Review of the NKJV Single Column Reference Bible, Premiere Edition, Thomas Nelson Pub.

Published on

May 26, 2026

The layout is in single column paragraph with references in the outer margins. The text is black letter only, the subheadings and chapter numbers are printed in brick red. The font is listed by the publisher as a 10.5 Comfort Print. The references are considerably smaller and according to my measuring around 7.5”. The page measures approximately 8.25” tall and 5 1/8” wide. The columns of text measures 7 1/8” tall and 3.5” wide. The outer margin space is 1.25” and the upper and lower margins measure 7/8”- 1/2”. The outside measurements are just under 9” x 5 ¾” and 2” thick measured at the spine.

The text block is smythe sewn and it’s bound in a light brown goatskin. The goatskin binding has perimeter stitching and is soft and flexible with a mild grain. The spine is nicely rounded and has 5 raised spine hubs. Holy Bible is stamped in gold near the top and at the bottom is stamped the translation and the publisher.

The liner is leather and I’m unsure of the type, but it’s a darker brown with a gold foil line applied around the perimeter.

As for the size of the Bible, I think it’s near perfect, it is somewhere between a hand (Digest) size edition and a large print (Trade) size edition.

With the 36gsm paper, it’s thicker than a standard reference edition. The paper is whiter than cream, think eggshell white with a minimal sheen. The paper and print is a perfect combination, the print is line matched and is dark and consistent throughout. The paper is opaque enough with a good texture, not too thin and not too thick, if there is such a thing.The page edges are tinted a light red under gold. It feels great in the hand, but it’s a little heavy and I find the leather slippery, so at times it’s difficult to hold in one hand.

The edition is well constructed, as mentioned it has a sewn textblock. It has two end pages partially glued together in the front and in the back, after that the Bible paper and maps begin. The spine has what is called an ox hollow, which is a thin synthetic material that is attached between the textblock and the outer leather to maintain the perfectly rounded shape of the spine. The head and tail bands are brown. This edition has three colored ribbons, one red, blue, and brown.

Some suggestions: I think one or two additional endpages in the front and back would be an improvement. Also, the generous yapp as advertised could use some additional yapp, since the yapp is almost non nonexistent.

I find the text at times too close to the gutter, so I would move the text a little further out. The outer column references are a little small in comparison with the main text, and there appears room enough on the page to increase the print size. For the most part I can’t find a lot wrong with this edition, and I’d be a little remiss to mention that it’s one of my favorite editions, one which I recommend if you can still find one and at a reasonable price.