Finding the Best Study Bible for Women for 2021
You may be wondering, “Why do I need to know what the best study bible for women is? Other than differences in translations, aren’t all Bibles the same?” For instance, isn’t an NASB Bible an NASB Bible regardless of whether I am a man or a woman?
Well, yes that could be true if you were not taking into account how different genders interpret Biblical texts differently based on various differences in perspective or due to cultural influences from upbringing.
Study Bibles that are specifically for women may offer commentary or prayers, study notes and general information about the various stories or figures that might be of specific interest to us. So let’s look at some of the best Bibles for women that will not only help in your study of God’s Word but also bring out your creativity as well.
Importance of a Good Study Bible
I am a Bible collector! My house is full of Bibles of various translations and even Hebrew Bibles so that I can read in the original language. I even own a copy of the Septuagint! Yep — I am a Bible nerd!
I love having many versions so when I study, I can get different definitions and variations on words that can help cull out the meaning even in modern-day language.
Study Bibles are definitely my favorite though.
Women have so much going on these days. Everyday life can come with so many stresses and pull us in a hundred different directions.
Getting into the Word of God is so vital for us to stay grounded, both in faith and in life.
When we read the Bible, we are all reading God’s Word in the Bible translations that we are most comfortable with, both from a reading and doctrinal perspective. So when we look at that translation, the actual text will be the same as any text from that same translation.
But when you have a woman’s study Bible versus a regular Bible, it can offer you commentary important to women today. It can be a great resource for you to not only have the advantage of a great study Bible but have something that speaks to the issues important to you as a woman.
It can have scripture references you may not find in other Bibles, with special notes or more detailed book introductions. This can give you a deeper understanding of the Word from your perspective as a wife, a mother, a daughter.
Having a good study Bible that can not only give you a greater understanding of God through His Word but also give you important theological topics specific to you as a woman is a great choice that can help you grow in your study and help you grow as Christian women.
This is so important if you are a new Christian looking to grow in your Christian faith and want a Bible that speaks to a woman’s heart by learning more about the women of the Bible.
Translations Do Matter
You may wonder if the version of the Bible makes a difference and it does. Unless you are reading from a Torah scroll or an original manuscript, you are reading a translation.
While I want to tell you to find the translation you are most comfortable with (and for a new Christian that can be very important), an accurate translation is vital.
Some translations might be easier to understand and I get that. But God speaks to us through the majesty of His Word and when a translation alters the text too much it can lose its original meaning.
So when looking for a new study Bible for women, be sure (especially with all the varieties of study Bibles out there) that you make a good choice and are getting a translation that is not just “easy” but is going to help you grow in truth.
With all the different options, is important for your spiritual growth that you take a deep dive into even those difficult passages and even use different translations together to compare and contrast and get to the heart of the Word.
I will not tell you what translation you should or should not use and I will offer a variety of them for you to choose from as I don’t believe it is my place to tell you which translation you SHOULD use for your Bible studies.
So I am listing these Bibles for you based on features and not translation of the Biblical text itself. That is a choice only you can make and let the Holy Spirit guide you if you don’t already have a preferred translation.
Best Study Bible For Women
So let’s begin looking at some study Bibles for women of all ages! I will list out their special features (as much as possible but if there is more info than I can list there is a link you can follow to read more) and you can choose the best one for you!
Some of these are journaling Bibles as I feel that journaling and meditating on scripture can be a form of study for many of us.
Let's begin looking at some study Bibles for women of all ages! Click To TweetFinding the Best Study Bible for Women
NASB, Artisan Collection Bible, Leathersoft, Sage Floral, Red Letter, 1995 Text, Comfort Print
Exquisite from the inside out, the NASB Artisan Collection Bible invites you to journal alongside Scripture while delighting in the beauty of the floral cover, designed to reflect the beauty of the world around us. The carefully composed interior features the exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print® typeface in a double-column typesetting, allowing you to carry this Bible wherever you go.
While this Bible is not specifically for women, I have included it here because it is a Bible you can journal in and I find that to be a great feature for women.
From Amazon:
Let Scripture Explain Scripture. Reflect on What You Learn.The NASB Journal the Word™ Reference Bible allows you to record your thoughts next to treasured verses while also cross referencing other scriptures. This single-column, red-letter Bible features thick paper with lightly ruled lines in the extra-wide margins, giving you plenty of space to reflect on God’s Word and enhance your study.
Features:
- The full text of the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition
- Single-column cross-reference system
- Lined, wide margins for taking notes, drawing artwork, and writing personal reflections
- Thick white paper
- Words of Christ in red
- Lays flat in your hand or on your desk
- Two satin ribbon markers
- Exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print typeface
- 8.5-point print size
From Amazon:
The CSB She Reads Truth Bible aims to live at the intersection of beauty, goodness, and Truth. Featuring She Reads Truth devotionals and Scripture reading plans that include supplemental passages for deeper understanding, this Bible invites every woman to count themselves among the She Reads Truth community of "Women in the Word of God every day." The CSB She Reads Truth Bible also features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization.
The She Reads Truth Bible includes almost 200 devotionals, 66 artist-designed key verses, 35 full-color timelines, 20 full-color maps, 11 full-color charts, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, carefully curated topical index, smyth-sewn binding, two colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking.
Women’s study Bibles and devotional Bibles are a great resource, but a beautiful and theologically sound Bible like this can be a great encouragement in a woman’s time in God’s Word. .
This is a beautiful Bible now available in paperback. While I am not personally a fan of the NLT for study, it is a beautiful Bible with a lot of features that women would find helpful.
From Amazon:
Enjoy having 300 overviews and articles on 24 key spiritual practices that renew meaning in everyday life, including prayer, forgiveness, worship, and more!You have devos. You have Bible studies. But you don t always have time. Imagine having study tools, devotions, reflections, and even Q&A's for women in one Bible, helping you find practical encouragement daily! (Available in NLT!) Perfect for individuals, group use, and gifts!
Key Features of the Everyday Matters BibleCreated in partnership with Christianity Today, Everyday Matters Bible is designed to help women develop 24 spiritual practices that will make their lives richer, not harder
Now I DO have this Bible so full disclosure...while I said in the previous listing that I am not a fan of NLT for study, I do not have any issue with it for journaling or for reading, especially for a new believer. I just do not like it for study.
That being said, this Bible is GORGEOUS and if you love journaling or want to start, this is a great Bible.
But be warned...I have yet to journal in it because it is SO beautiful! In fact, I did a separate review of this Bible that you can find on my blog.
Amazon says:
The Tyndale Inspire PRAISE Bible has all of the great features the #1-selling Inspire Bible has, but with even more beautiful line-art illustrations to color. The Inspire PRAISE creative Bible comes with nearly 500 all-new full- and partial-page Scripture illustrations attractively displayed throughout!
Bonus features of this journaling Bible also include even thicker Bible paper and thirty-two colorful, transparent, praise-themed pages. Enhance your coloring and art journaling Bible experience with three sheets of PRAISE-themed stickers and a purple pocket in the back for storing embellishments.
Leave traces of faith―and PRAISE―throughout this coloring Bible for a treasure that will truly inspire!
This Bible has so many amazing features for women. The book introductions are great for providing context. They have amazing quotes from women and beautiful maps and images.
Amazon says:
The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.
Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman’s Study Bible this landmark study Bible has sold over 2 million copies.
If you prefer the KJV, then this beautiful Bible will not disappoint. I also have a review of three KJV Bibles on the blog, including a children's Bible, that you can check out.
From Amazon:
Barbour’s powerful KJV Cross Reference Study Bible is now available in a women’s edition with a cloth-like cover.
Featuring 6,500 notes drawn from the Layman’s Bible Commentary series plus some 25,000 cross references in the center column, this resource gives you greater understanding of the King James Version, now in its fifth century but still among the most beloved and trusted translations available. Also featuring
- introductions for each Bible book
- a dictionary/concordance of key names and terms
- the words of Christ in red
- and 64 full-color tip-in sheets of study helps especially for women, including:
- Bible reading plans
- Q&As
- Bible promises
- biographies of heroines of the faith
- and much more
The KJV Cross Reference Study Bible—Women’s Edition is an excellent resource for personal study, Sunday school, and small group preparation. . .whether you’re a fan of the King James Version or you’ve been reading more modern Bible translations.
I am a fan of the ESV so I love this Bible!
From Amazon:
The ESV Women’s Study Bible was designed to help women in all seasons of life pursue a deeper, transformational understanding of Scripture.
Drawing on content adapted from the best-selling ESV Study Bible and the ESV Women's Devotional Bible, this study Bible was created for women who are serious about God’s Word, want to learn more about what the Bible teaches, and want to apply Scripture’s life-changing truth to everyday life.
The ESV Women’s Study Bible features over 523,000 words of study content, along with over 350 reflections connecting Scripture to life, book introductions and timelines, character sketches of key figures, detailed maps and illustrations, articles on important theological topics, and elegant artwork from artist Dana Tanamachi interspersed throughout. Contributors include best-selling authors like Jen Wilkin, Lauren Chandler, Ann Voskamp, Trillia Newbell, Kristyn Getty, and more.
This Bible has been a favorite among Christian women for some time, and with good reason!
From Amazon:
Now refreshed with 100 additional illustrated verses, newly added peel and stick Bible book tabs, and a highly readable typeface, the NIV Beautiful Word™ Bible, Updated Edition offers a one-of-a-kind visual treatment of Scripture for a more beautiful quiet time.
Find even more beauty in the Word of God as you discover wisdom to sustain you in every season. Be drawn into the splendor of God’s Word with colorful, illustrated verse art and uplifting imagery that complements Scripture. As you reflect, fill the wide margins of this journaling Bible with your thoughts, journals, and artwork.
The NIV Beautiful Word Bible is also updated with the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® for smooth reading. Expertly designed specifically to be used for the New International Version (NIV) text, Comfort Print offers an easier reading experience that complements the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.
From Amazon:
The only NIV Bible with a printed hand-painted cover design and beautiful art hidden in the page edges
Exquisite from the inside out, the NIV Artisan Collection Bible stuns with its printed cover design showcasing hand-painted flair. When the Bible is opened, beautiful art appears on the page edges as you read through Scripture. When you close the Bible, the image vanishes into shimmery foil gilding.
In addition to the attractive typesetting, each page of this Bible has lightly ruled, wide margins, inviting you to journal, reflect, take notes, and create art. As you start reading, let your eyes relax as you take in more of God’s Word with the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface, carefully designed with custom fonts to be enjoyable and easy to read.
From Amazon:
The THRIVE Creative Journaling Devotional Bible is for every woman who wants to know God more deeply and follow Him more closely. God’s design for His children is that they live flourishing, fulfilling, joy-filled lives in Christ. Bestselling author and beloved conference speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd has devoted over 30 years of her ministry to helping women learn how to thrive in Christ, reflect God’s glory, and gain an eternal perspective.
NIV, Quest Study Bible, Leathersoft, Teal, Comfort Print: The Only Q and A Study Bible
From Amazon:
Answers Thousands of Your Questions About the Bible. The Bestselling NIV Quest Study Bible is Now Easier to Read with Comfort Print!Get answers to the Bible questions you have... and questions you haven’t yet pondered! The NIV Quest Study Bible features over 7,000 notes written in an engaging question and answer format that give insight into the common, uncommon, and sometimes perplexing passages from the Bible. You will have the opportunity to consider questions like “Why did God send angels to Jacob?," "What prevents God from hearing our prayers?," and "Why does God test us?” as you explore God’s Word using the many study helps.
From Amazon:
A study Bible with thousands of verse commentary notes designed by women specifically for women to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation.The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.
Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman’s Study Bible this landmark study Bible has sold over 2 million copies.
For More Bible Recommendations
If you would like to look at more recommendations, I have several posts on specific reviews I have done, as well as posts on specific Bible suggestions. I will link those here for you.
I hope that you find the perfect Bible that will provide you with many years of blessing and truth.
You Will Love This KJV Study Bible – Review of 3 Holman KJV Bibles
Best Bibles for Boys in 2021: Bibles for Teens
12 of the Best Teen Bibles for the Precious Girls in Your Life
You Will Love This KJV Study Bible – Review of 3 Holman KJV Bibles
