Magnificent Bible, Family Heirloom Everyone in my family has had a copy of this bible since it was available for purchase. Our copies have held up very well, even with extensive use. The overall quality has been outstanding. For those interested in reading the apocrypha, the bible comes with a copy of it in Adobe Reader format (.pdf) on a CD. This is a great way to do it because you have access to the apocrypha (like the original 1599 Geneva Bible), but it is separate from the text so it doesn't get confused with the inerrant word of God. This is especially important because this bible makes for an excellent daily reading bible. Overall this bible is typeset very well, previous comments have noted some errors, but this is not uncommon for a first printing and it does not negate the value of this bible. Summary: A piece of Christian History, A piece of American History, an excellent daily reading bible and a quality printing.
Not the Geneva Bible This Bible was a disappointment. Missing is much of the Geneva Bible. The typeface was poorly chosen. There is no apocrypha, which was considered by the reformers to be important reference material. I can understand the logic behind printing just the protestant Bible and nothing else, but if you are to do that, leave out the study notes. The hardcover binding feels cheaply made for a $60 book. There is no copy write on the Geneva Bible so I wonder what the motivation for printing this really was now.
Refreshingly trustworthy Having purchased the third printing of the hardcover 1599 Geneva Bible I am impressed. The type is a bit small but that's about the only weakness to this Bible. The notes are clear, concise and Biblical (Calvinistic- they are synonymous). Some Christians will be surprised when they read some of the notes. Such teaching is rare these days. There is no fluff in these superb study notes. The hardcover Bible is well bound and the paper is opaque. There are not as many cross references in this Bible as new Bibles as it was a relatively new thing at the time. I like it too because it sounds like the Bible should- clear, precise and reverent (not like the breezy familarity of say "The Message"). It's a welcome addition to my library and I enjoy it daily.
Protestant Bible The Geneva Bible has a unique place in history. It is some times called the "Breeches Bible". That term comes from the reference in Genesis 3:7 where it says that Adam and Eve clothed themselves in "breeches" made from fig leaves. It is the product of Protestant scholars who had taken refuge in Geneva, Switzerland during the reign of Queen "Bloody Mary" of England (1553-1558). It is also known as the Bible that the Pilgrims brought to America. It is older than the King James Version and is considered by some to be more "Protestant" than the King James Version.
The Bible that conspired to end Feudalism by telling people they were free This is the translation of the Bible that told millions of beaten down and enslaved English common folk that freedom from tyranny and opression was God's plan for their lives. This is the Bible that eventually put an end to Feudalism in Europe, strenghtened Puritans, Quakers, and came to America on the Mayflower. This was the first Bible published in the language of the common people, the first Bible to contain commentary and verse numbers, and the first Bible written in English from Greek and Hebrew texts available from Constantinople, not from the Latin Vulgate. The dynamite in this Bible, is the almost 1/3 length of commentary. The Church of England and King James were so upset they determined to create a new translation. They called it the King James version. They choose to use language so formal and grand, even by the standards of those days, that the common people would find difficult to understand. The Geneva Bible was found seditious by it's insertions of commentary that spoke directly about the priesthood of lay believers, the church as naturally anti-oligarchy, and setting forth some other ideas considered anarchy by the King, but meaning freedom to the masses who read it. Commentaary reflects the ideas of Wyclif, the Lollards, and is also heavily Calvinistic. As orthodox, I do not align myself with on any of the 5 main doctrines of Calvinism, but as an American who reads the scriptures daily, it is profoundly moving to read what the Pilgrims were reading when they boarded the Mayflower, not to mention what the Quakers read as they denounced war and violence. The text is highly readable and will remind you of the New Living Translation of the Bible.
Important facts to remember about this Bible. The refomation was strong in England and the Lollards were a lay group of huge influence that had to go underground. English Christian theologians, not Catholics and not Anglicans, fled in huge numbers to Geneva for freedom. Geneva was not part of Switzerland at that time because Geneva was its own city-state. Tyndale's translation of the Bible into English in 1525 lead to his death. The Geneva Bible was printed 1560-1644. The King James version was published in 1611. The Geneva Bible was against the law to own. The Anglican Church, officially breaking from Rome in 1534, was not the first protestant or only reformist activity going on in England. But it did do did it's best to squelch all other reform and seize control of the people thourgh torture, cruel death, and other punishments barbaric and inhumane in Jesus name.
I give this version on of the Bible a strong BUY recommendation. It is amazing and your faith in God and His overarching plan to free men from sin and hatred will be strengthened. Love one another!
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