The New Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Edition (Hardcover 8900) [Hardcover]

Herbert G. May (Editor), Bruce M. Metzger (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 1973

People who enjoy reading the time-honored Revised Standard Version will appreciate the background materials accompanying its text in this highly regarded edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Hebrew (translation) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1600 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (May 17, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195283244
• ISBN-13: 978-0195283242
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,599,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overall a great Bible package!, September 8, 2000

By 

David Bennett (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Edition (Hardcover 8910A) (Hardcover)

The New Oxford Annotated Bible, RSV, with Apocrypha is an amazing work. It uses the accurate RSV translation, and includes the study notes of great scholars like Bruce Metzger and Herbert May. I found the essays at the end of the Bible helpful as well, especially in an Old Testament class. The RSV (and NRSV) also offers the entire apocrypha/deuterocanon accepted by major Christian churches, which will enhance study.

This New Oxford Bible is slightly different than the NRSV version. Many of the notes are identical to those included in the NRSV version, or else they are very similar. The text itself is of course different. The RSV contains archaic language in the Psalms, and has no inclusive language, among other differences. The NRSV however, makes more use of the better texts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Overall I would say this Bible is written from more of a Christian faith perspective than the NRSV counterpart. One example I noticed is in the Introduction to Isaiah in the RSV, where it mentions Jesus as the incarnate suffering servant. This is omitted in the NRSV, probably in a desire to make it more ecumenical among Non-Christian religions.

Overall I think this is a great Bible to own. The scholarship is excellent and embraces Biblical Criticism, while coming from a perspective of faith. The translation is beautiful and readable. I am proud to include this is my collection of Bibles for both personal and academic use.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incorrect reviews!, August 27, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Edition (Genuine Leather Black 8914A) (Leather Bound)

I just wanted to make a note to all the reviews referring to this particular item as the NRSV. Look again! It is the RSV, which means no inclusive language and this is a lovely Bible put out by Oxford University Press. So, if you are looking for a nice leatherbound, annotated study Bible of the RSV with the Apocrypha, ISBN 019528335x is the one for you! Nice and traditional with excellent Orthodox notes.

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Bible, Ecumenical outlook, August 4, 2002

By 

Joseph B. Howard (Hendersonville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Edition (Genuine Leather Black 8914A) (Leather Bound)

The New Oxford Annotated Bible, RSV with apocrypha is not called the Common Bible without reason. The RSV and Apocrypha is the only Bible translation that the Roman, Orthodox and most Protestant denominations have authorized for use. Although the RSV's successor, the New Revised Standard Version is allowed for personal study in the US Catholic Church, it is not authorized for use in the Liturgy. While the Canadian Catholic Church does use the NRSV in some of its lectionary readings, this is largely because they were prematurely printed and they will be replaced eventually. The Orthodox Church in America has rejected the use of the New RSV for liturgical use AND teaching the faith (such as bible studies within the parish) thought it is OK for personal study. So, as it stands, the RSV is the only translation that is officially used by Roman, Orthodox and most protestant churches. That's enough for me to use it, but it also helps that it is a great translation, though I echo a former commentators view about the translation of Isaiah 7:14, at least the RSV does not go so far as to irregularly use "mortal" for Son of Man (especially in Daniel) in the Old testament and not the New, or use "pale green horse" instead of the traditional pale horse in Revelation. So, I highly recommend the RSV with apocrypha as a great translation for anyone who likes a bible that is current in scholarship, reverent with language and ecumenical in use.

[Update: when I wrote this review several years ago, it appeared that the Canadian Roman Catholic Church would be forced to replace their lectionary texts that used the NRSV. I understand now that a "modified" version has been approved by the Vatican.]