When I reviewed the Zondervan TNIV Study Bible a few weeks ago, only the hardback was available. Last week, I visited the local Berean Christian Store in Louisville, Kentucky, (formerly Wellspring Christian Book Center) and was pleased to find the largest selection of TNIV Bibles I've ever seen in one location. They had multiple copies of every edition of the TNIV imaginable--hardback, paperback, leather--and just stacks and stacks of the TNIV Study Bible.

Essentially, the TNIV Study Bible now comes in two sizes: a regular size (6.7 in. wide x 9.5 in. high) and a smaller personal size (6 in. wide x 8.8 in. high). Now if you really compare those dimensions, the personal size editions are not that much smaller than the regular editions. However, for many, they will be psychologically smaller when held in the hand. I personally don't mind carrying a large Bible, but for the believer who wants to carry a full study Bible, but in a more compact size, I would definitely recommend the personal size edition. And since the personal size edition is not really that much smaller than the regular size, I didn't see type size taking a real hit. I laid both sizes down on a counter side-by-side and felt either edition would be readable to the average user with standard eyesight.

As I looked at the various leather editions, two stood out. First, in the regular size I liked the one in black European leather (ISBN 0310934915). I'm not sure exactly what "European leather" is compared to other grades, but the leather on this Bible felt sturdy and was very attractive. Further, it was similar to some of the two-toned Bibles that have been popular recently, but instead of two different colors, it had two styles of leather--one part was smooth and one part had a rough, grainy look and feel. If I were getting a TNIV Study Bible in leather, this is the one I'd choose.

Then in the personal size editions, I really liked the "Italian Duo-Tone, Burgundy Camel" (ISBN 0310934680, pictured above). Normally, I am not a fan of two-toned Bibles, but I have to admit that I was rather attracted to the beige (or I guess, camel) strip of leather cutting through the midsection of this Bible. The strip of leather is actually sewn on top of the Bible's leather cover and holding it in my hand, it seemed to give the Bible extra support and really made it feel sturdy.

All of these editions looked quite nice, and I have to admit that although I've said I'm waiting for a wide-margin TNIV to fully transition over to this translation as my primary Bible, I believe that if I had a copy of the black European leather TNIV Study Bible, it might just serve as a reasonable substitute in the interim.

Here is a listing of the full line of the Zondervan TNIV Study Bible with ISBN's. The links will take you to Amazon.com.

Regular Size:
- Hardcover (ISBN 0310934818)
- European Leather, Black/Black (ISBN: 0310934915)
- European Leather, Black/Black, Thumb-Indexed (ISBN 0310934877)
- European Leather, Sienna/Cashew (ISBN 0310934869)

Personal Size:
- Hardcover (ISBN 0310934737)
- Softcover (ISBN 0310934699)
- Italian Duo-Tone, Burgundy/Camel (ISBN 0310934680)
- Italian Duo-Tone, Burgundy/Camel, Thumb-Indexed (ISBN 0310934648)
- Italian Duo-Tone, Chocolate/Haven Blue (ISBN 0310934672)

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Related: My Review of the Zondervan TNIV Study Bible

Tags: TNIV