Things to Look For When Buying a Study Bible

For believers, buying a new Bible is exciting. The smell of the print, the feel of the crisp pages on your fingers, and the clean, untouched pages. Buying any book is a great experience but a Bible is a believer's go-to book, the fount of knowledge and wisdom, and something that will be used on a regular basis, for years to come. Choosing the best Bible for your needs is important, and there are so many options out there to consider.

This article will look at factors to consider when buying a Bible, and focus especially on the King James Version, because that is the version I use, and am most familiar with. There are 100's of Bibles out there in every version imaginable, so this will narrow the field. I was inspired to write this article after shopping for a Bible for my husband's birthday last month. I was surprised at the number of options out there when buying his present.

When purchasing a Bible, there are several factors to consider. Here are some of the options to consider when buying your Bible: 

1. Print: What size of print do you prefer? Does the text have the words of Christ in red? What kind of font does it use? 
2. Layout: How is the text laid out on the pages?
3. Size: How large is the actual book? 
4. Study Guides: What study information is included?
5. Cover: What is the cover like? 

The next factor to consider when deciding on a Bible is layout. There are some standard layouts that most Bibles tend to follow and which to choose is a personal preference.

1. The majority of Bibles made these days are laid out with two columns. The two columns are easy to read and use.  With this layout, the notes are found at the bottom of the page.  This allows for unlimited space for notes and commentary. 
2. The middle column layout (or three column layout) has the advantage of all of the notes being between the columns, allowing for a more compact Bible. The printing for the notes is usually small, but it can make for a smaller, more portable Bible. As well, with the three-column Bible, the notes are closer to the text. 
3. A one column layout has become more popular for its ease of reading --- this style of Bible tends to read like any other book.
4. Another consideration is if there is room for taking notes. Although some readers are nervous about writing in the Holy Book, others love to jot down their impressions and lessons while they read. This is also good for taking notes during a sermon. 

I found this one when speaking to my sister about this article. She informed that there are a great variety of covers available for Bibles. At one time, you simply chose between a black, blue, white or red cover and that was about  it. But now, there are some wonderful choices available. 

There are covers that appeal to the feminine heart with pretty colours and a soft touch. There are more masculine designs with a brown firm tone. There are also specialty Bibles done by a specific artist. The most unique cover is a water proof cover for taking the Bible anywhere into the wild forest! 

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this tour of the different Bibles available and that the next time you go out to buy a Bible, you will be more armed to make a knowledgeable choice. There are many Bibles to choose from and it is good to have an idea of what you are looking for. 

Blessings! 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God." 

For an online Bible lookup, see the website, Bible Gateway.