Feb 13, 2006

Archaeological Study Bible


My new Archeaological Study Bible (NIV) arrived today. Just in time as my old NIV is starting to fall apart after 28 years (Dec 78). Now I just have to transfer 17 years of sermon notes and comments over to the new bible!
I'm very impressed with the new study notes, including cultural and historical notes, Ancient texts and artifacts, Ancient peoples, lands and rulers, Archaeological sites, reliability of the Bible, book introductions, ancient voices (quotes from other documents), Glossary, Subject index, article index and 160 page concordance. Over 520 notes in all. The total pages total 2306. It will get you in shape for a dig just carrying it.

While the paper is not glossy the photo's are in full colour (over 500) and the paper is even tinted to look like ancient parchment. a very beautifully crafted bible.

I was told by a good friend of mine that Dr. Bryant Wood (Associates for Biblical Research) wrote 1/3 of the notes. I haven't asked him yet if it is true but it would not surprise me and I notice some of his traits in the articles on Ai and Jericho.

For more information on this from another of the contributors see Todd Bolan's blog.

2 comments:

BethsMomToo said...

But why did they use the NIV text?! I would have been interested if it had come in a direct translation, like NASB or ESV. I think my next Bible is going to be a wide-margin, non-study Bible. Any suggestions of which wide margin to look at?

Dr. David E. Graves said...

Hi Debi,
About a wide margin bible I'd just have a look on the web. I like the ESV as well and bought one for my daughter. This Archaeology Bible is a bit large for public use at over 2300 pages. I'd suggest getting a hard cover one for reference though as it is very well done. Personally I've always used the NIV and have enjoyed the more dynamic read and refer to the Greek text when I want to know the exact meaning. I have found the NASB a bit wooden (choppie) for public reading in worship but the ESV seems much better.
Dave