NIV, Foundation Study Bible

by Zondervan

The key features of a study Bible in a convenient, compact, and concise form

The NIV Foundation Study Bible in the world's most popular modern-English Bible translation--the New International Version--features an approachable and easy-to-use layout, with straightforward and broad study notes that help you discover the beauty and truth of God's Word. Concise study notes provide helpful comments on passages of Scripture, while theological notes draw attention to important doctrinal content in the Bible and are indexed in the back of the Bible. Translators' footnotes offer clarification and information about the original-language texts.

Intended for both beginning and experienced students of Scripture who want a Bible that contains the key features of a study Bible in a convenient, compact, and concise form, the NIV Foundation Study Bible is perfect for students, church leaders, and homeschool use.




Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
Introductions provide valuable background information for each book of the Bible
Cross reference system directs attention to other passages for further study
In-text subject headings help organize your reading and provide context
Verse-by-verse study notes help explain the Bible text deeper
Theological notes draw attention to important doctrinal content
Index of notes in the back of the Bible to make looking up information easier and quicker
Translators' footnotes offer information on the original texts of Scripture
NIV concise concordance provides an alphabetical listing of important passages by key words
Full color maps of Bible lands show where key places were located
Words of Jesus in red

6827 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2016

About the author

Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

Reviews

[shawn brandom · Rating 5 out of 5]

to set the record straight, i haven't finished the study Bible, i was looking at the maps.

[Mr David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best digital bible.

It's very difficult to read. You can't select chapters. You have to scroll ahead to find the chapter you want to read. Very inconvenient.

[Cassie Fenske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve ever read

[Tommy Kiedis · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the past several years I have read the Bible using a different translation. In 2022 I used The NIV Foundation Study Bible. The readability is fantastic, it’s easy to navigate (I am reading on my iPad and on my phone), and I appreciate the brief introductory work at the front of each book. The study notes have been helpful, though I don’t find them as robust as The ESV Study Bible. They also seem to be more devotional in nature, but not in anyway exclusively written with life-application in mind.

This from the Introduction to the NIV Foundation Study Bible:

Purpose: As its name implies, the NIV Foundation Study Bible is designed to provide a foundation for Bible study. It is intended for both beginning and experienced students of the Scriptures who want a Bible that contains the key features of a study Bible in a convenient, compact, and concise form (22).

History: The NIV as a translation was born in 1978 as a completely new translation “made by over a hundred scholars working from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts” (24). The group was international in composition and from a diverse group of denominational backgrounds. Knowing language changes, the original group of translators established the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), charged with periodic updates in keeping with the translators original purpose and driven by the conviction that the Bible is inspired to the very words. Revisions came in 1984, 2005 (resulting in the separately published TNIV.

Translation Philosophy: Three principles undergrid the translation philosophy: (1) WORDS MATTER: “The meaning of words is determined by the way that users of the language actually use them at any given time.” To translate effectively, a translator needs to know the source and the target audience. The CBT has given meticulous care to this principle. (2) CONTEXT MATTERS: Words stand alone, but they find their meaning within the historical context in which they were written. Clusters, phrases, clauses, sentences, discourses all shape the meaning of the word. Consequently, how the translated word functions “in combination with others words determines meaning” more than a “simple” word-for-word approach (28). (3) WORDS HAVE A SPECTRUM OF MEANING: “The Committee therefore studies each original word of Scripture in its context to identify its meaning in a particular verse and then chooses an appropriate English word (or phrase) to represent it (29). In this sense clear meaning trumps the consistent use of the same word rendered in the receiving language.

Textual basis: The translators utilize the Masoretic Text as published in the latest edition of Biblica Hebraica. Occasionally, earlier “versions, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the scribal traditions were … followed where the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of textual criticism show that one or more of these textual witnesses appeared to provide the correct reading” (30). Greeks texts vary (see page 30 in the introduction for more). Also, since Old Testament writers often quote from the Septuagint, at times some Old Testament quotations (LXX) do not match the corresponding passages in the NIV translation.

One will find a concordance and full color maps to help in their study. And while all these tools are helpful, there is no substitute for “diving in," and with Jeremiah be able to say:

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV