The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Edition (Hardcover 8910A) (Hardcover)

~ Herbert G. May (Editor), Bruce M. Metzger (Editor) "THE OLD TESTAMENT may be described as the literary expression of the religious life of ancient Israel..." (more)
Key Phrases: other ancient authorities, drink offerings for the bulls, day thou didst command, God of Israel, Old Testament, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The New Oxford Annotated Bible is the most widely used study Bible in schools, colleges, seminaries, and universities across the nation, meeting the needs of students of all faiths. An indispensible tool for people who desire a modern translation combined with outstanding study helps.

Language Notes

Text: English, Hebrew (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1904 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised Standard edition (May 19, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195283481
• ISBN-13: 978-0195283488
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #62,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	David Bennett "www.ancient-future.net" (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

61 of 64 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.]

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent Bible, December 6, 1999

By A Customer

I bought this Bible recently as a replacement for my well-worn NIV study bible. I had come to enjoy the RSV after using it along with several other translations on my PC bible software -- it is written at a more advanced level than the NIV and seems to be closer to the original language while still remaining accessible to modern readers. This RSV is sturdy, easy to read, and has the benefit of a "modern" translation of the Apocrypha.

I often find text notes, inline maps, etc. to be merely distracting rather than helpful, and often the notes included with a Bible are somewhat questionable in their merit. (My NIV study bible has more notes than text on many pages.) This RSV edition keeps the notes short, succint, and scholarly. The maps are all in the back along with some excellent scholarly articles. Kudos to the publishers and editors for such a clean, thoughtful layout.

The only thing I'd change is that there's virtually no room in the text or in the margins for making notes. I use post-it notes stuck at the various places, but that's getting cumbersome.