Customer Reviews

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible KJV; The Holy Bible: King James Version Dake's Annotated Reference Burgundy Imitation Leather Compact Reference

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review addresses three areas of a Dake Bible: (1) style and format; (2) size and quality of the versions and (3) what to expect from a Dake Bible (per your Christian growth).

As you will see from other reviewers, it is a controversial Bible and we do NOT recommend it as a first study Bible. Right up front, it is impossible for you to determine its worth unless you compare a Dake to other resources. Bibles are very personal choices. Please understand that we believe you can find value in most everything but that also requires enough knowledge to separate truth from fiction.

We also mention other resources for comparison, which seem to be absent in other reviews here.

FIRST, what to expect from a Dake Bible.
You may know that the author, a southern Pentecostal preacher (1902-1987) Finis Dake, devoted his life to creating it. Dake felt guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this Bible. He only wrote comments when he believed he was directed by the Holy Spirit. This is more like a commentary, married to a Bible, than a study Bible. The Dake Bible is the exclusive property of the Dake organization.

It is only available as the original King James. The notes are usually on the same page (referenced by verse) as the text, making it an easy reference. The Dake has many insightful comments that you will find informative. Although worthwhile, it is definitely not an "end all" resource.

Dake also comes in a computer version (my wife uses this exclusively at home, only taking her Dake to church). Other computer Bibles are eSword (free, my preference); The Thompson Chain Reference DVD, Quick verse and others. Look for one than incorporates a STEP reader.

Bibles with the Apocrypha include the Jerusalem Bible, which is similar to the NIV in literary style (our preference); the New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha by Henderson among others. Henderson publishes some wonderful Christian resources at affordable prices.

If you are a student of the King James, also examine a Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Both this and the Dake are unique in that they represent a lifetime work. The Thompson is possibly the most comprehensive Bible as an all-in-one resource, with more depth than the Dake but lacking in Dake's personal and sometimes controversial touch. They are so different, they cannot be compared. The Chain Reference's disadvantage is that it is difficult to learn and effectively use - but worth the effort. Note, there are study courses (link http://ephesians411.net/tutorial_Thompson_chain.htm) and a DVD computer program is available.

DO NOT buy the NIV version of Thompson's. It is a remarkably poor attempt to marry Thompson's references to the radically different NIV translation.

If you are inclined to more English language friendly, translations - consider a Life Application Study Bible or an Open Bible, (New King James). We stop here not because there are no other good study Bibles but because this is not a book about Bibles. We own over a dozen different Bibles and have had three Dake Bibles.

Because Dake's notes are extensive (they are longer than the Bible text), we suggest getting the expanded or large print version, unless you have the eyes of an eagle (even in the large version, the print of the notes is small). NOTE: None of the Dake users we know accept ALL of Dake's Biblical interpretations.

For these reasons, we strongly suggest that you borrow or at least peruse a book store copy before buying one. Also, read our section on "size and quality" before coming to a decision. We are very UNHAPPY with our latest Dake. Some, who buy a Dake Bible on impulse, wind up putting it on a shelf.

The bottom line is that (with reservation) this can expand your Christian faith, providing you are a serious student of the Bible. If you want to really understand God's Word, you will find a Dake useful but for more "eye opening" revelations, read or hear from books and tapes by Messianic Rabbis.

A knowledgeable Messianic Jew can put together the Old and New Testaments in ways not possible with almost all Christian authors, including Dake.

Some examples: The life of Jesus met all of the rules Jews required for a betrothal and marriage (if you aren't sure of its significance, please look it up). The crucifixion of Jesus met all the requirements for a ceremonial sacrifice. There are many, many more, few are even on a Christian's radar. The value here is that it will strengthen your understanding of Jesus, His love for us all and the special place Jesus has for Jews and how integrated He was in Jewish life and culture. Jesus did not turn His back on Jews, rather He offered God to all men.

SIZE AND QUALITY
For size, we much prefer the larger versions (we are getting old). For type, we buy genuine leather (money available) because they last for decades. That is until we bought our latest Dake. Their genuine leather version was made it China. China makes some of the world's finest harmonicas; we don't generally trash Chinese products. They are more than capable, when they put their mind to producing quality.

DO NOT BUY THE DAKE, GENUINE LEATHER BIBLE.

Save your money and get imitation leather, vinyl, hardback or the DVD computer version. We hope the other Bibles are not made in China. You may want to check on this before making your purchase.

It is sub-standard. The leather is not top grain but a sorry cut of leather. The gold, "edge page" guilding is rapidly wearing off our new Dake. In comparison, we have no problem with any of our US made Bibles; some are more than 30 years old. The leather of this cheap Dake's remains stiff, with a plastic feel not characteristic of any but the cheapest cuts of leather. This is despite our repeated treating the leather with the best leather softening products available. A top grain leather is soft and supple. With occasional treating, good leather improves with age and does not deteriorate. My first Bible, a Scofield Study Bible, with a genuine leather cover is in marvelous condition after almost four decades. Also, all of our other leather Bibles have a facing leather inside cover. The cheap, Dake Bible even messes up on this standard feature.
We wrote the Dake organization asking for a comment but were ignored.

STYLE AND FORMAT
The large print version necessarily expands the comments (large print takes up more space than small). This means that more of the comments must be shifted to other pages. We mention this because one of the nice features of a Dake is that much of the commentary is on the same page as the referenced Bible text. Look both over as this becomes a personal decision.

I have used a Dake Bible since the 1970s. I find the Dake's, if used intelligently, can add much to any Christian's ministry. This handy size is well-priced and worth every dollar, but for original Dake readers it has been formatted differently than the original Dake. It takes a bit of getting used to visually, as there is so much on each page now, not only the four original columns. For those new to Dake, his Study Bible notes are absolutely the most comprehensive and thorough historically [practices of cultures and religions over the centuries] doctrinally [some of his views will be new and even open to question], and theologically [in terms of substance, not traditional/historically orthodox in every way] of any study Bible in existence, even if you don't see it always his way, it is still worth the effort to get one and will give you a lot to think about. Don't use it as a theology book, but use it as a reference of information as it is encyclopedic. There appears to have been some minor note editing, but still the original helpful notes are there, plus some!

The writing is small but love the notes will probably order the larger print version...

I absolutely love it. I already have the large version but this one is more appropriate for church. Thank You so much.

I have owned many study bibles and this has to be one of the best study bibles I have ever owned! Detailed and easy to understand. I would highly recommend this bible to anyone who is deep in the Word of God!

This is a great Bible, the word is broken down so much that you get a clearer understanding. Plus, this Bible came on time and in excellent condition.

I love this new bible but it is smaller then I thought it would be. It is short, and the print is so very small. I can hardly read it!

This was an excellent buy, portable and fullfilling read. Dakes point of view is both insightful and very spiritually powerful. It also has a great concordance for every believer.

This bible is great to use if you are a bible study who is constantly studying. It is a must have to keep in your library.

yes i love the KJV-Dake Bible..one was to large to carry to church and i ordered another one so read the big one here and gave the smaller one to a friend who does not understand the bible.