The NET Bible Full Notes Edition in Black LeatherSoft
A Bible I've heard a lot about, but wasn't too familiar with is the NET Bible. The NET is really interesting because you can get a full notes edition like I'm reviewing today and see all of the translation notes from the team that translated this Bible. It's pretty incredible to read and the layout will make you say, "Wow!"
I'm reviewing the black Leathertex edition with full notes and thumb index. I don't often use a thumb index on a Bible, but I think it's actually a nice feature to utilize. This is actually a really nice Bible. It is thick, because it's full of notes, but it's not as thick as you might think it would be.
I really like the feel of the black Leathertex. It's smooth and feels like a real leather. The Bible has a double perimeter stich, which gives a nice look. There's also a logo indented in the top right corner. It has two nice double-sided satin ribbons. One is black and the other is red. The spine says, "NET Bible", "Full Notes Edition", The NET logo, and "Thomas Nelson" all in gold. The page edges have a gold gilt and as I said, I'm reviewing the thumb indexed version and those are black with book abbreviations in gold.
The inside of the Bible has a paste-down grey liner. The Bible is Smyth-sewn for durability. There's a presentation page at the front.
Inside you have an introduction to the New English Translation, features of the full notes edition, and a list of the NET Bible translation team members.
What is truly interesting is the page layout of this Bible. In the center of the page you have the actual Scripture. Some pages have more verses and some have much less. For example Genesis 1:1-2 are the only verses on the first page and the rest of the Bible contains notes wrapping around it. The text is line-matched and Scripture is single-column. The font size for Scripture is 8 and 3/4 point. The notes are 7 and 1/4. Honestly, the notes are readable, but if you have bad eyes, this will definitely be hard to read.
The notes are genuinely helpful and interesting in this Bible and there are plenty of them. There are 60,000 translators notes. Different types of notes are marked with different abbreviations: [TN] Translator notes, [SN] Study notes, and [TC] Text-critical notes. As I said, these notes truly are helpful and really interesting to read. There are so many that the NET is a really valuable resource.
In the back of the Bible you'll find the NET Bible principles of translation, helpful abbreviations, a list of cited works, abbreviations and introduction to principal manuscript evidence for the Greek New Testament, Hebrew and Greek transliteration, and maps.
This Bible is feature rich and truly impressive. Honestly, serious students of the Word should pick up and utilize a full notes edition of the NET. If you have bad eyes, they have digital versions available. I was pleasantly surprised by the NET Bible and highly recommend this resource.
You can pick up your copy of The NET Bible Full Notes Edition on Amazon (affiliate).
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.
