Introduction: A User's Guide to the ESV Study Bible

In addition to the explanatory notes, the ESV Study Bible contains an abundance of other helpful material, including:

The ESV Study Bible is also unique with respect to a number of newly created study Bible features. Among these unique features are:

The ESV Study Bible includes 80,000 cross references and an extensive concordance, which together encourage easy location of important words, passages, and biblical themes. There are several kinds of cross-references. References to specific words or phrases appear as, e.g., “ver. 7” (within the same chapter), “ch. 9:6” (within the same book), or “Heb. 4:2.” Brackets (e.g., “[ch. 9:6]”) denote passages with a similar theme. “See” directs readers to verses that contain a collection of related cross-references (e.g., “See Jn. 8:26”). The phrase “For . . . , see . . .” denotes longer passages that closely parallel the current passage (e.g., “For ver. 1–15, see Mark 4:1–12; Luke 8:4–10”). “See” paired with a verse range denotes passages that less closely parallel the current passage but still provide context and/or explanation (e.g., “See Ex. 7:17–24.”). “Cited” denotes passages quoted in or from other parts of Scripture. “(Heb.)” or “(Gk.)” indicates that the similarity of a cross-referenced passage is clearer in the original Hebrew or Greek than in English.

Lastly, the ESV Study Bible uses the “essentially literal” ESV (English Standard Version) Bible translation as the foundational text for creating the study Bible notes and other features. Emphasizing word-for-word accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning, the ESV Bible is especially suited to be the basic text for a study Bible. First published in 2001, the ESV Bible translation work involved more than 100 Bible scholars and advisors, including: (1) the 14-member Translation Oversight Committee; (2) more than 50 leading Bible Scholars; and (3) a 50-plus-member Advisory Council—all of whom are committed to historic Christian orthodoxy. Many of the ESV translation team also participated in the creation of the ESV Study Bible. The ESV Bible is available worldwide in more than 120 editions and bindings. (For more information, go to esv.org.)

As mentioned at the beginning of this introduction, the goal and vision of the ESV Study Bible is, first and foremost, to honor the Lord and his Word: (1) in terms of the excellence, beauty, and accuracy of its content and design, and (2) in terms of helping people to come to a deeper understanding of the Bible, of the gospel, and of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Because Crossway is a notfor-profit publishing ministry, all receipts from the ESV Study Bible are used to further the support of this goal and vision.

We are very aware, however, that anything we do will always be less than perfect and subject to error. Yet we know that God still uses imperfect and inadequate things to his honor and praise. And so to our triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and to his people, we oer our work of creating and publishing the ESV Study Bible— with the prayer that our Lord would guard and protect from any error or deficiency that may unintentionally be in these pages; and with the prayer that by God’s grace the ESV Study Bible may prove useful in bringing many to Christ and for the building up of his church worldwide, for this generation, for generations to come, and for eternity.

Soli Deo Gloria!—To God alone be the glory!

Lane T. Dennis
Executive Editor

Wayne Grudem
General Editor