In My Opinion (Review)
In addition to my normal book reviews, with the approach of the holidays, I hoped to highlight some other products that would make good gifts for those hard to shop for family and friends. The ESV Illuminated Bible was presented to me at just the right time. And I’m giving one away to one of my blog visitors so be sure and stay tuned to find out how to enter.
A bit of an anecdote for you before I show you this gorgeous Bible. This week, I checked my mail and in my box was a scrap of paper. The postman had written on it that I had a package in the office but it had opened in shipping and could not be scanned.
I took the paper into the office and handed it to one of the workers. He was a little surprised and said, “Is this what they gave you?”
I told him I thought they just wanted me to know the package was opened. A few minutes later, the guy brings my package to me and says, “That looks really cool. I peeked at it.” This is what he saw.

I have to agree, it does look really cool but when I opened it, it became even more so. The wide margins for notes along with beautiful illustration and graphic verses is ideal for either journaling or taking sermon notes alongside the text. There’s an index of all of the artwork at the back of the Bible as well.
The ESV Illuminated Bible comes in a sturdy cardboard sleeve, making gift wrapping easy and quick. But really, with that cover, it doesn’t even need further gift wrapping.
If you have thought about Bible journaling or know someone who is a visual learner, this Bible is the perfect gift—one that contains the greatest story ever told.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More About the ESV Illuminated Bible
The ESV Illuminated Bible places the full ESV text alongside over 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi. Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible’s single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs—inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God’s Word.
- 9-point, Lexicon
- Black letter text
- 2-color printing
- 64 full-page, custom book opener illustrations
- 50 full-page verse illustrations
- 250+ hand-lettered margin verses
- 100+ other illustrations throughout
- Illustrated by Dana Tanamachi, whose work has been featured by Google, The Wall Street Journal, Random House, USPS, and Target
- Thick, cream-colored paper
- Wide margins
- Single-column, paragraph format
- Smyth-sewn binding
- Packaging: Permanent Slipcase
- Dana Tanamachi is an American lettering artist, graphic designer, and illustrator whose exquisite typographic murals ignited the worldwide chalk-lettering trend. She has been commissioned by clients such as Instagram, Target, Google, Time Magazine, Nike, and West Elm. Learn more at com.
Order yours here
The Giveaway
One person (with a continental US address) will be randomly selected to win their own copy of the ESV Illuminated Bible.
The official rules:
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
The best gift I’ve ever received is my family. Growing up, I didn’t have a close, loving family. I always wanted that, but it didn’t seem to ever be. But God, in His time, gave me that family through my husband and daughter. I’m exceptionally blessed by God’s great gift to me.
Best gift I ever received: Salvation.
In worldly things, the books I received as gifts when I was growing up were treasured, and I still remember a lot of the stories.
My best Christmas gift is the gift of the baby who grew up to be my Savior. The best gift from my husband have been ruby earrings.
To answer this question, “what is the favorite gift you have ever been given”, is actually a hard one to answer. I think of many things that were gifts; a doll made by my mom, a dad who gave his family love and knowledge of God, grandparents who supported me with prayers and other resources when I went away to college, and a car given to me by my church when I fell on hard times and had been homeless for about 8 months. My list could go on and on! So, many my favorite gift in all of the world ever given to me would have to be God’s Grace. His grace manifested in my life by so many people, opportunities, experiences, and material possessions that fill my earthly journey with so much! 🙂
M6 favorite gift was two hamsters my parents got me wien I was 12.
I love my study Bible from when I graduated!
I received the gift of music lessons frim my parents. (I took both piano and violin.) I probably didn’t see lessons as a gift at the time, but I definitely do now. I am very grateful!
Not a fan of ESV version since I am KJV girl or much into illustrations of Bible figures since we don’t know what characters in the Bible looked like, but when I saw this Bible at BN it was beautifully artistic at the least and seems the artist has great resume’ too.
My current favorites are things made by my children just for me. Most recently, bracelets from one daughter and my son and a meal prepared by my other daughter.
My favorite gifts are things made by my children. Most recently, bracelets from one daughter and my son and a meal prepared by my other daughter.