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The Literary Study Bible: ESV
Combining thousands of insightful notes with the complete ESV Bible text, the ESV Literary Study Bible helps readers understand God's Word more fully, in all its richness and beauty. It highlights the Bible's storylines, complex characters, historical settings, literary genres, motifs, theological themes, imagery, and important terms, making the Bible come alive with greater clarity and impact. This one-of-a-kind study Bible is an indispensable tool for devotional reading and in-depth study.
Size: 6" x 9" 8.5-point Veritas type 1,952 pages Black letter text Single-column format so it reads like a book General introduction to the Bible as a book and to its literary features Introductions to each book of the Bible Literary commentary on individual sections within each book Smyth-sewn binding Packaging: J-card (HC), clamshell box (TruTone)
Size: 6" x 9" 8.5-point Veritas type 1,952 pages Black letter text Single-column format so it reads like a book General introduction to the Bible as a book and to its literary features Introductions to each book of the Bible Literary commentary on individual sections within each book Smyth-sewn binding Packaging: J-card (HC), clamshell box (TruTone)
1952 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2007
47 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Philip Graham Ryken
109 books69 followersPhilip Graham Ryken is Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has preached since 1995. He is Bible Teacher for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, speaking nationally on the radio program Every Last Word. Dr. Ryken was educated at Wheaton College (IL), Westminster Theological Seminary (PA) and the University of Oxford (UK), from which he received his doctorate in historical theology. He lives with his wife (Lisa) and children (Joshua, Kirsten, Jack, Kathryn, and Karoline) in Center City, Philadelphia. When he is not preaching or spending time with his family, he likes to read books, play sports, and ponder the relationship between Christian faith and American culture. He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Bible commentaries on Exodus, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Galatians.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 21, 2017
For years I've wanted to read each book of the Bible through in one sitting. Psalms and Isaiah had to be broken up, but I scheduled time to read other long books through. I got the flow of the book and picked up on motifs I missed in the past.
The Literary Study Bible was a good choice for this project: one column, only a few cross-references at the bottom of the page, the layout clearly identifying songs and poetry. I enjoyed the literary notes, better understanding genres and allusions across the spectrum of Genesis to Revelation.
I'm reviewing each book's introductory notes to write a short phrase in my journal that encapsulates each of the 66 books, e.g. James — New Testament book of proverbs. I've read the Bible all of my literate life, but am fuzzy on lesser known books like the minor prophets.
The Literary Study Bible was a good choice for this project: one column, only a few cross-references at the bottom of the page, the layout clearly identifying songs and poetry. I enjoyed the literary notes, better understanding genres and allusions across the spectrum of Genesis to Revelation.
I'm reviewing each book's introductory notes to write a short phrase in my journal that encapsulates each of the 66 books, e.g. James — New Testament book of proverbs. I've read the Bible all of my literate life, but am fuzzy on lesser known books like the minor prophets.
October 22, 2011
Not really a typical "study Bible" with footnotes, etc. This Bible primarily considers the literary genres and qualities of the books (and individual chapters!) of the Bible. Each book, major section, and most chapters have a brief intro paragraph which considers the literary devices and aspects of the particular text.
This Bible is probably my preference for reading big chunks privately, the editor's notes give helpful thoughts but don't get into the minutiae of the biblical text, for that I use the ESV Study Bible.
The font and layout is attractive, but I don't recommend this Bible to be used when preaching. Tried it once but the verse numbers are too small to simply glance down and find or read.
Recommended.
This Bible is probably my preference for reading big chunks privately, the editor's notes give helpful thoughts but don't get into the minutiae of the biblical text, for that I use the ESV Study Bible.
The font and layout is attractive, but I don't recommend this Bible to be used when preaching. Tried it once but the verse numbers are too small to simply glance down and find or read.
Recommended.
December 30, 2023
The format of this Bible is different from any other I have read. Five categories are applied to each book of the Bible: Genres, Unifying elements, Inferred literary intentions, Theological themes, and the book as a master story of the Bible. As a student of literature, I fully enjoyed the application of literary elements to each book. Another part I appreciated was looking at each book as a part of a master story. This helped connect all books to God's covenant promise.
May 7, 2020
A good study Bible that lets the Bible dominate more than the study. About one paragraph of commentary per chapter of the Bible, focused on the genres and forms of the text. Designed to launch YOU into the text.
May 11, 2019
The Proto-Reader's Bible: An Uneven Experiment
When you buy something without reading reviews you are bound to be disappointed, as I certainly was with this book. But my low rating has nothing to do with my expectations and everything to do with the product.
The Literary Study Bible is in many ways an Anti-Study Bible. Study Bibles generally contain introductory essays, an annotated text, and cross-references. The Literary Study Bible contains introductions but neither annotations or cross-references (save for OT quotations in the NT and a harmony of the gospels); the in-text notes are brief synopses at chapter breaks. Rather than concordance or maps at the end, we are given a brief glossary of literary terms and a daily reading plan.
Without trawling through more material I care to wade for proof, I'll just say it: this is the proto-Reader's Bible. While there may have been others before it, the Literary Study Bible is the production that opened the door for Crossway to market edition after edition of ESV Reader's Bibles--basically single column, optometrically correct (if you will!) typeset, paper, and layout, aimed to detach the reader from approaching the Bible as a daunting study and rather as a lovely book to read for pleasure. After Crossway's success in this area, other publishing houses seized upon the idea and now NIV, NKJV, and CSB Reader's Bibles are commonplace. But the Literary Study Bible, I think, sparked the movement--or at least brought it to the fore.
However, I think there may have been more going on behind the scenes at Crossway. Leland Ryken (in some ways the evangelical answer to Robert Alter) was the literary stylist of the ESV. Considering that the ESV is basically the RSV, I don't know what this entailed--if he was the one who rearranged the RSV's wording or what. In any case, with this background on the formation of the ESV and his renown in literary approaches to the Bible (as well as the 1998 Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, coedited by Ryken), I suspect this study bible was Ryken's idea, but Crossway balked at the idea of a literary study bible--what would this even mean? The rest is history.
In 2014, seven years following the release of the Literary Study Bible, Crossway releases the ESV Reader's Bible as well as Ryken's A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible. This is from its preface:
The Following year, in 2015, Ryken's Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible was released. And Ryken has this to say in his introduction:
Shorter literary introductions and glossary already appeared in the Literary Study Bible. Do you see where I'm going with this? It certainly seems like Crossway allowed Ryken his literary study bible, but not to the degree he hoped. When the experiment appeared successful, they whipped the old cow to yield more milk. It seems this project was uneven to begin with if Ryken released his expanded (perhaps, originally-intended?) material later.
If viewed as a Reader's Bible with a modicum of supplement, this book might serve you well. In any other case, I'd suggest you purchase Dictionary of Biblical Imagery and Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible and skip everything else: like Arby's, they have the meat.
When you buy something without reading reviews you are bound to be disappointed, as I certainly was with this book. But my low rating has nothing to do with my expectations and everything to do with the product.
The Literary Study Bible is in many ways an Anti-Study Bible. Study Bibles generally contain introductory essays, an annotated text, and cross-references. The Literary Study Bible contains introductions but neither annotations or cross-references (save for OT quotations in the NT and a harmony of the gospels); the in-text notes are brief synopses at chapter breaks. Rather than concordance or maps at the end, we are given a brief glossary of literary terms and a daily reading plan.
Without trawling through more material I care to wade for proof, I'll just say it: this is the proto-Reader's Bible. While there may have been others before it, the Literary Study Bible is the production that opened the door for Crossway to market edition after edition of ESV Reader's Bibles--basically single column, optometrically correct (if you will!) typeset, paper, and layout, aimed to detach the reader from approaching the Bible as a daunting study and rather as a lovely book to read for pleasure. After Crossway's success in this area, other publishing houses seized upon the idea and now NIV, NKJV, and CSB Reader's Bibles are commonplace. But the Literary Study Bible, I think, sparked the movement--or at least brought it to the fore.
However, I think there may have been more going on behind the scenes at Crossway. Leland Ryken (in some ways the evangelical answer to Robert Alter) was the literary stylist of the ESV. Considering that the ESV is basically the RSV, I don't know what this entailed--if he was the one who rearranged the RSV's wording or what. In any case, with this background on the formation of the ESV and his renown in literary approaches to the Bible (as well as the 1998 Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, coedited by Ryken), I suspect this study bible was Ryken's idea, but Crossway balked at the idea of a literary study bible--what would this even mean? The rest is history.
In 2014, seven years following the release of the Literary Study Bible, Crossway releases the ESV Reader's Bible as well as Ryken's A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible. This is from its preface:
No attempt is made to be exhaustive … Numerous entries in this handbook receive full treatment in Dictionary of Biblical Imagery[.]
The Following year, in 2015, Ryken's Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible was released. And Ryken has this to say in his introduction:
With its focus on literary form, this is a companion and sequel to my A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible; more complete descriptions of the Bible's literary forms appear in that volume.In composing this book, I have drawn in general ways upon the dozen books I have authored or edited on the Bible as literature. The three from which I have taken the most are Ryken's Bible Handbook; The Literary Study Bible; and A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible. I have incorporated the outlines of individual Bible books from The Literary Study Bible.
Shorter literary introductions and glossary already appeared in the Literary Study Bible. Do you see where I'm going with this? It certainly seems like Crossway allowed Ryken his literary study bible, but not to the degree he hoped. When the experiment appeared successful, they whipped the old cow to yield more milk. It seems this project was uneven to begin with if Ryken released his expanded (perhaps, originally-intended?) material later.
If viewed as a Reader's Bible with a modicum of supplement, this book might serve you well. In any other case, I'd suggest you purchase Dictionary of Biblical Imagery and Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible and skip everything else: like Arby's, they have the meat.
April 19, 2012
Not as in-depth as I would like. It's interpretations are cursory at best. Of course, it isn't meant to be exhaustive--I get that--bit I would like more specific analysis or explanations.
July 15, 2023
*This review is for this study Bible’s commentary, not for the perfect and infallible word of Almighty God itself.*
I had high hopes for deep literary analysis in this study Bible—something akin to Tim Mackey’s scholarship on the Bible as literature. Disappointingly, the commentary here mostly functioned as basic summary of biblical passages, with shallow to no literary analyses of the world’s greatest work of literature. Most of the time, this looked like slapped labels: “this is a hero story,” “this is a eulogy,” or “this is a rescue story,” etc. Very rarely were the deeper implications of these genres on the meaning of the texts drawn out, and little attention was given to other essential literary aspects such as recurring images and archetypes.
Still, the summaries before each passage could give helpful basic context (as long as you drop the expectation for anything “literary”).
I had high hopes for deep literary analysis in this study Bible—something akin to Tim Mackey’s scholarship on the Bible as literature. Disappointingly, the commentary here mostly functioned as basic summary of biblical passages, with shallow to no literary analyses of the world’s greatest work of literature. Most of the time, this looked like slapped labels: “this is a hero story,” “this is a eulogy,” or “this is a rescue story,” etc. Very rarely were the deeper implications of these genres on the meaning of the texts drawn out, and little attention was given to other essential literary aspects such as recurring images and archetypes.
Still, the summaries before each passage could give helpful basic context (as long as you drop the expectation for anything “literary”).
December 21, 2016
I really, really wish that I could give this study Bible a better rating. Really. Because I believe with all my heart that a "literary" (synchronic) approach to Scripture is the ultimately proper and most fruitful way to interpret this sacred Book and avoids many of the pitfalls of the typical scholarly "historical" (diachronic) approach.
However, I must be honest: I found most of the study notes in this Bible pretty unhelpful overall. First, they were too broadly "literary"; I felt very often like most of these notes could have been placed in an edition of Shakespeare's plays without many modifications. It seems the "Bible" was missing in their overall "Bible as literature" approach. Furthermore, the notes were annoyingly repetitive. Finally, and this probably can't be helped, but the study notes showed definite theological bias. I suppose if I were more Reformed in my theology, this might be a strength rather than a weakness, but since I am NOT Reformed, there were a few remarks that made me grind my teeth.
Most enraging: The assertion that the book of Romans is the most systematized theological statement in all of Scripture and is, therefore, perhaps the greatest biblical book (if the authors must choose one). First, that comment completely ignores the "occasional" nature of Romans (a feature of epistolary writing they constantly emphasize with every OTHER epistle). Second, and much more important, this really seems to "betray" the literary approach to Scripture. Basically, the gist of the claim is this: "This book is the most important/best book in the Bible because it fits best with our Western rationalist assumptions." Unfortunately (or fortunately), systematic theology has never been and never will be "great literature." That books like Job or Genesis or Psalms or the Gospels got "passed over" for the "best book in the Bible" designation in a book dedicated to a LITERARY appreciation of the Bible is absolutely inexcusable.
However, I must be honest: I found most of the study notes in this Bible pretty unhelpful overall. First, they were too broadly "literary"; I felt very often like most of these notes could have been placed in an edition of Shakespeare's plays without many modifications. It seems the "Bible" was missing in their overall "Bible as literature" approach. Furthermore, the notes were annoyingly repetitive. Finally, and this probably can't be helped, but the study notes showed definite theological bias. I suppose if I were more Reformed in my theology, this might be a strength rather than a weakness, but since I am NOT Reformed, there were a few remarks that made me grind my teeth.
Most enraging: The assertion that the book of Romans is the most systematized theological statement in all of Scripture and is, therefore, perhaps the greatest biblical book (if the authors must choose one). First, that comment completely ignores the "occasional" nature of Romans (a feature of epistolary writing they constantly emphasize with every OTHER epistle). Second, and much more important, this really seems to "betray" the literary approach to Scripture. Basically, the gist of the claim is this: "This book is the most important/best book in the Bible because it fits best with our Western rationalist assumptions." Unfortunately (or fortunately), systematic theology has never been and never will be "great literature." That books like Job or Genesis or Psalms or the Gospels got "passed over" for the "best book in the Bible" designation in a book dedicated to a LITERARY appreciation of the Bible is absolutely inexcusable.
July 16, 2016
I took a chance and purchased this for $13 in the trustone edition and I am really glad I did. I now use this Bible for my daily Bible readings and the format is most excellent for such use. The footnotes are definitely not exausitive, but they do an excellent job of leading the reader through the literary aspects of the Holy Scripture as well as insights into the big picture on the theological issues of the liteary units of scripture. I have other study Bibles and I actually tend to get distracted by the overwelming amount of notes while trying to do daily Bible reading (I do use them extensively for deeper study, along with commentaries) -- for me anyway, the literary study Bible strikes just the right amount of commentary needed for most lay Christians (this and a Bible handbook would be a good starting place for studying scripture). I highly recommend this study Bible.
April 14, 2012
I purchased this Bible primarily for it's wide, open margins. As a note-taker (trained as an English major), space for my own thoughts and reflections has been an important element of study. The English Standard Version (ESV) is a great version for the natural scholar; it is a modern word-for-word translation from early manuscripts and tends to be favoured by academically inclined teachers and preachers. I have been told it's the "only version" to read, but that's just pomp. As long as you're reading *a* Bible, you're doing well in my books. For those with a literary flare, and who are interested in the workings out of genre, style, voice, diction, poetry, etc, I would certainly recommend this presentation.
July 20, 2013
Though not my "Favourite" translation, this particular study Bible helps one consider "Author's intent" and teachability through the lens of literature in a very effective way. Strengths include brief introductions to sections as literary devices change, and narrative shifts. One weakness is that it focuses on literary devices used only after translation to English. There is little or no discussion of how the original text might have read to a Biblical Hebrew speaker: eg. "these names rhymed in the original text." or "There is frequent use of pun in this section," or "the name of this deity was blended with the Hebrew word for shame as a blatant slander easily understood by a Hebrew reader/listener of that time."
July 16, 2012
I love this bible!!! This is now my bible of choice.
- Book summary from a literary perspective containing information about the Genre of each book.
- Summaries of every couple of chapters.
I really enjoy this bible because I was looking for something to help me better understand the Word understanding each chapter in context rather than understanding individual verses out of context.
I'm using this bible to read through Dr. Horner's Bible Reading system. Great stuff!
- Book summary from a literary perspective containing information about the Genre of each book.
- Summaries of every couple of chapters.
I really enjoy this bible because I was looking for something to help me better understand the Word understanding each chapter in context rather than understanding individual verses out of context.
I'm using this bible to read through Dr. Horner's Bible Reading system. Great stuff!
February 14, 2019
Excellent study bible that focuses on an aspect of Scripture that many neglect: It is literature. Therefore, use the normal rules of literature when interpreting it. The Bible is certainly more than just literature (it's divinely authored through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), but it is literature. This study bible helps with genre and theme distinctions that tend to get lost in may Bible studies.
November 20, 2014
Looked great but either failed in its goal or my expectations were unfounded. So... I love the ESV translation, but I really was not keen on this edition. I'm uneasy about saying more because I have strong feelings about it. And because I finished it last year and have moved to different translations etc.
Currently reading
January 8, 2008I am using this for devotions this year. page layout is like a book. i am sure there's a fancier way to say that, but, anyway. it's "study bible-ness" is that it approaches the study of the Bible from a literary standpoint. it's been very helpful in the Psalms already.
March 28, 2008
I'm really enjoying this translation. Normally I read the NASB but the ESV is a nice alternative. Before each book and chapter there are very interesting and helpful blurbs about the origin, format and content contained in each. We've been using it as our daily family devotional bible.
August 31, 2008
This Bible I have currently was published in 2008. I really appreciate this version. It is both accurate to the original text, easy to understand (in this modern world), and still beautiful sounding.
January 3, 2013
This wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. Thomas Nelson's Chronological Study Bible is actually more satisfying to my curiosity about literary genres and styles (at least through Joshua, which is as far as I have gotten). The commentary in the Literary ESV seemed kind of dry and obvious.
June 25, 2011
This is a wonderful Bible for the purpose it was published, the reader, student, or scholar who is interested in the literary aspect of the Bible. It is NOT a study Bible, but does add insight from a literary perspective. The ESV is a reliable translation, also.
October 19, 2008
I haven't read every word of this study Bible (not even close) but I have enjoyed it very much and found its treatment of the literary features of the Bible to be very helpful.
April 26, 2009
Insightful at times, not perfect, but a great way to read the Bible – as literature in parts, yet seeing the big picture which God paints throughout Scripture.
May 29, 2012
It's the Bible. Of course it is great. But added to this greatness are literary notes from Ryken. A great Bible to use with Ryken's Words of Delight.
July 19, 2013
A regular companion... good helpful basic and pastoral insights... for something deeper see Dorsey or Leithart or Jordan... but for a single volume literary guide, this is a nice resource. Good.
December 31, 2013
The Literary Study Bible's high-level comments are very useful for devotional reading.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews