Book Reviews -- By: Mark R. Stevenson
Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 17:2 (Winter 2008)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Mark R. Stevenson
EMJ 17:2 (Winter 2008) p. 197
Book Reviews
ESV Study Bible. General Editor: Wayne Grudem, Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008, 2,752 pages + maps, hardcover, $49.99.
Since its first publication in 2001, the ESV has steadily grown in popularity and is now the preferred Bible translation of many evangelicals. The committee that produced the ESV describes their translation philosophy as “essentially literal.” The translation attempts to be “‘as literal as possible’ while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence.” Thus with its concern for both accuracy and dignity of expression, the ESV stands in the tradition of the King James Version. While the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are the basis of the translation, the 1971 Revised Standard Version served as the “starting point” for the committee’s work. In some ways, then, the ESV may be considered a revision of the RSV.
The focus of the current review however is not on the merits (however numerous) of the ESV as a translation, but the ESV Study Bible released in October, 2008. The ESVSB is an impressive achievement. Already it has captured the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) 2009 Christian Book of the Year, as well as claiming first place in the ECPA Bible category. It was also awarded World Magazine’s “Book of the Year.” Without question, the ESVSB’s wealth of information, quality of maps, charts, and illustrations, depth of scholarship, and overall excellence sets a new standard for study Bibles.
The reader is oriented to each biblical book by means of a helpful introduction that discusses the following issues: Author and Title, Date, Theme, Purpose, Occasion, and Background, Timeline (NT), History of Salvation
EMJ 17:2 (Winter 2008) p. 198
Summary, Literary Features, Key Themes, and Outline. Throughout the study Bible are a number of color maps (200 to be precise) that help readers identify the geographical locations discussed in the text. In addition, a number of impressive color illustrations and architectural diagrams bring to life biblical items, including the tabernacle, its court and furniture, Solomon’s temple, Herod’s temple, the city of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah and in the time of Jesus, Golgotha and the Temple Mount, Rome in the time of Paul, and many more.
There are over 200 charts that summarize biblical material in concise and useful ways. A sample of some of the charts include: In Leviticus: “Five Major Offerings,” “Sacrifices,” and “Holy Feasts.” Given the precise details of the instruction regarding ceremonial laws in Leviticus, these charts help the reader recall and distinguish the salient points. In 1 & 2 Kings: “Th...
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