Ask Bible Buying Guide: Archaeology Study Bible Comparison
In this Ask Bible Buying Guide I compare several Archaeology Study Bibles.
Marc asks:
“How does this compare to the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible? Would it be redundant to have both?”
Nonny asks:
“Still having trouble deciding between the ESV Archaeology Study Bible and the out of print Archaeological Study Bible (which I could still get on eBay). Any thoughts? I’m mostly interested in the content of the notes on archaeology.”
All four are excellent Bibles and I find it difficult to choose between them because they have different information. Hopefully, this video will help you see what you need to decide which is best for you.
Here are the individual reviews:
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Zondervan’s First-Century Study Bible
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Zondervan’s NIV Archaeological Study Bible
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Thanks for this! I have two. I need to get the other two!
OK! I plunged in and got the other two! Shekels depleted! But (and I have to hold you responsible here, Randy)I came across, and bought, yet another related book, “Zondervan Handbook Of Biblical Archaeology”, ISBN 9780310286912, reduced Amazon price under £20/€30. Just having got this, haven’t yet read it to any extent, but it seems to be good and not to duplicate too much the other books. (And, if there is duplication, one can always find another to benefit from a surplus book!) Do you know of this work? Indeed, have you possibly reviewed it? (But a review may be outside your defined, and already onerous, task?!)
Hi Alexandar! I haven’t seen that one, but it does look like something I would like. Thanks for letting me know about it.
Sorry this is months late! Thank you for the detailed look at each Bible. I’ve been enjoying the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, but I’ll have to give the Crossway Archaeology Study Bible a look when I get a chance. Appreciate the work you do here! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for your reviews. If you had to chose, which would you recommend? The First-century Study bible or the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible?
Both have good reviews, but I have heard while the CBSB is very good, it takes a higher-criticism approach to scripture. I.e. it questions the authorship of books of Moses, Isaiah and some pauline epistles. I’m curious if the First-Century Study Bible is the same?
Thanks for your advice in advance.
Hi Chris. It’s really hard for me to choose. I’ll need to get the First Century from my office at the Church and check. It might be a few days.
Great video. I want to read through the Bible for a year and focus on biblical geography – especially the kind of things that can be learned through maps. So, considering the maps (both in-text maps and end-of-book maps), what Bible would you recommend?
Hi Greg. This is a tough one. There are lots of good choices. I might go with the ESV Archaeology Study Bible.