Description:

Art journaling is a great way to creatively interact with the Word of God. The ESV Illuminated Bible places the full ESV text alongside over 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi, encouraging readers to illumine the words of Scripture by adding their own artwork and color to each page. Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible’s single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs-inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God’s Word.

Features Include:

• 9-point text size
• Black letter text
• 2-color printing
• 64 full-page, custom book opener illustrations
• 50 full-page verse illustrations
• 250+ hand-lettered margin verses
• 100+ other illustrations throughout
• Thick, cream-colored paper
• Wide margins
• Single-column, paragraph format
• Smyth-sewn binding

Illustrated by Dana Tanamachi, whose work has been featured by Google, The Wall Street Journal, Random House, USPS, and Target.

My Review:

The look and feel of this Bible is very similar to the ESV Story of Redemption Bible also published by Crossway Publishers. It has the same cream colored pages with gold edging. The main text is in black ink but the chapter numbers and Titles are in gold. There are also multiple verse illustrations and other illustrations in gold throughout. My only complaint is that the paper is a bit too see-through. The margins are large enough to give plenty of space for any note-taking you desire. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. There is a single ribbon marker to hold your place. When it arrived in the mail the paper cover was mangled from the shipping but since the design is etched into the hardcover as well I probably wouldn’t have kept it anyways.

This Bible has the look and feel of a more traditional or heirloom Bible. The ornate illustrations give it an appearance of antiquity worth being prized. With the rise in popularity of Bible journaling, this Bible blends ageless art to enhance your study. I really love the classic beauty to it.

The ESV Illuminated Bible is a journaling bible but is not considered a study Bible, meaning you get the full text of the Bible but there aren’t any additional study notes. It’s intended for you to jot your own notes down and/or add your own personal illustrations. It’s up to your own personal preference which type of Bible you prefer and how you utilize it.

In my opinion this is a beautiful Bible and one I’d easily recommend to those who are into Bible journaling, verse illustrating, or just like a super beautiful Bible.

*I received a copy of this Bible from Crossway Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.