Zondervan’s NIV Reference Bible, Deluxe Single Column, Premier Collection is the perfect Bible for a beautiful reading experience, in-depth study, and thematic exploration.
Aesthetics
The cover is always a standout feature in any premium Bible, and the hand-bound supple goatskin leather cover of this Bible is beautiful. You can see the texture, but it still feels smooth to touch. The ribbed spine is prominent and to be appreciated. Smyth-sewn and edge-lined construction gives this Bible the ability to lay completely flat from any page, as well as allowing for ultimate flexibility when carrying or reading.
Aesthetically, the art-gilt blue-under-silver page edging gives it a sleek and modern look. The gilt line and perimeter stitching is equally impressive. The three royal-blue satin ribbon markers are elegant, and perfectly compliment the colored text. The black and blue page design really pops on the premium European Bible paper.
The listed weight is 999.999gr, with a trim size of 197.000mm x 273.000mm x 38.000mm. At 1,440 pages, the Bible feels solid when held closed and much lighter when opened. It will fit comfortably on a desk with your computer or notebook ready.
Features
The single column format is my favorite. The exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print Typeface pairs well with the New International Version Bible translation. The NIV is known for being accurate, readable, and clear -- and it is understandably the most widely read modern-English Bible translation. The 9.5-point print size looks generous and makes the pages feel full. There is still ample margin space for those who like to write in their Bibles.
What makes this a true reference Bible is the ability to use the fullest set of NIV cross-references and bottom-of-the-page topical links. These allow you to put together the themes of Scripture all the way from Genesis through Revelation. This Bible boasts over 100,000 cross-references and thousands of topical link connections, 8 pages of full-color maps, and a concordance. The concordance contains 2474 word entries, with more than 10,000 Scripture references, as well as 155 biographical entries for significant people in the Bible.
This Bible would be best used for reading larger portions of Scripture and giving yourself time to make use of the extensive cross-references and topical links. For instance, a study on 2 Timothy 4:17 might make you wonder what the “lion’s mouth” is that Paul refers to. The topical footnotes present “The Lion as a symbol of evil,” and points to Psalm 7:2. Zephaniah 3:3 while linking the text with 1 Peter 5:8.
A Beautiful Bible and an Excellent Study Tool
This Bible is an excellent tool to use for word studies, tracing Biblical themes, and grasping the full meaning of the text. It is perfect for those who love the NIV, but also an excellent introductory Bible to become familiar with the Scriptures. It is a beautiful Bible to hold in your hands or sit down with in your lap and favorite chair. Read and get lost in the wonders of God’s Word.