Study Bibles are special editions of the Bible written specifically for students of the Bible. Study Bibles provide scholarly information designed to give the reader context and a more complete understanding of God’s Word. Scholarly information can come in several forms, from annotations that explain complex passages, articles and biographies of key characters, illustrations and other visuals, and more. With this in mind, the editors at Lord’s Library have compiled this list of the best NIV study Bibles (New International Version) to consider. The one that is right for you will largely depend upon which features are most important. Each listing includes author and publisher information, some basic facts about the version, and links to any alternative versions that may be available. Note: We only included the best NIV study Bibles with a 4-star or better rating and a minimum of 200 reviews. Titles are organized by the total number of reviews at the time of our publication.
The Best NIV Study Bibles (New International Version)
NIV Study Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter Edition
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Over 20,000 study notes with icons
- Introductions of valuable background information for each Bible book
- In-text maps, charts, and diagrams
From the publisher: “The beloved NIV Study Bible features a stunning four-color interior with full-color photographs, maps, charts, and illustrations that bring the stories of the Bible to life. The in-depth notes are coded to highlight items of special interest in the areas of character study, archaeology, and personal application. This NIV Bible provides you with just the right amount of study information, placed in just the right locations, to answer your most pressing questions about God’s Word and how it connects to your life today.”
NIV, The Woman’s Study Bible, Hardcover, Full-Color: Receiving God’s Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Author/Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Full-color design throughout
- Thousands of verse-by-verse study notes
- Over 300 in-text topical articles on relevant issues
From the publisher: “The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom. Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds.”
Every Man’s Bible NIV, Deluxe Heritage Edition, TuTone – Study Bible for Men with Study Notes
Author/Publisher: Stephen Arterburn
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Study notes that help men gain perspective
- Someone You Should Know profiles of men in the Bible
- What the Bible Says About articles
From the publisher: “The Bible for every battle every man faces. This study Bible addresses spiritual and life issues from a male perspective, showing that Scripture is relevant in every stage of a man’s life, from early adulthood through the retirement years. Every Man’s Bible is filled with affirming, challenging, and uplifting features that will remind men that God has a place for them in his story and a plan for their lives.”
NIV, Foundation Study Bible, Leathersoft, Brown, Red Letter
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- Bible book Introductions
- Cross-reference system
- In-text subject headings
From the publisher: “The NIV Foundation Study Bible in the world’s most popular modern-English Bible translation—the New International Version—features an approachable and easy-to-use layout, with straightforward and broad study notes that help you discover the beauty and truth of God’s Word. Concise study notes provide helpful comments on passages of Scripture, while theological notes draw attention to important doctrinal content in the Bible and are indexed in the back of the Bible. Translators’ footnotes offer clarification and information about the original-language texts.”
NIV Rainbow Study Bible, Jacketed Hardcover
Author/Publisher: Holman Bible Staff
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Color-coding system along the bottom of every page
- 12 pages of color maps with index
- All words spoken by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit underlined
From the publisher: “The NIV Rainbow Study Bible is the best-selling, fully color-coded Bible with over three million copies sold. It features a unique color-coding system that allows readers to identify twelve major themes of Scripture throughout the text: God, discipleship, love, faith, sin, evil, salvation, family, outreach, commandments, history, and prophecy. The system also underlines all words directly spoken by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Together, the unique organization allows you to find the passages meant for your situation—or that of those you care for—faster.”
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- Targeted book introductions that explain context
- Verse-by-verse study notes
- 375 full-color photos, illustrations, and images from around the world
From the publisher: “The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, with notes from Dr. John H. Walton (Wheaton College) in the Old Testament and Dr. Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary) in the New Testament, brings the ancient world of Scripture to life for modern readers. Every page of this NIV Bible is packed with expert insight into the customs, culture, and literature of biblical times.”
NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Personal Size
Author/Publisher: Tyndale
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- More than 10,000 Life Application Notes
- 100 Life Application Profiles of key Bible people
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
From the publisher: “Now with a fresh two-color interior design and meaningfully updated study notes and features, this Bible will help you understand God’s Word better than ever. It answers questions that you may have about the text and provides you practical yet powerful ways to apply the Bible to your life every day. The Personal Size editions are for people who like to carry their study Bible with them.”
NIV, Teen Study Bible, Hardcover
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- We Believe features unpack the Apostles’ Creed
- Panorama features that keep the big picture of each book in view
- Topical indexes for in-depth Bible study
From the publisher: “The NIV Teen Study Bible will help them keep in step with all he has done, is doing, and will do in the world—and in their life. This NIV Bible for teens will also help them discover the eternal truths of God’s Word and apply them to the issues they face every day, including offering biblical advice about dealing with everything from friends, family, and school to problems like bullying and depression. As teens navigate their hectic and sometimes stressful lives, this study Bible will help them to deepen and understand their faith while reassuring them that God is always with them and they are never alone.”
NIV, Holy Bible, Student Edition, Paperback
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Paperback
Key Features:
- Sectional headers and translator notes
- Plan of salvation
- Table of weights and measures
From the publisher: “Ideal for churches and ministries buying in bulk, the NIV Value Holy Bible Student Edition is a great witness tool to give to students looking to discover God’s Word. You can feel comfortable and confident handing this Bible to students interested in spiritual issues or who are open to talking about God. Features include the complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version with sectional headers and translators’ notes, plan of salvation, and table of weights and measures in a softcover binding. This low-cost Bible with extra help is perfect for anyone looking to distribute God’s Word to students.”
NIV, Quest Study Bible, Hardcover, Blue, Comfort Print: The Only Q and A Study Bible
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- More than 7,000 notes arranged in a question and answer format
- Nearly 350 articles that investigate common questions about the Bible
- Book introductions that answer questions about each Bible book
From the publisher: “The NIV Quest Study Bible features over 7,000 notes written in an engaging question and answer format that give insight into the common, uncommon and sometimes perplexing passages from the Bible. You will have the opportunity to consider questions like “Why did God send angels to Jacob?” “What prevents God from hearing our prayers?,” and “Why does God test us?” as you explore God’s Word using the many study helps.”
NIV, Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Leathersoft, Brown, Red Letter
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Additional colors: Imitation leather gray/pink
Key Features:
- More than 10,000 Life Application Notes
- Over 100 personality profiles
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
From the publisher: “Impacting more than 20 million lives over 30 years, the Life Application Study Bible is the #1–selling study Bible of our generation. Now, it has been thoroughly updated and expanded to be even more helpful and relevant for your life and today’s world. With a fresh, new interior page design and comprehensively updated study notes and features, this Bible will help you better understand God’s Word and provide you with practical ways to apply it to your life every day. The Life Application Study Bible is a Bible for all times!”
Every Man’s Bible NIV, Large Print, TuTone – Study Bible for Men with Study Notes, Book Introductions, and 44 Charts
Author/Publisher: Stephen Arterburn
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- More than 10,000 Life Application Notes
- Over 100 personality profiles
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
From the publisher: “The Bible for every battle every man faces. This study Bible addresses spiritual and life issues from a male perspective, showing that Scripture is relevant in every stage of a man’s life, from early adulthood through the retirement years. Every Man’s Bible is filled with affirming, challenging, and uplifting features that will remind men that God has a place for them in his story and a plan for their lives.”
NIV, Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Large Print, Bonded Leather, Black, Red Letter
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Bonded leather
Key Features:
- More than 10,000 Life Application Notes
- Over 100 personality profiles
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
From the publisher: “Impacting more than 20 million lives over 30 years, the Life Application Study Bible is the #1–selling study Bible of our generation. Now, it has been thoroughly updated and expanded to be even more helpful and relevant for your life and today’s world. With a fresh, new interior page design and comprehensively updated study notes and features, this Bible will help you better understand God’s Word and provide you with practical ways to apply it to your life every day. The Life Application Study Bible is a Bible for all times!”
NIV, Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition, Personal Size, Leathersoft, Gray/Teal, Red Letter
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Imitation leather
Key Features:
- More than 10,000 Life Application Notes
- Over 100 personality profiles
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
From the publisher: “Impacting more than 20 million lives over 30 years, the Life Application Study Bible is the #1–selling study Bible of our generation. Now, it has been thoroughly updated and expanded to be even more helpful and relevant for your life and today’s world. With a fresh, new interior page design and comprehensively updated study notes and features, this Bible will help you better understand God’s Word and provide you with practical ways to apply it to your life every day. The Life Application Study Bible is a Bible for all times!”
NIV, Starting Place Study Bible, Hardcover, Tan, Comfort Print: An Introductory Exploration of Studying God’s Word
Author/Publisher: Zondervan
Material: Hardcover
Key Features:
- 282 Q&A notes
- 146 context notes
- 138 Bible Truths
From the publisher: “An introductory exploration into studying God’s word, the NIV Starting Place Study Bible includes approachable, easy to use features that will guide readers through Scripture while building their confidence and knowledge in the Scriptures. Featuring book introductions, context notes and character profiles, this is the perfect NIV study Bible for those beginning their Bible journey, and a great gift for new believers.”
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