Best NASB Study Bibles – Ranked & Reviewed

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best NASB Study Bible is, then I’d recommend the NASB Zondervan Study Bible by Zondervan as the best one.

The New American Standard Bible(NASB) is an English translation of the Bible headed by the Lockman Foundation. The NASB is a revision of the American Standard Version. One of the most distinct characteristics of the NASB is how it stuck with the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts and abides by a word-for-word translation. 

There are different types of Study Bibles on the market today. But in this article, we’ll focus on the New American Standard Bible or NASB version of the Study Bible.

Here are the best NASB Study Bibles we’ll be reviewing :

• Zondervan NASB Study Bible by Zondervan
• NASB, MacArthur Study Bible by Thomas Nelson
• NASB Tony Evans Study Bible
• NASB, The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible by Dr.Spiros Zodhiates
• The Ryrie NASB Study Bible by Charles Ryrie

What is a NASB Study Bible? 

In cases where the word-for-word translation is confusing or does not make sense, the translators choose to adapt to more current idioms. Still, the NASB is considered the most literal of all modern English translations.

This is the reason why study Bibles are made. They are special editions of the Bible prepared for students learning the Bible. They help you understand the Scripture more clearly as you read it.

A study Bible is a special edition of the Bible that provides the user with additional information and resources to help understand the texts better. 

The NASB Study Bible is a Bible that you can use as a study guide that breaks down texts for clarity and prompts your reflection from the readings.

Purpose of a Study Bible

The main purpose of studying the Bible is to help you to have a deeper understanding of the Word of God and apply those learnings to your daily life. As I said earlier, the Bible was written thousands of years ago, and it’s not always easy to understand and relate to. This is where a study Bible comes in handy. 

There is a lot to choose from, but many NASB study Bibles break down paragraphs to make them easier to absorb. I think that’s the first step in building a deeper relationship with God – a better understanding and daily life application of His Word.

A better understanding of the Bible promotes godly growth in our lives. Studying the Bible is meant to sustain you, shape you, and sanctify you. James 1:22 is a reminder that all believers should be doers of the Word. The effectiveness of our Bible study time can be measured by the effect it has on our behavior and attitude. 

Why get a NASB Study Bible

The NASB Study Bible is true to the original text and thus features high accuracy. NASB doesn’t abide by translating the scriptures through interpretation. Instead, it complies with the fundamentals of a formal equivalence translation. That is the reason why NASB Study Bibles are considered very readable and comprehensible. 

What makes the NASB Study Bible special? 

NASB Study Bibles attempt to present the Word of God as they were written thousands of years ago. But in a way that we can understand and relate to. Interesting, isn’t it?

Another feature of NASB Study Bibles is that it’s very comprehensive and includes so many resources for us to reflect on.

Features of NASB Study Bibles

As Study Bibles are special editions of the Bible, they have helpful tools that aim to help in studying the Word of God. Some of the most common features of NASB Study Bibles are:

• Concordance
• Annotations
• References
• Dictionary
• Introductions
• Maps
• Charts and illustrations

There are other features I might not have mentioned as each study Bible is different from others. Furthermore, each NASB Study Bible has its unique features. Knowing what tools might be useful for you would help in choosing the best NASB Study Bible.

Choosing the Best NASB Study Bible

Christians who study the Bible do not come from just one age group and culture. Every individual has their preferences and needs. Thankfully, there are a handful of NASB Study Bibles in the market that you can choose from. Here are some considerations you need to take into account when choosing the best NASB Study Bible for you:

Quality

Of course, you would want something that would last. So the first thing you should consider is the sturdiness and overall quality of your Study Bible. Before you purchase your NASB Study Bible, check if the cover is of top quality. You also have to decide whether you’re looking for something hardbound or not. Secondly, check if the paper is of premium quality – something not too thin. If you can, also examine the printing quality of texts and illustrations.

Tools

Each NASB Study Bible comes with different tools. I think this is one of the most important things to factor in, as these tools are what separates Study Bibles from regular Bibles. Choosing what tools are featured in a study Bible depends on your personal needs and preferences. I advise you to consider your studying techniques and process before deciding which one to get.

Personal fit

Lastly, as you will be the one extensively using the Study Bible, it should fit your personality. So, as you decide on which is the best NASB Study Bible for you, check out if the general look and feel are of your preference. You would also like to ponder on the Study Bible’s overall layout and usability. 

NASB Zondervan Study Bible by Zondervan

The NASB Zondervan Study Bible features over twenty thousand notes adapted from the NIV Zondervan Study Bible. Combined with NASB study tools, it will make your Bible study smooth and fruitful. The references follow a center column system, making this Study Bible very user-friendly. 

It features book introductions, study notes, and articles. This Study Bible also has concordance to guide you through key verses, making this one of the most popular NASB Study Bibles. Additionally, there are in-cite maps that will help you grasp the geography of the stories. 

Furthermore, it also includes a discussion on the ethics of war and historical information on the period between the Testaments. The text is printed on an 8.9-point typeface, and the Words of Christ are printed in red, making it very easy to spot.

Overall, I find this Study Bible very practical and easy to use; thus, I would recommend this as the best NASB Study Bible, especially for beginners in Bible Study.

Pros:

• The text is easy to read, and the book is generally easy to use
• Features helpful tools for study, perfect for beginners
• The paper is thick but does not make the Study Bible too heavy
• The content is very thorough. It includes the Harmony of Gospels, articles on Wisdom Literature, the Minor Prophets, the Synoptic Gospels, Pastoral Letters, and the General Letters
• Available in hardcover, black bonded leather, and indexed

Cons:

• It weighs more than 3 pounds, and some people might prefer something lighter and easy to carry around.
• The font may be too small for some users 

NASB, MacArthur Study Bible by Thomas Nelson

The MacArthur Study Bible is one of the bestselling and most popular Study Bibles worldwide. It has over two million copies sold. It features around 25,000 verse-by-verse study notes, which are amazingly extensive and very helpful for in-depth studying. 

Moreover, there are book introductions, 190 in-text maps, charts, and diagrams that will help you understand the scriptures better. Text is printed in a 9.5-point typeface in comfort print. This Study Bible uses Thomas Nelson’s complete cross-reference system with over 72,000 references. 

Additional features include Bible reading plans, indices to key Bible doctrines, and a concordance. This is the perfect NASB Study Bible for those who are looking for something that has everything! With the features that this Study Bible has, you can bring your Bible study to the next level. Overall, the design is very simple and beautiful. 

Pros:

• Content and features are very extensive. It truly has everything you need
• Print is comfortable to read and easy to understand
• Features several tools that are very helpful, especially for beginners
• It has high-quality bindings available in several versions
• Several covers include hardbound, soft leather, genuine leather, or premium goatskin.

Cons:

• Might be more expensive than other hardbound Study Bibles
• It weighs heavier than some other study Bibles (3.68 pounds)
• Some layouts of text and illustrations may be confusing or overwhelming

NASB Tony Evans Study Bible

Also, one of the bestselling NASB Study Bibles, the Tony Evans Study Bible, is a pervasive product of today’s most accurate literal translation of the Bible (NASB). If you’re looking for a Study Bible that will have you reflect on God’s Word, the NASB Tony Evans Study Bible is perfect for you.

One of my favorite features of this Study Bible is the verse-by-verse commentary. I find it helpful for users, especially those who study the Bible, to apply what they learn daily. Characters are very well introduced, really diving into each one’s personality, strengths, weaknesses, and life stories.

The text, printed at 10pt., is formatted into a two-column with an elegant two-color design. A ribbon marker is also sewn into the spine for easy referencing between pages. To top it all, it has more than 150 videos of sermons, devotionals, and teaching from Dr. Evans accessible via QR codes.

Pros:

• Study notes crafted from Tony Evans’s sermons and writings.
• 40 inspirational articles, 50 “Kingdom Living Lessons,” 60 “Questions & Answers”
• A special back matter section with key definitions, theological and doctrinal charts, and other study helps.
• Robust page-edge cross-reference system
• Features full-colored maps, dictionaries, and concordance

Cons:

• The font may be faint and too small for some readers
• It weighs almost 4 pounds, so it’s heavier and bulkier. 

NASB, The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible by Dr.Spiros Zodhiates

My favorite feature of the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is how it defines the meaning of words that are in Hebrew or Greek with precise explanations and demonstration of proper usage. I think this is very helpful, as incorrect definitions or usage can affect the interpretation of scriptures. With this, you can independently reflect on the Word instead of relying on others’ interpretations. 

This Study Bible weighs 3.95 pounds, and you can purchase it in genuine leather, burgundy color, and is thumb-indexed. As for its features, the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible has a concordance, book introductions, notations, and a Hebrew and Greek reference system.

Pros:

• It has wider margins, allowing you to write more reflection notes
• Provides Hebrew-Greek Dictionaries that are helpful in the study
• The binding is sturdy and of high-quality material
• Features informative introductions for each book
• Red Letter Edition of the New American Standard Bible

Cons:

• The pages are thin, and some text appears to be faintly printed or bleeds through the pages.
• The material used for the cover may have a strong smell, which means you might need to air it out for a while
• Some definitions may seem opinionated instead of objective

The Ryrie NASB Study Bible by Charles Ryrie

The Ryrie NASB Study Bible is one of the most popular NASB Study Bibles there is. It was first published in 1980 but is still widely used nowadays as it’s very comprehensive and easy to use. This was written by Charles C. Ryrie, a best-selling author who has written other popular titles such as The Ryrie Study Bible, Balancing the Christian Life, and Basic Theology. 

Luckily for those who have a preference, the Ryrie NASB Study Bible is available in high-quality hardbound or leather binding. It’s standard in size and weighs about 2.92 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around. 

One advantage this Study Bible has is the expertise of the author in helping readers understand the scriptures easily. At the beginning of each book, there are short explanations. You can also find study notes at the bottom of each page. Additionally, a summary of the Bible doctrine and other theological articles are printed at the back of the Study Bible.

Pros:

• It offers very comprehensive content with a user-friendly interface
• It is made of thick paper that does not easily tear or let the ink fade or run
• One of its best features is that it offers substantive commentary.
• The print is easy to read, especially for older people
• Features 10,000 concise explanatory notes, cross-references, concordance, maps, Synopsis of Bible Doctrine, and helpful articles

Cons:

• The layout of the reference scriptures, placed in the middle, causes the text around it to be too small for some, thus making it difficult to read.

Conclusion

There are scriptures in the Bible that may be difficult to understand and reflect on, but you can use a Study Bible to help you. It may be overwhelming to pick which NASB Study Bible is perfect for you, as hundreds are on the market. Don’t fret, I listed some factors you might want to consider before getting one. However, no matter which NASB Study Bible you go for, you must remember to choose the one that fits your needs and preferences. 

I recommend the NASB Zondervan Study Bible by Zondervan as the best choice. Overall, the product is made of high-quality material, so it’ll last you a long time even if you use it daily. This Study Bible is also very easy to use, perfect for those new to studying the Bible. Lastly, the NASB Zondervan Study Bible is packed with several tools that will help provide a better understanding of the scriptures.