Book Review: ESV Archaeology Study Bible
Today, I’m reviewing the ESV Archaeology Study Bible published by Crossway.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from the publisher. All views expressed are my own.
My Review
Lately, we’ve been going through the book of Acts in our Wednesday evening Bible study at church. I’m leading the study, so it’s been a challenge for me to “study ahead” of the group. I like to know who people are and how they connect with others and with other parts of the Bible. I’m also intrigued by how the Gospel spread in those early days and by how far the apostles and missionaries traveled with the primitive means of transportation available at the time. I wanted to learn more about the places they visited and the cultures they encountered.
For that reason, I was excited to review the Archaeology Study Bible from Crossway. I was not disappointed.
I immediately turned to Acts 14, which was the chapter we were studying that week. I was fascinated to read about Iconium and study a photo of a sarcophagus with Christian symbols and inscriptions, dating back to the time of the New Testament.
Another article explained why people thought Paul and Barnabas were Zeus and Hermes, and told a story from classical mythology that would have contributed to that assumption. Those were interesting details to bring out in the session that evening.
As we go through Acts verse by verse, we try to find the various locations mentioned on a map. The maps in the Archaeology Study Bible are among the best I’ve seen.
I’m just getting started digging into the wealth of information included in this in-depth study Bible. I’m excited to have it on my shelf of Bible study resources. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the world of the Bible.
From the Publisher
The ESV Archaeology Study Bible roots the biblical text in its historical and cultural context, offering readers a framework for better understanding the people, places, and events recorded in Scripture. With editorial oversight from Dr. John Currid (PhD, University of Chicago) and Dr. David Chapman (PhD, University of Cambridge), as well as contributions from a team of field-trained archaeologists, the ESV Archaeology Study Bible assembles a range of modern scholarship—pairing the biblical text with over 2,000 study notes, 400 full-color photographs, 200 maps and diagrams, 200 sidebars, 14 articles, and 4 timelines. These features bring life to the ancient texts, helping readers situate them in their historical context while recognizing the truth that the eternal God became flesh and entered human history at a specific time and in a specific place.
- Dig Deeper into the Historical Context: Features 15 articles, including “Introduction to the ESV Archaeology Study Bible,“ “Expository Preaching and Archaeology,“ and “Daily Life in Judea-Palestine in New Testament Times”
- 4-Color Interior: Includes maps, photographs, and drawings
- Additional Resources: Dictionary, concordance, charts, and sidebars
- Beautiful Layout: Features a double-column format and 9-point type
- Thoroughly Developed: Features contributions from a team of field-trained archaeologists
