NET Bible Full Notes Edition- Tuscany Leather Bound – September 11, 2006

Mostly 5+, BUT there are 60K+ notes in this Bible. Sometimes, only 3-4 verses per page because the information is so complete. This is an "ultimate" study Bible. The language is written for English readers. I'm not a Greek scholar, so I just have to have faith and believe that the Greek scholars who did this, did their best. There's always going to be people who just believe that KJV is the only one. That's great. But if they will open up their mind and understand that believing other versions are accurate, and they are, then having a wider variety of people of reading AND understanding, is very, very important. So let's encourage this! If reading is more important, then get the Reader's Version or the Compact Bible. This version is full of notes. One concern is that this Calf Skin is so soft and supple that many companies will not put your name on it (so you'd have to have it done by the source or use a little metal name plate if having your name is important).

I got this bible and I have to say..while at first I found it overwhelming. After a bit of time with it..it's so informative. It brings forth so many ways to interpret individual clips of the Holy Bible and it does it in plain, simple English. Sometimes meanings can be confusing or hard to grasp but this edition gives you a variety of different views of how you can view the same idea or statement. Words that are literally "Greek" to us..are explained. The binding is outstanding and this will last a very long time. Glad I added this to my library! Education never hurt anybody! It expands your horizons..instead of being stuck in the same old rut!

I was torn at giving this 4 stars over 5 stars because I really love this Bible, however, I couldn't in good conscience give it 5 stars. First off, let me just say that I use many different Bibles to read depending on my mood. My main "study" Bibles are the NASB and ESV (more so the ESV for readability), but I also have the NIV (1984) and the NLT, as well. So, I am not one to just swear allegiance to a translation for the sake of a translation. I use the different versions for different things. The NIV and NLT help me when I want to get a better understanding of what the NASB and ESV are trying to communicate because sometimes it is difficult with the somewhat awkward wording (especially in the OT).Anyway, that being said, I love knowing what the original languages were when the Bible was written. I believe that it gives us a better grasp on the true meaning of what the writers were trying to say. I have only had this Bible for about a week, but I have been devouring it quite eagerly. I have been reading it with my ESV next to it and I have to say that for the New Testament, it is pretty close to the ESV text. There are certain wordings that are different, but for the most part, if I were going to describe it, I'd say the NT is a slightly clearer version of the ESV. I like how they didn't change things for the sake of changing things. For the most part, one would be hard pressed to read the NET Bible and not think they were reading the ESV. So, for the NT, I give it a solid 5 stars hands down!The reason why I gave this Bible 4 stars is because the rest of the Bible I give 3 stars, so it averages out to 4. Here's why--the OT and the use of the OT in the NT. Like I said, I have only had the Bible for about a week, but whenever the NT writers are quoting the OT, it isn't the same when you cross-check it. For example, when Jesus is on the cross, He cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" quoting from Psalm 22. When you go to the OT and look at Psalm 22, it has the word "abandon" instead of "forsaken." Again, I haven't had time to check every OT reference, but so far, not one use of the OT in the NT in this Bible matches up to itself. Now, some people might not have a problem with that, but when the same Bible doesn't agree with itself, to me that's weird. It is almost as if the OT was translated completely separate from the NT and then the two books were combined together. There are many other instances where the two don't agree. It also seems like in the OT, they did change things for the sake of changing things. Some of my favorite Psalms are butchered for the sake of being different, such as Psalm 19. At the same time, however, some of the OT is done very nicely. There are many wonderfully done passages. But, overall, the OT is disappointing.The notes are FANTASTIC! The translators give ample explanation for their choices. I don't agree with all of them, because like I said, some of the OT translation choices are head-scratchers.Bottom line is that if you want to have a better grasp of the original languages, this Bible rules. If you want a solid NT translation, this Bible is fantastic. If you want a good OT translation, there's better out there. I just don't understand how one can write a Bible quoting from the OT and not having that quote in their own Bible haha! It makes no sense. It just feels like it was two different projects melded into one.However, the price is right and the wealth of knowledge from the notes is worth overlooking any flaws.*****UPDATE*****Upon further reading of the OT, I would like amend my review and state that it is mainly the Psalms that I do not care much for in this translation. I have spent a lot of time reading this bible and the OT is pretty solid, after all, except the Psalms. For the most part, the Psalms were mostly songs and poems and, as such, they should maintain a lyrical or poetic form in that sense. The words should roll right off your tongue. The translation of them here loses a lot of that quality due to the choice of translated words. I find that the ESV has the best treatment of the Psalms in that regard. Furthermore, I still don't understand why when the NT is quoting from the OT Psalms that they don't match. That still doesn't make sense to me. It's the same bible, the quotes should be exact, hence, why it's a quote. I know that the OT was written in Hebrew and that, for the most part, the NT was written in Greek and that words probably don't match between the two languages. To me, that just seems like a weak argument as to why they don't match up.That being said, I really wish I could give this Bible 4.5 stars instead of 4 because the rest of it is amazing. Truly! The NT is fantastic as I have said above. The binding is perfect and strong, the font is perfect for reading and it's on quality paper, not Kleenex like most other bibles. Another thing that I love, is that they translate the gender words according to context. They don't just go all liberal-willy-nilly and change every instance of "man" to "human" or "brothers" to "brothers and sisters" or "sons" to "children" etc. without explaining it. If the context calls for "sons" they keep it "sons." The only instance where I think they failed on this is, again, in the OT Proverbs. Solomon is clearly giving his sons advise to avoid loose women and instead of keeping it "my son" they changed it to "my child." Not a huge thing, but unnecessary.However, all that being said, bottom line, don't hesitate to buy this bible. It's awesome. Praise God!

I have several great English translations of the Bible, but as a study Bible, this is absolutely incredible. First and foremost, it is a great translation. But if you like to scratch beneath the surface and understand just how hard the translators have to work to produce a solid translation (so-called "lower" textual criticism), read the footnotes. Oh my. The degree of scholarship is nothing short of amazing. I have learned so much and have a renewed appreciation of just how much scholars know & are continuing to learn about koine Greek and Hebrew. If you've read books such as "Misquoting Jesus" and were left with doubts, read the NET translator's notes for - oh, maybe five minutes. If you like details and thoughtful explanations, you'll love this edition. A curious feature, btw, is the use of satellite photos instead of maps. It takes a little getting used to, but really it's quite a cool feature.

The description says the cover is Tuscany leather. However when you get it you will find it to be bonded leather which is not the same.Leather is leather and bonded leather is very thin leather glued to cardboard. Leather will last years, bonded leather wears very quickly.Someone selling a bible should tell the truth about their product. This was bought as a gift and was very disappointing.The bible is a great translation which I have been using for years.

This is a great scholarly Bible. I am not referring to the NET Text, but the NOTES. If you are a person who expects detail from Bible notes, then this is the one for you. This will help those who are taking or are about to take a Biblical Language Class in Seminary/College. Even if you prefer another version, these notes are worth their weight in gold. 60,932 NOTES!!!! Some of the study Bibles brag about having 10,000. If you are not into Biblical Languages, then do not purchase this Bible. There is a NET Bible with around 11,000 notes, which is better for most people.