Customer Reviews

Amplified Bible Mass Market

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The "Mass Market" edition is a great value on a great work, but the print is way too small for most readers

I don't recommend this item. The Amplified Bible is an awesome translation, but this mass market edition's font is extremely small, 6, maybe 8 pt type. I had to return it. Reading a font this small, regardless how wonderful the information, is too tiring on the eyes. I have excellent vision, and am young. This was excessive strain.

I've been reading the Amplified Bible for about 2 weeks. It's excellent! I think it's so much better than the NIV in clarity. It's more difficult to read because the sentences are choppy because it has meanings right next to certain words for clarity. But after 2 weeks of reading the Amplified version, I got the hang of it. If you're tired of NIV, check out the Amplified!

I love the amplified version of the bible. I bought this paperback version for a second copy to have with me when I travel.(I own a leather cover edition)

I am really enjoying this translation of the Bible. It gives additional phases of meaning staying true to the original word, phrase, or clause of the original language and contains justified clarifying words or comments not actually expressed in the immediate original text, as well as definitions of Hebrew and Greek names. The compact size makes it easier to take to church. I wear glasses and don't have a problem reading the small print.

The only complaint I have about this is that it is really small print. I gave this as a gift to someone, but I would have preferred it if it were just a little bit larger.

Amplified Bible is an English translation that attempts to clarify the meanings of words in original Biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic). It uses multiple English word equivalents to amplify meanings that may otherwise have been concealed by the traditional translation method. It is very convenient to use. Unfortunately, the "amplification" is unreliable, often exaggerating or distorting the nuances of the words in original languages. The readers are misled to believe that he/she has uncovered "hidden treasure" not seen in standard English translations(KJV, NASB, NIV, etc.). In fact, most popular-level word study references suffer from this weakness. If you are serious about word study, but have no working knowledge of original Biblical languages, you should consult more reliable references such as Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, Interlinear for the Rest of Us, and ESV English-Greek Reverse Interlinear.

If you follow my reviews, you know that I am Anglo Catholic. As someone who works in a church, I have access to most of the different versions of the Bible. If you follow my reviews, you know that the 2 versions I use the most are the "Good News" and the ORIGINAL "Revised Standard." The subject at hand (the "Amplified Bible") is based on the interpretations of the Lockman Foundation. Since this is a Protestant Bible, it does NOT contain the 'Deuterocanonicals' (better known as the 'Apocrypha'). But since this is a Protestant Bible, we can't really hold that against it. What makes this version unusual is that cross references and explanatory notes are placed in the text itself and isolated by brackets. Depending on the kind of person you are, you may find this to be a wonderful idea, or you may find it utterly distracting and annoying. That is one decision I can not make for you. I can only say the 2 results that are probable. The translation of the text itself is a revision of the "American Standard." The text translation is alright for the most part, but there were some translations that I found to be questionable. The explanatory notes were where I had some major problems. To be sure, there were some valuable things in them, such as how they explain there are 2 kinds of life. (Physical and spiritual) But there were a number of things in the explanatory notes that I found erroneous. One is where they list Herod as a higher authority than Pilate. Another is where they listed Judas' remorse as a selfish feeling. (In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that his suicide was the result of a selfish whim. Granted Judas betrayed Christ, and no unanimous opinion as to why prevails. But let's at least grant that Judas felt an honest remorse for what he had done, or according to Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977), what he may have been tricked into doing. ) Another explanatory note I have a problem with is where Jesus' words in "John" 16:33 are interpreted as meaning: 'I have deprived (the world) of the power to harm you...' There will always be evils and temptations in the world that can potentially harm us. God gives us the teachings to avoid evils and temptations, BUT PART OF IT IS UP TO US! In short, I do not like the ultra conservative views that lead to misinterpretations of the text. Granted, while I perform some services in the church, I am not an ordained priest. But I seriously doubt any bishop, priest, or nun would suggest this version. If you are looking for a beginner friendly version of the Good Book, go with the "Good News." If you are looking for a great literal translation, go with the original "Revised Standard." If you want a good cross reference version, go with the "Holman Christian Standard." If you want great explanatory notes, go with the "New American."

This was a purchase that I made as a gift to someone. They were totally happy with it so I would definately use this vendor again.

I have always used an Amplified Bible. I have a hardback Bible but it is getting very fragile so I was very happy to get this paperback copy. It's all there just as in my hardback copy so I can study the Word now without worrying about the fragile pages falling out. The Amplified Bible to me is the best and easiest to understand.