niv bible

The NIV Study Bible is a study Bible originally published by Zondervan in 1985 which utilizes the New International Version (NIV). Revisions include 1995, a full revision in 2002, and a new update in October 2008 for the 30th anniversary of the NIV. Its publisher and distributors claim over six million sold, and claim that it is the world's best selling study bible.

Like the NIV Bible itself, the NIV Study Bible is the work of a transdenominational team of Biblical scholars. All confess the authority of the Bible as God's infallible word to humanity. They have sought to clarify understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into that word. Doctrinally, the NIV Study Bible reflects traditional evangelical theology.

Key features of the NIV Study Bible include archaeological notes, commentary from different sources, and extensive introductions to each book. Notes from translators who worked on the NIV translation add additional clarifying information.

Adaptations in the King James Version (KJV), Today's New International Version (TNIV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Zondervan NASB Study Bible) have also been published.

Like the NIV itself, the NIV Study Bible is the work of a transdenominational team of Biblical scholars [more about the NIV Bible]. All confess the authority of the Bible as God's infallible word to humanity. They have sought to clarify understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into that word. This website provides the "Introductions to the Books of the Bible" that are found in the NIV Study Bible.

Each introduction to each book of the Bible is different. Introductions vary in length and reflect both the nature of the material itself and the strengths and interests of contributing editors.

An introduction frequently reports on the book's title, author, and date of writing. It details the books background and purpose, explores themes and theological significance, and points out special problems and distinctive literary features. Where appropriate, such as in Paul's letters to the churches, it describes the original recipients of a book and the city in which they lived.

A complete outline of the book's content is provided in each introduction (except for the introduction to Psalms). For Genesis, two outlines—a literary and a thematic—are given. Pairs of books that were originally on literary work, such as 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles, are outlined together.