I leave to one side the Life Application Study Bibles (NIV and NLT). They are, in order of sales:
(1) The Chronological Study Bible (NKJV) (list of contributors here)
(2) ESV Study Bible (list of contributors here)
(3) Zondervan NIV Study Bible Updated (list of contributors unavailable online)
(4) New Interpreters Study Bible (NRSV) (list of contributors here, last page)
(5) NLT Study Bible (list of contributors here)
I own copies of (2), (4), and (5), and recommend them all. I don’t know why (1) is selling so well, though I remember being asked to contribute to it by a Nelson rep. (3) is a slightly revised version of the 1995 edition of a Study Bible that has had a very distinguished run.
Here is the relevant pdf.
I have been looking at study Bibles a lot this past month or two. Thanks for the heads up on this helpful information. It inspired a post from me this morning.
Latest CBA Data for Study Bibles
Posted by: Nathan Stitt | December 21, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Thanks, Nathan, for the discerning remarks in your post.
I have the HarperCollins Study Bible as well, and I agree it is, all things considered, a step up from NISB.
On other matters, I think the Catholic Study Bible (NAB) is unmatched. Its glossary is the only I know of that is wide-ranging enough. The essay on the Bible in the Lectionary is in a class by itself.
You already know how highly I think of the Jewish Study Bible (NJPSV). I really don't see how a student of the Bible can do without it unless they have amazing set of additional reference tools in their library.
Posted by: JohnFH | December 21, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Yesterday I purchased used copies of the NJB (with full notes) and the Catholic Study Bible from Amazon.com
I look forward to delving into them as I've heard nothing but good things about them. This is a great year of Bibles for me, and a constant source of reward.
Posted by: Nathan Stitt | December 21, 2008 at 07:31 PM