The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version [Hardcover]

Richard Challoner (Editor), Pope Leo XIII (Introduction), William H. McClellan (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

Handy Size Douay-Rheims Holy Bible Bonded Leather Edition Compared to the more modern editions of holy writ, the centuries old Douay is the most loyal of all to the literal meaning of the inspired text. If you wish to give someone the written word of God as a gift, why not fulfill that to the letter with this time honored edition. Wrapped in black bonded leather, it makes a perfect gift. This handy size bible (5.5 x 8.5 ) has a clear and readable typeface. Bonded leather hardcover 1,392 pages ­­­­ Satin ribbon page markers

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Loreto Publications; 2009 edition (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930278241
• ISBN-13: 978-1930278240
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The other classic transation, April 11, 2003

By 

Robert W. Flammang (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Hardcover)

This is the complete Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, both the Old and New Testament according to the Catholic canon. Until the 1940's this was THE Catholic Bible in English, rivaling the King James Bible in stature, if not influence. It was completed in 1609, and revised in 1750. I own this very edition (ISBN 1-930278-24-1), and it is excellent: hardcover, clearly printed on sturdy paper in an easy to read, if somewhat old-fashioned, font. It is a careful translation of the Clementine Vulgate, and makes a splendid companion to that version for the novice latinist.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Douay Rheims still the best choice for Catholics, April 7, 2007

By 

Lance E. Goldsberry (Minneapolis, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Hardcover)

The Douay Rheims is the Catholic analog to the Protestant King James Version, but it was published before the KJV, the New Testament being published in 1582, and the complete Bible in 1609. This current available edition is actually a revision done by Bishop Challoner in 1752.

Although featuring archaic language like the KJV, the Douay Rheims is very readable for anyone reading at a high school level. It is graceful and literary. I find the Douay Rheims a little easier to read than the standard King James, but there is an update of the KJV called the Third Millennium Bible that is also easy to read.

The Douay Rheims was very influential on the KJV translators; in turn Challoner referred to the KJV as well as the Hebrew and Greek texts, while doing his translation primarily from the Latin Vulgate. So Protestant and Orthodox readers will be familiar with much of the traditional phrasing of the Douay Rheims.

I appreciate traditional Catholic renderings in the Douay Rheims such as the use of the word "Virgin" in Isaiah 7:14 and the phrase "Hail, full of Grace," in Luke 1:28.

The Douay Rheims has been criticized for some Latinisms that exist in the text, such as the "laver of regeneration" in Titus 3:5, and "do penance," rather than "repent" in Acts 2:38, and the use of the word "priest(s)" in passages translating the word "presbyter." But I actually like these Latinisms, and although Presbyter is more fairly and accurately translated elder or transliterated as presbyter, I think the use of priest is legitimate, since the English word priest comes from a Greek word which is simply a shortened form of presbyter.

The footnotes reflect sound Catholic teaching, unfortunately unlike the current approved NAB.

As a Byzantine Catholic, I appreciate the way Psalm 50 (51) is translated at verse seven: "For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me." The plural "iniquities" and "sins" corresponds to the Septuagint as well as the Vulgate, and is the preferred translation of this verse by Byzantine Catholics and Orthodox.

I appreciate very much that Loreto keeps the Douay Rheims in print. The volume is bound well and very durable, I carry it around in my back pack all of the time.

There are three really good complete bibles with the duetero-canon/apocrypha for orthodox Christians, Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant:

The Douay Rheims Bible
RSV 2nd Catholic edition Bible
The Third Millennium Bible

I own all three, which are all on Amazon.com and recommend them highly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best English Bible on the Market, July 9, 2008

By 

Jon Mill (Hong Kong SAR, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims Version (Hardcover)

Loreto's version of the authoritative Douay-Rheims Bible is both well designed and affordable. Compared to Baronius Press version it is less ornate and more down-to-earth (black and white maps as opposed to colored maps, only one encyclical letter as opposed to several, plain edges as opposed to gilt edges). The paper used is strong though not clumsy, very suitable for the size. In other words, it contains all the essentials while costs less. Though in terms of typesetting the Baronius version may be more crisp and clean and more modern. A very durable edition and definitely worth what it costs.