Book Review: NASB Skinii Bible
Publisher: Zondervan
Reading Level: Leisure
Pages: 1088
*Reviews of Bibles will depart from other reviews. They will include first person. They will address the feature content as it pertains directly to my theological positions.*
The sheer variety of affordable Bibles is astounding. The Zondervan NASB Skinii Bible (henceforth Skinii Bible) is one such high-value option in a crowded field. As one would expect, there are no study notes. There are, however, many valuable textual/manuscript notes due to the Lockman Foundation’s dedication to textual accuracy and literal rendering of the text. Due to this dedication, asterisks are placed beside every Greek verb in the New Testament that is present tense in the original language but translated as past tense in English. A note in the “General Format” (xi) explains why this done, and while the asterisks are a little distracting, they do present useful textual knowledge to the reader. Surprisingly, the Skinii Bible also contains no cross-references. Even Old Testament quotations contained in the New Testament go un-referenced. This makes for a clean reading Bible and a very slim (e.g. “Skinii Bible”) publication of the Scriptures.
With respect to its physical aspects, the Skinii Bible benefits from its dedication to keeping the internal content focused on the Biblical text. The small frame Skinii Bible is standard size in width but its short length makes it fit comfortably in the hand. Consisting of “Black Italian Duo-Tone™” around a hard case, the Skinii Bible is both nice to look at and hold. I’ve grown to appreciate hardcover Bibles because they lie well in a lap and are more comfortable when standing to read, this one is no exception.
As a value Bible, there are few technical features to reference but three worth mentioning. Starting materially, there is an elastic strap attached to the back cover that causes the Skinii Bible to look like a journal. The strap doesn’t get in the way when holding the Bible but also doesn’t seem to provide any exceptional benefit. Unlike some other value Bibles, the Skinii Bible has a ribbon marker. I have gotten use to not having these but actually enjoy this little feature. Moving to internal features, the Skinii Bible is a “red letter Bible.” I am not a fan of Bibles with the “words of Christ” in red. I do not consider it a downside but as a personal preference I’d like to have the option for the standard text.
In conclusion, the NASB Skinii Bible provides one of the best English translations available in an attractive and accessible physical form. Though there are more inexpensive options, the Skinii Bible both looks and reads well. I expect this will become my go-to study and service Bible.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
