The KJV Study Bible from Barbour Publishing is the smallest of the KJV study Bibles that are available. This is a hand size edition that is made for carry without bogging you down with information you don’t need with you.
Pros
- Hand size
- Sewn binding
Cons
- No references
Features
- KJV
- Imitation leather
- Sewn binding
- Red letter
- Book introductions
- Section headings
- 6500 notes
- Dictionary/Concordance
- 8 maps
- Gold ribbon marker
- 8 7/8 x 5 5/8 x 1 1/4
- ISBN: 9781624166587
- SRP $39.99
Cover and Binding
The cover is imitation leather. My review copy is two-tone with burgundy and tan. It has stitching all around the outsides. The liner is paper. I like the look and feel. It’s one of my favorite imitation leathers. It feels like it will last a while. The binding is section-sewn.
Paper and Print
The paper is the standard paper found in most study Bibles today. It is fairly thick and opaque. The edges are not gilted. The font is a 7-point with 8-point leading (7/8). The black letter has some slight variation. There is more variation in the red letter than the black.
Layout
The text is presented in verse format with 2 columns per page. There are section headings within the text. They’re in bold print and all-caps. Notes are at the bottom and have the verse numbers that they correspond to printed in bold. There isn’t much marginal space. The text goes all the way to the edge of the gutter. The chapter and verse numbers appear at the top of the page. Most Bibles show the verse number for the first verse that starts on that page. This one shows the number for the first verse even if it started on the previous page.
Notes
There are 6500 notes. They are from the Simplified Bible Commentary Series. The notes mostly contain general comments. There are a few that give references. There are also some doctrinal comments. Like all commentary I urge readers to do their own study, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
Illustrations
There are 64 pages of illustrations. The illustrations are either old paintings or photographs of landscapes. They are very colorful and are printed on heavy card stock. They’re grouped in sections of 8 pages (4 pages front and back) and placed throughout the Bible. The paintings tell the artist (if it’s known) and the date. Each one relates to a Scripture. They look nice. They should have been placed closer to the portion of Scripture they relate to in my opinion.
Book Introductions
Each book is introduced with 3 paragraphs that cover some basic information about the book, the author, and the occasion that it was written. They give some good information without taking up too much space.
Dictionary/Concordance
The concordance is combined with a dictionary. It is 17 pages with 3 columns per page. It includes names and places. It covers some basic words. There’s not enough in it for any serious study. It might be helpful if you’re out somewhere and don’t have access to any other material.
Maps
There are 8 pages of full-color maps printed on heavy glossy card stock. They are color-coded and annotated for easy use. They look nice.
Conclusion
The KJV Study Bible is a study Bible with simplicity in mind. It’s a good for those that want a little extra without having to carry one of the larger study Bibles and features they don’t want. It’s especially a good choice for reading and carry.
Barbour Publishing provided this Bible free for review. I was not required to give a positive review- only an honest review.
Dear Randy:
This looks like a good bible for those who don’t want to carry a huge bible, yet want commentary on what is being read. My Father’s 1954 vintage Oxford Schofield Reference Bible the family bought for him on his 42nd birthday was perhaps even smaller and more compact. It always annoyed me when references and notes would tell the reader that “best manuscripts say……., or best sources do not include……….. in effect giving the opinion that the Authorised text is somehow inferior. Schofield was Pre-millennial, and Dispensational, nothing wrong with that as long as the reader is aware that the notes are devoted to that viewpoint. The problem arises when people like my parents believed that the study notes and references were just as much a part of God’s Word as the translation (Authorised). The Schofield is not as popular as it was, but is still around. There are other study bibles that contain study notes and references with the same doctrine. I have learned over the years that cross references, chain references, notes, appendices are fine, even study notes are OK if their bias is known. For study I have become fond of the Westminister Reference Bible from TBS, an excellent lay out, loads of helps, appendices, and tables etc, It lets me come to my own conclusions after cross checking references. If I get really stumped there are two commentaries I use, a general one, The Wycliffe, and a more detailed one, the unabridged Matthew Henry. I know there are lots more but this system seems to do it for me. If the reader of this study bible you are reviewing knows what the viewpoints it supports are in advance he can form his own opinions based of his own research, it doesn’t hurt a thing as long as one does his homework. The trouble is that many see the imbedded commentary and believe that it is part of the bible. Lots of folks want this kind of help, who am I to say that they shouldn’t use it, just keep the eyes open.
Yours in Christ
Don Denison
Thanks Don. I like your approach to Bible study. The TBS Westminster is one of my all-time favorite Bibles. If it was the only Bible I owned I would be happy with it.
Dear Randy:
Thanks for your comment. We all have different modes of learning, what works for me, while sensible and effective, may not serve another. We can discuss any aspect of learning God’s Holy Word, the bottom line, the thing that makes it happen, is God’s Holy Spirit working within us as we do our best to acquire knowledge about what God’s plan is for us. Red letters, commentary, no commentary, one translation or another, amplified, reference, translators notes, plain text, a concordance, or any variety of aids for learning. The bottom line is that the reading of God’s word or the hearing of it is the channel that the Lord uses to teach us. Praise God for the availability and the variety that we have here and now. God bless you for your ministry in providing reviews and a forum that allows us to learn about and discuss the various versions of the Bible we are blessed with.
Yours in Christ
Don Denison
Where can I buy this study bible?