Book Review : ESV Preaching Bible (Verse-by-Verse Edition) (Goatskin)

By James Jeffery

Over the past two months, I have had the privilege of using the ESV Preaching Bible, Verse-by-Verse Edition (Goatskin) for my daily devotions and ministry. Without a doubt, it is nicest Bible I have ever used, and am grateful to God (and Crossway) for the opportunity to review it.

While I am happy to read any copy of the Bible (excluding the Passion Translation), it is quite an experience to use the ESV Preaching Bible, Verse-by-Verse Edition (Goatskin) given its superb quality and special features. 

Although you may be initially hesitant to purchase this Bible due to price, I want to give you three reasons why I believe it is a worthwhile investment:

1. Aesthetics 

Opening the box, the ESV Preaching Bible is encased in a silky sleeve contained within a gold-trimmed, premium casing. Opening the Bible reminded me of the experience of opening an Apple MacBook–it is sleek, well-designed, and the sort of packaging that’s worth keeping!

My first impression of the ESV Preaching Bible was the goatskin cover. Smooth and soft to the touch, the cover is robust and yet flexible; the Bible can be bent in different directions without causing any damage. The goatskin edges also droop over gilded page edges, which gives it a vintage look when placed on a table. 

In terms of weight, it is quite a heavy Bible. If you are looking for a lighter option, The ESV Heirloom Omega Bible is the best alternative (it also has cross-references to other passages – see above photo for comparison. This said, the purpose of the ESV Preaching Bible is to be the gold standard for preaching Bibles. For this reason, those only using this Bible for preaching will not find these differences to be hindrances.

2. Durability

It is worth mentioning at the outset that the ESV Preaching Bible (Goatskin) comes with a lifetime guarantee.  Inside the case is a silky slip which outlines the guarantee:

“Because of its quality materials and expert craftsmanship, this ESV Bible is guaranteed to last for as long as you use it. If you should experience any defect in its printing or failure in its binding during normal use, we will replace it with a Bible of equal or greater value.”

I cannot remember how many Bibles I have owned that have fallen apart at spine or on the corners. You will never have this problem with the ESV Preaching Bible (Goatskin). Of course, if you ever do, Crossway will replace your Bible free of charge as mentioned above (conditions apply). 

The Smyth-sewn binding of the pages means that the Bible is sturdy and has no resistance when opening to any section. It also guarantees that you won’t pull any pages out accidentally! The goatskin cover is not only soft, but extremely durable. It’s the sort of Bible that you expect to last a couple of hundred years, and therefore can be entrusted to the next generation. 

3. Features

The ESV Preaching Bible (Goatskin) has two bookmark ribbons. These are particularly helpful for marking out an Old Testament and New Testament reading, or if you are using it to track different Bible reading plans. While it would have been nice if the ribbons were different colours, this is a negligible concern. 

One of the best features of the Bible is the layout of the Bible on each page. For starters, the text is in 9.75 size Lexicon Type. When placed on a pulpit, it is easy to read, particularly given that each verse is on a new line.  Furthermore, because each verse is printed on a different line, there are paragraph markers that distinguish section breaks. These can be of benefit to preachers who are seeking to divide a text into appropriate sections (see comparison with ESV Omega Heirloom below)

As pictured above, each verse number is emboldened and has extra space between each to assist preachers in keeping track of their place in the text. The margins of each page are extra wide to allow for notetaking and sermon outlines. Anyone who has inherited a heavily annotated Bible from a family member knows the treasure it is to have access to the reflections of an older generation as they wrestled and commented on the text of Scripture. 

The Bottom Line

The ESV Preaching Bible (Goatskin) is a Bible I hope to use for the rest of my life. Those who appreciate premium Bibles will not be disappointed with this edition. It is a precious investment for any believer, especially those who seek to serve the Lord in pastoral ministry. 

Even if you do not hope to purchase this Bible for yourself, it would make a great gift for graduates of Bible college or pastors. Built to last a lifetime, this Bible was created to help believers treasure God’s Word, and pass it onto the next generation.