What do you look for in a good Bible? Most people quickly go to the translation and publisher helps, which are paramount, but there are other things to consider—namely construction. Just as not all translations are equal, not all Bibles are created equally. Here are some important tips when looking for a good Bible.
Cover
From hardcover to paperback, the Bible comes in many different coverings, and how someone uses their Bible will determine the best cover to buy. Hardcovers offer great protection and low cost, but their rigidity keeps them from lying flat or folding which a lot of people like when studying or reading. Paperback covers are cheap but wear out quickly.
The best material for durability, flexibility, and beauty is leather—from imitation leather to bonded leather to premium leather. Imitation leather is cheap and, depending on the composition, can be durable. However, their look and feel leave something to be desired. Bonded leather is a little more expensive but peels and cracks with use. Genuine leather offers the best durability, flexibility, and beauty.
Most “Genuine Leather” Bibles use pig skin which lasts a long time but gets tacky over time and picks up grit. Cowhide and goat skins avoid tack, can last a lifetime, and are beautiful but are also more expensive.
If the Bible is a gift and not expected to get much use, a bonded leather or imitation leather Bible would be sufficient. However, if the Bible will be used for daily study and teaching, it is better to invest in a top grain leather cover which can last 50 years or longer.
Paper
Another important factor is the paper. Paper manufacturers measure paper by grams per square meter or GSM. Most Bibles use 20-35 GSM, but thinline Bibles may go as low as 15 GSM. Lighter paper is less opaque, allowing text from the backside of a page to be seen from the frontside, called ghosting. Lighter paper also tears and folds easier. Highlighting and note taking are difficult on lighter weight pages because of ghosting or bleed (where the ink soaks through the paper and can be seen on both sides).
Publishers often cut costs by using lighter paper. However, quality Bible publishers use heavier paper (40-45 GSM) with higher opacity. They also utilize “line matching” that ensures each line of text on the frontside lines up with a line of text on the backside, thus minimizing ghosting. The heavier paper also allows for note taking and offers greater durability.
The cover and paper are two important factors to consider when selecting a new Bible. There are a few other construction concerns that will be addressed in future articles.
Preaching Minister