I will say this briefly: Right out of the box I couldn’t be happier. This edition is exactly the same as the full sized edition. Pagination is the same. In many ways, the printing is more uniformly bold than in the full sized one. Paper is great: Ghosting is not an issue. I can see me using this everyday in almost every setting.
I am happy to answer any questions. I hope to do a full review at some point, particularly since I never did one for the standard edition.
Did they correct the typo at Acts 23:23 (“get ready two hundred soldfiers”)? Just curious if this is a straight reprint of the original ICSB or if they made corrections where typos might’ve been caught.
Yes. It has been corrected.
If you have the regular red Ignatius RSV-2CE Bible, can you confirm if it has the same footprint as the Personal Size Study Bible?
I don’t have one on me at the moment. I could check next week. I left it in my classroom.
Evan,
Exact same footprint as the regular RSV-2Ce. Only difference is the thickness.
Could you post a comparison pic of it next to the oxford catholic study bible or the NOAB or something like that?
Added in the post.
thanks much, Timothy!
Thank you for this, Tim. It seems to be a more practical and utilitarian size.
How is the weight in the hand?
Considerably better. Noticeable. This is something that I could theoretically teach with and have no issue walking around my classroom or Bible study class with.
Ghosting looks tolerable? Seems to bleed through that map image, but otherwise not bad.
How does it feel in the hand compared to the full-size (you have bonded leather on both, right)?
Also, for anyone considering ordering through Amazon, they have as a pre-order shipping 3/11.
Eric,
Yes, both of the ones I have are the bonded. In regards to holding it in the hand, it is considerably better. It actually can be done with one had! . But yeah, this is definitely an improvement and is truly a Bible you could comfortably use in almost every situation.
Awesome! Thanks for the photos, Timothy! I’m glad to see an edition that is closer in size to other study bibles on the market (NOAB, Catholic Study Bible). Judging from the photos, I wonder if it’s about the same size as the New Interpreter’s Study Bible (NISB)? It looks like it would be close, although the NISB is maybe wider?
Marc,
I don’t know if I would compare it with the NISB. Right now, I would compare it to a full notes version of the JB or NJB.
Marc, I also might say that it reminds me a lot of the NOAB RSV, except that it’s slightly bigger in every dimension.
Tim, you don’t happen to havea full size JB/NJB to take a pic next to for thickness, do you?
Eric,
Unfortunately I do not anymore. I had gifted my JB copy a few years ago
I have a 1966 JB. Because it uses thicker paper, it’s just about identical in thickness to the original ICSB, which means this personal edition is thinner.
I just got mine. Someone up the thread asked about a size comparison to the JB. It’s thinner than the big red brick, but almost identical in size to the Morocco leather volume with the stylized “JB” on the cover. I’d attach a photo if I were able.
Adrian,
Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts. It indeed reminds me of the JB you mentioned.
I’m curious where this was printed. The original behemoth was printed in India.
It says India as well.
I wonder if the gold stamping on the spine, particularly the block lines, will wear off with repeated use. I guess it depends on the quality of the stamping. The lettering on the spine of my second edition Great Adventure Bible, with blue leather-like cover, has worn badly.
Thank you! This actually looks good.
How does the print size of the footnotes compare with the full-size edition? Is it significantly smaller?
Steve, the print for notes is 7, as opposed to 8 for the full sized edition. I have had no issue reading them at this point, but of course that is rather subjective.
Sorry if this was mentioned earlier but do you have the leather or hardcover? I imagine it would be even lighter with the leather version?
I have the leather edition.
I ordered the hardback edition and it arrived yesterday. It’s everything I’ve hoped and more! I’ve been using the ESV-CE for the last 5 or so years. So, it’ll be interesting going back to the RSV-2CE. Awhile back I did a comparison between the two and, overall, I do prefer the ESV over the RSV (I don’t know the Biblical languages, so this is purely subjective). Maybe one day we’ll get a ESV with the Ignatius study notes
Looks like we have had a similar journey in regards to the ESV. I agree that the ESV is slightly better than the RSV, but this new personal ICSB more than makes up for that difference.
Yeah, it seems like it 🙂 The RSV-2CE definitely makes me nostalgic for my early days as a Catholic (“remember your first love”).
I think I’ll stock with the RSV and/or the ESV until the CAB is released. For some time now I’ve been thinking about translations and which one(s) should have a place in my life. One of the conclusions I’ve come to (and it’s not an original one, of course) is the need for a “Vulgate”, so to speak. When Pope Damasus I asked St. Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin, the intention was for the Western church to have a common translation used for the liturgy, teaching, prayer, etc. And the Bible wasn’t translated into high Latin or refined Latin. It was translated into “vulgar” Latin, hence the name “Vulgate” (From the Latin word “Vulgus” which means “of the common people”). Which is exactly what the NABRE/CAB is attempting to do. The Church, with the advent of vernacular liturgy, now uses regional translations (or regional “Vulgates”, if you will).
So, that’s why I plan on using the CAB once it’s published.
The personal edition is amazing. It’s about the same size as the New Jerusalem Bible (the blue hardcover edition), as stated above. I slipped it into an old extra-large full-grain leather slipcover, and have no problem taking it places (unlike the first edition—the behemoth—which is too cumbersome to carry around; it’s strictly a desk bible, and I rarely use it because I don’t typically read the bible at my desk). Now I have a portable edition of what may be the best study bible on the market when it comes to its vast study content and solid Catholic scholarship.
100%
I wonder how many people are feeling buyer’s remorse after purchasing the original chonker edition. Personally, I’m glad I bought the original given that 1) I’ve been able to read it for the last year rather than just start now, 2) I got it for $40 when Amazon sold it at that price for some reason when it was brand new, 3) I appreciate having the notes be a font size larger, and 4) having an impractically-huge study Bible strangely feels like a status symbol, like driving a Humvee or something.
However, given that I’m one of the few (only?) people who feel this way, I wonder if Ignatius will stop printing the big one and just print this personal-size one from now on.
I’m not feeling buyer’s remorse, either. It’s good to have the larger font edition around, especially as I get older. On those rare occasions I’m using it on my desk for reference, it’s a bit easier on the eyes. I got the hardcover on sale, too, so it’s no big deal. Now, if I had paid a premium bible price, I’d be bummed! I’m thrilled they produced the personal sized edition, at any rate.
I feel like I’m one of the few who didn’t think of the original ICSB as too big or inconvenient, though that’s perhaps because it’s not even the largest Catholic Bible that I own, and because I never really intended to carry it around outside and away from my desk. I did order the personal-size hardcover, and look forward to it arriving! If I like the new size, I might pursue one of the ideas posted here of getting a second copy of the personal size, this time the faux leather one, and rebinding it into my main Bible. That is, at least until the CAB releases next year and the Augustine Institute finishes up its CSV translation in the coming years. Ideally, those could become my go-to trio.
Is there any update on the progress with the CSV? I’d given up hope of it ever being finished given the slow rate of translation.
While not yet available to the general public, James posted in the CSV Mark thread last year that the Augustine Institute confirmed the “pre-publication” translations of Luke and John, alongside Matthew and Mark, would be used in a 2026 summer program for priests
For clarification it appears there are now two Cory’s on here. I have been the one commenting regularly for the past year and who did the ESV Lectionary comparison a number of months back. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting credit for anything amazing the other Cory might say. I can go by Cory Matthew or just CM for now.
Now that Ignatius has acquired the thinner paper, I would not be surprised if the future printings of the full sized version were thinner. Since these Bibles are the same page for page, it would be the same thickness as the personal size edition.
I am probably in the minority but I am ok with the original edition. After having used mine for over a year it no longer seems as big. I put it down on my lap, bed, over the arm of the couch… the size of it doesn’t hinder use at all in these contexts, I even bring it with me to Bible Study. I’m not a teacher so I am at no point reading it with one hand standing up.
I did order the personal size to see and compare. I may end up keeping it or gifting it on a special occasion. I ordered from St Paul’s on release day, hoping it will arrive soon!
My hardback Personal Size ICSB arrives soon. Hurrah! It looks more like a “regular” size than personal. But have we now invented a new genre, the desktop bible?!
My hardcover came in today and I’m happy with it. Way more portable than the original. My only complaints would be that the print uniformity isn’t perfect and the no ribbon. It’s a great bible and it shipped extremely fast
Yes, two ribbons would have been nice. And I have noticed a couple places in regards to print uniformity. I will say it seems better than the larger edition.
I found a youtube review of the ICSB personal size editon. She did size comparisons with other catholic bibles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgGuWKrNDc
I ordered the hardback personal size from Amazon. I got the desk size with leather, but it was just way too heavy and floppy for how I use it, so the hardback I think will be much better.
Anyone sitting on a bunch of Amazon gift cards for theirs will have to wait until 3/11 though.
Thank you, Tim. My birthday is in April…
Ha! Maybe next year…
It’s arrived! Yes, it’s going to be much more manageable to use than the desktop and the font size is fine, but not really what you would call “personal size”. Inevitably, the paper is thinner but still of good quality. I’m glad I went with the hardback. I can now donate my floppy leather desktop edition to a good home.
I received my hard copy of this over the weekend. My print uniformity is good but the binding is tight so I get page crinkle. We will see how long it holds up. I like the size better than the desk edition. Just gonna sell that and use the mini here on out.
I am also getting the page crinkle
JD, would you mind sharing your thoughts please on how the printing is with the gutter for the hardback? Any issue there or no? Thank you
I have the hardback and have no issue with printing in the gutter .
Awesome, thank you TG!
The printing is consistent across the page, at least with my copy.
Catholic Answers is currently having a 30% off storewide sale until 3/31/26 and they have the ICSB personal size edition.
So I ordered the hardcover with the digital app, and Ignatius sent me the leatherette by mistake. Oops! Factoring in prices, this means I unintentionally got the bundled digital app for free. Anyway, I’ll live with it rather than send it back, since I already have the desk hardcover. Flipping through the pages, I’ve noticed some very dark print on some pages, and some layout wobble (where the text positioning is sometimes not centered on the page, sometimes rather low and sometimes rather high), but thankfully nowhere in which it is too distracting or results in loss of the header or footer text.
(Apologies to the other Cory for stealing your name!)
The one area I noticed where the print is super dark is in the index at the lectionary readings.
Yes, there is some variation in print quality, but thankfully the lighter pages are still dark (if you get my meaning). And there are no crinkles in my hardback edition. I wish the lists of lectionary readings included the psalms. One of the great features of John Bergsma’s commentaries on the Sunday Mass readings is the inclusion of the psalms, which are after all a response to the first reading. A list of the one and two year cycles of readings in the Office of Readings would be a good feature to have. Together with the lectionary they provide a ongoing daily reading plan. My extra Lenten reading commitments this year include the lectionary and mass prayers from the 1962 Missal, which really come into their own in this season and show us how much we’ve lost of this rich treasury of prayers. Thankfully they survive in the Graduale which can be sung as part of the modern Rite at Solemn celebrations.
How is the ghosting compared to the full size ICSB?
Thank you & God Bless
I got the personal size leather cover from St. Paul Center and much prefer it to the hardcover full size I’ve had until now. Easier to hold and the printing is more consistent overall, my full size copy has quite a few sections where the ink is much lighter than the rest of the pages. The ghosting seems about the same, which is good, does not pose a distraction. Feels like an upgrade of the brown leather Ignatius bible I’ve had for years and still love. Now I can donate my full size copy.
Has there been any discussion/criticism of footnotes yet? A stand-out to me is Sirach 42:14 “Overstated for rhetorical effect. Still, it is evidence that Ben Sira was the product of a culture that greatly undervalues women.” It doesn’t explain the verse and seems to co-sign the NABRE’s “the concluding statements show the limitations of Ben Sira’s perspective in the male-oriented society of his day.” So Ignatius/Scott Hahn and NABRE agree: down with the patriarchy. Anyone spot any other clunkers?
The main criticisms I’ve heard from certain Catholic corners are (1) the introduction and notes to Sirach and (2) the study Bible’s almost allergic avoidance of associating the Angel of the Lord in the OT with the preincarnate Christ.
There is a typo in Ecclesiastes 5:3
It should say “ for a dream “ but it says “ or a dream “. Which is surprising since I saw someone say that they fixed a typo in a different spot.
TG, that typo is also in the study bible app as well. So, I think it falls under the category of “that they’ve found so far”.
I saw a thread on Reddit where people compared the ICSB with the GAB and a few others. From the comments, it seems folks tend to lean toward the GAB as a “devotional” bible, and the ICSB for study alone (studere solum). A few opted for the Catholic Press bible due to its size and actual portability. In a decade or two, Catholics went from “not much out there” to now engaged in “what bible should I use for (fill in the blank)?”
As an aside, I checked with Ignatius Press regarding corrections in the “personal size” and received this reply:
“ All mistakes found up to the time that it went to the printer have been fixed in the personal size SB.”
I just got my copy of the personal/hardback. It is significantly better to hold in the hand or on the lap than the full-size/leather.