like you have.
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So are you saying you are 5 point then? That you believe the ‘elect’ idea and that only the ‘chosen’ (and not by their will but by God’s) will accept the grace of God (Christ)?
Again, He either was good enough for all sin or none of it. You’d have to ignore scripture that says otherwise such as in John. How could their be ‘wasted’ suffering? He paid it all and he pain it once. None of that’s a waste because He had to defeat sin in it’s entirety or it’s not beaten at all. He conquered death or he didn’t. There are major theological problems with limited atonement regardless of the so called supporting verses.
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I am a 5 pointer. I have done my share of study on the issue. I haven’t come to the conclusion lightly.
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Oh and back to the point, thank you for the wonderful suggestions on resources! of the Holman and the MacArthur, which makes for better / clearer reading?
Also, does the Holman delve in the greek / hebrew word meanings?
Thanks
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I gave it away not long after doing the review. I don’t keep the Bibles I review for very long. Otherwise I’d have hundreds of Bibles lol. If I remember correctly neither of them are extensive in their treatment of Hebrew and Greek. That is why I recommended the Bible Study app and the resources you can download for it. I use it and find it very helpful. If you don’t like apps and would rather have books, the resources would be the same. I would get an NASB MacArthur Study Bible, NASB Strong’s or Englishman’s concordance, Mounce’s Dictionary, and The Interlinear Bible: Hebrew-English (4 Volume Set) (English, Hebrew and Greek Edition)
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I sent you an e-mail at your gmail address associated with your wordpress.
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I know this is an old conversation but I would like to add a observation. All of the Holman Bibles I have purchased have sewn bindings and are printed in China. Perhaps the hardbound review copy pictured above was an early production model.
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It is a case bound Bible. It is not a hardback. It probably did have a sewn spine. I wouldn’t be able to find out. I gave it away shortly after writing the review. I don’t review B&H Bibles anymore due to their review program being revamped to limit review copies. I mostly purchase Bibles I want, and then review them. I rarely write reviews anymore due to most of the publishers doing what B&H started to do. If you are ever in the market for a new Bible, I’d recommend anyting from Schuyler at evangelicalbibles.com
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I came across a possible error between a Holman and Nelson NKJV, Deut 27:26 is different between publications. I noticed a single word difference elsewhere so it’s now putting a damper of my confidence in the translation.
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Which word is different between editions? Maybe I can help you. Here is the same verse from the LSB, and the BHS; Deuteronomy 27:26
‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deuteronomy 27:26
אָר֗וּר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יָקִ֛ים אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה־הַזֹּ֖את לַעֲשֹׂ֣ות אוֹתָ֑ם וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל־הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן׃ פ
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Thomas Nelson:
Deut 27:26
‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!'”
Holman:
‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.’
”And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
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Holman Christian Standard Bible, “26‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’”
Christian Standard Bible, “26‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’”
New King James Version, “26‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ””
Where are you citing the translations from? The places I’ve checked don’t say what you have listed there. Several of the Publishers have been bought out by unbelievers over the years. The only publishers left who are remaining faithful are the foundations, and private licensers, like Lockman Foundation, and Crossway. The Legacy Standard Bible is a retranslation based on the 95 NASB to be even more exacting. The English Standard Version is owned by Crossway which is a Bible ministry non-profit if I remember correctly. If you really want to stay with a majority text translation you could try Trinitarian Bible Society. They only offer the KJV.
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Hi Bob,
I’m reading the “NKJV Large Print UltraThin Reference Bible”. Copyright 1996.
“Text from NEW KING JAMES VERSION Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.”
Just spotted that “Thomas Nelson” mention. This is leading me to think it’s a printing error (China).
Amazon UK info:
Publisher : Broadman & Holman Publishers (1 Jun. 2018)
Language : English
Leather Bound : 1184 pages
ISBN-10 : 1535905263
ISBN-13 : 978-1535905268
I’m not going crazy, honest.
Regards,
Michael
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There’s more to this than meets the eye….
With “…by observing them”:-
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2027%3A26&version=NKJV
https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/deuteronomy/27-26.html
https://biblehub.com/nkjv/deuteronomy/27-26.htm
https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/main/default/id/9643/ver/NKJV/deuteronomy-27-26.htm
Without “…by observing them”:-
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/read/eng/GNB/Deut/27/
https://www.bible.com/bible/114/DEU.27.26.NKJV
https://biblia.com/bible/nkjv/deuteronomy/27/26
https://www.christianity.com/bible/nkjv/deuteronomy/27-26
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That is strange. Since the NKJV utilizes the Majority text collection it should say almost the same thing the KJV says. So the omission doesn’t make sense. Here are the main 3 Hebrew source texts that are used in most translations. 27:26 Hebrew OT: Westminster Leningrad Codex
אָר֗וּר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹא־יָקִ֛ים אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתֹּורָֽה־הַזֹּ֖את לַעֲשֹׂ֣ות אֹותָ֑ם וְאָמַ֥ר כָּל־הָעָ֖ם אָמֵֽן׃ פ
דברים 27:26 Hebrew OT: WLC (Consonants Only)
ארור אשר לא־יקים את־דברי התורה־הזאת לעשות אותם ואמר כל־העם אמן׃ פ
דברים 27:26 Paleo-Hebrew OT: WLC (Font Required)
ארור אשר לא־יקים את־דברי התורה־הזאת לעשות אותם ואמר כל־העם אמן׃ פ
דברים 27:26 Hebrew Bible
ארור אשר לא יקים את דברי התורה הזאת לעשות אותם ואמר כל העם אמן׃
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They all seem to maintain לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת
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https://thebible.org/gt/index
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… Should have mentioned, it’s by Holman Bible Publishers.
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I didn’t think you were going crazy. I was just curious because I hadn’t seen that specific omission in the texts I was referencing. I think you idea about it being an error on behalf of the Chinese printer could be true, but the more likely explanation is that the publisher worked up a new layout, and the process, accidentally lost that portion of the text, and the editors
didn’t catch it. Once it was noticed, the problem was fixed. This is one of the reasons I keep old Bibles, from many different translations, as well as Hebrew, and Greek Bibles. It is good to be able to go back to some older source texts.
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I absolutely agree. I tend to study form at least three if not four sources.
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