The OSB, or Orthodox Study Bible, is an English Bible produced for Eastern Orthodox Christians and built around the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament used by the early church. It is a study Bible first, with extensive notes, introductions and Orthodox commentary placed alongside the text. If you want a Bible that reads through the lens of the Orthodox liturgical and patristic tradition, the OSB is designed for you. If you want a neutral reading text for general study, a different translation may suit you better.
Background
The Orthodox Study Bible was published in 2008 by Thomas Nelson in cooperation with the Orthodox Church in America and a team of Orthodox scholars, clergy and editors. Its aim was to give English-speaking Orthodox Christians a complete Bible with notes written from within their own tradition, rather than relying on study notes produced by Protestant or Catholic authors.
The translation itself draws on the New King James Version as its base for the New Testament, with the Old Testament worked from the Septuagint. The OSB has been revised over time, and its text has been adjusted to reflect Orthodox liturgical usage. Readers should check the current edition, since later printings may differ slightly in notes and layout.
Translation Method
The OSB sits closer to the word-for-word end of the spectrum. It tries to keep the structure and vocabulary of its source texts, so the English often follows Greek sentence patterns and repeated key terms. This makes it useful for noticing how the Greek Old and New Testaments use words, though it can read more stiffly than a freer translation.
Because the Old Testament follows the Septuagint, some readings and verse numbers differ from the Hebrew Masoretic text used in most Protestant Bibles. The notes explain these differences. Readers coming from other Bibles will want to know this before comparing passages side by side, since a verse may appear in a different place or with different wording.
Reading Level and Style
The language of the OSB is formal and traditional, retaining much of the cadence of older English Bibles. Sentences can be long and carry the rhythm of liturgical reading, which many worshippers find familiar from church services and prayer books.
The notes are written at an accessible level for a general adult reader, though the introductions and essays assume some familiarity with church history and theology. Younger or newer readers may find the commentary helpful but the main text demanding at first. Reading a single book at a time, with its introduction, is a good way to ease in.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
(WEB)
This psalm is a favorite for quiet reflection, and the OSB keeps close to the Septuagint numbering for the Psalms, which for this verse matches the Hebrew. The rendering stays formal and close to its source, so the call to stillness and the knowledge of God come through with a deliberate, measured tone. A reader comparing it with a freer modern translation will notice the older sentence shape and fuller phrasing, which slows the reading and invites meditation on each clause.
Who Should Use It
The OSB suits Orthodox Christians who want Scripture read alongside the church’s own commentary, prayers and feast-day readings. Its notes are a real strength, offering context that a general study Bible might not give. Clergy, catechists and serious students of the Septuagint will find its methodology useful.
Its limits are equally clear. The formal style can be hard going for beginning readers, and the Septuagint-based Old Testament means some verse numbering and wording will not match a Protestant or Catholic Bible in study groups. If your group uses a different translation, a plain reading Bible alongside the OSB can help bridge the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OSB only for Orthodox Christians?
The OSB is written for Orthodox readers, but anyone interested in how Orthodoxy reads Scripture can use it. Non-Orthodox readers may find the notes illuminating even when they differ from their own tradition. It is a useful window into a tradition that many Western Christians know little about.
Why does the Old Testament differ from other Bibles?
The OSB translates the Old Testament from the Septuagint, the ancient Greek version used by the early church. Some books, such as Daniel and Esther, contain additional material found in that tradition. The notes explain where and why these differences occur.
Is the OSB good for daily reading?
It works well for daily reading if you enjoy formal language and want commentary close at hand. Readers who prefer a lighter, more conversational style may find it slower going. Trying a few chapters first will show you whether its rhythm suits your devotional habits.
