The Orthodox Study Bible, usually abbreviated OSB, is an English Bible text built on the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament that the Eastern Orthodox Church has long used in worship, paired with a New Testament translated to match. Its reading level sits in the middle range for a study Bible: more demanding than a simple thought-for-thought version, but far more approachable than a strictly literal one. It suits readers who want a full study apparatus alongside the text, including notes written from an Orthodox perspective, and who are willing to take on a slightly more formal English style.
Background
The OSB was produced by a team working under the auspices of the Orthodox church in America and published in 2010 by Thomas Nelson. Its goal was to give English-speaking Orthodox Christians a Bible that reflects the Greek Old Testament tradition rather than the Hebrew Masoretic text that most Protestant and Catholic English Bibles follow. The notes, introductions and essays were written by Orthodox scholars and clergy, so the book works as a devotional and theological resource as much as a translation.
Because the project was tied to a specific church tradition, its editors also had to decide how to handle the New Testament, where most translators draw on the same Greek manuscripts used elsewhere. The result is a text that stays close to traditional English usage while adjusting certain readings and terms to reflect Orthodox liturgical language.
Translation Method
The OSB leans toward a formal, word-level approach, aiming to keep the structure and vocabulary of the source languages visible in English. This gives you a sense of how the original authors put their sentences together, which is valuable for careful study, but it also means some passages keep the rhythm of older English and a few phrases may read awkwardly on a first pass.
That choice affects the reading experience in predictable ways. Long, layered sentences from the Greek often stay long in English, and technical theological terms are kept rather than explained away. Readers who compare the OSB side by side with a thought-for-thought translation will notice more of the original grammar showing through, which can slow reading but rewards slow reading.
Reading Level and Style
In practical terms, the OSB is generally written at a high school to early college reading level. Sentence length varies with the source text, so narrative passages in Genesis or the Gospels are usually easier to follow than the dense argument of Romans or Hebrews. The vocabulary is mostly everyday English, with a steady sprinkling of church and biblical terms that the notes help explain.
The tone is dignified and reverent. Expect a style that sounds like a formal liturgical reading rather than a conversation, which many readers find fitting for prayer and worship. If you are new to Scripture, the accompanying notes and introductions do much of the work of making the text accessible, so the raw translation alone may feel heavier than the full package.
A Verse to Compare
Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
(WEB)
The WEB, the public-domain text shown on this page, renders this familiar line in plain modern English, with short clauses that a younger reader can follow without stopping. Set beside the OSB, which follows the Greek Psalter numbering and phrasing more closely, you will see a slightly more formal sentence shape and older word choices. Both carry the same central claim that the Lord is the shepherd who provides, but the OSB asks a little more of the reader’s attention in exchange for closer contact with the Greek tradition.
Who Should Use It
The OSB works well for Orthodox Christians who want a Bible aligned with their own tradition, and for Protestant or Catholic readers curious about how the Greek Old Testament differs from the Hebrew-based text they know. Its notes and essays are a real strength for study groups and for anyone who wants historical and liturgical context built into the page. The main limits are the slightly heavier reading level and the fact that the commentary reflects a specific church perspective, which some readers will appreciate and others will want to weigh carefully.
If your priority is quick, easy reading at a conversational pace, a thought-for-thought translation may serve you better for daily devotions. If you are studying the text in depth and value seeing its structure and tradition clearly, the OSB rewards the extra effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OSB harder to read than a typical study Bible?
It is generally a bit more demanding because it keeps closer to the structure of the original languages. Many readers adjust within a few chapters, especially when they use the included notes.
Can Protestants use the OSB?
Yes, many do, especially those interested in the Greek Old Testament. Be aware that the notes present an Orthodox viewpoint, so reading them alongside your own tradition is helpful.
Does the OSB use the same verse numbering as other Bibles?
Not always. Because it follows the Greek Old Testament tradition, some Psalms and other books are numbered differently, so check the reference against the text before comparing it to another translation.
