The Best Quality Leather Bibles (to Keep or Give as a Gift)

Welcome to ThinkVail –  Shop our selection of  best quality leather Bibles handcrafted of premium goatskin, calfskin and traditional top-grain leather with beautiful, durable bindings.

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These 10 heirloom quality Bibles will enhance your enjoyment of reading and studying verse. Each exquisite tome is an absolute pleasure to read and wonderful to hold in your hands.
Bibles are a thoughtful gift that your recipient will enjoy and treasure for their entire lives and pass on to the next generation. This is truly, a timeless gift from the heart.

When considering a premium Bible, some important details to consider are type of leather, binding type, font size, single or double column style and what type of Bible version is preferred.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

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Type of Leather

Premium Bibles are made of animal leather and the finest Bibles are bound in goatskin, a sumptuous material that has been used in traditional bookbinding for centuries.

Goatskin

A beautiful and durable top-quality leather. It is strong, supple, buttery soft and used in the finest bindings.

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Calfskin

A traditional high-quality leather used in fine bindings. It is long-lasting and becomes more supple with use. It has a distinctive natural grain and deep rich colors. Calfskin is a lovely leather and if price is an issue, calfskin is more affordable than goatskin but still has a remarkably rich feeling.

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Leather

Traditional animal hide but the quality can vary depending on whether it is ‘split’ or ‘top-grain’ and can come from cow or pig hide.

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Single Column or Double Column

Single column pages are a recent update and they read just like a book with one column per page

Double column is a traditional Bible style with two columns of text on each page with each verse beginning on a new line.

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Binding

Premier Bibles use a combination of sewing and gluing and advanced binding processes to create a beautiful, durable supple book that will stand up to years of use.

Smyth Sewn

A book-binding method where groups of folded pages are stitched together with binder thread. Each folded group of pages is sewn together individually with multiple stitches and then joined with other groups of pages to create a complete book block. Smyth-sewn binding is synonymous with durability and quality, and is ideal for when you want a book to be able to lay flat.

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Yapp & Semi Yapp Binding

A book binding method that features a cover that overlaps the three edges of both upper and lower covers continuously. A semi-yapp cover wraps or curves around the page edges, while a full-yapp cover wraps even farther, to the point of touching the opposite cover.

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Edge Line Binding

Typically rarer, but usually found in premier Bible editions. Edge-lined binding does not use book board between the lining and the cover. The two layers are glued directly together, which is why edge-lined bindings are so incredibly fluid and supple.

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BIBLE VERSIONS

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KJV – King James Version

An English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, that was published in 1611. The King James Version include 39 books of the Old Testament, an intertestamental section with 14 books of the Apocrypha, and 27 books of the New Testament. The KJV translation is one of the most important books in English culture and has helped shape the English-speaking world.

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NKJV–New King James Version

An English translation of the Bible first published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson. This translation updated the vocabulary and grammar of the King James Version, and included easier event descriptions, a history of each book, added dictionary and an updated concordance. In addition, it strove to preserve the classic style and literary beauty of the original 1611 version. It took seven years to complete.

ASV – American Standard Version

A Bible translation into English that was completed in 1901, Because of its popularity in seminaries, it was called the “Standard Bible” in the United States.

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ESV – English Standard Version

A literal Bible translation that combines word-for-word accuracy with literary excellence and depth of meaning. Published in 2001, the ESV Bible is a beautiful version that is trusted by millions of Christian leaders, pastors, and believers the world over

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NIV – New International Version

First published in 1978 to meet the need for a modern English translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. This version focused on ease of understanding and comprehensibility and was tasked to be broadly understood by modern English readers.

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NLT – New Living Translation

A new English translation from Hebrew and Greek texts. The Christian Booksellers Association has ranked the NLT as the second most popular English version of the Bible based on sales.

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See Also: Best Bible Verse Bookmarks

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10 Best Quality Leather Bibles

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#1 Quality Leather Bibles – ESV Heirloom Wide Margin Reference

The ESV Heirloom Wide Margin Reference Bible is a beautiful Bible that will live up to its name as it is built to last 100 years and be handed down from one generation to the next. All the features and fine details lends itself to a beautiful Bible that will be treasured by anyone who holds it.

DETAILS:

• Leather bound goatskin Bible available in black and brown
• Size: 6.5″ X 9.25″
• 1440 pages
• Weight 2.8 lbs.
• Double column text with wide margins all around the text including the gutter, to make notes beside the verse in both columns.
• 9-point, black letter Lexicon type. Typically, font sizes of 10 point or greater have better than average readability, especially for older eyes
• High-quality India paper with art-gilt edges. The paper offers superior resilience and capacity to absorb handwritten notes
• Four ribbon markers makes it easy to hold your place and find favorite verses quickly
• Extra-smooth Smyth-sewn binding insures a durable long-lasting Bible
• Lifetime guarantee
• Comes in a two-piece box perfect for gift giving.
• Includes full cross-references, 15 color maps and a concordance.
• Publisher-Crossway Books

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#2 Quality Leather Bibles – NKJV Single Column Reference

This premier Bible collection combines fine craftsmanship with the elegant single-column text design. It is a joy to read thanks to the signature Comfort Print® typeset. Also, available in Large and Giant print for easy reading.

DETAILS:

• Premium goatskin leather cover in black or brown
• Smyth-sewn & edge-lined construction ensures book lays flat when open.
• Beautiful art gilding on page edges: red stain under gold
• Gilt line stamped and perimeter stitching
• Exclusive Comfort Print® typeface available in 3 sizes: Giant Print (12 pt. font), Large Print (11 pt. font) and Comfort Print (10.5 pt. font)
• 3 satin ribbon markers, to mark your favorite verse or psalm
• Premium European Bible paper
• Black-letter text
• Complete cross-reference system
• Elegant single-column format makes it very easy to read
• Generous Yapp binding, means the cover overlaps the three edges of both upper and lower covers continuously.
• Size is 6.7″ x 2 x 9.8″
• 2,144 pages
• Weight: 3.3 lbs.
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson

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#3 Quality Leather Bibles – Premium Preaching

A beautiful Bible that is tailor-made with preaching in mind. Custom designed from the feedback of actual pastors, a flexible calfskin cover, durable sewn binding, this is the perfect choice for those who have been called to the sacred task of preaching the Word.

DETAILS:

• Calfskin cover
• Verse-by-verse layout for easy navigation
• Exclusive Comfort Print® 11.5 point font makes this Bible very readable and easy to scan.
• Thick, heavyweight, white, high-contrast Bible paper makes the words jump off the page.
• Ultra-flexible calfskin binding and durable edge-lined construction
• 3 satin ribbon markers allows you to mark important passages and turn to them quickly without losing your spot
• Available in KJV and NKJV versions
• Line-matching, the spacing between text also lends to it’s readability
• Includes Cross-references
• Verse-by-verse layout not a paragraph style for easier navigation.
• Smyth- sewn ensures flexibility, strength, and durability.
• Edge-lined binding ensures the book lays open.
• Size is 7.1″ x 1.6″ x 10.1″
• 1584 pages
• Weighs 3 lbs.
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson

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#4 Quality Leather Bibles – NIV Zondervan Study Bible

A beautiful, and readable learning Bible that is packed with content. It is a tremendous tool for reading, studying and understanding the Word of God better.

DETAILS:

• Featuring Dr. D. A. Carson as general editor with Dr. T. Desmond Alexander, Dr. Richard S. Hess, Dr. Douglas J. Moo, and Dr. Andrew David Naselli and over 60 contributors with a wide range of evangelical denominations and perspectives.
• All-new study notes and other study tools to present a biblical theology of God’s special revelation in the Scriptures.
• Includes full-color maps, charts, photos and diagrams, detailed commentaries, notes and chapter summaries
• Single-column text design provides maximum readability.
• Premium Black Leather cover
• Free electronic access to the NIV Zondervan Study Bible is also available with purchase
• 8.9-point type size is a smaller font size and may be harder on older eyes
• Size is 7.2″ x 2.7″ x 10.1″
• 2,912 pages
• Weighs: 4lbs, this is a bigger, heavier Bible
• Publisher: Zondervan

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#5 Quality Leather Bibles – Elegant NIV Heritage

A beautiful Bible created with premium materials and an elegant, easy-to read design will take your love of reading and learning about the Bible to the next level and will be treasured for years.

DETAILS:

• Single-column page design.
• New International Version (NIV) is the most widely read modern-English Bible translation.
• Line-matched
• Zondervan’s easy-to-read NIV Comfort Print®.in generous 10 pt. font
• Handbound with soft, fine goatskin cover
• Smyth-sewn and edge-lined construction for flexibility
• Art Gilt page edging, with gilt line and perimeter stitching
• Full-color maps (8 pages), NIV Concordance and Family record section
• Generous yapp
• Smyth-sewn and edge-lined construction for flexibility
• Art Gilt page edging, with gilt line and perimeter stitching
• Premium European Bible paper with black letter text
• Generous yapp
• 3 thick 3/8″ wide ribbon markers
• Size is 6.8″ x 1.9″ x 9.9″
• 1824 pages
• Weighs 3lbs.
• 2-piece box and elegantly wrapped to ensure a lovely gift giving experience
• Publisher: Zondervan

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#6 Best Quality Leather Bibles – NKJV MacArthur Study Bible

The NKJV, MacArthur Study Bible unleashes God’s truth one verse at a time. You will love how this sumptuous Bible enriches your spiritual life and understanding of God’s Word.

DETAILS:

• Over 2 million readers around the world utilize this Bible. Features Dr. John MacArthur’s nearly 25,000 verse-by-verse study notes, book introductions, and articles.
• 190 in-text maps, charts, and diagrams that illustrate the meanings, themes, teachings, people, and places of Scripture.
• Readable NKJV Comfort Print® in 9-point type size
• Featuring a supple goatskin leather cover
• Durable edge-lined binding
• Outline of Systematic Theology and a complete cross-reference system, with over 72,000 references
• Concordance, timeline charts and overviews of Christ’s life, ministry, and passion week
• Index to key Bible doctrines
• Premium goatskin leather cover
• Smyth-sewn and edge-lined construction for flexibility
• Art gilding on page edges: red stain under gold
• 3 satin ribbon markers, 3/8″ wide
• Premium European Bible paper, 39 gsm with black-letter text
• Size is 2080 pages
• Weight: 1.7lbs.
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson

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#7 Quality Leather Bibles – Tyndale Select Reference NLT

This handsome select reference Bible is of the highest quality, and Tyndale brings to life the New Living Translation in a beautiful, elegant way you have never experienced before. Delivering God’s enduring word in a fresh yet timeless way.

DETAILS:

• Handcrafted, full-grain leather Bible
• Smyth-sewn for durability, flexibility, and a lay-flat binding.
• Available in black or brown full-grain calfskin leather.
• Features superior gold-gilded page edges
• 2 ribbon markers to mark important passages
• Single-column text design reads like a book
• Line-over-line setting makes this Bible a joy to read
• Quality paper maximizes the brightness of the page and minimizes show-through
• 8.75 font
• Spacious margins for taking notes
• More than 40,000 cross-references.
• Printed and bound at Jongbloed’s premier bindery in the Netherlands
• Size is 6.4″ x 2.3″ x 9.1″
• 2,172 pages
• Weight 2.5lbs.
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

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#8 Quality Leather Bibles – Cambridge Clarion Reference

Cambridge is world renowned for beautiful premium Bibles and prayer books. Their name is synonymous with craftsmanship and style and their stunning goatskin and calfskin Bibles offer an extraordinary reading experience.

DETAILS:

• Bible is available in NSB, ESV, NKJV, KJV and ESV versions.
• Single column text design flows across the page
• Cross-references are located in the outer margin, for a very well laid out appearance.
• The font size is just under 9 point with generous line spacing.
• Lexicon No.1 typeset is a modern digital font that is very readable.
• The Bible has 15 color maps and a concordance.
• 2 ribbons for bookmarking.
• Printed on India paper with art-gilt edges.
• Smyth-sewn for flexibility and strength
• Bound in gorgeous goatskin leather and available in calfskin.
• A beautiful Bible with a small footprint and great readability.
• Size is 6″ x 1.7″ x 8″
• 2066 pages
• Weight: 1.8lbs.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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#9 Quality Leather Bibles – ESV Illuminated

This visually stunning Bible is a beautiful work of art that features over 500 hand-lettered gold ink illustrations that invite you to reflect on the beauty of God’s Word in a unique way. Enjoy the vintage heirloom look of this lovely Bible.

DETAILS:

• Gorgeous Illustrations by Dana Tanamachi, whose work has been featured by Google, The Wall Street Journal, Random House, USPS, and Target.
• Full ESV text alongside more than 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations.
• Printed on thick cream-colored paper
• Single-column text setting makes this Bible read like a novel.
• Wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs.
• 64 full-page, custom book opener illustrations
• 50 full-page verse illustrations
• 250+ hand-lettered margin verses
• 100+ other illustrations throughout
• 9-point, Lexicon type
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Size is 6.5″ x 9″
• 1,632 pages
• Weight: 3.7lbs.
• Publisher: Crossway Books

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#10 Quality Leather Bibles – ESV Heirloom Thinline

Thinline Bibles are thinner than average, typically one inch or less so they are lighter and easier to carry than many traditional Bibles. This is a beautiful edition from Crossway that will last a lifetime.

DETAILS:

• Available in goatskin and premium calfskin covers
• Double-column, paragraph format
• Printed on high-quality European Bible paper
• Features art gilding
• 2 ribbon markers
• Extra-smooth Smyth-sewn binding.
• 8-point Lexicon type, Black letter text
• Includes a concordance and full-color maps
• Packaged in an elegant presentation box, that is great for gift-giving
• Size is 5.5″ x 8.5″
• 1,120 pages
• Weighs 1.9lbs.
• Less than 1″ thick
• Publisher: Crossway Books

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See Also: Saint Medals for Adventurers

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Comments

We hoped you enjoyed this article about the 10 best quality leather bibles to keep or give as a gift. Please share your favorite Bible version and why.  Have you ever received a special Bible as a gift? Does your family pass down Bibles to each other? When gifting a Bible what features are most important to you?  We would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

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