Customer Reviews

Geneva Bible 1599

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a well made and readable reprint of the 1599 edition of the Geneva Bible. Instead of the 1560 commentary on Revelation, it has the rather vehement and anti-Catholic, but historically interesting. commentary of Junius on that book. The Apocrypha are listed on the table of contents, but were apparently not reproduced, either in the facsimile or in the edition this is copied from.

This Bible would be interesting and useful to people interested in the history of Protestant thought in England, and students of the literature of the period.

The edition is flawed, though, by the [...] prefaces added by the publisher. They seem to have little to do with this edition of the Bible or its historical significance. Indeed, they seem to misconstrue the doctrine of Grace that is expounded in the pages of the Bible itself. They are instead filled with amateur lawyering, bizarre political commentary, paranoid conspiracy theories, and attacks on the Authorized Version based on the character of King James [who, of course, didn't write it]. The prefaces are so disturbing that you may have qualms about supporting the operation responsible for this reprint.
Great Bible. Lousy introduction. -- <I>This review refers to a previous edition.</I>

This is a good photocopy of the 1599 Geneva bible. The type style and spelling are original to the period which makes reading this version difficult for the average student. However, the margin notes are excellent and are vital to understanding reformed theology.

This is a Bible I refer to more and more often. As a lay pastor and seminary student, I find the text itself, the notes in the margins, and the metrical Psalms in the back all to be invaluable.

One needs to keep in mind that it is reproduced in the original typeface (long "s" that looks like an "f", "u" is a "v", "v" is a "u", "vv" is a "w", &c.) and the spelling is interesting to say the least. However, this was THE Bible in early America until about 1750 and the popular Bible in England at least until after the English Civil War. It is also the Bible used by Shakespeare in his references.

This is a treasure of a book and a good look at how the Bible and worship (the metrical Psalms were sung in church services) were seen at the turn of the 17th century.

the old print takes some getting used to, but the side notes are invaluable! This is the one Bible I turn to most!

I have been studying early American (especially Puritan) history for years and find their unique culture fascinating (despite some political and theological ups and downs). I've been looking for a treasure such as this book! I find in it the original source for their Biblical thoughts and a unique insight into how they formed their theological conclusions. This is a must try-to-find (hey, I'll be realistic on availability) book for students of early American theology. One reviewer said that his copy didn't have the Apocrypha - mines does; I'm not sure what the difference between our versions is, but the one I received had the whole text.
Although I haven't really had sufficient time to study the theology and politics in the notes, I'm sure they will be as interesting and enlightening (for better or worse) as the Scriptural texts, themselves.
Definately happy with this purchase- sturdily bound, hansomly presented- and this will be in my family for a long time.

in spite of the small print, this is a treasure to own. It is worth not simply owning for display or conversation, but for valued reading; especially the marginal notes. My eyesight is not what it once was, so I have a small magnifying glass (flat) that I keep with it. I love the treasure of the old notes, the old print...
my only complaint will not detract from the 5 stars, and it has been addressed by others: the publisher's notes are superficial, historicially fuzzy, and unneccessary. A judicial work with a sharp scissors took care of it without problem.
I love this volume....well produced, heavy, strong. After the 1591 facsimile, this is my favorite.

My interest in this Bible was naturally an historical one. However, I expected a good product for a good price, but I seem to have been a bit naive in this respect:
The layout of the introduction, though of good quality in itself, doesn't seem to have had help from a professional hand. Binding is o.k.; I would have appreciated paper of a much better quality, though.

This is the last of the Geneva type Bibles. It is the last in a series of Bibles done by the English who fled to Geneva to complete the scriptures started by Tyndale. There were flaws in the English of some of the Geneva translations, this is a good one, and you have the special added pleasure of having Calvin's notes or footnotes from his time added to the margins of the Bible. Some of the annotation is difficult to read and the "Olde" English is sometimes a challenge.

The big however here is when you read it, you wonder when there is a difference between the KJV and the Geneva type Bibles, what was it that caused the difference. The "Shema" is quoted as: "the Lord our God is onely." What did they mean by translating it "onely" (only) and not "one" as you find in the KJV and thereafter.

The 1500s and early 1600s there was a struggle between the Catholics and Protestants and within the Protestants in England, the established church and what became the Puritans. According to the introduction/preface, this was the Bible used by the Puritans. Another interesting piece of history added to intrigue the reader.

This is the most affordable of the Geneva Bibles and great for anyone wanting a complete English Bible that preceeds the KJV.

Some note that the preface is derogatory to the KJV and other translations. The KJV was as a fact translated to support the Anglican Church of England. King James lovers as I am also, understand the Religious ecclessiastical order of men replacing Jesus Christ had been in place for many hundreds of years before the Geneva and KJV. The comments on abortion probably could have been left out but it goes to show one just how far us Americans in all our self righteousness and ignorance have come. That is true also that we are Baal worshippers. Research it out for yourself. English translators both Protestant and Catholic fudged the truth of God's Word. Excellent value and resource that shows one the errors our present day church suffers. Check out resources and you will see the truth.