Geneva Bible versus Authorised Version

[Stephen L Smith]

I am interested to see what people think of the Geneva Bible as opposed to the Authorised version. I understand the Puritans preferred the Geneva Bible even after the Authorised version was produced.

Is the Geneva Bible inherently more 'Puritan' than the Authorised version or is this a little overrated? Is one translation more accurate than the other? Is one more readable than the other?

Interested in your thoughts.

While I was preparing this post my cat came and sat on my lap. He told me one translation was more purrrfect than the other, but he would not specify which one

 

[Taylor]

While I was preparing this post my cat came and sat on my lap. He told me one translation was more purrrfect than the other, but he would not specify which one

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

I absolutely love the Geneva. I don't believe "Puritan" would be accurate as the Geneva predated the Puritan movement. With that being said, the notes are very Protestant. There are instances I prefer the Geneva over the Authorised. I often wonder why the Geneva gets so little attention in our day, especially in the Reformed community. The Geneva has been called the "cornerstone of the Reformation." I personally use the Tolle Lege leather 1599 edition. It is not perfect by no means but it is great for my devotions.

 

[Tom Hart]

I am not very qualified to comment on the Geneva Bible versus the Authorized Version, but one thing I must attempt to set straight: verses versus versus.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

I don't believe "Puritan" would be accurate as the Geneva predated the Puritan movement

I understand the reason why the Puritans were linked to the Geneva Bible is because the last edition of the Geneva Bible was the 1599 edition. By this time the Puritan movement was growing.

There are instances I prefer the Geneva over the Authorised

Can you give specific examples. Thanks.

I personally use the Tolle Lege leather 1599 edition

Yes I saw that the RHB sold them at a good price

 

[Stephen L Smith]

verses versus versus.

Thank you Mr Grammar Policeman. Did the mention of my cat propel you to purrrfect my gramma? Or were you trying to get me to put words in their correct "cat"alogue?

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello Stephen,

I believe the Geneva eventually lost favor because many of its notes were of a political nature, and for a spiritual book to have such would not hold up well in the storms of time.

 

[Logan]

If by "political nature" you mean the idea that even kings should be subject to God's authority, then yes, but I don't think those ideas would have any problem weathering the storms of time!

I really like the Geneva. I find it more down to earth than the KJV, and in many instances more straight-forward to understand. It truly was a Reformation Bible, being translated in Geneva with direct access to Calvin, Beza, and Stephanus with his TR manuscripts. I have a lot of admiration for it but only wish there were a better edition than the Tolle Lege one, which is rather cheaply made and their Kindle version is incredibly difficult to navigate (can't directly go to any chapter).

 

[Rom]

Count me as one to have a certain fondness for Geneva over the King James. I also find Geneva easier to read (for whatever reason). I am sad that there hasn't been a better edition. I use the edition in Logos but would like to have a physical copy.

I'll echo the sentiment that I do not find the notes political, but very Puritan / Presbyterian.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

On the whys, King James didn't like the 'political notes' but my guess is that it was simply the regular getting used to it and generational passing of the older to newer usage. By Gillespie's writing English Popish Ceremonies in the mid 1630s, he would refer to the AV as 'our English version' or something like that. Dickson's sermons on Lamentations in 1628 or 29 I haven't been able to for sure determine if he was using the GB or not. And the Westminster Assembly in all its work making sure accurate bibles were published, never sought to reprint the GB. The last edition I think was circa 1640 before the assembly took its seat.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

I know William Perkins was very fond of the Geneva. In his works, he uses the GB or his own translations. That may be by default as he died nine years before the KJ came to fruition.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

A coworker and I have been in discussion of working on a new edition of the GB as a personal side project. He collects GB's and also shares my lament over the lack of a solid edition. Maybe if enough people show interest, we will move forward with the project.

 

[Taylor]

I use the edition in Logos...

I use this edition, too, although there are many strange characters that make for difficult reading sometimes.

 

[Rom]

I use this edition, too, although there are many strange characters that make for difficult reading sometimes.

Yes. I have noticed the same issue. Maybe @Reformed Bookworm can figure out how to get a better physical edition published. He'd have my support!

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Is there not some complexity here given revisions? I may be wrong but the notes were varied over editions.

A coworker and I have been in discussion of working on a new edition of the GB as a personal side project. He collects GB's and also shares my laments over the lack of a solid edition. Maybe if enough people show interest, we will move forward with the project.

--- Post updated ---
Is there not some complexity here given revisions? I may be wrong but the notes were varied over editions.

A coworker and I have been in discussion of working on a new edition of the GB as a personal side project. He collects GB's and also shares my laments over the lack of a solid edition. Maybe if enough people show interest, we will move forward with the project.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

Is there not some complexity here given revisions? I may be wrong but the notes were varied over editions.

--- Post updated ---
Is there not some complexity here given revisions? I may be wrong but the notes were varied over editions.

There indeed would be some complexity to such a project. He has experience editing and correlating manuscripts with originals. I am certainly comfortable reading early manuscripts. There are some that propose major challenges due to defects in the manuscripts. I do not want to derail this thread. Although, I do believe younger individuals need to start training in reading these originals so the torch may be passed and these precious works continue to be published for generations to come. As I said, it has only been a discussion at this point.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

I am not very qualified to comment on the Geneva Bible versus the Authorized Version, but one thing I must attempt to set straight: verses versus versus.

I thought this was another attempt at him trying to be punny.

 

[Tom Hart]

Thank you Mr Grammar Policeman. Did the mention of my cat propel you to purrrfect my gramma? Or were you trying to get me to put words in their correct "cat"alogue?

"Grammar Policeman"? Nay, sir. This is a matter of orthography!

 

[NaphtaliPress]

It's sort of what I do too. I won't derail further but this is a project that could work with a new series/publishing endeavor and we can take it private if this is of any interest. Send me a note if so.

There indeed would be some complexity to such a project. He has experience editing and correlating manuscripts with originals. I am certainly comfortable reading early manuscripts. There are some that propose major challenges due to defects in the manuscripts. I do not want to derail this thread. Although, I do believe younger individuals need to start training in reading these originals so the torch may be passed and these precious works continue to be published for generations to come. As I said, it has only been a discussion at this point.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

It's sort of what I do too. I won't derail further but this is a project that could work with a new series/publishing endeavor and we can take it private if this is of any interest. Send me a note if so.

I certainly will. The amount of respect I have for your work could not possibly be stated. Talk with you soon, sir.

 

[Seeking_Thy_Kingdom]

a new series/publishing endeavor

A high quality GB would be a perfect crowdfunding project.

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

A high quality GB would be a perfect crowdfunding project.

That was my thoughts as well.

 

[TheOldCourse]

A high quality GB would be a perfect crowdfunding project.

I agree, but Durham on Revelation first, please!

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Inching forward; at least I'm doing some editing. Some technical issues prevent launching the site so if things don't start moving faster and as soon as I have video, I may just start on Kickstarter. The plan is to issue the first of 3 volumes of the Durham first and this year, as I say, if I can get things moving faster.

I agree, but Durham on Revelation first, please!

 

[Blueridge Believer]

The Geneva translation of 1 Cor 6:9 is very blunt to say the least. I would prefer the Geneva or the AV over any modern translation due to the texts used in the translation.

 

[Seeking_Thy_Kingdom]

The Geneva translation of 1 Cor 6:9 is very blunt to say the least. I would prefer the Geneva or the AV over any modern translation due to the texts used in the translation.

nor abusers of themselves with mankind

This echoes Paul’s description of homosexuality in Romans 1.

Edit: I looked up the word used in the original (I can not read Koine, but used software to translate), and in the manuscripts it is one word, ἀρσενοκοῖται, sodomite.

I don’t disagree that a sodomite is someone who abuses themselves with mankind, i.e Romans 1, but why would the translators use a description rather than the one word literal translation?

 

[TheOldCourse]

Inching forward; at least I'm doing some editing. Some technical issues prevent launching the site so if things don't start moving faster and as soon as I have video, I may just start on Kickstarter. The plan is to issue the first of 3 volumes of the Durham first and this year, as I say, if I can get things moving faster.

Ah that's too bad, it seemed like the beta test went smoothly from my end, what was the hiccup?

 

[NaphtaliPress]

It won't do data export, which is fine for one or two orders. The technical issues and going nearly 2 months now on back and forth with support, have soured me quite a lot on the product.

Ah that's too bad, it seemed like the beta test went smoothly from my end, what was the hiccup?

 

[Regi Addictissimus]

nor abusers of themselves with mankind

This echoes Paul’s description of homosexuality in Romans 1.

Edit: I looked up the word used in the original (I can not read Koine, but used software to translate), and in the manuscripts it is one word, ἀρσενοκοῖται, sodomite.

I don’t disagree that a sodomite is someone who abuses themselves with mankind, i.e Romans 1, but why would the translators use a description rather than the one word literal translation?

"Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor wantons, nor buggerers"

The Geneva gets straight to the point. Buggerer is indeed a more forthright translation.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

verses versus versus

I have now fixed it. Thank you for pointing it out; I was not aware of the difference