The NKJV Compact Reference Bible is an excellent Bible for carry and use on the go. Even though it shares the same name, it has a different layout and slightly more references than the end-of-verse Compact Reference Bible. It’s available in several cover options. I’m reviewing the purple zippered edition, ISBN: 9781400333394, printed in China.
Thomas Nelson 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 (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
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Table of Contents
- Video Review
- Binding
- Paper
- Typography and Layout
- References
- Concordance
- Bible Atlas
- Comparisons
- Conclusion
Video Review
Binding
The cover is Leathersoft with a zipper. It has a leather-like grain and feels like leather to the touch. The purple is dark and has some variation that looks elegant. A gold cross is stamped on the front and several decorative lines are debossed around the front and back. The zipper is stitched in place and the zipper and zipper pull are also purple. The spine includes gold printing and gold lines with debossed lines for the spine ridges. The liner is purple paper and doubles as the presentation page. It’s sewn, but doesn’t stay open well until around 1/4″ into the Bible. It doesn’t have a ribbon, so nothing gets caught in the zipper. The overall size is 4 3/8 x 6 3/4 x 1 1/4″.
Paper
The paper is 30GSM. This is the same paper used in most Thomas Nelson Thinline editions. It’s white in color and is highly opaque for this print size and darkness. The show-through is only noticeable in the poetic settings. It’s smooth but not slippery. I found it easy enough to grab and turn.
Typography and Layout
The NKJV text is presented in a double-column, paragraph layout with poetry set to stanzas and letters indented. Cross-references and footnotes are placed across the bottom of the page in a single column. The header shows the book name, chapter, and verse in the outer margin and the page number just inside of that. Section headings are printed in italics.
The typeface is 7-point. It looks larger than that to my eyes. It has a good amount of space between the lines, making it comfortable to read. The black text is dark and the red letter is medium/dark. Both are consistent. It has around 8 words per line. It was printed with line matching. The lines do match well. This improves readability. As always with the Thomas Nelson NKJV, poetry is divided into good break points and looks balanced. I found this text to be highly readable.
References
Cross-references and footnotes are placed across the bottom of the page. It includes a reduced set of NKJV translation footnotes and fewer references than most Thomas Nelson editions.
Here are some example references to help you compare:
- Genesis 1:1 – Jn 1:1-3; Acts 17:24
- Deuteronomy 6:4 – 1 Cor 8:4, 6
- Isaiah 9:6 – Luke 2:11; John 3:16; Matt 28:18; Judg 13:18; Titus 2:13; Eph 2:14
- Matthew 28:19 – Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47
- Mark 12:29 – Deut 6:4, 5
- John 1:1 – 1 John 1:1; Rev 19:13; John 17:5; 1 John 5:20
- John 3:16 – Rom 5:8; Isa 9:6
- Acts 2:38 – Luke 24:47
- Romans 10:9 – Lk 12:8
- 1 John 1:1 – John 1:1; John 1:14; 2 Pet 1:16; Luke 24:39; John 1:1, 4, 14
Concordance
Rather than a standard concordance, the NKJV Compact Reference Bible includes a 27-page combination dictionary-concordance. It includes people, places, and concepts. It includes the most common words with short definitions. many include Scripture references and include a portion of the verse like a normal concordance. The more difficult words include pronunciation marks. I find it helpful and prefer this to a small concordance.
Bible Atlas
In the back are 7 full-color maps on 8 thick, semi-glossy pages. These are the standard Zondervan maps that Thomas Nelson uses. The maps do not include an index, but they are annotated well. They include distance, elevation, topography, ancient cities, journeys, battles, events, dates, and Scripture references. They’re bright and colorful without being cartoonish.
Maps include:
- World of the Patriarchs
- Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
- Land of the Twelve Tribes
- Kingdom of David and Solomon
- Jesus’ Ministry
- Paul’s Missionary Journeys
- Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus
Comparisons
NKJV Compact Reference Bible
The end-of-verse NKJV Compact Reference Bible has a smaller footprint and is a lot thicker. It has a verse-by-verse layout with a larger print. It has fewer references, a concordance, and the same maps.
NKJV Pitt Minion
The NKJV Pitt Minion has the same height but it’s about a quarter inch wider and 3/8″ thinner. It also has a double-column paragraph setting. It has a few more words per line and the text is noticeably smaller. It includes a lot more references (placed in the center column), the full set of footnotes, a large concordance and 15 maps.
NKJV Personal Size Quentel
The NKJV Personal Size Quentel is slightly taller and thicker, but the width is the same. It includes a lot more references placed in the footer, the full set of footnotes, 15 maps, and note pages. It doesn’t include a concordance. This edition is also available with a zipper and includes an extra-wide ribbon that works with the zipper.
Conclusion
The Thomas Nelson NKJV Compact Reference Bible zippered edition is an excellent Bible for everyday carry. It only has a few references, but the reference and dictionary/concordance are great for use on the go when you don’t need a lot of tools. I found the font highly readable and the size is great for any travel bag or purse. If you’re looking for a small NKJV for everyday carry, the Thomas Nelson NKJV Compact Reference Bible zippered edition is a great choice.
_________________________________________________________
This Bible is available at (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
_________________________________________________________
Thomas Nelson 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.
Randy, Thanks again for your wonderful reviews. Would you say that, outside of the zipper, “red letter” is about the only feature that distinguishes this one from the Compact Maclaren? I like this new one here, but trying to decide how it differs from the Maclaren.
Hi Brian. The Maclaren doesn’t have references, maps, or tools in the back, and it has blue highlights. The footprint is about the same and the font size is the same.