A Guide to ESV Reference Bibles

This article is part of the Which ESV Is Right for You? series.

Clean, Helpful Layouts

Reference Bibles offer simple, clean layouts with helpful notes about cross-referenced texts. Browse below a list of Crossway's various editions, each offering various features in a range of cover materials.

ESV Omega Thinline Reference Bible: 80th Anniversary Edition
ESV Thinline Reference Bible
ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible
ESV Reference Bible
ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible
ESV Personal Reference Bible
ESV Verse-by-Verse Reference Bible
ESV Pastor’s Bible

ESV Omega Thinline Reference Bible: 80th Anniversary Edition

In honor of its 80th anniversary, Crossway is reintroducing an updated version of the ESV Omega Thinline Reference Bible. Adapted from the ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible, this limited edition is made from the finest materials. Featuring a goatskin cover with generous overhang to protect page edges, high-quality Bible paper, art gilding, and 4 differently colored ribbon markers, the Omega Thinline Reference Bible is a beautiful edition that will last a lifetime.

Features:

• Bible text: 10-point Lexicon type
• Cross-references: 5.8-point Trade Gothic LT Std type
• Black letter text
• Concordance
• More than 80,000 cross-references
• Premium goatskin cover
• High-quality Bible paper
• Art gilding
• 4 ribbon markers in liturgical colors
• Extra-smooth smyth-sewn binding
• Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Thinline Reference Bible

The ESV Thinline Reference Bible features the same portable trim size and readable type as the popular ESV Thinline Bible, but also includes a robust complement of more than 80,000 cross-references in the lower right-hand corner of each page—making it a great resource for pastors, students, and all other avid readers of God’s Word.

Features:

• 8-point Lexicon type
• 1,184 pages
• Double-column, paragraph format
• 80,000+ cross-references
• Concordance
• Ribbon marker
• Full-color maps
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible

The ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible combines the popular Thinline Bible features with larger type and cross-references. Though the Bible text is presented in generous 10.5-point type, the Large Print Thinline Reference Bible is close to 1 inch thin. In addition, cross-references are located in the bottom corner of each page, making this Crossway’s most affordable large print reference edition.

Features:

• 10.5-point Lexicon type
• Concordance
• More than 80,000 cross-references
• Ribbon marker
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Reference Bible

The ESV Reference Bible, previously called the ESV Classic Reference Bible, combines the ESV text with a robust concordance and one of the most comprehensive and useful cross-reference systems available today—more than 80,000 references conveniently located in the center column on each page. This edition includes 32 pages of full-color maps and illustrations of historic biblical sites, structures, and objects for ready reference and insight. The ESV Reference Bible balances helpful reference features with a portable size, making it an ideal Bible for everyday use.

Features:

• More than 80,000 center-column cross-references
• 32 pages of full-color maps and illustrations
• Book introductions
• Concordance
• Ribbon marker
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible

The ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible is perfect for those who interact closely with the Bible text. It features generous, 1-inch margins on either side of the text, providing plenty of room for personal note-taking. Other features include a concordance, full-color maps, and cross-references located in the corner of each page. This edition is ideal for all who want to record notes, thoughts, or prayers in their Bible.

Features:

• 1" margins
• Cross-references
• Concordance
• Full-color maps
• Ribbon marker
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Personal Reference Bible

The ESV Personal Reference Bible is a compact reference Bible in a single-column setting. Building on the original Personal Size Reference Bible, this new edition has been completely redesigned. The layout now utilizes line-matching, a design method which significantly improves readability on Bible paper. Also featuring a concordance and a full set of cross-references, the Personal Reference Bible is the ideal portable reference Bible.

Features:

  • Black letter text
  • Single-column, paragraph format
  • Cross-references
  • Concordance
  • Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Verse-by-Verse Reference Bible

The ESV Verse-by-Verse Reference Bible contains the full ESV Bible text in a double-column format, displaying each verse on its own line. To improve ease of reading, verse numbers are bolded and indented and cross-references are located in the bottom corner of the page. The Verse-by-Verse Reference Bible presents the biblical text in a way that is ideal for preaching and teaching, for public and personal reading, and for everyday use. A comprehensive system of cross-references and a full concordance complement its format, making it a useful edition for careful Bible study.

Features:

  • More than 80,000 cross-references
  • Double-column, verse-by-verse format
  • Concordance
  • Book introductions
  • Full-color maps
  • Ribbon marker
  • Smyth-sewn binding
  • Lifetime guarantee

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ESV Pastor’s Bible

A pastor depends on the wisdom of Scripture for all aspects of ministry. What truths can be relied upon in seasons of celebration and in those of sorrow? What does the Bible have to say to us about marriage, sickness, and death? The ESV Pastor’s Bible was designed to help pastors draw wisdom from God's Word for specific situations requiring pastoral care, such as baptisms, weddings, hospital visits, or funerals. In the front matter, back matter, and throughout the text, the Pastor's Bible contains articles written by pastors offering practical help for crafting a sermon, planning a special service, leading congregational prayer, conducting premarital counseling, visiting the sick, and resolving conflict within the church. Compiled under the guidance of seasoned pastors R. Kent Hughes and Douglas Sean O’Donnell, this substantial but portable edition is a great all-in-one resource for the on-the-ground pastor.

Features:

• Double-column, paragraph format
• 2 daily Bible reading plans
• 40+ contributions from experienced pastors
• Smyth-sewn binding

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