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.

I will qualify my review by stating that I am Catholic-adjacent, and considering entering into the Catholic church soon. I will also add that I am a lifelong student of the Bible. Studying scripture is my single biggest hobby, and I am also a Christian author. Anyways, here's my review. The Ignatius Press Study Bible is unbelievable. I've had mine for 3 weeks, and I'm convinced this is the best study Bible on the market (perhaps only second to the Word on Fire Bible, which isn't really the same). Before I bought it, I borrowed several competing study Bibles from friends and the Library, and there's really no comparison – the Ignatius Press Study Bible, which took around 25 years to complete from what I've heard, is the only one of its kind. I've read about 5-6 of the included essays, and they were all brilliantly written, and I learned quite a bit from them. The commentary strikes a good balance between modern scholarship and traditional beliefs. It doesn't shy away from the tough questions (i.e. the divine council in the OT, the glorification of killing in Joshua, the multiple authors of Isaiah, etc.) That said, it mostly leans conservative with its interpretations (e.g., it never hints at parts of Genesis or Joshua as being ahistorical, or anything like that). The style of interpretation didn't feel surface level at all. Unlike many of the competing study Bibles I read, the Ignatius Press Study Bible has already taught me a ton. It has notes on the cultural contexts, the Hebrew and Greek wording, quotes from the Church Fathers, etc. In fact, some of the pages had so much commentary that there were more footnotes than actual Scripture (the first page of Genesis only gets through three verses because the commentary is so stacked!) It has the typical notes you'd expect (e.g., explaining difficult passages), but also, typological and anagogical interpretations that I'd never have come to on my own. That said, I still find myself googling often. There aren't a ton of notes on the poetic and chaistic structure of the text. There also aren't Strongs numbers for looking up Hebrew and Greek words. The style of commentary is definitely a better fit for a Catholic than for a Messianic Jew or someone who really skews towards the Jewish roots of the faith. In fact, this study Bible is unapologetically Catholic. But that is its greatest strength. This Bible is a behemoth. It's almost as wide as a tin can. I can't imagine getting the floppy leather version – hard back is the only way to go. In fact, while looking into which version to get, I learned that many people returned their floppy leather versions to get the hardback version. So maybe do yourself the favor and do that ahead of time. One strange omission is that there are no bookmark ribbons. Also, there are no tabs on the side to easily find the book you're looking for. That's not a big deal, but I wanted to mention it. As far as the RSV-2 translation goes, I find it to be very readable except for the way it translates the names of people and places. There's often weird apostrophes (e.g., Abraham's brother is Na'hor instead of Nahor.) Otherwise, I find it to be just as readable as ESV, NASB, and other mainline translations.

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Old and New Testaments is truly the gold standard of study Bibles. It stands out not only for its comprehensive approach to Scripture but also for the depth of commentary and scholarly insight it provides. The study notes, compiled by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, are a masterclass in theology and exegesis, seamlessly blending historical context, Church teachings, and practical application. The annotations are rooted in Catholic tradition, making them invaluable for deepening one’s understanding of Scripture in line with Church teaching. Yet, they remain accessible for those new to Bible study. What sets this Bible apart is its meticulous attention to detail. The commentary addresses key doctrinal points, clarifies challenging passages, and highlights connections between the Old and New Testaments that illuminate the unity of God’s plan of salvation. The inclusion of references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is particularly helpful, offering readers a fuller picture of how Scripture informs the Catholic faith. The layout is another highlight. The text is easy to read, with clear division between Scripture and commentary. The maps, essays, and introductory materials for each book are thoughtfully designed and incredibly informative. It feels like having a seminary-level course in your hands. Whether you’re a lifelong Catholic, a curious Christian, or someone exploring faith, this Bible will be a source of inspiration and understanding. It’s not just a Bible; it’s a study tool, a spiritual guide, and a connection to the richness of Catholic tradition. If you’re looking for a study Bible that combines rigorous scholarship, faithful adherence to Catholic teaching, and practical insights, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is unparalleled. It’s an investment in your spiritual journey and an absolute treasure for any Christian library.

This study bible is a work of art! Scott Hahn and his team put in over 26 years of research and analysis to provide the most comprehensive interpretation of both Old and New Testament scripture. Through their incredible efforts they have provided insight that only astute theologians possess. Connecting the dots between old and new testament and perhaps just as importantly interpreting things through the lens of the people who lived in Jesus' time provides a tremendous amount of insight. Understanding the meaning of what was written in the original Greek or Hebrew sheds a bright light on the truth's of the Christian faith. Its unfortunate that things get lost in translation. This goes for any language but providing context helps the reader better understand what is being professed. This study bible is worth every penny and more! Would HIGHLY recommend it!!

Excellent study Bible. Some reviewers might mention how large/heavy the Bible is, well... that's the point! The study materials that this Bible offers are so valuable. You'll ready so many passages now that make more sense to you, or shine a light on the contexts and details you weren't aware of. This isn't a Bible you'll want to bring to Mass or throw into your backpack. This is a Bible that you keep at home in your office, so that when you conduct your nightly studies, you have this powerful source of ample commentary and explanations so that you can fully understand every verse, every chapter, every book of the Bible. Can't recommend enough!

As the title says don’t hesitate, just purchase this! I purchased this as my “mark up” bible. Something to read and study, as my other bible was just too beautiful to mark up. Great quality. It’s huge! The pages don’t bleed when you mark them also. It dissects each and everything that you may have a question about. This is an absolutely beautiful book and just what I was looking for.

The best Catholic study bible out there. Notes are impressive and in-depth, with lots of cross-referencing, quotations of exegesis from the early Church fathers, references to the Catechism, and the ecumenical councils over the past 2000 years. All 73 books have well-written and researched introductions informing the reader about the history and message behind each book of sacred scripture, even comparing modern critical theory against historical beliefs about the books and how they came to be in our Bible. The hardcover is well-made and can handle a lot of abuse. I hear mixed opinions on the more expensive leather bound. This will be a family heirloom and has many years worth of material to study and pray on.