Cambridge has just released the NRSVue Diadem. This is a hand-sized reference edition that’s ideal for carrying and reading, making it a great edition for fans of the NRSVue. It’s available in several colors in calfskin or calfsplit leather, and with or without the Apocrypha. I’m reviewing the NRSVue Diadem in blue calfskin without the Apocrypha. This is model NR545:XE, ISBN: 9781009615266. It was printed and bound in the Netherlands by Jongbloed.
Specs
- NRSVue (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
- Blue calfskin
- Synthetic edge-lined liner
- Sewn binding
- 3 1/4″ ribbons
- 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/8″overall size
- 1 lb, 11.5 oz
- 32GSM French paper
- Art gilt page edges
- Double-column paragraph layout
- Line matching text
- 8.2 Lexicon No. 1
- Black letter
- 16k center-column reference
- Family pages
- Large concordance
- 15 maps
- Printed in the Netherlands
- MSRP $340
Cambridge provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
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This Bible is available at
and many local Bible bookstores
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Table of Contents
- Binding
- Paper
- Typography and Layout
- References and Footnotes
- Front Material
- Table of Weights and Measures
- Concordance
- Bible Atlas
- Video Review
- Conclusion
Binding
The blue calfskin is smooth with a light grain, is soft to the touch, and it’s flexible without being floppy. It includes perimeter stitching and a 3/8″ yapp (overhang). The front has HOLY BIBLE printed in gold. The text on the spine is printed in gold, and it includes 5 slightly raised spine hubs. It’s edge-lined with a synthetic liner. The edge-lined tab isn’t too stiff, so it has little trouble staying open in Genesis. The text block is sewn. It has 3 blue 1/4″ ribbons, which are long enough to pull to the corner to open the Bible. The overall size is 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 1 1/8″ with a trim size of 5 3/4 x 8 1/4″. It weighs 1 lb, 11 oz. This is an excellent size and weight for a Bible for all-around use.
Paper
The paper is 32 gsm from Papeteries du Leman, Thonon-les-Bains, France. It has a premium coating that looks and feels elegant. This paper is highly opaque and has a slightly cream color, making it great for reading. I found the pages easy to turn. The page edges are art-gilt with blue under gold.
Typography and Layout
The NRSVue text is presented in a double-column paragraph format. Poetry is set to stanzas. It does not set apart letters, OT quotes, or lists. Section headings are in italics. Cross-references are placed in the center column, and footnotes are placed under the last verse on the page in a small font. The header shows the book name and chapter numbers in the outer margin and the page number in the inner margin. Books start on a new page.
The font is 8.2 Lexicon No. 1 with an 8.5-point leading, typeset by Blue Heron Bookcraft. This is not a thick typeface, but it doesn’t seem too thin either. This is a black-letter edition. The print quality is fairly dark and consistent. The text is printed with line-matching, so the lines are placed in the same position on both sides of the page to minimize show-through. The text averages 7-9 words. The text is slightly dense, but there is enough space between the lines so they’re not too crowded. It has a large enough inner margin to bring the text out of the gutter.
Verse numbers are light and small, which can make them difficult to find quickly. There are no reference keys in the text. Footnotes are marked with a small letter. This keeps the text clean. The poetic settings have a lot of lines with a single word. I’d like to see them spaced a little better. I like having the references and footnotes separate. This makes them much easier to find. Overall, I enjoyed reading this layout.
References and Footnotes
The NRSVue Diadem includes 16,000 references placed in the center column. Those for the left column are aligned at the top of the page, while those for the right column are aligned at the bottom of the page. They show the chapter and verse they go to in bold. There is no indication of which word or phrase they correspond to. This edition is fairly light on references when compared to other Diadem editions. Genesis 1:1 includes 6 references. John 1:1 includes 3. You’ll need other tools if deep study is your goal, but this is enough for basic study.
Footnotes are placed under the last verse on the page, in a small print. They include the letter to key them to the text. They provide alternate renderings and explanations from the original languages, information on other ancient languages, and include manuscript variations. It identifies the languages and manuscripts. Small portions of Scripture not found in the Critical Text are placed in the footer. Larger portions of text not found in the CT are included in the text, marked with brackets. These footnotes are excellent for study.
Front Material
Here’s a look at the material placed in the front.
Family Pages
Cambridge family pages include a presentation page, family records, children, marriages, and grandchildren, all with red borders, and deaths with black borders. These are printed on thick, non-glossy pages that are easy to write on.
Chronology of Rulers During Biblical Times
This table divides the rulers into two categories, with their names and the dates they ruled. Categories include:
- Rulers During Old Testament Times
- Judah
- Israel
- Rulers During the Time of the New Testament
- Roman Emperors
- Rulers of the Herodian Territories
- Governors
Table of Weights and Measures
This is a 2-page table with length, weights and values, coins, dry measures, and liquid measures. They include the name from the NRSVue, units, notes, the first reference, and approximate metric and imperial equivalents. This is a small table, but it is especially helpful since the measurements are not found in the footnotes.
Concordance
The concordance is 149 pages with 2 columns per page. The text is a little smaller than the biblical text. It contains 16,000 references. I’m not sure of the number of entries. It does include names, which I prefer. It seems to have a lot of entries, but there are some oddities. For example, for God, it only includes references to god (pagan), with 9 references. There are 14 references to godly. There are no other variations on this word.
Bible Atlas
In the back are 15 full-color maps with an 8-page color-coded map index. The maps are colorful and easy to read and use. They’re printed on thick, semi-glossy paper. They show routes, borders, water, distance, topography, vegetation, cities, dates, battle sites, etc.
The NRSVue Diadem has a color-coded index that shows settlements, political, physical land, physical water, travel, and Jerusalem. I prefer this type of index, and I always appreciate it when it’s included.
Maps include:
- The Ancient Near East in the Late Bronze Age
- Regions of Palestine and Surrounding Areas
- Sinai and Canaan at the Time of the Exodus
- Israel within Canaan
- The United Monarchy of David and Solomon
- Israel and Judah: The Divided Monarchy
- The Assyrian Empire
- The Babylonian Empire
- The Persian Empire
- The Hellenistic World after Alexander
- Jerusalem in Old Testament Times
- Jerusalem in New Testament Times
- Palestine in the New Testament
- The Roman Empire
- The Eastern Mediterranean in the First Century AD
Video Review
Conclusion
The NRSVue Diadem in blue calfskin is an excellent hand-sized Bible for all-around usage. Falling between the sizes of the Clarion and Pitt Minion makes it easy to handle and use for everyday carry. Like the CSB Diadem, and unlike the other Diadem editions, this one doesn’t have a matching Pitt Minion or Wide Margin edition. The NRSVue Diadem is an excellent version of the NRSVue.
_________________________________________________________
This Bible is available at
and many local Bible bookstores
_________________________________________________________
Cambridge provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
