Harold W. Attridge
HarperCollins Study Bible: Fully Revised Student Edition Paperback – 3 November 2006
by Harold W (Ed) Attridge (Author)
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From the Back Cover
The landmark general reference Bible that offers the full text of the New Revised Standard Version. Completely revised and updated, this new edition includes revised introductions and notes, and new diagrams, charts and maps--25% revised or new material.
More Praise for the HarperCollins Study Bible:
-I ... can speak with unbounded praise for this work. The auspices are impeccable, the sponsorship is by one of the most prestigious and effective publishing firms in the field of religious publishing, and the scholarship under the aegis of the Society of Biblical Literature, which is the only game in town, the NBA of Bible study in this country (and abroad).-David Noel Freedman, Endowed Chair in Hebrew Biblical Studies, University of California, San Diego; Editor-in-Chief, Anchor Bible Project
-The HarperCollins Study Bible engages some of the best of biblical scholarship for removing unnecessary obstacles in reading the Scriptures. I welcome its publication and recommend it highly.-Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, The Krister Stendahl Professor Scripture and Interpretation, Harvard University
-The HarperCollins Study Bible is the most authoritative ecumenical Bible available, the work of scholars who are at the cutting edge of their subjects. I recommend it highly.-John J. Collins, The University of Chicago
-This is the Bible I have been looking for to use in undergraduate courses. The text itself is clear and readable. The introductions are sound and precise. The footnotes are balanced, accurate and hit a good balance between the dangers of being too terse and too extended.-Harvey Cox, The Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity, the Divinity School, Harvard University
-An invaluable resource for teachers and students, and indeef for every thoughtful reader of the Bible.-Richard P. McBrien, Crowley-O'Brien-Walter Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
-I am extremely glad for the HarperCollins Study Bible....Every effort has been made to make these study notes understandable and accessible to ordinary readers. They can be trusted to provide reliable information without trying to control what should be believed.-Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline
About the Author
Harold W. Attridge, Ph.D., is Dean of Yale University Divinity School and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament. He has published many scholarly contributions to New Testament exegesis and to the study of Hellenistic Judaism and the history of the early Church. He also has served as the president of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Product details
Publisher : HarperCollins Religious US; Revised and Updated ed. edition (3 November 2006)
Language : English
Paperback : 2208 pages
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,363 ratings
Harold W. Attridge
Harold W. Attridge, Ph.D., is Dean of Yale University Divinity School and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament. He has published many scholarly contributions to New Testament exegesis and to the study of Hellenistic Judaism and the history of the early Church. He also has served as the president of the Society of Biblical Literature.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Vary Easy Translation to Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2019
Verified Purchase
It was time for me to buy yet another Bible. Not that I needed it, as I have so many Bibles now.
Verified Purchase
It was time for me to buy yet another Bible. Not that I needed it, as I have so many Bibles now.
I like to follow a “read the entire Bible in one year” programme, which means reading 3-4 chapters per day, and I have been doing this for a number of years. Each time I started afresh I like to use a different translation of the Bible. This year it is the NRSV I am using.
I was interested in getting a so called “Study Bible”,
though I am a little wary of using these as I find the study notes are often the opinion of the author, and so I do not treat the study notes as “thus saith the Lord”.
I wanted a study Bible which gives historical and archaeological evidence, as well as notes from learned scholars that provide true FACTS rather than, “the Bible says it, so it must be true and no secular evidence is required”.
I wanted a balanced set of study notes, and I feel I have this with this Study Bible. I opted for the hardcover version after reading the negative reviews of the Kindle version, and I am glad I did.
This Bible seems to be vary well made and has lots of information in it. It also includes the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books, which though not accepted as Canon by many denominations, the RC being the main exception, they are still interesting to read.
There are plenty of updated notes here and the pages, over 2000 of them, are of that nice crisp “Bible paper”. The NRSV is, so I have read, one of the most accurate translations of the Bible, though some do disagree, saying that the KJV 1611 is the most accurate. I do like the KJV but due to it’s old style language used it can be a vary “wordy” translation to read. This NRSV version is clear and easy to read.
There are plenty of updated notes here and the pages, over 2000 of them, are of that nice crisp “Bible paper”. The NRSV is, so I have read, one of the most accurate translations of the Bible, though some do disagree, saying that the KJV 1611 is the most accurate. I do like the KJV but due to it’s old style language used it can be a vary “wordy” translation to read. This NRSV version is clear and easy to read.
My only negative point about this Bible is that it has no ribbon as so many Bibles do. However, it’s not hard to use a piece of paper for a book marker. Oh, and though the paper it is printed on is nice, it does have a bit of a shine on it that can reflect the light a little, which can be distracting. So, all in all, this is a vary nice study Bible, and a nice easy translation to read. Recommended.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Very fine study bibleReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2014
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An excellent study bible using the NRSV text. Full of detailed, scholarly articles of the more liberal persuasion. Useful to compare the text with the RSV. Worth purchasing, though the New Oxford Annotated Study Bible has the edge for me.
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8 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Ap
4.0 out of 5 stars Very fine study bibleReviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2014
Verified Purchase
An excellent study bible using the NRSV text. Full of detailed, scholarly articles of the more liberal persuasion. Useful to compare the text with the RSV. Worth purchasing, though the New Oxford Annotated Study Bible has the edge for me.
13 people found this helpfulReport abuse
====
HarperCollins Study Bible: Fully Revised & Updated
by
4.36 · Rating details · 856 ratings · 48 reviews
After 10 years of new archeological discoveries and changes in biblical studies, it was time for an overhaul of this classic reference work.
With the guidance of the Society of Biblical Literature, an organization of the best biblical scholars world wide, we have selected Dean of Yale Divinity School, Harold Attridge, to oversee the Study Bible's updating and revision.
Including up–to–date introductions to the Biblical books, based on the latest critical scholarship, by leading experts in the field
concise notes, clearly explaining names, dates, places, obscure terms, and other difficulties in reading the Biblical text careful analysis of the structure of Biblical books
abundant maps, tables, and charts to enable the reader to understand the context of the Bible, and to see the relationship among its parts.
In this new revised edition every introduction, essay, map, illustration and explanatory note has been reviewed and updated, and new material added. For instance,
There are newly commissioned introductory essays on
- the archaeology of ancient Israel and the New Testament world,
- the religion of ancient Israel,
- the social and historical context of each book of the Bible, and
- on Biblical interpretation.
- There are completely new introductions and notes for many of the books in the Bible, plus a full revision and updating of all others.
Kindle Edition, 2272 pages
Published June 20th 2017 by HarperOne (first published 393)
Having studied religion from an historical perspective for a number of years, I truly appreciate the comprehensive nature of the footnotes in the HarperCollins edition. Explanations of the spiritual or supernatural tones in the passages are often specific to particular branches of faith and would render many study Bibles invalid for anyone not approaching the text within that branch. This Bible discusses few of those issues, allowing individual readers their own perspectives and beliefs.
Being a highly ecumenical collaboration, this translation allows the texts their difficulties and acknowledges problematic passages. There are phrases that simply don't translate well, and there are other phrases that have lost their original meanings through multiple translations. Fortunately, the footnotes frequently clarify unusual phrases and sayings, repetitions, allusions, and direct references to former texts, which vividly bring out the literary aspect of the texts--an aspect that is often glossed over or ignored. It also provides introductions to the texts, discussing authorship, historical context, intended audience, and intellectual purpose.
If you want to read the Bible for your personal growth and edification, choose the version that is easiest for you to access. If you want to learn more about the structure of the texts, the historical significance, and the connotations behind the writings, this particular study Bible is, perhaps, the best choice you can make. (less)
Being a highly ecumenical collaboration, this translation allows the texts their difficulties and acknowledges problematic passages. There are phrases that simply don't translate well, and there are other phrases that have lost their original meanings through multiple translations. Fortunately, the footnotes frequently clarify unusual phrases and sayings, repetitions, allusions, and direct references to former texts, which vividly bring out the literary aspect of the texts--an aspect that is often glossed over or ignored. It also provides introductions to the texts, discussing authorship, historical context, intended audience, and intellectual purpose.
If you want to read the Bible for your personal growth and edification, choose the version that is easiest for you to access. If you want to learn more about the structure of the texts, the historical significance, and the connotations behind the writings, this particular study Bible is, perhaps, the best choice you can make. (less)
Sep 04, 2014Tommy Grooms rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This is a translation which manages to strike a very good balance between literalism and modern readability (at least, that's what I can tell from looking back and forth between difficult verses in different translations - I'm no scholar, and I certainly don't know Hebrew or Greek!).
What I was really using this Bible for, however, was the notes, of which there are quite a few (it's more like a collection of notes with a bible attached). The focus is very academic. The goal seems to be presenting the textual/literary/anthropological/cultural history of the Bible as objectively as possible, as comprehensively as possible. There's a lot we know about the Bible, but also a lot we don't know. The notes let you know when issues or points of fact are in contention, and what scholarly consensus (or majority, or plurality) exists, if any.
The focus is not theological, other than what it takes to tell the story of the text's development. This is a very good study Bible for those who want the text and its history, warts and all, without any agenda attached. As a new Christian I found it very helpful to have an authoritative source that wasn't whispering what to think in my ear the whole time. In my years-long journey to read the whole Bible I definitely read other things and I certainly favored some theological arguments over others (and I wouldn't recommend that anyone read this book alone if they're seeking to understand the Bible), but this book served as a neutral grounding for getting the text as is, for which I was continually thankful. (less)
What I was really using this Bible for, however, was the notes, of which there are quite a few (it's more like a collection of notes with a bible attached). The focus is very academic. The goal seems to be presenting the textual/literary/anthropological/cultural history of the Bible as objectively as possible, as comprehensively as possible. There's a lot we know about the Bible, but also a lot we don't know. The notes let you know when issues or points of fact are in contention, and what scholarly consensus (or majority, or plurality) exists, if any.
The focus is not theological, other than what it takes to tell the story of the text's development. This is a very good study Bible for those who want the text and its history, warts and all, without any agenda attached. As a new Christian I found it very helpful to have an authoritative source that wasn't whispering what to think in my ear the whole time. In my years-long journey to read the whole Bible I definitely read other things and I certainly favored some theological arguments over others (and I wouldn't recommend that anyone read this book alone if they're seeking to understand the Bible), but this book served as a neutral grounding for getting the text as is, for which I was continually thankful. (less)
Jan 27, 2010Hilary rated it liked it · review of another edition
I had never read the Bible before, and this was a great intro to reading such a historically referenced tome. This version has tons of footnotes that clarify the customs of the ancient world, the Jewish world, and details about historical facts within the Bible. The translation was very clear, and this copy provided all the alternate translations that the Bible could be read with, as well as scholars' interpretations of the stories and their meaning. The only drawbacks to this book were that A) the Bible past Genesis is not really a rip-roaring read, and B) the Harper-Collins translation, while clear, didn't have the poetry of the King James, which is what I was expecting. The Lord's Prayer translation especially paled in comparison. (less)
Jul 12, 2007Heath rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: Anyone who is looking for a great NRSV Study Bible
My very esteemed professor of New Testament, Dr. Jouette Bassler (who has recently retired) wrote the scholarly notes for a majority of the sections related to Paul's Letters and is an overall editor of this version. Anytime you can learn about Scripture from someone with her stature, it is truly humbling. (less)
Mar 29, 2012Caterina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This seems to be a very good edition of the Bible both from a scholarly perspective and for the language itself. Of the dozen or so translations we have at the house, this is the one I prefer to read from. The only trouble is the binding - it's paperback and my copy has fallen apart into many pieces. (less)
Sep 01, 2014Samuel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
***I finished reading the Old Testament cover-to-cover today (Sunday, January 3, 2016) perhaps for the fourth time in my life. The other three times, I read the King James Version (KJV); overall, reading the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was not markedly different though it did cast some understanding on certain archaic phrases as well as demonstrate why some passages beloved by Mormons have a very different reading/understanding/interpretation in other denominations.
It is a remarkably complex collection of books with some fairly simple messages: remember God and what He has done for His people--honor Him, your parents, and love your neighbor as yourself. Surely there is more, but it really does boil down to those fairly consistent aspects. Some of the stories are baffling but nearly all of them are brilliant: great food for thought for literature classes and papers. Admittedly some portions of the chronicles and apocalyptic texts are redundant, dry, and less-than-inspiring, but overall, it forms a great lesson in thoroughness and human attempts at recording the divine. Even scripture, the word of God, is translated, transcribed, and interpreted through the human lens of culture. It should not surprise believers that there are human errors and ambiguities in the text. We struggle to understand the sacred text, and through that struggle (study and prayer) we find inspiration that helps us understand, trust, and follow God more clearly. It is a beautiful thing: the word of God illuminated by the Spirit of God.
***I finished reading the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament today (Tuesday, May 24, 2016). This was my first time reading the Apocrypha--biblical writings not forming part of the accepted canon of scripture (due to dubious authorship or otherwise questionable content). In the Mormon faith, as recorded in Doctrine & Covenants section 91, it is asserted that the Apocrypha is "mostly translated correctly" but contains "many interpolations by the hands of man" that are not true. Nevertheless, if read in good faith then the Spirit may enlighten and edify the reader of its contents. With this in mind, I attempted to study this collection of mainly first century stories that position themselves alongside other Biblical narratives and time periods with some strange and odd stories as well as some proverbial wisdom and profound insights.
I will share one part I particularly enjoyed. In 1 Esdras 3-4, there is a debate/competition among the three bodyguards of King Darius (who ruled the Persian Empire from 522-486 BC). The winner of this competition, Zerubbabel, was granted permission to rebuild the temple (Solomon's Temple was completely destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the Israelites were still in captivity at the time of the competition). The competition asked what the strongest force in the world was. While the first bodyguard made a witty case for WINE and the second bodyguard chose the more obsequious answer of THE KING, Zerubbabel wins the day by first saying that WOMEN are the strongest force in the world but then craftily working in a second answer of TRUTH (especially concerning the one true God). This story explaining how the second temple came to be built by a Jewish man in exile brings up wonderful themes about the effects of strong drink, political governance/might, the important but unheralded role of women in society, and the more familiar theme of the supremacy and omnipotence of the Hebrew God. It was an enjoyable and edifying read, and there are several lessons akin to it in the Apocrypha if you are willing to dig in and weed through some of the more mundane filler (present in virtually all forms of writing).
***I finished reading the New Testament today (Thursday, January 12, 2017). This is perhaps my seventh time reading it cover-to-cover but my first reading of a non-KJV translation (NRSV). As with the Old Testament, I enjoyed new translations of familiar scriptures. Reading the footnotes along the way (the back cover asserts that the text is 60% scriptural text and 40% commentary/footnotes), I was struck by the quantity of quotation of OT scriptures that occurs in the NT. Surely early Christianity took Judaism in a new direction that split it from its predecessor, but it firmly establishes itself on the theological and cultural foundation of Judaism (much like Islam would do half a millennium later). With respect to the gospels, their four respective primary audiences were clear:
Matthew: primarily written for Jewish sensibilities (shows Christ's fulfillment of OT scriptures)
Mark: primarily spoke to Romans (highlights the power and actions of Christ)
Luke: written by a Greek for Greeks (happiness found in pursuit of truth: stories, songs, interviews)
John: written by an eyewitness of Christ's life, ministry, and resurrection for the broadest audience (makes a very strong case for the reality of Christ and the need for exercising faith in Jesus Christ)
Some of my favorite insights from Paul's epistles:
2 Corinthians 6:4-7 Adversity and virtue were closely linked in antiquity; the latter followed from exposure and experience from the former. So in modern times, we might well adopt that attitude of learning virtue from adversity rather than succumb to complaining.
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation, but worldly grief produces death." Guilt can crush the soul, but with faith in Christ, it can help one become better in this life and "saved" in the next.
Hebrews 2:10 and 12:2 Whereas in the KJV it reads "captain of their salvation" and "the author and finisher of our faith," in the NRSV it translates "captain" and "author" both as "pioneer." I find this very fitting and meaningful, especially to Mormons who revere pioneer ancestors with a state holiday in Utah: Pioneer Day--July 24. As a pioneer, Jesus Christ not only blazed the trail for us to follow in salvation specifically, He also set the example of pioneering more generally. In other words, we are each pioneers in our individual lives. We look to Christ for salvation, but the particulars of our journey will vary and require us to make unique decisions. These decisions ought to be informed by faith, but the path is not entirely "set in stone." We walk by faith and pioneer the path as Christ did before us.
Although it took me a long time (28.5 months), it was a great experience to read the Bible from cover to cover with footnotes and introductory texts along the way. It can be a challenging book for its length, diversity, and repetition, but it has moments of pure clarity and profound beauty that makes it worthy of being considered a classic, widely read text of the western canon as well as an obvious choice for anyone who takes up the mantle of discipleship and wishes to wrestle with the scripture and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. I love the Bible, and I enjoy reading, pondering, and discussing its ambitious scope and literary richness. (less)
It is a remarkably complex collection of books with some fairly simple messages: remember God and what He has done for His people--honor Him, your parents, and love your neighbor as yourself. Surely there is more, but it really does boil down to those fairly consistent aspects. Some of the stories are baffling but nearly all of them are brilliant: great food for thought for literature classes and papers. Admittedly some portions of the chronicles and apocalyptic texts are redundant, dry, and less-than-inspiring, but overall, it forms a great lesson in thoroughness and human attempts at recording the divine. Even scripture, the word of God, is translated, transcribed, and interpreted through the human lens of culture. It should not surprise believers that there are human errors and ambiguities in the text. We struggle to understand the sacred text, and through that struggle (study and prayer) we find inspiration that helps us understand, trust, and follow God more clearly. It is a beautiful thing: the word of God illuminated by the Spirit of God.
***I finished reading the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament today (Tuesday, May 24, 2016). This was my first time reading the Apocrypha--biblical writings not forming part of the accepted canon of scripture (due to dubious authorship or otherwise questionable content). In the Mormon faith, as recorded in Doctrine & Covenants section 91, it is asserted that the Apocrypha is "mostly translated correctly" but contains "many interpolations by the hands of man" that are not true. Nevertheless, if read in good faith then the Spirit may enlighten and edify the reader of its contents. With this in mind, I attempted to study this collection of mainly first century stories that position themselves alongside other Biblical narratives and time periods with some strange and odd stories as well as some proverbial wisdom and profound insights.
I will share one part I particularly enjoyed. In 1 Esdras 3-4, there is a debate/competition among the three bodyguards of King Darius (who ruled the Persian Empire from 522-486 BC). The winner of this competition, Zerubbabel, was granted permission to rebuild the temple (Solomon's Temple was completely destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the Israelites were still in captivity at the time of the competition). The competition asked what the strongest force in the world was. While the first bodyguard made a witty case for WINE and the second bodyguard chose the more obsequious answer of THE KING, Zerubbabel wins the day by first saying that WOMEN are the strongest force in the world but then craftily working in a second answer of TRUTH (especially concerning the one true God). This story explaining how the second temple came to be built by a Jewish man in exile brings up wonderful themes about the effects of strong drink, political governance/might, the important but unheralded role of women in society, and the more familiar theme of the supremacy and omnipotence of the Hebrew God. It was an enjoyable and edifying read, and there are several lessons akin to it in the Apocrypha if you are willing to dig in and weed through some of the more mundane filler (present in virtually all forms of writing).
***I finished reading the New Testament today (Thursday, January 12, 2017). This is perhaps my seventh time reading it cover-to-cover but my first reading of a non-KJV translation (NRSV). As with the Old Testament, I enjoyed new translations of familiar scriptures. Reading the footnotes along the way (the back cover asserts that the text is 60% scriptural text and 40% commentary/footnotes), I was struck by the quantity of quotation of OT scriptures that occurs in the NT. Surely early Christianity took Judaism in a new direction that split it from its predecessor, but it firmly establishes itself on the theological and cultural foundation of Judaism (much like Islam would do half a millennium later). With respect to the gospels, their four respective primary audiences were clear:
Matthew: primarily written for Jewish sensibilities (shows Christ's fulfillment of OT scriptures)
Mark: primarily spoke to Romans (highlights the power and actions of Christ)
Luke: written by a Greek for Greeks (happiness found in pursuit of truth: stories, songs, interviews)
John: written by an eyewitness of Christ's life, ministry, and resurrection for the broadest audience (makes a very strong case for the reality of Christ and the need for exercising faith in Jesus Christ)
Some of my favorite insights from Paul's epistles:
2 Corinthians 6:4-7 Adversity and virtue were closely linked in antiquity; the latter followed from exposure and experience from the former. So in modern times, we might well adopt that attitude of learning virtue from adversity rather than succumb to complaining.
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation, but worldly grief produces death." Guilt can crush the soul, but with faith in Christ, it can help one become better in this life and "saved" in the next.
Hebrews 2:10 and 12:2 Whereas in the KJV it reads "captain of their salvation" and "the author and finisher of our faith," in the NRSV it translates "captain" and "author" both as "pioneer." I find this very fitting and meaningful, especially to Mormons who revere pioneer ancestors with a state holiday in Utah: Pioneer Day--July 24. As a pioneer, Jesus Christ not only blazed the trail for us to follow in salvation specifically, He also set the example of pioneering more generally. In other words, we are each pioneers in our individual lives. We look to Christ for salvation, but the particulars of our journey will vary and require us to make unique decisions. These decisions ought to be informed by faith, but the path is not entirely "set in stone." We walk by faith and pioneer the path as Christ did before us.
Although it took me a long time (28.5 months), it was a great experience to read the Bible from cover to cover with footnotes and introductory texts along the way. It can be a challenging book for its length, diversity, and repetition, but it has moments of pure clarity and profound beauty that makes it worthy of being considered a classic, widely read text of the western canon as well as an obvious choice for anyone who takes up the mantle of discipleship and wishes to wrestle with the scripture and exercise faith in Jesus Christ. I love the Bible, and I enjoy reading, pondering, and discussing its ambitious scope and literary richness. (less)
November 4, 2013:
I finished reading the NT last night from this Study Bible. With the help of my "8 Translations" book, I feel like I have learned a TON about the NT after reading it in this book. The notes are very helpful, and the introductory essays are quite good, although I prefer Raymond Brown's essays on each NT in his "Introduction to the New Testament." The level of skepticism about the authenticity of the NT books from the authors of the introductions in the Study Bible varied quite a ...more
I finished reading the NT last night from this Study Bible. With the help of my "8 Translations" book, I feel like I have learned a TON about the NT after reading it in this book. The notes are very helpful, and the introductory essays are quite good, although I prefer Raymond Brown's essays on each NT in his "Introduction to the New Testament." The level of skepticism about the authenticity of the NT books from the authors of the introductions in the Study Bible varied quite a ...more
Jan 15, 2019Daniel Chaikin rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I do have a quirky reviews of the first five books, the OT and the NT. Not posting here, but message me and I can point you there.
Apr 04, 2018Thomas rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I greatly enjoyed this translation. The text is clear, and on the "dynamic-literal" spectrum, it falls slightly literal of center but without sacrificing important dynamic elements that more literal translations sometimes lose. The notes are extensive and relevant. (less)
Apr 15, 2008Chris rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Jews
Recommended to Chris by: My Professors
I bought this Bible for my studies in college. It includes the books of the Old and New Testaments with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books. The Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books aren't in standard Protestant Christian Bibles, but are found in the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and/or Slavonic Orthodox Bibles. These include Tobit, Judith, The Additions to the Book of Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, Baruch, The Letter of Jeremiah, The Additions to the Book of Daniel (The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews), Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon), 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, 3 Maccabees, 4 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Prayer of Manasseh, and Psalm 151. The lists of names and order of books of the Bible in the Jewish, Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions provides a handy reference for ecumenical and interfaith discussions. This Bible includes several color maps I found useful in my studies: Physical Map of the Land of Israel and Surroundign Area in Biblical Times, The Ancient World in the Late Bronze Age, Settlement in Canaan and the Tribal Areas, The Empire of David and Solomon, The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, The Assyrian Empire, Judah After the Fall of Israel, Great Empires of the Sixth Century B.C.E., Israel Under Persian Rule (After the Return from Exile), The Empire of Alexander, Israel's Boundary Under the Maccabees, The Roman World, Judah, Samaria, and Surrounding Areas in New Testament Times, Jerusalem of David and Solomon, Jerusalem After the Exile, Jerusalem in Jesus' Time, The Eastern Mediterranean World at the Time of the New Testament (First Century C.E.), and Archaeological Sites in Israel and Jordan. (less)
Apr 16, 2007Bradley Koch rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: everyone
Even though I am a religious person, I tend to be more interested in religion as a scholar. This translation is generally regarded as the most accurate and up-to-date by academics, and the footnotes help to put what can otherwise be a VERY confusing tome into context. If you can't read Koine Greek, this is the Bible you should own. (less)
Mar 08, 2018Eden rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Wow...that took 5 years to read every word a few pages every day. As an avowed atheist, I thought I should read the bedrock of Western history and faith and it certainly did not sway me.
The Bible is one of my favorite books and this version is the better one out there honestly if you really want to try understanding the book's and Christianity's overall relevance. IMHO people who judge The Bible and/or Christianity (oftentimes liberals) without having actually read The Bible or tried to understand Christianity's roots are as arrogant and ignorant as the people they often ridicule.
Disclosure: I am not religious whatsoever (atheist-under-weak-ass-agnostic-label) and consider myself a liberal (with some progressive leanings). (less)
Disclosure: I am not religious whatsoever (atheist-under-weak-ass-agnostic-label) and consider myself a liberal (with some progressive leanings). (less)
May 16, 2018HarrietHH rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Five stars given for THIS EDITION of the Bible, not the content of the Bible itself. Based on the latest archeological findings and most authentic sources available, this translation is arguably the most credible English version accessible at this time. Scholarly, non-theological introductions to the edition, and to each of the individual Old Testament, Apocryphal and New Testament books, maps for the various periods of history, as well as detailed annotations throughout help to inform any student of the text. (less)
Oct 23, 2021Susan Jones rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: didn-t-can-t-finish
I can't say I read the entire thing. My copy was a library copy and there was no way it was going to get done. And to be really honest, I didn't read that much. I was more glancing through it so I can't give an accurate review. I will say that it helped with my understanding of Isaiah, set as poetry, if nothing else. And I'm sure if I had a copy and could really spend the time with it I would enjoy the insights. (less)
Jun 20, 2017Ellie rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Here's the thing: the Bible itself is a difficult and time consuming read. Some of it is entertaining, some of it is sad, and some of it is boring. It is filled with stories and sometimes has multiple versions of the same story. This version is wonderful though; it has different interpretations and explains parts that otherwise would be quite difficult to understand. My religion professor in college recommended this particular version to me. (less)
Oct 06, 2018Pól rated it it was amazing
Excellent
I find this version of the Bible is clearly my preferred translation and this, set alongside a good series of textual and historical analysis articles, makes it even better. What I really like about this volume though is that it is on Kindle
I find this version of the Bible is clearly my preferred translation and this, set alongside a good series of textual and historical analysis articles, makes it even better. What I really like about this volume though is that it is on Kindle
Jan 17, 2008Ray rated it it was ok · review of another edition
With so many other decent study Bibles out there, there is not really a good reason to get this one. Really the only reason is if you want one that includes the Apocrypha (though the New Annotated Oxford NRSV is probably better).
Format issues: The typeface is light and difficult to read. I don't know if it comes in better binding, but the hardcover format I used was not as comfortable and attractive as most leather Bibles.
Content: The notes are less extensive than some other study Bibles (for example, NIV Study Bible) and are mostly just annotations. The contributors have all decided against the validity of much of what the Bible reports and advocates. They are far too critical, and as a result the usefulness of this book is diminished. Unlike, say the NIV Study Bible or the Reformation Study Bible, the HarperCollins Bible would not be very helpful for personal devotionals, small group studies, etc. It spills too much ink trying to show how the Bible isn't really accurate and trustworthy before the user can start trying to make application to their life. Highly skeptical Biblical criticism has its place, but for a study Bible it seriously handicaps the work. (less)
Format issues: The typeface is light and difficult to read. I don't know if it comes in better binding, but the hardcover format I used was not as comfortable and attractive as most leather Bibles.
Content: The notes are less extensive than some other study Bibles (for example, NIV Study Bible) and are mostly just annotations. The contributors have all decided against the validity of much of what the Bible reports and advocates. They are far too critical, and as a result the usefulness of this book is diminished. Unlike, say the NIV Study Bible or the Reformation Study Bible, the HarperCollins Bible would not be very helpful for personal devotionals, small group studies, etc. It spills too much ink trying to show how the Bible isn't really accurate and trustworthy before the user can start trying to make application to their life. Highly skeptical Biblical criticism has its place, but for a study Bible it seriously handicaps the work. (less)
Jul 03, 2016Dorian Driscoll rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Even though I disagreed with much of the skeptical scholarship behind the annotations in this Bible, this was an excellent study Bible that went into great detail over its affirmations. It also explains the literary structure of various books and stories, and generally treats the Bible not only as a sacred work (though it largely denies anything miraculous or prophetic) but also as a text to be interpreted according to more than just its various propositions. Like most study Bibles or even other books, lots was merely glossed over, but that's to be expected from any. Overall, a very good Bible. (less)
Aug 08, 2016Dan Gorman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Reading portions of Exodus, Ecclesiastes, Matthew, 2 Chronicles, and Daniel for grad school, I was reminded of this volume's quality. The writing is clear and extremely accurate when compared to the original documents, and a wide array of scholars contributed to the translations and footnotes. Some of the language may lack the poeticism of the classic King James Bible, but many portions (Ecclesiastes in particular) are stirring in their own right. I think as far as completeness and readability go, this is the best Bible on the market right now. Academics and faithful Christians alike will find much to savor here. (less)
Mar 08, 2014T Crockett rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: spiritual-religious
It feels odd to write a review of the Bible, but this is the most helpful version of the Bible I've ever used. It was recommended to me by my priest when I admitted I really all that familiar with the Bible aside from the stories I remembered from Sunday school. This is just what I needed. Each book begins with historical information about who is believed to have written it, any scholarly disagreements and the general historical context. The bottom of each page is rich with supplemental information. (less)
Dec 28, 2010Chase rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I know it's not the KJV, and I know that a lot of LDS folks believe that the only 'correct' version of the bible is the KJV, but I unabashedly give this 5 stars because 1 a different translation can give you greater insight into the KJV and 2 it has the best scholarly research on the bible that exists today. The footnotes offer insight into the history, culture, mindset of the people in the bible. I particularly enjoyed the old testiment. (less)
Among my many Bible editions, clearly my first choice for most study. NRSV of course. I even prefer its inter-textual references to those in the Oxford edition, although both are first rate and it is fun and instructive to compare when one has time. (Did so once for fairly extensive collection of the Psalms.)
It is heavy. Would be nice if these could be bound with 2-5 ribbon markers, but of course they are not.
It is heavy. Would be nice if these could be bound with 2-5 ribbon markers, but of course they are not.
Feb 26, 2012Sam rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommended to Sam by: school
Shelves: religion, nonfiction
This is an excellent reference bible. Although I prefer an edition with Hebrew in order to delve into the real meaning of the words, I love to reference this book when I need to quickly glance at something or to get a little bit of an idea about a passage in the bible. This is not for the advanced bible scholar but for those who are just starting out or don't want to delve too far into the bible, this is the perfect starting point. (less)
Oct 02, 2013Mardel Fehrenbach rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I am using this version for a bible study class. The notes are very quite useful and I the text seems to find a good balance between possible interpretations of words, also with good notes as to why a particular word was used when meaning can be vague. We are going very slowly, about 4 chapters a week, or so, and of the various translations (we each may choose our own favorite) used by my fellow students, I consistently find this to be the most satisfactory for my use.
Dec 25, 2015John rated it really liked it · review of another edition
This is a good Study Bible to have if one wishes to interact with modern higher-critical scholarship.
Evangelicals won't find the notes to be particularly spiritually nourishing, but it is well worth having in order to have a well rounded collection of study bible and to be aware of alternative views. The fact that this Bible includes the Apocrypha with notes is an additional bonus that one won't find in most orthodox Protestant study Bibles. (less)
There are some good stories in here.
I have not read them all (too many!) but I have picked this book up time and again for various reasons and there is some captivating stuff in there! Check it out.
FYI, the NRSV is the academically accepted version of the Bible and it's written in a very readable fashion. (less)
I have not read them all (too many!) but I have picked this book up time and again for various reasons and there is some captivating stuff in there! Check it out.
FYI, the NRSV is the academically accepted version of the Bible and it's written in a very readable fashion. (less)
Mar 17, 2010Patti McDermott rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: religion-spirituality
This is one of several bibles I read intermittantly. It is my favorite to date. I would have preferred the hard-bound version, the the host was prohibitive. Maybe one day.
This was recommended to me by one of the nuns working in the catholic bookshop I went to. She uses this version as her study bible.
Excellent study bible with extensive academic-style notes. Good for personal or individual study. I've found one or two dubious explanations but overall really good with lots of cross references. Although the NRSV is starting to feel a little dated (English evolves so quickly!) it's quite a readable translation and better accuracy than many. (less)
Jun 07, 2008Loren rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
OT funny stories = 3 stars
OT moral teachings = -2 stars
Presence of Leviticus alone = -1 star
Angry, vengeful OT God = -3 stars
OT laughing at drunk prophets = +2 stars
Kind, loving NT God = +4 stars
Paul's rants = -1 star
The Gospel of John = +2 stars
Good study bible edition = +1 star (less)
OT moral teachings = -2 stars
Presence of Leviticus alone = -1 star
Angry, vengeful OT God = -3 stars
OT laughing at drunk prophets = +2 stars
Kind, loving NT God = +4 stars
Paul's rants = -1 star
The Gospel of John = +2 stars
Good study bible edition = +1 star (less)
