Geneva Bible question

[SueS]

Rich's thread about the Allen Bibles prompted me to post this.

My current Bible is a small (5x7") 30yo KJV that originally belonged to my husband, was used by our daughter for most of her schooling, and has been my Bible of choice for the past couple of years. It has been underlined, highlighted, and annotated and has several examples of Sarah's early artwork on a couple of the flyleaves. Unfortunately, it is showing signs of severe wear and will soon be honorably retired to stand next to several other Bibles in our library.

I am intrigued by the Geneva Bible offered by Tolle Lege, especially because of the annotations by the original Reformers. The price is well within my means, but I don't want to pay good money for a volume that will prove to be unsatisfactory. I love the size of my current Bible - it's wonderfully managable in church, especially when taking notes - the Geneva is standard sized. I also wonder about the quality of the paper and the binding - I'm not too impressed by my husband's ESV which we bought through Ligonier a couple of years ago. I love the idea of an Allen Bible and dh has no problems with my buying one but at that price I would be very reluctant to underline, etc, much less lose it!

Soooo.....would the Geneva be a good choice? I was going to order one last summer as a birthday gift to myself but have been putting it off for months. The deteriorating condition of my present Bible is going to force the decision.

Any advice? TIA!

 

[Blueridge Believer]

I have one of the new hardback editions that the print is very nice. I also have one of the 400th anniversary editions but it would be too large to carry to church.

 

[kvanlaan]

We use the 400th annivarsary edition for family devotions. The language can be a little tough for the younger kids at times (I would say even moreso than the KJV) but it gives us the opportunity to explain and go deeper into the text.

We love it but yes, much too large to carry to church!

 

[N. Eshelman]

Personally I think that it is easier to read than the AV. The notes are always good and sound and it is nice to know that it is really the product of the Reformation.

The size is a bit much for everyday carrying, but it would be great for church. The font is clear and very pleasant to look at.

The ONLY two things that I do not like:
1. That celtic cross on the front of mine (I got in on the first orders- now they offer one without an icon on the cover.)
2. No congregation in the world (as far as I know) uses it. You have to follow along in a translation that is different from what the preacher is reading.

Other than that, I LOVE IT! Go for it!

 

[kvanlaan]

I still think the language is more difficult in the Geneva, but the notes totally make up for it and then some!

 

[Grymir]

Hi! I got me a Geneva Bible for x-mas from wife! It's a great translation and a little easier to read, especially if you are used to the King Jimmy. I got the black leather with the decoration on the cover. It is nice and I like it alot. Trying to decide wither to switch from my KJV to Geneva. It does have a few drawbacks. The binding started to come undone on the edges and next to where the pages are mounted, but a little glue fixed that for me. It also doesn't have the little gold band running around the pages that is in the pictures on the website. But it's the GENEVA Bible! I have my own copy of it.

I also have been looking at Allen's Bibles. Got my catalog in the mail today. They are far superior to the Tolle Lege in binding quality, but you would not want to mark them up either. I don't make marks in my Bibles though, I keep my notes in notebooks. I have a little stack of them. Like Paul says, bring my parchments when you come.

I also just looked at Tolle Lege's website, they were cheaper at x-mas time. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Enjoy your new bible.

 

[David_A_Reed]

We recently purchased a facsimile version of the 1560 Geneva Bible, the first edition with the original notes -- all in the original typesetting. My wife and I are up to Revelation chapter 19 in the Bible we've been using for our daily reading after dinner, and as soon as we finish, we'll be starting over again using this Geneva Bible. Really looking forward to it!

 

[N. Eshelman]

I have that one too. It is from Brown Publishing.

 

[SueS]

On the way to church today I discussed my dilemma with my husband and he said he wouldn't have any problem with me buying both - the Geneva for study at my desk and the smaller Allen Bible to use in church. He's amazingly generous!!

One thing, though, that he wants to know.....

With the high price of the Allen Bible, does it come with a money back salvation guarantee???

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

Personally I think that it is easier to read than the AV. The notes are always good and sound and it is nice to know that it is really the product of the Reformation.

The size is a bit much for everyday carrying, but it would be great for church. The font is clear and very pleasant to look at.

The ONLY two things that I do not like:
1. That celtic cross on the front of mine (I got in on the first orders- now they offer one without an icon on the cover.)
2. No congregation in the world (as far as I know) uses it. You have to follow along in a translation that is different from what the preacher is reading.

Other than that, I LOVE IT! Go for it!

Is it better to get that one or the facsimile edition?

 

[SueS]

The facsimile edition is a photostatic reproduction of an actual Geneva Bible complete with strange spellings and the use of "f" for "s". Also, the commentary notes are done in very small print that would be difficult to read. From what I understand, this edition is more of a collector's item rather than a "working" Bible.

We have an authentic page from the 1585 edition of the London Gazette - it is VERY difficult to read!

 

[C. Matthew McMahon]

The
Geneva Bible is no doubt one of the best works ever put in print. For study purposes, it is a gem. However, if you want to carry around a bible that is comfortable, I would not necessarily suggest that one. Every version of it is larger and bulky, even TL's version. Its impossible to have a Bible that has as exstensive notes as the Geneva, and not have a big book.

Personally, I use the Geneva for study, when I am studying for a sermon, and use the ESV compact bible for daily reading (Or I listen to the ESV via my Ipod.)

I carried the big Geneva bible around for quite some time. I just felt it was too big to lug around always.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

I used to sell the 1599 Geneva Bible facsimile by the L.L. Brown Publishing Company on commission. As far as I recall, they never published the 1560 edition. They stated their preference for the 1599 edition in the preface. I know that the 1560 edition was republished in facsimile by the University of Wisconsin Press in 1969 and more recently, by Henrickson Publishers (November 2007). All of the above are indeed bulky, better suited for scholarly study. I also have the 2006 Tolle Lege edition, which is certainly manageable as a Bible for church or personal devotions. We had a previous thread on that edition, which noted some typos and/or discrepancies, which I think have been largely cleaned up for the subsequent 400th anniversary edition.

Each has their place and usefulness. It depends on one's goals and preferences as far as typeface, etc.

For a comparison of the 1560 and 1599 editions generally, see this previous thread.

 

[N. Eshelman]

Daniel
The one from Brown Pub is more for historical value. It is not very readable in places. The small print for the notes are hard to read. I would go with the Tolle Lege edition. I have had the Brown Pub one for about 10 years and rejoiced when the new one came out!

 

[David_A_Reed]

Is it better to get that one or the facsimile edition?

Daniel,

The facsimile I bought cost $250.00, from GreatSite.com, and it is a 125% photographic reproduction of the original. This enlargement makes the marginal notes readable without a magnifying glass.

It is very large and heavy, though. I will have to rest it on a desk or podium or table when reading from it.