The Open Bible from Thomas Nelson is a popular study Bible in the KJV. It’s now seeing its turn at a 2K/Denmark-designed Comfort Print typeface update. The newest version of the KJV Open Bible is available in several covers including hardcover, imitation in several colors, and brown genuine leather. I’m reviewing two in imitation leather: ISBN: 9780785222941 and 9780785222989, both made 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 book is available at (includes some affiliate links)
Books-A-Million
– Black – Burgundy
and many local Bible bookstores
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Table of Contents
- Video Review
- Cover and Binding
- Paper
- Typography
- References
- Book Introductions
- Study Material
- Concordance
- Maps
- Comparisons
- Conclusion
Video Review
Cover and Binding
I’m reviewing both black and burgundy Leathersoft imitation leather. Both have an imitation grain that looks nice. They have perimeter stitching. The black has nothing printed on the front. The spine has the title, logos, and spine ribs (but not raised) printed in gold. The burgundy has Holy Bible on the front within a debossed floral wreath that appears darker. The spine includes the title, logos, and spine ribs stamped in gold. It’s darker between the spine ribs to match the color of the wreath.
The liner is paste-down. It’s paper and doubles as the presentation page. This is the only thick end sheet. It has an interesting floral design in several shades of color. The black has gray while the burgundy has red and pink.
The text block is Smyth sewn and it stays open easily. It has overcast stitching in the front and back. This is an old method of stitching that reinforces the first and last signature. It’s rarely used today and I”m glad to see it in the Open Bible. It’s actually amazing to see it at this price-point.
Both have 2 extra-long and wide ribbons. The black has a black and a red ribbon. The burgundy has a burgundy and a gold ribbon. The overall size is 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.5″ and the weight is 2 lbs, 8.7 oz.
Paper
The paper is around 36gsm. It’s white in color but I do detect a hint of blue in the gutter where the pages come together (this area is always bolder in color). It’s very opaque. It feels like it could be semi-coated. I find it to be easy to turn. The color and opacity have an excellent contrast with the print. The KJV does not suffer from the cockling (wrinkles from the binding) that the NKJV Open Bible had. The page edges are gold gilded.
Typography
The text is presented in a double-column verse-by-verse format. Cross-references are placed in the center column. The header includes the book name, chapter, and verse number in red in the outer margin and the page number in black just inside the outer margin. Notes are placed at the bottom of the page.
The typeface is the Comfort Print designed by 2K/Denmark. It’s a 9-point when compared to a Times New Roman, but it looks closer to an 8-point when compared to most Bibles. It’s highly readable because of the darkness the font and opacity of the paper. The red-letter is about a medium in darkness. both the red and black letter are consistent throughout. Both the black and red are not as dark as the NKJV Open Bible, but they’re still readable. I would like to see them match the darkness of the NKJV. It has around 8 words per line and it’s printed with line-matching to improve readability. I find it easy to read.
Chapter numbers, center column reference keys, and titles for notes, book introductions, and articles are in red. Section headings are in black. They’re bold and stand out, making the page easy to scan when searching for something specific or for understanding the context.
References
It has 72,000 Cross-references. The references and translator’s footnotes are placed in the center column. Those at the top of the column go with the verses on the left and those at the bottom go with those on the right. If there isn’t enough room they’re placed under the last verse. The pilot reference is printed in red. This is a lot of references and they’re excellent for study or sermon prep. These are the same references used in the King James Study Bible. Here are a few examples to help you compare:
- Genesis 1:1 – Ps. 102:25; Is. 40:21; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:10; Gen. 2:4; Ps. 8:3; 89:11; 90:2; Is. 44:24; Acts 17:24; Rom. 1:20; Heb. 1:2; 11:3; Rev. 4:11
- Deuteronomy 6:4 – Deut. 4:35; Mark 12:29; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:4,6
- Isaiah 9:6 – Is. 7:14; Luke 2:11; John 1:45; Luke 2:7; John 3:16; I John 4:9; Matt. 28:18; I Cor. 15:25; Rev 12:5; Judg. 13:18; Titus 2:13; Eph. 2:14;
- Matthew 17:20 – Matt. 21:21; Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6; I Cor. 12:9
- Mark 11:23 – Matt. 17:20; 21:21; Luke 17:6
- Mark 12:29 – Deut. 6:4, 5; Is 44:8; 45:22; 46:9; I Cor. 8:6
- John 1:1 – Gen 1:1; Col 1:17; 1 John 1:1; I John 1:14; Rev. 19:13; John 17:5; John 1:2; 1 John 5:20
- Acts 2:38 – Luke 24:47
- 1 John 1:1 – John 1:1; I John 2:13,14; Luke 1:2; John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; John 1:1, 4, 14
The translation footnotes include a glossary for archaic words or words that have changed in meaning. These are excellent for study.
Book Introductions
The book introductions include a short overview and provide information about the author, time of writing, Christ in the book, keys to the book, a detailed survey, and a detailed outline. They also include information about culture, history, key people, key events, important messages from the book, etc. Most are around 4 pages. They’re highly detailed, well-written, and are excellent for study and teaching.
Study Material
The purpose of The Open Bible is to provide a complete reference system so you can do your own study. This includes an extensive topical index, 72k cross-references, concordance, charts, articles, and a doctrinal study system with articles at the bottom of relevant pages.
Study material includes:
- How to Study the Bible – a detailed article about studying the Bible. It covers personal and family study and discusses principles on biblical interpretation.
- The Christian’s Guide to the New Life – a doctrinal study that includes 32 outlines of major doctrines. It places study notes at the bottom of pages for specific passages. They’re short and include the page number for the next article.
- Topical Index – an index with 50,000 entries and over 8000 topics that include names, places, concepts, events, and doctrines. This is excellent for study and sermon prep.
- One-Year Reading Plan
- Visual Survey of the Bible – a set of diagrams between the Old and New Testaments. It has 24 pages with a graphic overview of biblical events.
- Harmony of the Gospels
- The Jewish Calendar
- Jewish Feasts
- Tables of Monies, Weights, and Measures
- Teaching and Illustrations of Christ
- Prophecies of the Messiah Fulfilled in Christ
- Parables of Jesus Christ
- Miracles of Jesus Christ
- The Laws of the Bible
- Between the Testaments – discusses the history between the testaments.
- The Apocrypha – discusses the apocryphal books.
- The Scarlet Thread of Redemption – discusses salvation through the Bible.
- A Guide to Christian Workers – a guide to witnessing.
- Prayers of the Bible
Concordance
The concordance is 68 pages with three columns per page. It’s about a medium-sized concordance and is good for basic study and sermon prep. Here are a few example entries when the number of references to help you compare:
- Christ – 15
- Christian – 3
- Faith – 94
- Faithful – 38
- Faithfully – 1
- Faithfulness – 4
- Faithless – 3
- God – 54
- Godhead – 3
- Godliness – 8
- Godly – 9
- Praise(n) – 30
- Praise(v) – 12
- Pray – 36
- Prayer – 34
Maps
It includes the full-color maps from Zondervan and include. It has 7 full-color maps printed on 8 thick glossy pages. I like the bright earth-tones. It doesn’t include an index but the maps are annotated well. I found them easy to use. They show topography, distance, routes, borders, possible locations of lost places, battles, elevation, cities, and locations for the events of Jesus’ ministry.
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
Here’s how the KJV Open Bible compares to the Thomas Nelson NKJV Open Bible, Minister’s Bible, Preaching Bible, and King James Study Bible.
NKJV Open Bible
The NKJV Open Bible is thicker. It has the same size font but it’s darker. The paper has an off-white tone. It’s concordance is larger. The other tools are the same.
Minister’s Bible
The Minister’s Bible has the same font but doesn’t have the study tools. It has articles in the middle that focus on ministry.
Preaching Bible
The Preaching Bible has a larger font and uses the same references. It doesn’t have any of the study material such as a concordance or maps.
King James Study Bible
The King James Study Bible has a larger print and more information. It’s more geared toward commentary.
Conclusion
The KJV Open Bible looks excellent with the Comfort Print typeface. It retains the features and purpost of the Open Bible, which is to provide a complete reference system to help you do your own study. Its topical index, 72,000 references, book introductions, articles, and concordance does provide a lot of tools to help you do your own study. The paper and print quality are excellent. The font is a touch smaller than I’d like, but I still found it easy enough to read and study from. I highly recommend the KJV Open Study Bible for anyone interested in a topical study edition for personal study, and sermon prep.
_________________________________________________________
This book is available at (includes some affiliate links)
Books-A-Million
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.
Another great review!!! Just really hope they release a large print edition.
Thanks Robert! I’d love to see this in a larger print.
Excellent review, Pastor. I ordered mine two hours ago. It will be here in nine days.
Thank you! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Great Bible – Unfortunately I unknowingly got a Second Print Run of the Genuine Leather- no Perimeter Stitching on the cover and paper has a blue hue to it – I feel victimized. Purchased on Amazon. (too late to return – just hope it holds together. I have many Bibles – so I’ll relent at some point but I feel for others where this is their main Bible and were taken advantage of unknowingly. Shame on Thomas Nelson. The reply I got from TN was “Unfortunately, that particular Bible is out of print and we do not hang on to out of print Bibles. You may be able to find it at a used Bookstore or on second hand online platforms.”