Why can't I find a Bible for sale?

(Editor’s note: Michael Barksdale is deep, faithful and kind. He published this via Facebook Saturday. It is shared here because it is food for thought on the final day of Hanukkah. You really need latkes.)

By Michael Barksdale

Special to the Express

I was shopping online searching ChristianBooks.com and Amazon for a good study bible for a young man who visits our church. I noticed a limited selection between the two sites and I also experienced sticker shock at the prices for the ones I did come across. I exclaimed out loud, "Why are bibles so expensive and so scarce!!"

There was an angelic voice (my wife) that spoke back to me and said, "They must be in high demand."

Now y'all don't judge me-just pray-because I was searching for a Bible and operating in carnality! My first thought was there's a conspiracy to remove Bibles as quickly as possible. I then took it a step further, in my flesh, and went the easy approach and asked Copilot, "Why are Bibles so expensive in the US?"

The response did surprise me as there was good news that the Good News is spreading in high demand

Bibles have gotten more expensive in the U.S. because demand is rising while the supply chain for printing them is unusually fragile and specialized. The search results back this up clearly.

Below is the full picture, grounded in the sources.

Why Bible Prices Have Risen in the U.S.

1. Demand is *surging*, not shrinking

Even though church attendance is down, Bible sales are hitting 20‑year highs.

- Americans are buying more Bibles than ever, with sales up 11% in 2025 and 22% in 2024.

- Interest spikes after major national events or crises, which puts sudden pressure on supply.

When demand rises faster than production capacity, prices follow.

2. Bibles require *specialized materials* that are in short supply

Bible production is not like printing a normal book.

According to reporting on the “weird economics” of Bible sales:

- Bibles use **ultra‑thin paper**, which only a handful of mills in the world produce.

- Many Bibles are printed on **specialized presses**, often overseas (especially in China).

- Any disruption—shipping delays, paper shortages, labor issues—hits Bible production harder than other books.

This creates a bottleneck that drives up costs.

3. Heavy reliance on overseas printing

Most U.S. publishers don’t print Bibles domestically because:

- The U.S. has very few facilities capable of producing thin Bible paper.

- China has dominated this niche for decades.

So when global supply chains wobble, Bible prices jump.

This was especially true after the pandemic and during ongoing shipping cost increases.

4. The market has shifted toward *premium* editions

Publishers have leaned into:

- Leather‑bound editions

- Specialty formats (waterproof, journaling, “adventure” Bibles, commemorative editions)

- Niche translations and custom designs

These cost more to produce and raise the average retail price.

The Religion News Service analysis highlights how hyper‑personalized editions have become a major driver of the market.

5. Cultural and political factors

The RNS piece also notes that:

- Translation debates

- School‑gate Gideon controversies

- Commemorative or politically themed editions

…all contribute to bursts of demand and higher prices.

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”