The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha

If you are looking for a study Bible with up-to-date notes and translation, the NRSV version of The New Oxford Annotated Bible is a good choice. The translation is not as loose as the New English Bible, but it does modernize pronouns and verbs. The translators say they wanted to be as literal as possible and as free as necessary.

The notes and introductions were written by many hands but were consistent, clear, and objective. I did find the cultural information in the Old Testament and the Apocrypha a bit more helpful than that in the New Testament. I sampled notes in The HarperCollins Study Bible and found them harder to read than the more discursive notes in the Oxford edition.

Especially helpful were the black-and-white maps show more throughout the text and the color maps at the end of the book. The color maps were not included in the Kindle edition. I was struck by how often the names of countries, towns, and landmarks changed.

Materials at the back of the book include many helpful tables, an index, and a glossary. show less

A copy of the NOAB is a must for anyone interested in studying Christianity. The Annotations and study materials are concise, informative, and well-accepted. (This is the standard Bible for college religion courses.) As regards format: the type is easy to read, and the margins are large enough to accommodate notes, should you so desire.

Word to the wise: the changes made to newer editions are minimal at best. You'll save a tidy amount of cash by buying a used copy of an older edition, and you won't be losing a thing.

If you have to read "The Bible", make this the version you read. Exhaustively researched and annotated, a single reading will not only educate you regarding the literal content but about the historical context/content/validity/translations as well.

Great academic version with excellent footnotes to provided context

As many others have said, this is an invaluable edition for anyone to own, even those not studying religion. The annotations are helpful and translation is superb.

The premier study Bible used by scholars, pastors, undergraduate and graduate students, The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha offers a vast range of information, including extensive notes by experts in their fields; in-text maps, charts, and diagrams; supplementary essays on translation, biblical interpretation, cultural and historical background, and other general topics. Extensively revised--half of the material is brand new--featuring a new design to enhance readability, and brand-new color maps, the Annotated Fourth Edition adds to the established reputation of this essential biblical studies resource. Many new and revised maps, charts, and diagrams further clarify information found in the Scripture text. In addition, show more section introductions have been expanded and the book introductions present their information in a standard format so that students can find what they need to know. Of course, the Fourth Edition retains the features prized by students, including single column annotations at the foot of the pages, in-text charts, and maps, a page number-keyed index of all the study materials in the volume, and Oxfords renowned Bible maps. This timely edition maintains and extends the excellence the Annotateds users have come to expect, bringing still more insights, information, and perspectives to bear upon the understanding of the biblical text.
DT The renowned New Revised Standard Version Bible translation, the scholarly standard for study of the Bible
DT Wholly revised, and greatly expanded book introductions and annotations.
DT Annotations in a single column across the page bottom, paragraphed according to their boldface topical headings.
DT In-text background essays on the major divisions of the biblical text.
DT Essays on the history of the formation of the biblical canon for Jews and various Christian churches.
DT More detailed explanations of the historical background of the text.
DT More in-depth treatment of the history and varieties of biblical criticism.
DT A timeline of major events in the ancient Near East.
DT A full index to all of the study materials, keyed to the page numbers on which they occur.
DT A full glossary of scholarly and critical terms.
DT 36-page section of full color New Oxford Bible Maps, approximately 40 in-text line drawing maps and diagrams. Classic but not stodgy, up-to-date but not trendy, The New Oxford Annotated Bible: 4th Edition is ready to serve new generations of students, teachers, and general readers. show less

Good translation and annotations.