ESV Archaeology Study Bible

Like commentaries it is always good to have multiple perspectives. 

Well, study Bibles are somewhat similar. While Bible versions 

vary on wording it is Bibles such as the ESV Archaeology Study Bible 

that give insight into scriptural text that is so helpful. 

The ESV Archaeology Study Bible is a hardcover, double-column, paragraph format,

cross reference Bible. This Bible features:

Footnotes

Study Notes 

Full-Color Photographs

Maps

Diagrams

Timelines

Book Introductions

and more.

What makes an Archaeological Study Bible so helpful is being able to connect

places read about in the Bible with maps, pictures, and photographs. The study

notes are extremely helpful when reading through the scripture. Often times the 

study notes helps to clarify unfamiliar words, customs, or passages. For example,

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke when one another. The LORD paid

attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before

him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name." Malachi 3:16

The study note for this verse specifically the phrase book of remembrance.

"The concept of God's keeping such a book of man's actions is seen throughout 

the OT (Ex. 32:32; Isa 65:6, Ezek. 13:9). Similarly, gods of Mesopotamia such as

Nabu, the scribe god, were believed to record men's deeds on the Tablet of 

Destinies. Ahura Mazda, the Persian god of the Zoroastrians, is described in 

the Yasna, a holy book of that religion, as recording the deeds of mankind..."

Being somewhat of a visual learner it is helpful to see what something looked

like to make the scripture text come more alive. Reading about the City of Jericho

was very interesting but then actually seeing a structural layout was great. 

I have always found maps in Bibles to be so helpful in tracking journeys,

locations talked about, distances and terrain. Not only are there lots of 

maps throughout the Bible but there are also maps in the back of the Bible too.

Each book starts with an introduction. It will include:

Theme

Author (if known)

Contributions from Archaeology

Outline

Map

Did you know that the book of Ezekiel was written about and to Jews

in Babylonian exile? Also, did you know that the book of Ezekiel catalogues

measurements of buildings that did not and perhaps never will exist? 

This is a photo of Egyptian papyrus-reed boat. I literally spent several days

just looking at the photos and reading the captions about them. 

The study aids and tools found in this Bible are amazing! So many

scholars went into contributing their expertise from editors, study note

contributors, article contributors, archaeology team, proofreaders, designers,

leadership, and I am sure I am leaving some out. 

There are timelines at the beginning of both the OT and the NT. There are also

articles included before each. One of the articles before the OT begins is,

Daily Life In Israel In Old Testament Times by Gerald L. Mattingly. 

The Dead Sea Scrolls by Paul H. Wright is one of the articles before the NT begins. 

I was definitely impressed by the ESV Archaeology Study Bible. This study 

Bible has been so very helpful while doing my daily Bible study. 

I received this in exchange for my honest opinion.