Ask Bible Buying Guide: Holman and Thomas Nelson Full Color KJV Study Bibles Compared 

:-) Thanks!!

I know it has been a bit since your comment but I see the KJV as almost like poetry its always helps me. Then over time now I'm just used to it and prefer it over other translations.

Keep reading and meditate in the goodness of God. Long for his manifestation in your life, you will understand his words better. May God bless!

If you need to look up any word in the KJV. Checkout noah webster 1828 Dictionary. Noah Webster created his first dictionary from the Word of God. It’s best not to look up words from the KJV in a modern dictionary because the English language changes it’s meaning through time. For example. Replenish in the KJV means fill. But in a modern dictionary. It means refill

@@rubeno.2808 or better yet.... they can get "The King James Bible Companion Dictionary".. pamphlet.. for a couple of bucks... by David W. Daniels... from Chick Publications... and have JUST the KJV hard words translated in it... and Not have to sift thru hyndreds of psges of non Biblical words in the process.. I have one of these pamphlets attached towards the back of my KJV bible,,,, and Now any word,.. in question can be found defined.. in a moment of time.....

Thank you!

I really like both but I’ve just got nelson but I have a smaller like everyday version of Holman study

I have both and all I can is that Holman's study notes are way better than Nelson's. The tables and charts of Holman are pretty impressive too. Nelson's concordance uses Strong's numbering system and has a better word study, and more history and archaeological points than Holman.

@@rabidchicken030 Cool. Thank you Leonardo for the comparison.

@steven frasier...I know this note is late but... I have been using the Nelson KJV study buble for about 20 years... and it has served me well.. I like it above the Holman.. though both have tons of notes.. I felt the Nelson KJV.. formerly the Li berty Annotated study bible.. from Jerry Falwell.. to be more of a conservative approach in it's study notes.. and the Holmans seemed to me mpre secular and worldly....

@@jeffcarlson3269 Very interesting comparison. Everybody in this thread is wonderful for participating.

@Wassha 09... this response is late... but I prefer the Nelson over the Holman

Which is your favorite?

@@JerseyCity478 speaking between the 2 bibles as a third party to your question of long ago... I prefer the Nelson KJV study bible... I have been using the Nelson for over 20 years though I have both.. the Holman is mainly shelfed...

@Jade E.... I have done the same thing..though I have had my Nelson's for about 20 years and the Holmans for only about 12 years.... that is a good way to determine for yourself which one you prefer .....as everyone's likes are different....

Wow, I never even thought about Publisher comparisons before now! Do you think Nelson Bibles are "generally" better than Holman Bibles? If so, that simplifies my hunting process (multiple English translations).

@@stevenfrasier5718 I've owned quite a few Nelson bibles, including the KJV Study Bible. I've never been disappointed.

@@stevenfrasier5718 I've owned a few Nelson Bibles and they're great. What sold me on their KJV was that they don't include various interpretations across denominations. So it makes for an easier study experience.

@@mish375 I'm surprised that you wouldn't want various interpretations. For me, that's a huge selling point. Tell me what my options are; don't just present one viewpoint and act like it's the only one on the market.

@@sorenpx I feel like too many interpretations means that the writers aren't sure where they stand on their theology. A couple of different interpretations is fine because that tends to come across as stronger. But including everything on market makes it feel watered down.

Thanks!

Holy crap this comment was awesome. Thank you so much, that helped a ton!

Is the KJV basically the CSB study bible in KJV? I really like the look of the CSB study bible but would prefer the KJV translation.

@@Swampfox. yes, it has the identical foot notes found in the CSB Study Bible, just slightly altered to fit with the KJV text.

@ cantina claytor this response is late... but I prefer the Nelson over the Holman as well...

@Matthew Holmes... you may be able to find a very reasonaably priced one in great shape used on Ebay...?..that is if they exist... but the Genuine Leather ones are very well made....I consider these as Premium...

@Walter Terell.... this response is late... but I prefer the Nelson over the Holman I believe the Nelson KJV Studt=y Bible also has more Study notes in than the Life Application as well...

@Alex farlow... I feel the Nelson is a bettter study bible...

Hi. The links are in the notes. Thanks!

Both are good. It's hard to say which is better. I recommend looking at the sample of both on Amazon or Christianbook and see which notes sound better to you.

The Nelson has a more pleasing to the eye kind of appeal. Nelson paid more attention to the Greek.

@jessy stephenson.... well ...a good quality both Cambridge and the Nelson Study Bible share is Line match.. so there is not too much apparent ghosting... Ghosting is Not really an issue anyway.. until one starts getting into bibles with a low GSM... but line matching usually prevents this to a degree on bibles with thin GSM......there is a Font difference... the Cambrdge for the most part comes across as more bold.. but the Nelson makes up for this by a slightly larger print size... and the font on the Nelson.. is very desireable..and fairly bold... not standard.. more of a Regal type.... I wrote the font used down.. in my bible but I do not have the bible in front of me now... to reference the font as to exactly which one it is...at this time ...sorry...

This Thomas Nelson is great for that. Any of the Thomas Nelson reference editions (including this one) have updated words in the footnotes (I meant to mention that in the video). Other good options include the last two Thomas Nelson's that I reviewed: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HGhaT-evJO4.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-984v9ZPmTBY.html Another excellent choice would be the Sword Study Bible. It underlines the archaic words and places an updated word as a note at the end of each verse. It also has the words of God in the OT in red. Another of my favorites is the Westminster. It has 200,000 cross-references and has updated words in the margins. Here's my review of that one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cLo2MEa1gNk.html

@@BibleBuyingGuide Awesome! Thank you so much for all your help, it's greatly appreciated!

I'm right there with your mom! Maybe we're the same age! 😉 I also ordered this just today since the only other KJV I have is my Open, which is also a great Bible in itself but has no explanatory notes. This looks like an awesome Bible! Even tho I grew up with the KJV with verse memorization and all, I still find it hard to understand so I'm hoping the notes will help as both you and Randy mentioned. Looking forward to getting it and welcome any and all suggestions! 😉

@@lyladupuy8040 this response is late... but I prefer the Nelson over the Holman... I can tell you this much ...other than the cyclopedic index of the OPEN Bible.... the Nelson study bible has at 10 times more notes....than the Open study bible...

They can print them in China but it has to be exported.

Holman is made in Korea i believe and they have Goat Skin with Index!!!

That's a tough one. I like both. I don't think I could choose.

Yes, king James is the best version.

I think the NASB version would do nicely, Mr. Lee.

Hi. There are several journaling Bibles that might work for your needs. Thomas Nelson and Zondervan both have them with thick paper with single columns and color for chapter numbers, section headings, etc.

@CelestialWolf.... you may wish to try the wide margin bible due to these being published for writing in... and I have found these to come with thicker GSM paper... as far as single column?.. well "preacher" bibles come in single column as these are published with the idea in mind while one is in the pulpit.. they can find the verse they need to find faster rather than sift thru 2 colums of texts/... good luck trying to find all a Study bible Wide margin... single column bible all in ine... cuz usually you can get the wide margin and study bible together or the wide margin single column together but all 3 together...is rarer....

CelestialWolf... oh and in full color?.... I do not know of any study bibles that have thicker paper... and are in full color and single column.. maybe if you special order?... if you find one with all 3 qualities.. something will be compromised... either the study notes the paper thickness... or the full color.....perhaps the ESV study bible...?... regular print... Not the large print... may be what you are looking for sadly Crossway.. who publishes the ESV... does not make a KJV translation of their excellent study bible..these may have thicker paper without being wide margined...?.

@Mono G... FYI... the Nelson study bible approaches scripture from a Calvinistic viewpoint as well... what is wrong .. or what points of Calvinism do you NOT agree with...?.. I think many who trust in the KJV only are perhaps Calvinists in their approach to God.. I may be wrong but that is how I feel..in KJV study groups I have been in.. most are Calvinists Not,... Armeniests....

@Donald Goh... wow... I have never heard of that happening... I sit with one side of my smyth sewn bibles completely wrapped around the other side of the bible sitting on my lap at church and the pages are still tight... you must have gotten a poorly made one... are you sure it was sewn.?.. on my sewn bibles.. you can see the threads coming through the edge of the seams in the middle.where the pages meet...I can see. where it has been stitched thru...

@@jeffcarlson3269unfortunately, the one I own was not properly sewn.

@@DG49403 bummer...

@@DG49403 have you gotten a better one by now...?..

@@jeffcarlson3269 nope. Got a new KJV Reformation Study Bible instead.

Hi Dave. I'm the worst for choosing. I like both. The Holman NKJV has the same notes and tools as the KJV.

@@BibleBuyingGuide the Nelson notes in the KJV differ from the Nelson notes in the NKJV... however.... go figure... perhaps due to the way Farstad.. approaches.. themes.. I feel the NKJV.. has a much more liberal approach in their study notes...I have not bothered with the Holman NKJV.. as I was Not impressed with their KJV attempt... but I think it wpould be odd.. that the notes between the KJV and the NKJV Holmans would be identical as the Nelsons ones sure are not.... the John MacArthur study bibles however DO have the identical notes throughout all the translations.. with variants due to which translation the notes are in... as some for instance are gender neutral... so the notes of the NKJV that state.. this was God's advice to Man... for example will read in the neutral version .... this was God's advice to anyone... etc...

@@jeffcarlson3269 thanks for the info!

True Bud! 😉

@@lyladupuy8040 -- Coolness. Which I've only recently learned... BTW, What is your opinion concerning "Hardcover" Bibles? They look like "Textbooks"--LOL. ~S

@@stevenfrasier5718 I don't have one hard cover. I prefer the leather or LeatherTouch and most of mine are sewn. I did get the NLT Illustrated Study Bible, which is glued as that's all that was available. I do like it altho I don't use it much as there are already 2 map pages that have come loose and I don't think I've had it 6 months. I need to find out if the publisher will stand behind it. It was a real disappointment! 😔

@@lyladupuy8040 -- There's a Bible shop here in Montreal. I wonder if buying from a "Brick n' Mortar" shop, instead of online, makes a big difference in cost? What are your views on that? ~Steven of Montreal

@@stevenfrasier5718 I'm sure it helps to see before buying! You're very fortunate to have that opportunity. I do a lot of research, videos, blogs, etc before purchasing. Seems the best prices are thru CBD & eBay. We have Christian stores here too. It might behoove me to look into those. Hadn't thought of it until you asked the question! 😉 Thanks Bud! 👍

@Eye on art...really ?... with me it has been the other way around... pages will Not fall out of a smyth sewn bible unless you pull them out on porpose....

Spurgeon's is more similar to a devotional. It provides pastoral thoughts on the text rather than providing lists, word studies, archaeological facts, historical facts, etc.

Bible Buying Guide so the Nelson has better paper quality and alternate words also correct?

@@monog870 The Thomas Nelson does have the words. As far as paper, I'll need to compare them again and get back to you in a couple of days.

@@BibleBuyingGuide Agree. I have the Spurgeon and it's my devotional bible only. I don't think it was meant as a study bible.

@Mono G.. the Spurgeon study bible seems barren compared to either of these.... but I prefer the Nelson one...

Around 10 I believe.

I believe Holman, but I am not entirely sure, cause I know that the pages of nelson study are thin like they done times stick to each other as well

I think that would be accurate. The next chance I get I'll look through it and confirm.

@@BibleBuyingGuide if you havent yet... anything by Farstad.... is Less reformed.... IMO...

@@jeffcarlson3269 Thakns! I am a Farstad fan. I enjoyed his book on the NKJV.

I think it would be good for Bible dry highlighters, but I haven't tried it myself.

I high light all my holy Bibles u just have to color with a light hand.

@@22BRICKKILLA12 -- My idea is to "outline" (with the hi-liter), rather than drench every line. Your thoughts on this? I'm fearful in deciding what to hi-lite or what the colors should mean. ~S

@@stevenfrasier5718 This is my color scheme: green - salvation, blue - God /Heaven, orange - caution, red or pink - sin /Satan, yellow - faith /promises, purple - Jesus /prophecy. Course this is susceptible to change and always welcome suggestions! 😉

@@lyladupuy8040 -- Coolness. Thanks, Lyla. A load off my chest! Your scheme makes sense to me after I thought it through. ex: Blue Sky= Heaven... Purple=Royal Jesus. LOL... Coolness, sister. ~S

Hi! Are 1&2Macabees in Holman study bibles? From what I understand, books of the apocrypha are not in the Christian bibles

Yes. The Bible by Penguin Classics, paperback edition is great for the study of complete Bible.

It's not exactly the same, but they do have an NKJV Study Bible in full color www.christianbook.com/nkjv-comfort-color-study-bible-hardcover/9780785220626/pd/220626?event=AAI

@@BibleBuyingGuide Thanks for the link, Randy! I checked it out but prefer the center column reference. Since I already have the Holman, Open and have ordered the Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible (all in NKJV) I decided to order this KJV Study Bible in a translation I DON'T have (aside from my KJV Open) thanks to you and also Keri (Bible Believing Christian). Very impressed with all the helps included, not the least of which is the Concordance including the Strong's numbers, but don't you find the KJV hard to understand? All input welcome along those lines! Thanks! 😉 Really enjoy your videos! 👍

yes... but the notes in my opinion in the NKJV study bible...have more of a liberal view of scripture.. due to the editorial ship and contributing staff difference.... Jerry Falwell was the General editor of the KJV.. study bible.. he was a long time representative of University of Virginia... or the Virginia Bible institute and headed the "Old time gospel hour" radio program.... years ago...he is a Southern Baptist.. and very conservative and reformed in his view.. with leanings toward calvinism.. whie the NKJV.. is headed by Art Farstad... a much more liberal.. person.. I do Not know or recall his background but Farstad's approach or how he views God's word is Not as conservative as Falwell's approach...

@Lyla Dupuy...in answer to your question from 2 years ago Yes the Nelson is available in the NKJV translation... but the main editor is Art Farstad... and he is much more Liberal than Jerry Falwell from the KJV translation.. the notes Are Not the same...

Fortunately, it was true when they made it. I haven't checked to see if they've removed that since the Thomas Nelson was printed.

Jaiz, jumping to conclusions.

I just looked it up on Amazon in 2024. It still says the only full color kJV study Bible. 😮

@hector ponce... Quizas el hombre aqui .. no comprende como escrebir.. o hablar en espanol.. senor...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_translations_into_Spanish

Sorry about that. It was my equipment.

@@BibleBuyingGuide It was fine. 👍🏽

@@JerseyCity478 thanks!

what helps me on these videos.. is I change the playback speed from Normal to 2 so the video goes twice as fast and takes half as long so I can blow thru twice as many videos in the same amount of time.. and only slow the video down on the parts I need to hear over again.. or can't grasp going thru the vid in double time.... sorry.. but some reviewers speak way.. toooooooooooooooooooooo sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow......

@@BibleBuyingGuide what helps me on these videos.. is I change the playback speed from Normal to 2 so the video goes twice as fast and takes half as long so I can blow thru twice as many videos in the same amount of time.. and only slow the video down on the parts I need to hear over again.. or can't grasp going thru the vid in double time.... sorry.. but some reviewers speak way.. toooooooooooooooooooooo sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow...... not you necessarily... just in general... I think all reviewers could talk a mile a minute.. and then us watchers with the technology on computers today.. can just play back the video in half time or quarter time... this trechnology really helps me when I am trying to learn a song musically by ear.. from a video.. because I can change the speed to quarter time.. pick out all the notes and chords... with No pitch change in the process.,,..... years ago another musician friend of mine had a device called a looper ...that cost him hundreds of dollars to do the exact same thing.. it was so cool.. but now all the technology is at the touch of our fingers... amazing...!..