NET Bible, Full-notes Edition, Cloth over Board, Gray, Comfort Print: Holy Bible

This is a unique Bible. The whole idea is that it is an entirely new translation, with transparent methodology (found online), and it is an ongoing project. It truly treats the Bible as a weighty document worthy of deep study of translation methodology. It's true that you will find most of the page is notes. There are 3 kinds: TN = translator's note (most common by far), SN = study note (most interesting, but not as common) and TC =text-critical note (rarest).GOOD: The translation seems very careful, and the TNs all over the place answer any questions you might have about why a word or passage is translated that way. The translation is not as word-for-word as NASB, but it is on part with KJV, without all the thees and thous, and modern scholarship. So as a translation itself, it's very good.The typeface is pleasing on the eyes, and the paper is clean and white and the perfect thickness with minimal bleed-through. I even like the way the book SMELLS. It's an attractive package.BAD: Don't expect a normal Bible with a concordance, and cross-references. There is NO cross-reference column! For Bible students who like to compare similar passages among all the books, you will be disappointed (however, the translator sometimes puts a cross-ref into the TN to explain something). Also, I felt this Bible is a sort of compromise between the poetic classic beauty and grand tradition of the KJV with it's word-for-word methodology, and the NLT, which is a thought-for-thought. The best of both of those translations is missing (or combined?) here. If you want a very easy read, pick NLT. If you want the thees and thous and the grand tradition of KJV scholarship, choose the KJV. This will satisfy neither extreme, for clarity of understanding, or classic KJV wording. But having said that, perhaps it is the best translation available! Who said reading the Bible should be all easy or all poetic?Also, don't expect this Bible to be of "devotional" character, where, like some Life Application Bibles, it explains the spiritual messages more and how you can apply them to your life. This is a "scholarly" Bible, and it has no charts, personality profiles, concordance, or guideposts of faith. Finally, if you are not that interested in translation methodology or stopping every verse to examine words, and are scared by big linquistic words (such as "rescension", "stative verbs", etc--you'll need a dictionary!), you will not get the most out of this Bible (except a very good translation). Also, some people complain of the cloth binding. It does creak and pop, but so far it seems strong with proper care, sewn in signatures, as far as I can tell. But if you are going to toss it in the backpack and treat it like a paperback book, then you might want to go for the leather binding ($$).Summary: This Bible is not trying to be like those other Bibles. It is its own translation, very scholarly, modern, and very careful. If you want a serious translation (close to word-for-word), and you are interested in the nuances of ancient Hebrew and Greek, and want to know why a particular word or phrase is used in the translation, this is perhaps the best Bible out there. And the Study Notes will make sure you are not "lost" as to the spiritual messages in the Bible. The notes are "footnoted" with letters (A-Z, a-z), and are NOT written in chapter: verse form (such as 3:16, etc.). But the beauty of that is that the footnote is marked INSIDE THE TEXT, so unlike other Bibles, where you don't know if a note is coming or not, here the notes are on full display.I have several different translations, an exhaustive concordance, and I intend to get commentaries when I can afford them. I don't like to rely solely on a single translation, esp. when a particular passage is difficult or challenging. But I certainly "trust" this one. Go on their website to learn more about the NET Bible's approach.In all, I'm very happy with this Bible. I only wish it was even MORE exhaustive, with cross-indexing and more Study Notes. Since the translators treat this as a massive, continuous project, there will probably be an updated edition coming later, and it can only get better.

If you love diving deep into different translations or the original languages as you study the Bible, or you just want to be able to get inside the minds of the scholars who do this type of work, the NET Full Notes Edition is a fascinating Bible to add to your collection.I literally laughed out loud when I opened to this Bible to Genesis and saw that the first page only had two verses on it (see photo). Those two verses – centered on the page in a line-matched, single column layout with an 8.75pt custom typeface from 2K/Denmark – are surrounded by three columns of translator notes in a 7.25pt font that is slightly lighter in color than the biblical text. This is the format that continues throughout the Bible. It takes a few minutes to get used to, but once you do, it’s a really fun Bible to read.The NET Bible’s translator notes have become a very important part of this translation, because they allow readers to essentially look over the shoulder of the team that did the translation. The publishers promote this as a level of transparency, which is certainly is, but I find it works even better as a study tool. As someone who loves to study the Bible, I’m fascinated by the work scholars do to translate the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic texts into English, and this Bible allows me to engage with that very work as I’m reading and studying the text.The NET Full Notes Edition includes three different types of notes: Translator Notes [TN] – explain the rationale for the translation and give alternative, interpretive options, and other technical information; Text-Critical Notes [TC] – highlight alternative readings found in various Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts; and Study Notes [SN] – explanatory notes that include comments about historical or cultural background, explanation of obscure phrases or brief discussions of context, discussions of the theological points.To be honest, this Bible really doesn’t make sense unless you’re using the notes. The layout is so unique that you’d never want to pick this up just to read and enjoy the Bible. The point of owning this Bible is to have immediate access to those notes (which are also available online) right there with the words of scripture.I find that this Bible fits into my study routine best as a reference tool. My regular study time includes reading a passage of the Bible and then referencing some sort of commentary or study companion. The NET Full Notes Edition is fun to compare with other translations that I’m reading, and when I notice a difference in the translation, I can quickly reference the translator notes to find out why this difference occurs.That laugh I had when I first opened the NET Full Notes Edition quickly turned into a grin. It’s a quirky edition, but I love it. This Bible creates a really fun and unique reading and study experience that allows us to get some great insight into the process of Bible translation.

Latest and greatest translation of the Bible--a must have as far as I'm concerned (as a Pastor). It's a hard back Bible and 2 inches thick--it's heavy.Have no intention of toting it around, Desktop only.I wouldn't recommend this as your 1st, or 2nd Study Bible--it doesn't have that kind of information--it's more for translation reference.

Really nice quality binding. Cool resource. Not sure I’d like this to be my everyday bible because the text is surrounded by translation notes but overall it’s super helpful and well done

Wow! The notes are even more than I had hoped for. I COULDN'T be happier about this Bible. No more just reading and not knowing what is meant or being said.

I love this version of the Bible and the comprehensive notes. I use it regularly in electronic format so I thought I might try a print version for those times when I want to disconnect from all the technology. When I opened this Bible I was happy to see all the comprehensive notes. Unfortunately, my no-longer-youthful eyes just about need a magnifying glass to read them. The actual scripture text is a bigger, reasonable font size. It is surprising to see that on many pages, the notes, even though in smaller font, take up at least two thirds of the page. It really makes one realize how comprehensive the notes are for this version. This is a well made Bible with quality materials. I'm glad I have it and made the decision to purchase. But for everyday reading, the electronic version will be more practical.