Tuesday, October 31, 2023

NKJV, Word Study Reference Bible

Book cover
NKJV, Word Study Reference Bible

ISBN-13: 9780785292784
Hardcover: 1952 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: Jan. 17, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The NKJV Word Study Reference Bible balances deep study of the biblical languages with clear application to help transform the way you live. Includes in-text subheadings and 2,000 easy-to-use word studies with select Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words explained in every chapter from Genesis to Revelation. Topic-by-Topic studies give a practical framework for understanding scripture, along with more helpful resources.


My Review:
This is a New King James version of the Bible with the typical study Bible resources, like cross-references and maps. Some words in the verses were underlined, with a nearby box briefly explaining the meaning of the word and how it's used here and other places. Since they only address the selected words once in detail, often you're simply told where the word meaning box is located. Some of these word meanings did help clarify the word's meaning in English (for words that don't translate well), but others didn't really add much as the meaning seemed clear to me in context or the comments weren't clear because they tried to cover all the ways it's used rather than just the current context.

Many pages also had a box with a short commentary covering a verse or two from that page. The commentary sometimes covered verses that could be confusing and added insights toward understanding. Other times, the commentary pointed out ongoing themes in the Bible, especially Old Testament problems that are solved in Jesus in the New Testament. The commentary wasn't difficult to understand. It didn't directly address controversial topics, but it implied that God really did create everything, Noah's flood did happen, and people were scattered after the languages were confused at Babel. I agreed with the (conservative) theology present in the commentary. Overall, this could be a useful study Bible.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.