Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Old and New Testaments

Update 01 February 2026: The book tabs in the attached photos are a big help to navigate this heavy volume easily. You just need to take your time so you can align them correctly. It's perfect for the ICSB. After a year with the ICSB I still recommend it without hesitation, whatsoever. A great Catholic study Bible and a wonderful gift to the Church by gifted Catholic theologians and scholars. (Original review) I’m impressed with the overall presentation of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Old and New Testament (ICSB) bonded leather edition. It exudes premium quality workmanship. The choice of RSV-2CE translation is excellent as it offers a clear and readable rendering of the biblical text. The alleged Protestant passages in it are not anti-Catholic and have a perfectly logical explanation, if one would just bother to read the accompanying annotations (variant readings in Greek and Hebrew, and other ancient authorities, for example). It's a beautiful, Church approved translation that neither sounds too casual nor archaic but conveys a reverential tone. The ICSB is bound with high-quality paper and durable bonded leather cover. They designed a typography that’s elegant to look at and invites you to read. The study notes help you navigate the more complex events in the Bible. The reader can follow along and not get confused about what’s going on. I find the introductory essays a great way to prepare you for the book that follows. Because they acknowledge and discuss diverse scholarly viewpoints, some misunderstood it as promoting liberal, modernist notions. No. It does not shoehorn those ideas. The ICSB is firmly rooted in sound Catholic exegesis, consistently upholding Sacred Tradition while engaging with contemporary scholarship. This post-Vatican II study bible demonstrates a commitment to the principles outlined in these pre-Vatican II Papal Encyclical Letters on Biblical Studies: Providentissimus Deus (1893 Pope Leo XIII), Spiritus Paraclitus (1920 Pope Benedict XV), and Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943 Pope Pius XII). I have these Letters in the front pages of my Douay-Rheims Holy Bible Baronius Press Edition (that white book in the photo). The simple maps could use some enhancements in detail, while the word study boxes would be less distracting without the fill shading. Gold gilding would have preserved the paper better, too. But I didn’t miss the ribbons because they can actually stain the page with their color. I read my Bible with a notebook beside me anyway. This is just nitpicking and not a big deal. Other than that the ICSB is a truly immersive Catholic study bible. Just about the only reason to knock off stars would be if the pages were disordered or there’s damage to the book. I checked my copy and verified that all is in order. But the ICSB is not just about the best of current scholarships. It is also pastoral. It's replete with references to the Catechism and teachings of the saints. It's the study bible that has conclusively perceived the hidden Messiah in the Old Testament as Jesus revealed in the New. It engages the reader in the rich imagery of ancient Israel's liturgy and its connection to the Christian liturgy of the Church. I love it. Highly recommended!

36 years old and I never read a Bible. I did try as a child- the ancestry chapters lost me. I never really had a guide. Catholics don't typically do Bibles. But now I have been moved to try again. I didn't even know a Catholic Study Bible was a thing until I stumbled across it. Can I call it a Godsend without sounding like a pun? It is the word of God, passed through centuries of faithful scholars and Saints. Every page of scripture has the verses on the top and a corresponding analysis on the bottom. There are NUMEROUS essays that have really helped me understand. Many of my questions have been answered. There are some WEIRD things happening in the Bible. But now I see- it's not the Bible that's weird- it all makes perfect sense when it's explained. If you're wondering why on earth is there a part about the family escaping Sodom and Gomorrah only for the surviving daughters to get their dad drunk and betray him- the answer is here. If you're wondering why Noah is bumbling around naked and yelling at his sons, the answer is here. If you're wondering why everybody is washing each other's feet- it's here. If you're wondering what part of the Red Sea was parted in Exodus- they have maps. If you want to know if that's what someone REALLY meant- it's here. This Bible provides asterisks throughout whenever a word has more than one possible translation- they explain WHY they chose the meaning that they did. It often has to do with following the writer's patterns of use with that word in other areas. It's also a great history lesson. Why are these specific books included in the Catholic version and not others? It's here. Timelines are provided for Adam to Noah to Jesus. MANY maps are included of the Holy Land to include the various name changes over the centuries. You will learn God's word and so much more. It also tells us who the authors REALLY are- by providing most common beliefs, theories, and evidence. It always provides a few possible options. Did you know the Old Testament features one righteous line of descendants and one wicked? It is laid out here. So if you're wondering why we are reading about horrible people, what is the purpose- it's to illustrate the wicked blood line who will later be enemies of Israel. If you're wondering why Abraham's wife, Sarah, tells him to sleep with her maid to have a child- this explains it. Back then it was basic surrogacy. I could NOT comprehend the morality of it all without context. I can't imagine how anyone could. There is also an AMAZING index. I posted a photo of one. There's also an index of parables and metaphors of Jesus. A chart that will list miracles of Jesus and then reference each Gospel it was featured in and compare. The cover and binding are still perfectly intact despite being dragged all over the place, trampled by my dog, attacked by my toddler, and shared with my six year old. It's full of underlining, flag notes, and post-its. It's not cheaply made. It will last years of reading, re-reading, and sharing. I feel confident this book will allow me to answer my children's questions one day. I had those questions and the answers were not to my satisfaction. I took a sad pause from religion for 20 years or so- mainly because of unanswered questions. I am back, praise and glory to God. I am so glad I found this book. Seek Him and you will find Him. He is waiting for you.

Very useful with detailed explanations. Perfect companion for bible studies.

Me gustan sus comentarios al pie de página aunque estén escritos en inglés

Great notes , I didn’t expect it to be as big as it is but I took a look at the notes and I was impressed with them 👍 Also most as big as one chad mode from choq

So happy to have it.

I don't normally do reviews but as I have been looking for a particular catholic bible for some time and this is the one I've been waiting for I cannot help leave a review. First of all the package itself, it travelled well. The dust sleeve it comes with tuck the brunt on the impact through travel. The bible itself, beautiful leather and fantastic quality. Now on opening the bible I have heard people say they are missing pages. John being the affected pages on page 1883. I can confirm that the pages are all intact in my copy. Inside the bible is the contents pages, abbreviations, contributing writers, Introduction to the Ignatius Catholic study bible, The Catholic church and sacred scripture, The Catholic canon of scripture, overview of salvation history, introduction to the Pentateuch and then before every story in the bible is an introduction to the story. Half the pages are bible stories other half is bible study. There are fantastic charts and charts scattered throughout, word study the list goes on. Highly recommend this bible to everyone. A must have for any catholic but also worth an investment for people of different faiths due to the extra apocrypha. I am having so much fun reading this and studying the bible in a never before way. Thank you to Ignatius for working over the 20 something years to create this.