The 10 Best Amplified Bibles
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in December of 2017. Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and then realized you didn't comprehend a word of it? That will no longer be an issue, thanks to these helpful Amplified editions. They go in-depth on the meanings, translations, and history behind each scripture, ensuring you have a full understanding of the text. The options we've selected are the traditional Zondervan versions, except where noted. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
June 09, 2020:
Amplified Bibles represent a kind of middle ground between original translations and study bibles. They offer help with the nuance and subtle shades of meaning that get lost when you don't understand the language used without being saturated with extra notes and pedagogy. We curated this list to appeal to people of all stripes, whether you're in need of a comparative selection that places several translations side by side, like the Classic Comparative Amplified Bible, or want to go further than Greek and Hebrew to find a text that includes Aramaic words and phrases too, like the Amplified Bible Topical Reference does.
Some readers are wary of this type of Bible, as they have garnered a reputation for being clunky, random, and confusing over the years. Thankfully, publishers like Zondervan and others have tried to rectify this and streamlined the reading experience so that the amplifications help, instead of hinder, the text and your overall understanding. That being said, an amplified bible shouldn't be the only source you turn to. Think of it as a method for gaining more of a particular perspective in addition to what you've learned via discussions with friends and family and self-study.
Today we said goodbye to the Thinline Lay Flat, which is a fine choice but has nothing much to set it apart from its peers except for its compact size, which the Amplified Bible Compact Hardcover also boasts. Instead, we felt the Paragraph-Style Amplified Bible would be a welcome new addition. It does away with the usual dual-column layout and is formatted with paragraphs that flow well, so you can enjoy an unfettered reading experience. This helps facilitate better comprehension in the long run and can help offset reading fatigue during long study sessions.
Special Honors
BibleProject BibleProject is a nonprofit animation studio that produces short-form, fully animated Bible videos and other resources to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. They create free videos, podcasts, articles, illustrations, posters, and more to help you on your learning journey. bibleproject.com
Zondervan Academic If you've picked up a Zondervan Bible and are looking for even more guidance and information, consider checking out the publisher's academic resources. They offer self-paced courses set by renowned Christian scholars, authors, and teachers. Students can choose from wide-sweeping classes on historical theology and biblical interpretation as well as focused courses on readings from the book of Romans, Galatians, Daniel, and much more. zondervanacademic.com