Cambridge NRSV Reference Edition
A closer look at this impressive NRSV Bible from Cambridge.
I was rather unfamiliar with the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) until I began studying at Fuller Theological Seminary back in 2016. An update of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the NRSV is one of the preferred Bible translations in the academic world, and it is regarded for being a widely ecumenical translation that is used in many Protestant churches, the Catholic church, and the Greek Orthodox Church.
I really enjoy reading and studying from the NRSV, and after four years of seminary with my trusty New Oxford Annotated Bible (the top NRSV Study Bible), I decided to get a nice edition as a graduation gift to myself. Unlike my recent quest to find the perfect small ESV bible, my search for a quality NRSV was quite short. The world of NRSV Bibles is significantly smaller than many other translations, and your options narrow down even further when you want something a bit nicer.
When I came across the Cambridge NRSV Reference Edition on EvangelicalBible.com, I knew I had found the one. The only choice I had to make was between the burgundy goatskin and brown cowhide. I know that goatskin has more overall appeal, but something about the brown one just spoke to me.
I placed the order, and waited for it to arrive…
Cambridge NRSV Reference – Overview
To say I was pleasantly surprised when this Bible arrived would be an understatement, because I was truly stunned. The cowhide leather is as soft and floppy as any goatskin Bible I own, and the texture is incredibly smooth. The aesthetic touches are subtle and understated, but very well done. I would say that this is the most unique edition that I have seen from Cambridge, and I would quickly buy it in other translations if they made it available.
FEATURES
• Edge-lined cowhide cover
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Art gilding
• Two ribbon markers
• Line Matching
• Cross-references
• Glossary
• Full-Color Maps
• 6.25” x 8.25” trim size
• 1.7” thick
• 9pt type size
Rugged Yet Refined
This Bible has an “it” factor that is somewhat difficult to explain. In my video review I called it both “rugged” and “delicate,” and that’s because of the combination of the cowhide leather cover with the gentler aesthetic touches like the coppery-gold printing, the soft art gilding on the pages, and the burnt sienna ribbons. I can see a rugged outdoorsman carrying this Bible on a camping trip with his buddies, but I can also see a millennial hipster woman using it in her Instagram Stories.
The is the second week in a row that I’ve reviewed a Bible that was printed in Italy by L.E.G.O. (Legatoria Editoriale Giovanni Olivotto), and it’s not a coincidence that I loved them both. For me, L.E.G.O. is right up there with Royal Jongbloed in terms of quality and craftsmanship.
Interior
I obviously love this Bible from the outside, but the inside is just as nice. It features a traditional, two-column page layout with cross-references in the center and textual footnotes at the bottom of the page. The typography of the main text is just a hair under 9pt in a serif font called Swift that is well-spaced and line matched on opaque paper, creating a very comfortable reading experience. The glossary and full-color Cambridge maps at the back of the Bible are accompanied by several sheets of blank cardstock for notes.
An Impressive Edition
In a world where high-quality editions of the NRSV are few and far between, the Brown Cowhide NRSV Reference Edition from Cambridge stands out. But let’s be honest, this is an impressive Bible that stacks up against the top editions in any translation.
Whether you’re an NRSV fan or just someone who loves beautiful Bibles, this one needs to be at the top of your list.
