Church History · 2001

The English Standard Version

In September 2001, Crossway published the English Standard Version, a careful revision of the 1971 Revised Standard Version. It became one of the most popular Bibles among evangelicals, helped by the bestselling ESV Study Bible of 2008.

Read it in the Bible: Isaiah 7:14 2 Timothy 2:15 Psalm 12:6 Proverbs 30:5

The English Standard Version, or ESV, is a modern English Bible first published by Crossway in September 2001. It is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version, with about 8 percent of the wording changed. Crossway calls it an essentially literal translation, which means it stays close to the original words while reading smoothly. Over 300 million printed copies have been distributed, and the ESV Study Bible of 2008 became one of the bestselling study Bibles of all time.

Who Made the ESV?

Crossway is a nonprofit publisher in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1998 its president, Lane Dennis, and theologian Wayne Grudem obtained the rights to revise the RSV. Dennis chaired the oversight committee, and J. I. Packer, the much loved author of Knowing God, served as general editor. More than 100 scholars and pastors took part.

The team had a clear goal. They wanted a Bible with the accuracy of a word for word translation and the beauty of the old Tyndale and King James tradition, but in modern English.

How Is the ESV Different From the RSV?

The RSV was a fine translation, but many evangelicals distrusted some of its choices, especially young woman in Isaiah 7:14. The ESV changed that verse back to virgin. It also adjusted other Old Testament passages that point to Christ so the connection is clearer.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

So in a funny twist, the Bible many conservatives protested in 1952 became the parent of one of the most popular conservative Bibles of the 2000s. You can read more about that story in the article on the Revised Standard Version on this site.

What Does Essentially Literal Mean?

The ESV tries to translate word for word as much as possible. It keeps important Bible terms like justification, propitiation and saints instead of swapping them for simpler phrases. When a word for word rendering would not make sense in English, it adjusts.

That puts it near the NASB on the translation scale, but usually smoother to read out loud. Many pastors preach from it, and many churches read it in worship. Some readers find a few verses a bit formal. That is the trade off with a literal Bible.

The ESV has been lightly revised several times.

2007: Small corrections.
2011: Fewer than 500 words changed in 275 verses.
2016: Only 52 words changed in 29 verses, including a much discussed change to Genesis 3:16. Crossway announced that the text would stay permanent from then on, then reversed that plan in September 2016 and called it a mistake.

Like the NIV, the ESV has also faced some criticism over gender language, in its case from people who felt it was not inclusive enough and from others who watched for any shift at all. Every translation team gets letters.

What Is the ESV Study Bible?

In October 2008, Crossway published the ESV Study Bible. It was a huge project, with notes from about 95 scholars and teachers, full color maps and illustrations and dozens of articles. Wayne Grudem served as general editor.

It sold over one million copies and in 2009 became the first study Bible ever named Christian Book of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. By 2024 it had passed 2.5 million copies. The How It Was Translated page on this site mentions it, because it shows how big a normal study Bible project is.

What Is the ESV Archaeology Study Bible?

In 2018 Crossway released the ESV Archaeology Study Bible, edited by John Currid and David Chapman. It has more than 2,000 notes, 15 longer articles and over 700 maps and photographs. It focuses on how archaeology lights up the world of the Bible, from city walls to coins to clay tablets.

That same idea runs through The Owner's Manual. The Archaeology page on this site shows real finds, like the Tel Dan Stele and Hezekiah's tunnel, right next to the verses they connect to.

Why Does the ESV Matter for You?

The ESV shows the value of careful, word for word translation. When you want to know exactly what a verse says, a Bible like the ESV, NASB or Berean Standard Bible is a great tool. Paul told Timothy to handle God's word carefully, like a skilled worker.

Be diligent to show yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

No translation is perfect, but God's word is. The more carefully we read it, the more we see how true that is.

The words of Yahweh are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold. Psalm 12:6

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Questions People Ask

When was the ESV published?

Crossway published the English Standard Version in September 2001. It has been lightly revised in 2007, 2011 and 2016.

Is the ESV based on the RSV?

Yes. The ESV is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version. Crossway obtained the rights in 1998 and changed about 8 percent of the text, including restoring virgin in Isaiah 7:14.

Is the ESV word for word?

Crossway calls the ESV essentially literal. It translates word for word as much as English allows, while adjusting where a literal rendering would be unclear. It sits close to the NASB but reads more smoothly.

How many copies has the ESV Study Bible sold?

The ESV Study Bible, released in 2008, sold over one million copies and passed 2.5 million by 2024. In 2009 it became the first study Bible named Christian Book of the Year by the ECPA.

Sources

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