NIV, Essentials Study Bible: Easily Grasp the Fundamentals of Scripture through Lenses from 6 Bestselling NIV Resources

By Zondervan

"Looking for the ultimate study Bible? The NIV Essentials Study Bible combines the best features of our six most popular Bibles. It’s designed to help you easily understand and interpret God’s Word, then apply it to your life. This Bible includes great study tools to help you unpack and discover Scripture. Features such as Q&A, detailed in-text study notes, timelines, photos and charts answer your questions, while helpful devotional insights shed new light on familiar passages. Biblical character profiles help you get to know the people of the Bible on a deeper level. Helpful notes are structured into a variety of “lenses” that shine a unique light on Scripture. As you study, you’ll find the ones that best speak to your heart, mind, and spirit. These unique lenses offer different approaches to studying God’s word.
- Flyover Lens: Start each book with the big picture. These easy-to-read introductions from the popular Essential Bible Companion help you start each book with a general understanding of the context.
- Unpack Lens: Looking for help understanding and interpreting Bible passages? These study notes from the well-loved NIV Study Bible offer valuable insight into the context and meaning behind the words.
- Dig Deep, Look Close Lens: Articles and photos from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible bring Bible times to life. Go back in time with fascinating historical and archaeological discoveries.
- Q & A Lens: Tackle your tough questions with thoughtful excerpts from the beloved NIV
Quest Study Bible. Questioning is an important part of learning.
- People Lens: You’ve heard the names before, but what do you really know about the characters within the pages of the Bible? Excerpts from the popular NIV Student Bible introduce you to 100 significant people in the Bible.
- Guided Tour Lens: Helpful excerpts from the NIV Student Bible give context and explanation along the way.
- Insight Lens: Notes from the NIV Student Bible point out interesting facts and shed light on verses you might have questions about.
- Reflect and Respond Lens: These excerpts from the award-winning Great Rescue NIV Bible will help recap what you’ve read. Take a moment to reflect and digest each section as you walk through the sweeping narrative of the Bible.

Tailor your journey through Scripture to the way you study best with the NIV Essentials Study Bible. It’s like six awesome resources in one. Order your copy today and take your study to the next level.

This Bible offers a biblical perspective on the following topics: Angels, Creation, Evangelism, Ecology, Faith, Eternal Life, Church, Family, Forgiveness, God's love, God's will, Growing with God, Guilt, Holy Spirit, Idolatry, Immigration, Jesus’ life, Jesus’ miracles, Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy, Judgment, Leadership, Marriage, Miracles, Money, Pagan gods, Parenting, Poverty, Prayer, Prophecy, Reliability of Scripture, Satan, Sanctification, Suffering, Temple, Warfare, Wealth, Women, YHWH, and more."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Nov 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9780310430216

Book preview

NIV ESSENTIALS STUDY BIBLE

NIV ESSENTIALS STUDY BIBLE

Easily Grasp the Fundamentals of Scripture through Lenses from 6 Bestselling NIV Resources

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™

Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Essentials Study Bible

Copyright © 2013 by Zondervan

Published by Zondervan

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA

www.zondervan.com

New International Version and NIV are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc.™

Used by permission.

Ancillary content for the NIV Essentials Study Bible was adapted from the following titles:

Insight, Highlights and Guided Tour notes are adapted from the NIV Student Bible, copyright © 2002, 2011 by Zondervan

Bottom-of-the-page study notes and charts are taken from the NIV Study Bible, copyright © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2011 by Zondervan

Dig Deep, Look Close notes are adapted from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible, ©2005 by Zondervan

Q&A notes are adapted from the NIV Quest Study Bible, copyright © 1994, 2003, 2011 by Zondervan

Reflect & Respond notes are adapted from The Great Rescue, copyright ©2012 by Zondervan; Notes copyright © 2012 by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved.

The book introductions have been adapted from The Essential Bible Companion, copyright ©2006 by Theodore W. Cooper, Jr., John H. Walton, and Mark Strauss

The NIV Concordance, copyright © 1982, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan; Maps by International Mapping. Copyright © by Zondervan. All rights reserved.

eISBN: 9780310442417

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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2013941166

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The NIV® text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic or audio), up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without the express written permission of the publisher, providing the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible nor do the verses quoted account for twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total text of the work in which they are quoted.

Notice of copyright must appear on the title or copyright page as follows:

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Any commentary or other biblical reference work produced for commercial sale, that uses the NIV® text must obtain written permission for use of the NIV® text.

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A portion of the purchase price of your NIV® Bible is provided to Biblica so together we support the mission of Transforming lives through God’s Word.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Use This Bible

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

Abbreviations and Transliterations

About the NIV Essentials Study Bible

Preface

Charts Index

Dig Deep Look Close Index

Guided Tour Index

Highlights Index

Illustrations Index

In-Text Maps Index

Insight Index

People in Focus Index

Q&A Index

Reflect and Respond Index

OLD TESTAMENT

Between the Testaments: From Malachi to Christ

NEW TESTAMENT

A Harmony of the Gospels

Study Helps

Table of Weights and Measures

Reading Plans

One Year Through the Bible

60-Day Overview of the Bible

20 Not-so-Famous Bible Stories

30 Days of Great Faith

30 Days With Jesus

Subject Index

Concordance

Zondervan’s Full-Color Maps

Map 1: World of the Patriarchs

Map 2: Holy Land and Sinai

Map 3: Exodus and Conquest of Canaan

Map 4: Land of the Twelve Tribes

Map 5: Kingdom of David and Solomon

Map 6: Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Map 7: Prophets in Israel and Judah

Map 8: Assyrian and Babylonian Empires

Map 9: Holy Land in the Time of Jesus

Map 10: Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus

Map 11: Jesus’ Ministry

Map 12: Apostles’ Early Travel

Map 13: Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Map 14: Roman Empire

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OLD TESTAMENT

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Genesis

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50

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Exodus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40

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Leviticus

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

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Numbers

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Deuteronomy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34

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Joshua

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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Judges

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Ruth

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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2 Samuel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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1 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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2 Kings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

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1 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

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2 Chronicles

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Ezra

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Nehemiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Esther

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Job

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42

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Psalms

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150

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Proverbs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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Ecclesiastes

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Song of Songs

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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Isaiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66

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Jeremiah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52

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Lamentations

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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Ezekiel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48

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Daniel

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Hosea

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Joel

1 | 2 | 3

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Amos

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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Obadiah

1

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Jonah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Micah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Nahum

1 | 2 | 3

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Habakkuk

1 | 2 | 3

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Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

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Haggai

1 | 2

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Zechariah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Malachi

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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NEW TESTAMENT

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Matthew

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Mark

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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Luke

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Acts

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Romans

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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1 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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2 Corinthians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Galatians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Ephesians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Philippians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Colossians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3

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1 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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2 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Titus

1 | 2 | 3

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Philemon

1

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Hebrews

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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James

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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1 Peter

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Peter

1 | 2 | 3

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1 John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 John

1

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3 John

1

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Jude

1

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Revelation

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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How to Use This Bible

Thank you for purchasing the HarperCollins Christian Publishing eBook version from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan’s excellent line of Bible translations that exist to serve Christians who not only recognize the Bible’s importance, but who also want a Bible to treasure in their lifelong pursuit of the knowledge of God’s revelation of Himself.

There are a multitude of Bibles available to engage children, youth, men, and women with the Word of God, including Text Only, Daily, Devotional, Reference, and Comprehensive Study.

What is the difference between an eBook and a print book?

eBook versions of various Bibles contain all of the content and supplementary materials found in the original print versions and are optimized for navigation in the various apps and devices used for display. eReaders recognize text as one fluid string and are formatted in a single column. eReaders currently do not support the more complex layout seen in print version books. Therefore, some content may not appear in the same place as in the original print version, but it is structured consistently and uses hyperlinks to navigate between related content.

How do I use the eBook Table of Contents?

*Important Note: Be sure to consult your device manufacturer’s User’s Guide for device-specific navigation instructions.*

The Table of Contents is the primary navigation anchor to quickly access various parts of the Bible and is generally formatted in the same order as the original print version and hyperlinked as follows:

• Front matter—Introductory articles

• Old Testament

• New Testament

• Bible books

• Bible chapters

• Back matter—Supplementary materials

Old Testament and New Testament hyperlinks quickly access individual Bible books and chapters in each testament.

• Book links go directly to the Introduction.

• Chapter links go directly to the beginning of the chapter associated with a book.

• Every Bible book and chapter hyperlink returns or goes back to the Table of Contents.

• Every entry is hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location in the main text.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate to Bible Books, Chapters, and Verses?

Use the Table of Contents to navigate to specific Bible verses using one of the 2 methods below:

Method 1

• Navigate to and select a specific book of the Bible from the Table of Contents.

• Select a chapter number hyperlink.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Method 2

• Select either the Old Testament or New Testament hyperlink in the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the Bible books.

• Select a chapter number hyperlink.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate Supplementary Materials?

The eBook version of the NIV Essentials Study Bible includes introductory articles, the complete Old and New Testament text, study notes (commentary), cross references, footnotes (translator’s notes), Dig Deep Look Close articles, Guided Tours, Highlights, Insights, People in Focus articles, Q&A articles, Reflect and Respond studies, in-text maps, charts, and photos, an A-Z concordance, and a color map set. Hyperlinks to the materials appear in the Table of Contents as well as the main Bible text.

Introductory articles (lists) are hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location in the main text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the article or list to go to its location in the main text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the main text to go back to the article or list in the Table of Contents or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Study Notes (commentary) are hyperlinked to Bible verse numbers where study notes are available in the main Bible text. Some notes cover a range of verses while others are verse specific. All verses do not have notes associated with them.

• Select a hyperlinked Bible verse number to the corresponding study note (commentary).

• Select a hyperlinked verse number to the left of the study note (commentary) and you are returned to the main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Cross References are marked with small, hyperlinked letters a to point out verses that will explain the referenced verse, word or phrase.

• Select the hyperlinked letter in the main Bible text to the corresponding cross reference(s).

• Select the hyperlinked letter to the left of the cross reference(s) and you are returned to the main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Footnotes (Translators’ Notes) are marked with small, hyperlinked numbers 1 to point out verses that will explain the referenced word or phrase.

• Select the hyperlinked number in the main Bible text to the corresponding cross reference(s).

• Select the hyperlinked number to the left of the cross reference(s) and you are returned to the main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Dig Deep Look Close articles include articles and photos adapted from the NIV Archaeological Bible that provide insight into the historical significance of the Bible.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Dig Deep Look Close at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked article title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Guided Tours are notes excerpted from the NIV Student Bible that provide you with a bird’s-eye view of the entire Bible.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Guided Tour at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Highlights are short notes that explain confusing verses or point our interesting facts about specific passages.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Highlights at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Insights are articles adapted from the NIV Student Bible that include important background information.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Insights at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

People in Focus articles are adapted from the NIV Student Bible and give information about some of the most important people in the Bible.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase People in Focus at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Q&A articles are concise, easy-to-grasp answers to your most perplexing questions about the Bible from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Q&A at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Reflect and Respond studies unveil the sweeping narrative of the Bible as seen in The Great Rescue, NIV.

• Select the hyperlinked entry that begins with the phrase Reflect and Respond at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title or chapter/verse 3:16 entry in the article to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

In-text maps, charts, and photos

• In-text maps and photos are included as images.

• Select the hyperlinked entry marked In-Text Maps, Chart, or Photo at the end of a verse to go to its location following the last chapter of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Appendices with Supplementary Articles, Lists, and Indexes are features that supplement the Bible text and are hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location following the main Bible text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to the specific article, list, or index.

• Select the Bible reference or article hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or article.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection

Concordance includes an alphabetic list of important words.

• Select the hyperlinked letter of the alphabet to the corresponding list of entries from the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the entries.

• Select the Bible reference hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Color Maps are included as images and optimized for eReader device display.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to a specific map.

• The first image displays the entire map with 4 equal sections defined.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through larger versions of each individual section.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

The books of the New Testament are indicated by italics.

Acts

Amos

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Colossians

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Daniel

Deuteronomy

Ecclesiastes

Ephesians

Esther

Exodus

Ezekiel

Ezra

Galatians

Genesis

Habakkuk

Haggai

Hebrews

Hosea

Isaiah

James

Jeremiah

Job

Joel

John

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jonah

Joshua

Jude

Judges

1 Kings

2 Kings

Lamentations

Leviticus

Luke

Malachi

Mark

Matthew

Micah

Nahum

Nehemiah

Numbers

Obadiah

1 Peter

2 Peter

Philemon

Philippians

Proverbs

Psalms

Revelation

Romans

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

Song of Songs

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Zechariah

Zephaniah

ABBREVIATIONS AND TRANSLITERATIONS

ABBREVIATIONS FOR THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

The Old Testament

Genesis     Ge

Exodus     Ex

Leviticus     Lev

Numbers     Nu

Deuteronomy     Dt

Joshua     Jos

Judges     Jdg

Ruth     Ru

1 Samuel     1Sa

2 Samuel     2Sa

1 Kings     1Ki

2 Kings     2Ki

1 Chronicles     1Ch

2 Chronicles     2Ch

Ezra     Ezr

Nehemiah     Ne

Esther     Est

Job     Job

Psalms     Ps

Proverbs     Pr

Ecclesiastes     Ecc

Song of Songs     SS

Isaiah     Isa

Jeremiah     Jer

Lamentations     La

Ezekiel     Eze

Daniel     Da

Hosea     Hos

Joel     Joel

Amos     Am

Obadiah     Ob

Jonah     Jnh

Micah     Mic

Nahum     Na

Habakkuk     Hab

Zephaniah     Zep

Haggai     Hag

Zechariah     Zec

Malachi     Mal

The New Testament

Matthew     Mt

Mark     Mk

Luke     Lk

John     Jn

Acts     Ac

Romans     Ro

1 Corinthians     1Co

2 Corinthians     2Co

Galatians     Gal

Ephesians     Eph

Philippians     Php

Colossians     Col

1 Thessalonians     1Th

2 Thessalonians     2Th

1 Timothy     1Ti

2 Timothy     2Ti

Titus     Titus

Philemon     Phm

Hebrews     Heb

James     Jas

1 Peter     1Pe

2 Peter     2Pe

1 John     1Jn

2 John     2Jn

3 John     3Jn

Jude     Jude

Revelation     Rev

OTHER ABBREVIATIONS

c.      (circa); about, approximately

cf.      compare, confer

ch., chs.     chapter/chapters

d.     died

e.g.     for example

etc.     and so on

ff.      and following (and the verses following)

i.e.     that is

lit.     literally, literal

NT     New Testament

OT     Old Testament

p. pp.     page, pages

r.     reigned

v., vv.     verse, verses

ABOUT THE NIV ESSENTIALS STUDY BIBLE

Welcome to the NIV Essentials Study Bible!

There are many different ways to explore God’s Word: question-and-answer studies, detailed study notes, timelines, photos and charts, helpful devotional insights, profiles of Bible characters and the list could go on. Our goal for the NIV Essentials Study Bible is to help you easily explore Scripture through a multifaceted, exciting format that combines study styles to help you read the Bible through multiple lenses. Because everyone encounters God’s Word differently, as you read you will discover which lenses provide you with the clearest understanding, allowing you to tailor your exploration of the Bible.

The NIV Essentials Study Bible combines the best parts of six of Zondervan’s most popular Bibles and study materials:

Book Introductions

Get a quick overview of each book of the Bible through organized and informative book introductions adapted from The Essential Bible Companion. In these book introductions, you will find key concepts, verses, teachings and terms for each book, as well as maps, photos and a helpful timeline taken from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

Unpack Lens

For a more traditional approach to Bible study, check out the Unpack Lens, which includes bottom-of-the-page study notes from the NIV Study Bible, one of the most comprehensive study Bibles available. Here you’ll find explanations of the text, verse by verse, and discover how the events and truths of the Bible fit together.

Dig Deep, Look Close Lens

Understand the fascinating historical significance of the Bible with articles and photos adapted from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible. You’ll find that these articles fall into one of five categories: reliability of the Bible, artifacts, archaeology, history or people. Within these articles you will also see references to maps, which can be found at the back of this Bible.

Q&A Lens

Get concise, easy-to-grasp answers to your most perplexing questions about the Bible with questions and answers from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

People in Focus Lens

Have you ever wanted to know more about the characters of the Bible? With notes adapted from the NIV Student Bible, the People in Focus lens will allow you to examine Scripture through the stories of the most important people in the Bible.

Insight Lens

Throughout the NIV Essentials Study Bible, you’ll find helpful articles, or Insights, adapted from the NIV Student Bible. Written in the style of a magazine article, Insights include important background information. They condense the material that, in our judgment, will most help you understand and find meaning in the Bible. At the end of each Insight, Life Questions help relate the passage to real-life situations.

Guided Tour Lens

Written in a style similar to Insights, the Guided Tour lens provides you with a bird’s-eye view of the entire Bible. These notes are also excerpted from the NIV Student Bible.

Highlights

These much shorter notes explain confusing verses, point out interesting facts and, in effect, highlight something in the passage that might easily get overlooked. This feature is designed to catch your attention and draw you to read the Bible more closely.

Reflect & Respond Lens

Reflect and respond with this quick inspirational focus time, which unveils the sweeping narrative of the Bible as seen in the The Great Rescue, NIV.

Throughout the NIV Essentials Study Bible you will also find various photographs, charts and maps placed strategically to help illustrate the information you’ll read in God’s glorious Word.

So if this sounds like a lot of information to include in one Bible, you’d be right.

But the features flow together perfectly to give you, the reader, a chance to explore many different lenses through which to read the Bible.

If you’re stumped about where to start, begin by reading the book of Genesis in the Old Testament or the book of Mark in the New Testament. Or, go here to discover a reading plan that fits your interests and lifestyle.

Read the Bible text first. That’s the most important piece, of course. Then look nearby to find the notes that apply to that particular Bible text.

Our prayer is that in using the NIV Essentials Study Bible you’ll discover not only the truths of the Bible text, but within its pages you’ll meet God—the God who offers you himself, who walks with you each day, and who wants to tell you about himself through his divinely-inspired Book.

PREFACE

The goal of the New International Version (NIV) is to enable English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is motivated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form. We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convictions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evangelism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-speaking world.

The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word. Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were regularly updated, the original translators established The Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). The committee is a self-perpetuating group of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the NIV. CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole responsibility for the NIV text. The committee mirrors the original group of translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

In obedience to its mandate, the committee has issued periodic updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the separately published Today’s New International Version (TNIV). The updated NIV you now have in your hands builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest effort of the committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English to the global English-speaking audience today.

The first concern of the translators has continued to be the accuracy of the translation and its faithfulness to the intended meaning of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to go beyond a formal word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language, accurate communication of the meaning of the biblical authors demands constant regard for varied contextual uses of words and idioms and for frequent modifications in sentence structures.

As an aid to the reader, sectional headings have been inserted. They are not to be regarded as part of the biblical text and are not intended for oral reading. It is the committee’s hope that these headings may prove more helpful to the reader than the traditional chapter divisions, which were introduced long after the Bible was written.

For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic Text as published in the latest edition of Biblia Hebraica, has been used throughout. The Masoretic Text tradition contains marginal notations that offer variant readings. These have sometimes been followed instead of the text itself. Because such instances involve variants within the Masoretic tradition, they have not been indicated in the textual notes. In a few cases, words in the basic consonantal text have been divided differently than in the Masoretic Text. Such cases are usually indicated in the textual footnotes. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical texts that represent an earlier stage of the transmission of the Hebrew text. They have been consulted, as have been the Samaritan Pentateuch and the ancient scribal traditions concerning deliberate textual changes. The translators also consulted the more important early versions—the Greek Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, the Latin Vulgate, the Syriac Peshitta, the Aramaic Targums and, for the Psalms, the Juxta Hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the scribal traditions were occasionally followed where the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of textual criticism showed that one or more of these textual witnesses appeared to provide the correct reading. In rare cases, the committee has emended the Hebrew text where it appears to have become corrupted at an even earlier stage of its transmission. These departures from the Masoretic Text are also indicated in the textual footnotes. Sometimes the vowel indicators (which are later additions to the basic consonantal text) found in the Masoretic Text did not, in the judgment of the committee, represent the correct vowels for the original text. Accordingly, some words have been read with a different set of vowels. These instances are usually not indicated in the footnotes.

The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament. The committee has made its choices among the variant readings in accordance with widely accepted principles of New Testament textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to places where uncertainty remains.

The New Testament authors, writing in Greek, often quote the Old Testament from its ancient Greek version, the Septuagint. This is one reason why some of the Old Testament quotations in the NIV New Testament are not identical to the corresponding passages in the NIV Old Testament. Such quotations in the New Testament are indicated with the footnote (see Septuagint).

Other footnotes in this version are of several kinds, most of which need no explanation. Those giving alternative translations begin with Or and generally introduce the alternative with the last word preceding it in the text, except when it is a single-word alternative. When poetry is quoted in a footnote, a slash mark indicates a line division.

It should be noted that references to diseases, minerals, flora and fauna, architectural details, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and other articles cannot always be identified with precision. Also, linear measurements and measures of capacity can only be approximated (see the Table of Weights and Measures). Although Selah, used mainly in the Psalms, is probably a musical term, its meaning is uncertain. Since it may interrupt reading and distract the reader, this word has not been kept in the English text, but every occurrence has been signaled by a footnote.

One of the main reasons the task of Bible translation is never finished is the change in our own language, English. Although a basic core of the language remains relatively stable, many diverse and complex linguistic factors continue to bring about subtle shifts in the meanings and/or connotations of even old, well-established words and phrases. One of the shifts that creates particular challenges to writers and translators alike is the manner in which gender is presented. The original NIV (1978) was published in a time when a man would naturally be understood, in many contexts, to be referring to a person, whether male or female. But most English speakers today tend to hear a distinctly male connotation in this word. In recognition of this change in English, this edition of the NIV, along with almost all other recent English translations, substitutes other expressions when the original text intends to refer generically to men and women equally. Thus, for instance, the NIV (1984) rendering of 1 Corinthians 8:3, But the man who loves God is known by God becomes in this edition But whoever loves God is known by God. On the other hand, man and mankind, as ways of denoting the human race, are still widely used. This edition of the NIV therefore continues to use these words, along with other expressions, in this way.

A related shift in English creates a greater challenge for modern translations: the move away from using the third-person masculine singular pronouns—he/him/his—to refer to men and women equally. This usage does persist at a low level in some forms of English, and this revision therefore occasionally uses these pronouns in a generic sense. But the tendency, recognized in day-to-day usage and confirmed by extensive research, is away from the generic use of he, him and his. In recognition of this shift in language and in an effort to translate into the common English that people are actually using, this revision of the NIV generally uses other constructions when the biblical text is plainly addressed to men and women equally. The reader will frequently encounter a they, them or their to express a generic singular idea. Thus, for instance, Mark 8:36 reads: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? This generic use of the indefinite or singular they/them/their has a venerable place in English idiom and has quickly become established as standard English, spoken and written, all over the world. Where an individual emphasis is deemed to be present, anyone or everyone or some other equivalent is generally used as the antecedent of such pronouns.

Sometimes the chapter and/or verse numbering in English translations of the Old Testament differs from that found in published Hebrew texts. This is particularly the case in the Psalms, where the traditional titles are often included in the Hebrew verse numbering. Such differences are indicated in the footnotes at the bottom of the page. In the New Testament, verse numbers that marked off portions of the traditional English text not supported by the best Greek manuscripts now appear in brackets, with a footnote indicating the text that has been omitted (see, for example, Matthew 17:[21]).

Mark 16:9–20 and John 7:53–8:11, although long accorded virtually equal status with the rest of the Gospels in which they stand, have a very questionable—and confused—standing in the textual history of the New Testament, as noted in the bracketed annotations with which they are set off. A different typeface has been chosen for these passages to indicate even more clearly their uncertain status.

Basic formatting of the text, such as lining the poetry, paragraphing (both prose and poetry), setting up of (administrative-like) lists, indenting letters and lengthy prayers within narratives and the insertion of sectional headings, has been the work of the committee. However, the choice between single-column and double-column formats has been left to the publishers. Also the issuing of red-letter editions is a publisher’s choice—one the committee does not endorse.

The committee has again been reminded that every human effort is flawed—including this revision of the NIV. We trust, however, that many will find in it an improved representation of the Word of God, through which they hear his call to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and to service in his kingdom. We offer this version of the Bible to him in whose name and for whose glory it has been made.

The Committee on Bible Translation

September 2010

CHARTS INDEX

A Harmony of the Gospels

Character Traits in Proverbs

Chronology of the Prophets

David’s Family Tree

Encampment of the Tribes of Israel

Function of the Prophets

Hebrew Calendar and Selected Events

Jewish Calendar

Jewish Sects

Key Theological Distinctions Between Israel and Her Neighbors

Lamentations and Acrostics

Major Social Concerns In the Covenant

Matthew’s Fulfillment Quotations

Messianic Psalms

Miracles of Jesus

Old Testament Festivals and Other Sacred Days

Old Testament Sacrifices

Parables of Jesus

Quotations From and References To Isaiah 53 In the New Testament

Resurrection Appearances

Rulers of the Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah

The Greater Thans in Hebrews

The Life of Christ

The Names of God

The Tribes of Israel

Twenty-Five of the Most Familiar Psalm Lines

Visions in Daniel

DIG DEEP LOOK CLOSE INDEX

Archaeology: Alexandria

Archaeology: Antioch of Syria, Center of Christianity

Archaeology: Athens

Archaeology: Bethel

Archaeology: Bethlehem

Archaeology: Damascus

Archaeology: En Gedi

Archaeology: Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Archaeology: Jerusalem

Archaeology: Masada

Archaeology: Megiddo

Archaeology: Nazareth

Archaeology: Nineveh

Archaeology: Omri and Samaria

Archaeology: Rahab’s House

Archaeology: Rome

Archaeology: Sheba

Archaeology: The High Place at Dan

Archaeology: The Mount of Olives

Archaeology: The Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem

Archaeology: The Pool of Siloam

Archaeology: The Tabernacle at Shiloh

Archaeology: The Walls of Jericho

Artifacts: Ancient Creation Narratives

Artifacts: Ancient Flood Narratives

Artifacts: Baruch, Scribe of Jeremiah

Artifacts: Jehu/The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III

Artifacts: The Apocrypha

Artifacts: The Erastus Inscription

Artifacts: The Great Isaiah Scroll

Artifacts: The Ketef Hinnom Amulets

Artifacts: The Lachish Ostraca

Artifacts: The Samaria Ivories

Artifacts: The Shroud of Turin Controversy

Artifacts: The Temple Scroll

History: Temple Restaurants and Food Sacrificed to Idols

History: Adoption in the Roman World

History: Ancient Israelite Clothing and Jewelry

History: Ancient Israelite Poets and Singers

History: Ancient Musical Instruments

History: Ancient Synagogues

History: Angels and Guardian Spirits in the Bible and the Ancient Near East

History: Baal and the Fertility Cults

History: Banking and Money in the Ancient World

History: Bathing

History: Battle by Champions

History: Beards and Hairstyles in the Biblical World

History: Cedars of Lebanon

History: Cities of Refuge

History: Clean and Unclean Animals

History: Counselors and Concubines: Life in an Ancient Royal Palace

History: Crossing the Jordan

History: Crucifixion

History: Cuneiform and Clay Tablets in the Ancient Near East

History: Dogs in the Ancient World

History: Early Christian Hymnody

History: Exile and Genocide in the Ancient Near East

History: Famine in the Ancient Near East

History: Fasting in the Bible

History: Fishing in New Testament Times

History: Food and Agriculture

History: Fringe (Tassels) on Garments

History: Genealogies in Ancient Israel

History: House Churches and Early Church Buildings

History: Husbands and Wives: Family Life in the Greco-Roman World

History: Hyssop and the Rituals of Cleansing

History: Imagery and Metaphor in Ancient Love Poetry

History: Incense

History: Inheritance in the Ancient Near East

History: Jewish Burial Practices

History: Josephus and the Fall of Jerusalem

History: Labor and Welfare in the Ancient World

History: Letter Writing in the Greco-Roman World

History: Lions and Other Wild Beasts in Ancient Israel

History: Locusts in the Ancient Near East

History: Marriage and Divorce in Ancient Israel

History: Naming of Children

History: Nero, Persecutor of Christians

History: Pentecost

History: Perfumes and Anointing Oils

History: Pottery-Making in Bible Times

History: Prostitution in the Ancient World

History: Qumran and the New Testament

History: Sabbath, Sabbath Year and the Jubilee

History: Sackcloth and Ashes: Rituals of Lamentation

History: Samson and the Temple of Dagon

History: Seafaring in the Ancient World

History: Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, the Abyss and Tartarus: Images of Hell

History: Shepherding in the Ancient World

History: Tattoos and Self-Laceration in Ancient Religion

History: Technological Supremacy of the Philistines’ Iron Weapons

History: Temple Abandonment

History: The Birthplace of Jesus

History: The City Gate

History: The Early Persecution of the Church

History: The Ephod

History: The Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus

History: The Flowers of Ancient Israel

History: The Golden Calf

History: The High Places

History: The Horned Altar

History: The Israelite Family

History: The Israelite Town and Home

History: The Judges Period

History: The Love Feast

History: The Overseer of the Forced Labor

History: The Passover

History: The Poor and the Afflicted in Ancient Wisdom Literature

History: The Potsherd: Pottery in the Bible

History: The Shofar

History: The Threshing Floor

History: The Urim and Thummim

History: The Winepress

History: Travel in the Greco-Roman World

History: Trees of Ancient Israel

History: Warfare in the Ancient World

History: Weddings in Ancient Israel

History: Weights and Measures

History: Wells, Cisterns and Aqueducts in the Ancient World

History: YHWH: The Name of God in the Old Testament

History: Zaphon, Olympus, Sinai and Zion: The Mountain of God

People: Babylon

People: Changes in Canaan

People: Galilee in Jesus’ Time

People: Hammurabi

People: Jehoiachin in Captivity and Awel-Marduk

People: Nebuchadnezzar

People: The Building Activity of Solomon

People: The Roman Empire

Reliability: A Timeline for the Wilderness Wanderings

Reliability: Deuteronomy and the Covenant Treaty Form

Reliability: Hezekiah Against the Assyrians

Reliability: Last Days of Jerusalem

Reliability: Stopping the Sun

Reliability: Texts of the Old Testament

Reliability: Textual Criticism

Reliability: The Destruction of Shiloh

Reliability: The Enuma Elish and the Biblical Concept of Creation

Reliability: The New Testament Canon

Reliability: The Psalm Superscripts

Reliability: The Reliability of Judges

GUIDED TOUR INDEX

A Needed Boost

A Rumor of Life

A Time for Everything

Appointment With Destiny

Beloved Enemies

Boasting of Weakness

Commissioning

Daniel’s Longest Night

David’s Spiritual Secret

Debating God

Downward Mobility

Eloquent Hope

Enemy Employers

Enemy Justice

Explosion

Food That Endures

Home Sweet Home

Home at Last

Immediate Impact

In Exile

Legalism

Life Advice

Like Father, Like Son

Low-Grade Disappointment

Master Storyteller

National Adultery

New Spies, New Spirit

No Fear

No Room to Gloat

One Final Hope

Open Mutiny

Ordeal By Fire

Parable of Love

Poles Apart

Raising Sights

Remedy

Removing the Barrier

Rotten Ruling Class

Servant Leadership

Shock Waves

Spanning the Gap

Street-Corner Prophet

Success Story

The Final Word

The Great Descent

The Last Enemy

The Love Chapter

The Suffering Servant

Turning Point

Walk the Talk

What Is True Faith?

When Christians Disagree

Word Power

Wounded Healer

HIGHLIGHTS INDEX

. . . and Peter

A Breach of Hospitality

A Cameo Appearance?

A Child Is Born

A Curtain Is Torn

A Den of Robbers

A Habit of Trust

A Plumb Line

A Promise of Eternal Life

A Shocking Lack of Piety

A Strong, Weak King

A True or False Prophet?

Absalom, Absalom!

Act of Humiliation

An Evil Queen

An Unfounded Rumor

Autobiography of Pain

Basic Christianity

Behemoth and Leviathan?

Belong in the Bible?

Between the Temples

Beyond Understanding

Caring for the Poor

Chariots of Fire

Children’s Strange Names

Chosen by Grace

Close to Death

Closed Minds

Deadly Deceit

Deadly Rocks

Do Not Add

Earthshaking Change

Enthusiastic Givers

Fall of the Morning Star

Fond Memories

Foreshadowing Jesus

Free at Last

Gates to the City

Given, Not Earned

God Reaches Out

Gone, But Not Forever

Hints of Failure

History of the Temple

Homeless

How Large Was Israel?

How Many Israelites?

I Carried You

Imprisoned Spirits

Is Life Unfair?

Is There an Afterlife?

Isaiah in His Prime

Jesus Began Here

Joseph’s Heirs

King of Contradictions

Kosher

Lasting Credit

Laws on the Head

Long-Lasting Laws

Love and Death

Loyal Friends in Death

Luther’s Gateway

Misidentification

Missing an Opportunity

Mixing Gentleness With Harshness

Most Quoted Verses

Mystery Man

No Happy Ending

No King

No Respect at Home

No Sympathy for Esau

Of Scallops and Rabbits

Old Testament Evangelism

Original Holocaust

Out of His Mind?

Pain as Punishment

Paul’s Personal Opinions

Preserving the Royal Line

Prize Cows

Psalms of the Last Supper

Queen of Heaven

Questionable Dreams

Recount

Respect for Angels

Rules About Sex

Rules Without Love

Scattered Abroad

Scripture Is God-Breathed

Second Imprisonment in Rome

Secret of Success

Seek and Save

Selective History

Shady Ancestors

Significant Numbers

Speaking in Tongues

Stones Overturned

Stubbornly Unconvinced

Tabernacle Layout

Test for Adultery

Testing the Tithe

The Great Tribulation

The Hideout

The Imprint of the Master

The Names of God

The Original Barbarians

The Temple Destroyed

The Way They Worshiped

Those Who Stayed Behind

Three Kinds of Bricks

Thumbs and Big Toes

Too Young?

Tough Love

Towns for the Levites

Tricked!

Two for One

Uncircumcised Hearts

Unequally Yoked

Victory Party

Wailing Wall

Whitewash

Who Can Be Saved?

Who, Me?

Why Not a King?

Why the Cleanup?

Women in Corinth

Working for a Living

Worst of All Famines

Xerxes: A Wild Man

ILLUSTRATIONS INDEX

Cities of Refuge

Ezekiel’s Temple

Herod’s Temple

Jerusalem During the Ministry of Jesus

Solomon’s Temple

Tabernacle Furnishings

Temple Furnishings

The Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day

The Tabernacle

Zerubbabel’s Temple

IN-TEXT MAPS INDEX

Agriculture In the Holy Land

Assyrian Invasions of the Promised Land

Colossae

Corinth (Paul Wrote from Ephesus)

David and Solomon’s Empire

Dead Sea Area

Dividing the Land

Ephesus

Exile of the Northern Kingdom

Exile of the Southern Kingdom

Ezekiel in Babylon

From Bethlehem to Moab and Back

From Egypt to Mount Sinai

House of Herod

Introduction: Divided Kingdom

Israel During the New Testament Period

Israel Prepared to Enter the Promised Land from the Plains of Moab

Israel Under Attack by Assyria and Babylon

Israel’s Conquest of the Transjordan

Jerusalem During the Days of Nehemiah

Jerusalem During the Time of the Prophets

Jerusalem of the Returning Exiles

Jerusalem

Jesus in Galilee

Jesus in Judea and Samaria

Jesus’ Early Ministry Took Place Mostly in Galilee

Letter to Thessalonica

Map of Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment

Nations and Cities Under Judgment in Ezekiel

Nations and Cities Under Judgment in Jeremiah

Passion Week

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

Paul’s Journey To Rome

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Peter’s Letters

Philemon Was a Member of the Church in Colossae

Philip’s and Peter’s Missionary Journeys

Philippi, The First Church in Europe

Return From Exile

Solomon’s Jerusalem

Table of Nations

The Babylonian Invasion of the Promised Land

The Book of Jonah

The City of the Jebusites/David’s Jerusalem

The Divided Kingdom

The Exodus

The Gospel Message Spreads

The Land of the Bible

The Northern Kingdom of Israel

The Persian Empire

The Sea of Galilee

The Seven Churches of Revelation

The Southern Kingdom of Judah

The Tribes of Israel

The United Kingdom of Israel

Wilderness Wanderings

INSIGHT INDEX

A Glimpse of Things to Come

A Happy Ending After All

A Letter From Death Row

A Scent of Doom

Ecology Plus

Final Glimpses of Jesus

Handling Tough Questions

Idolatry

Inner Struggles

Letting the Inside Match The Outside

Living Parables

New King, New Kingdom

New Light on the Old Testament

On the Road With the Apostle Paul

Out To Get Jesus

Paul’s Favorite Church

Remembering Back

Seeing in Two Dimensions

Setting Israel Apart From Its Neighbors

The Danger in Being a Christian

The Day of Execution

The Runaways

The Sad Truth

The Secret to the Early Church

The Song of the Cross

What Job Teaches About Suffering

What Makes People Poor?

What Not to Say to a Hurting Person

While Nations Battle, God Is in Control

Who Were the Gnostics?

Why Come To Earth?

PEOPLE IN FOCUS INDEX

Aaron

Abiathar

Abigail

Abner

Abraham

Absalom

Adam And Eve

Agrippa

Ahab

Andrew

Annas and Caiaphas

Apollos

Artaxerxes

Athaliah

Balaam

Barnabas

Bathsheba

Cain And Abel

Cornelius

Cyrus

Daniel

David

Deborah

Eli

Elijah

Elisha

Elizabeth And Zechariah

Esau

Esther

Ezekiel

Ezra

Gideon

Hannah

Hezekiah

Isaac

Isaiah

Ishmael

Jacob

James

Jeremiah

Jeroboam

Jethro

Jezebel

Joab, Abishai and Asahel

Job

John the Baptist

John

Jonathan

Joseph

Joseph

Joshua

Josiah

Judas

Laban

Lot

Mark (John Mark)

Martha and Mary of Bethany

Mary Magdalene

Mary, Mother of Jesus

Miriam

Mordecai

Moses

Nathan

Nebuchadnezzar

Nehemiah

Nicodemus

Noah

Paul

Peter

Philip

Pontius Pilate

Priscilla and Aquila

Rachel

Rahab

Rebekah

Rehoboam

Ruth

Samson

Samuel

Sarah

Saul

Silas

Solomon

Stephen

The Herods

Thomas

Timothy

Titus

Zedekiah

Q&A INDEX

After Everything the Teacher Has Said, Why Fear God?

Are Christians Required to Tithe?

Are Dreams Messages From God?

Are Good Works Necessary for Eternal Life?

Are Natural Disasters Literally Acts of God? Does He Cause Them?

Reviews for NIV, Essentials Study Bible

[lek103 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm an atheist but I respect everyone's beliefs (as long as they respect mine!), and I'm reading the Bible for the first time in an attempt to understand others' perspectives better. It really is fascinating and is an incredibly valuable historical and anthropological resource. I'm only up to Deuteronomy, but I'm very much enjoying the read already--though I do find myself skipping over the census parts and the stuff about how many cubits the tabernacle has to be. :) I think this will be an extremely educational read and I'm glad I decided to try it. I'd recommend it to anyone regardless of their spiritual inclinations.

[jnut1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a long read but so much awesome stories that you don't hear.

[Nathaniel Hudson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent Bible for reading and for studying. I like the combination of several different types of study Bibles all in 1. I know that this will be a keeper in my downloads.

[vicarofdibley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

handy rucksack size, not the best translation

[enriquefreeque · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very difficult task tackling The Bible, since The Bible is, after all, not a book but an anthology housing 66 books written by dozens of different authors on different continents across thousands of years. Billions of people of at least three major world religions consider The Bible, or, at least portions of The Bible, divinely inspired: Muslims, Jews, and Christians.The leather bound copy I own, a Christmas present from my parents, circa 1980, has my name on the cover inscribed in gilded lettering. I used to read it every day. In fact, I had entire chapters of it (mostly in the Psalms and Gospels, memorized). I'm surprised, picking it up again, after so many years, how good it is. Proverbs for instance, contains some of the finest Wisdom (common sense) Literature, ever written. Check out chapter 6, verse 30: "Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving,". Makes sense to me! And that verse, even though it mentions only "men," applies to women too. You think maybe the French magistrates in Les Misearables could've had that verse handy when they arrested Jean Valjean for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's (a widow) starving children, maybe? Of course Victor Hugo knew that verse too, and was commenting on his culture's abuse of the very tenets those in power claimed to live by. One of my favorite verses from The Bible, taken from the Hebrew (Torah or "Old") Testament, is Ezekiel, chap. 23, verse 20. It's about the "Two Adulterous Sisters" who, of course, symbolize the rebellious, backslidden nation of Israel. "There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses." That's some solid sensuous imagery, eh? And it's not even from The Song of Solomon! mind you, the "honeymoon" book of The Bible. I always enjoyed reciting this verse (I had to memorize Bible verses for Sunday school in order to win cool prizes like Vanilla Wafers) and also for my Boys Brigade meetings (now called "AWANA"). Funny how my Sunday school teachers and Boys Brigade leaders didn't much appreciate my memorizing that verse, though my snickering peers seemed to appreciate it mightily! Once, one of my volunteer teachers suggested I pick another verse to recite for the class. And I said, "Well what about 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17?"And she said, "What about it?"I replied, "it proves that Ezekiel chap. 23, v. 20, is a valid verse for me to recite.""No it doesn't," she said."Oh yes it does," I confidently retorted (I think I was 12), and recited her the verses from memory, 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 "'All Scripture," I said with my own emphasis on the "All," "Is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God [and that means woman too] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.'"She hemmed-and-hawed, not sure it seemed, in retrospect, how to handle this precocious geekwad twerp (yours truly), while I tried sincerely (not obnoxiously) explaining inbetween her counter arguments that there must be a very valid reason indeed for Holy Scripture to compare the size of a Babylonian's (i.e., an "unbelievers"), uh, "unit," to the size of a donkey's "unit," shouldn't there be? And that if there wasn't a good reason that God compared the volume of "emission" from said same Babylonian's "unit" to that same volume ejected from an equine "unit" (neighhhhhhhhhhhh) then why in the world would God have ever bothered including such a verse in the Holy Bible to begin with? "All Scripture is God Breathed, right?"Sunday school teacher: "Uh, next question please." Another awesome passage, one of my favorites, which never ceases in ruffling personal and political feathers and has divided Biblical scholars and churches for centuries: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." - 1 Timothy, chapter 2, verses 11-15. Women! Can't live with 'em; can't sin without 'em! I believe the Bible can, in fact, despite often being mislabeled by many as "boring" or "archaic," indeed be a fun, informative, infuriating (at times) and exciting read. You just gotta know where to look!

[sbcla_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My first Bible and I'm very fond of it - love the Concordance in the back!

[mytruecompass · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love my journalling bible, with text only on the left page; the right is blank for journalling and notes. I'm highlighting favourite passages, often in a different version of the Bible, in mine. I know this will be a favourite Bible of mine for years to come.

[sirfurboy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Bible does not really need a review. This particular edition has a good centre reference section.

[nm.fall08bradke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about how god created the world and how man fell. It also tells how independent man has tried to be and how God has either corrected him or punished him. This book is by far the best book anyone could read and I like reading it because it is my religion.In the beginning of the bible it tells how God created the world in seven days. At first he separated the waters from the heavens. Then he creates light and darkness, land, creatures and then he wants to create man in his own image so he makes Adam. Then he realized that man needed a partner so he creates eve. When eve sinned and encouraged her husband to do the same thing they were both cursed.People kept on reproducing and because Adam and eve sinned so did everyone else. But it got so bad that God kept the most holy man and his family which was Noah. God told Noah that he was going to bring a flood and wipe out all creatures and man except for him, his family and two animals of each kind male and female. God brought a flood. It rained for forty days and forty nights. After the flood God said that he would not bring another flood that would wipe out the entire earth again and he made this promise by putting a rainbow in the sky.

[katieloucks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So inspirational!!! My favorite book!!

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inspirational and moving. Enough said.

[anabellebf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am not a believer, but the Bible is a Western culture classic that has its uses in literary studies.

[masyukun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is not my favorite version, but it is nice to have such a small, pocket version for travel.

[chrisjj_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, full of life and wisdom and love - from above.

[sparkleandchico · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my Bible version from my teens until mid 20's and is therefore covered in colourful stickers and scrawled writing. It provides a good middle ground between versions like New American Standard Version (NASB) and English Standard Version (ESV) and versions like The Message and The Good News Bible or even The Street Bible.

The former options are more accurate to the original text so I switched to NASB some years ago, however, if I'm struggling to concentrate I sometimes return to my trusty NIV which makes for simpler reading. I do not agree with those who dismiss it as a paraphrase. However, I would caution those adults who use the latter versions (The Message etc) as their primary devotional Bible.

I am wary of making too much of Bible versions being aware that there are those who subscribe to King James Version only and who think that other versions are somehow irreverent or misleading. Some have become so focused on this as to lose perspective about what is important.

My own view is that we should all be reading the most accurate translation that we can understand and apply to our lives. What is the point in persevering with a dated text using words that are no longer familiar when we have more modern translations that are accurate that we can understand more easily?

[samer_7 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Awful, faithless translation and notes

[024_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

LIES!!!!! NOTHING BUT LIES!!!! Theres no scientific proof for a god with freaky powers. For being forgiving he seems hate everyone.