UA-cam called my description "too lengthy," so I'll paste the excess in this footnote. The text is printed on a pale goldenrod background in two columns, with, as mentioned above, the older translation on the left. When compared to Times New Roman, the font is comparable to 10.5 points in height. The dark gray print is somewhat hazy. Line height is 4.67 mm, or about 13.2 points. Verse numbers (which weren't introduced into Bibles before the sixteenth century) appear alongside the text for the convenience of the reader. As a general rule, new verses are not indented. Footnotes at page bottom are typically arranged into two sections, the first of which deals with the older translation on the left. The footnotes, printed in an 8.5 point font, present variant readings found in some manuscripts. Sometimes the translators' marginal notes are present, as in Daniel. They are given in a 7 to 7.5 point font. Near the beginning of the first volume, one finds a table of contents for all four volumes, a foreword to this edition, Forshall and Madden's lengthy preface, and a list of manuscripts. The bulk of the preface is taken up with a history of the translations, but it also lists the principal manuscripts used to construct the texts of the translations presented in this edition, and it gives useful hints for reading the textual footnotes. After the list of manuscripts, the sixty page prologue to the later translation is printed. The prefatory epistles of Jerome follow. Appended at the end of volume 4 are a table of lessons (epistles and gospels throughout the year), a glossary, a few additional prologues, and a single page of errata.
Thank you for doing this video. What a valuable resourse as a translation resourse, but, also, to see the devlopment of language usage, spelling, and grammar. I would love to get my hands on this set. It is fascinating, to me, of course, from a linguistic point of view.
Excellent work. Thank you for the effort you put in for these. Excited to see a translation that finally doesn’t seem to bend to the political positions of the world.
Dr. Jones, I don't know if you're familiar with the English scholar Henry A. Kelly's monograph "The Middle English Bible: A Reassessment," but he makes a surprisingly strong case against Wycliffite involvement in the actual translations of either the early or late versions; this includes Wycliffe himself, Hereford, and Purvey. I seem to remember you saying you were thinking of remaking this video. If so, I'd recommend considering Kelly's monograph as he makes rather interesting points and could provide an interesting crop of additional context to understanding why the translation of this supposedly "heterodox" translation seems so... not heterodox. In fact, Kelly's book itself might be worth a book review.
This bible is really nice :O . I like wycliffe history as I learn of him more and I am interested in middle age literature so this bible is something I hope to get at one point even if it is the one with the modernised spelling edition. Nice review Brother.
I would be very interested to see your comments on Richmond Lattimore's translation of the New Testament. He was an eminent classicist who converted to Catholicism while translating the Gospels. The translation is very reminiscent of the RSV, but with the eccentricities that come with a one-man translation.
Hello. There is a ringing, sort of an electronic buzzing, on this video's audio that is not present in any of your other videos. It's fairly distracting. I wanted to point it out in case you can isolate the cause to prevent it from future videos. Thanks!
Thanks, ICXCNIKA Last Name! I noticed it too, especially near the beginning of segments. I'm not very good with sound. I may have had the gain turned up too high on the microphone.
Great stuff! Loved the comparing with the Rheims 1582 NT. Do you know of a publication of a complete Douay Rheims bible facsimile? And where can you order the set in this review?
I think you can order the Douay Old Testament at LuLu.com. It's printed in several volumes, and Gregory Martin is listed as the author. In the US, the Wycliffe Bible is sold through Amazon. I see that Walmart sells it as well. (Christianbook.com doesn't.)
I'm very familiar with the KJV text and it's fascinating to see that this much older English translation uses English that I can recognize in the Authorized version. Thank you.
This is absolutely amazing, but alas, I could not read this. I tried to read along with you but gave up. It's amazing to see where the English language is coming from but my goodness, that looks like an alien language. Good on you to be able to read that. I tried to read the 1611 KJV and couldn't either, this one was even harder. Thank God for his word in the modern vernacular. (Incidentally, this was one of the purpose of Wycliffe and Tyndale, to have the scripture in the vernacular of the common man). Now I also see why the KJVO people err, can you imagine if we had to read the Bible like this? It would have been a headache. I still have difficulty with the 1769 edition of the KJV, I use, as you know, the NKJV but recently have been using the ESV for my daily reading as it's easier to read and understand and most are of the opinion that it's based on better manuscripts. It has its weaknesses as all of have, but I'm warming to it as my main Bible and the NKJV as my back up. I saw the capital Y but had no idea to read it as I. Some of them spelling was like 😲. Truly great to have though. You showed and spoke of Schaeffer's church history book, I'm looking for a one volume edition, do you have any suggestions? Thank you for sharing this immensely amazing set.
Thanks for commenting, Edward! The only edition of Schaff's history I know of is printed in eight volumes, but I haven't searched very hard. You're absolutely right about the goal, to place the Scriptures in the hands of the people. I understand that the authorities in England cracked down on vernacular translations early in the fifteenth century in a reaction against Wycliffe and his followers. For instance, in 1407 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel decreed the following: “We therefore legislate and ordain that nobody shall from this day forth translate any text of Holy Scripture on his own authority into the English, or any other, language, whether in the form of a book, pamphlet, or tract; and that any such book, pamphlet, or tract, whether composed recently or in the time of John Wycliffe, or in the future, shall not be read in part or in whole, in public or in private.” It's good to live in these times and have access to so many good translations in modern English. Imagine having an archbishop over your country who *required* you to be KJV-Only. Even so, I like these antique translations also. There's a chance I'll receive a facsimile 1611 in Gothic typeface soon.
@@RGrantJones It's very fascinating to have these antiquea available and I like "trying" to read them, because, frankly, that's what's happening when I read them. It's also amazing to see what the KJVO sect is doing is no different from what the Catholic Church did when Wycliffe and Tyndale tried to give the people a Bible they could read and understand. The same can be said too when it came to the KJV translation being made, there was an attempt to kill them before they could translate the Bible. It is said if one does not know their past they will repeat its mistakes and I think some of that is happening in christendom right now. Having an individual or group of people over you telling you what to read and what you should not read is exactly what the authorities did back then, and even though I don't think they would admit to it, the KJVO crew is doing the very same thing. When faithful people try to give people a translation that they can actually read and understand, not tampering with the word God for profit, I take my hat off to them. I think it's a blessing to have these modern translations and as long as people will read them and live by them, I think all will be well.
@@FernandoSerna1654 I have read a few books online and it wasn't bad at all. I liked much of what I read but wasn't thrilled with the Psalms and Proverbs from what I was able read. I understand that it is becoming a favourite among many people.
that is pretty tough to read but that is nothing compared to my Matthew Bible (Tyndale/Coverdale) Replica that has middle english in gothic type lol. I remember taking that down to a local park mill to read by the water and that was an exercise just to get through one page!
I am currently looking for a better pocket bible for me to take with me on trips and to school to read and enjoy. The current one that I use is a KJV and has very small about 6 pt. The ISBN is 978-1-4336-4729-1. I was wondering if you have any suggestions? I want a bigger font, and no red letters, in about the same size. I am open to different versions of the bible though.
very helpful video review of this interesting edition of Wycliffe's Bible... re. the binding, there seems to be good inner margins, which is important in glued bound books.... that compensates a bit, it seems, from the video... of course, had the 4 volumes been sewn, the cost would be considerable higher...
No, I haven't. I've never seriously considered buying a Pitt Minion -- the font is too small for me. I'm in awe of people who are able to read it. Thanks for the question!
They have a reputation for being very literal, with the Wycliffe translation to the left of Purvey's. There's a good chance that both are more literal than the ASV. Unfortunately, I can't score them since I don't know Latin.
I see you made this comment over a year ago, but just in case you're still curious: the original books of the Bible were written in Hebrew, Aramaic (only a very, very small amount), and Greek. We do not have originals of any of them; we have many copies, some of them in different languages than the originals. Many of the copies contain tiny differences that don't change the meaning of what was written, but some have larger differences like additions to the text or missing lines. This is why you will see so many English-speaking Christians discussing and arguing over translations of the Bible: they are arguing over the wording of the translations and also over which "original" sources were used to make the translations.
These volumes are available at Amazon.com and other booksellers. Just search on the ISBNs listed in the video description. For instance, here's a link to Amazon's page for the first volume: www.amazon.com/Wycliffes-Bible-facsimile-Forshall-translation/dp/1782011412 .
UA-cam called my description "too lengthy," so I'll paste the excess in this footnote.
The text is printed on a pale goldenrod background in two columns, with, as mentioned above, the older translation on the left. When compared to Times New Roman, the font is comparable to 10.5 points in height. The dark gray print is somewhat hazy. Line height is 4.67 mm, or about 13.2 points. Verse numbers (which weren't introduced into Bibles before the sixteenth century) appear alongside the text for the convenience of the reader. As a general rule, new verses are not indented.
Footnotes at page bottom are typically arranged into two sections, the first of which deals with the older translation on the left. The footnotes, printed in an 8.5 point font, present variant readings found in some manuscripts. Sometimes the translators' marginal notes are present, as in Daniel. They are given in a 7 to 7.5 point font.
Near the beginning of the first volume, one finds a table of contents for all four volumes, a foreword to this edition, Forshall and Madden's lengthy preface, and a list of manuscripts. The bulk of the preface is taken up with a history of the translations, but it also lists the principal manuscripts used to construct the texts of the translations presented in this edition, and it gives useful hints for reading the textual footnotes.
After the list of manuscripts, the sixty page prologue to the later translation is printed. The prefatory epistles of Jerome follow.
Appended at the end of volume 4 are a table of lessons (epistles and gospels throughout the year), a glossary, a few additional prologues, and a single page of errata.
You should do a video on your library of bibles.
Thanks for the suggestion, bngr bngr!
I certainly second this!
Thank you for doing this video. What a valuable resourse as a translation resourse, but, also, to see the devlopment of language usage, spelling, and grammar. I would love to get my hands on this set. It is fascinating, to me, of course, from a linguistic point of view.
Thanks for commenting, Rachel! I agree. I wish I had time to dig into the grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Excellent work. Thank you for the effort you put in for these. Excited to see a translation that finally doesn’t seem to bend to the political positions of the world.
Dr. Jones, I don't know if you're familiar with the English scholar Henry A. Kelly's monograph "The Middle English Bible: A Reassessment," but he makes a surprisingly strong case against Wycliffite involvement in the actual translations of either the early or late versions; this includes Wycliffe himself, Hereford, and Purvey. I seem to remember you saying you were thinking of remaking this video. If so, I'd recommend considering Kelly's monograph as he makes rather interesting points and could provide an interesting crop of additional context to understanding why the translation of this supposedly "heterodox" translation seems so... not heterodox. In fact, Kelly's book itself might be worth a book review.
Thanks for the book recommendation, Anon Paul. I've added it to my wish list.
Really enjoyed this review! Thank you!
What books would be the best to see commentary on the early church fathers on passages of the bible
This bible is really nice :O . I like wycliffe history as I learn of him more and I am interested in middle age literature so this bible is something I hope to get at one point even if it is the one with the modernised spelling edition. Nice review Brother.
Thank you for the kind comment, Geoff!
Great set, great review. Thanks!
I would be very interested to see your comments on Richmond Lattimore's translation of the New Testament. He was an eminent classicist who converted to Catholicism while translating the Gospels. The translation is very reminiscent of the RSV, but with the eccentricities that come with a one-man translation.
Thank you for the recommendation, rmarcusshort.
@@RGrantJones keep up the fantastic work. Your channel is great.
Hello. There is a ringing, sort of an electronic buzzing, on this video's audio that is not present in any of your other videos. It's fairly distracting. I wanted to point it out in case you can isolate the cause to prevent it from future videos. Thanks!
Thanks, ICXCNIKA Last Name! I noticed it too, especially near the beginning of segments. I'm not very good with sound. I may have had the gain turned up too high on the microphone.
The language can be pretty tricky to comprehend at first, but reading it aloud will often clarify words that are harder to scan on the page.
Thanks for commenting, M.A. Moreno!
Great stuff! Loved the comparing with the Rheims 1582 NT. Do you know of a publication of a complete Douay Rheims bible facsimile? And where can you order the set in this review?
I think you can order the Douay Old Testament at LuLu.com. It's printed in several volumes, and Gregory Martin is listed as the author. In the US, the Wycliffe Bible is sold through Amazon. I see that Walmart sells it as well. (Christianbook.com doesn't.)
It's amazing how the english language has changed. It think it sounded more germanic in the middle ages
I agree. Thanks for commenting, Emil!
I'm very familiar with the KJV text and it's fascinating to see that this much older English translation uses English that I can recognize in the Authorized version. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting, i don't knowness!
This is absolutely amazing, but alas, I could not read this. I tried to read along with you but gave up. It's amazing to see where the English language is coming from but my goodness, that looks like an alien language. Good on you to be able to read that. I tried to read the 1611 KJV and couldn't either, this one was even harder. Thank God for his word in the modern vernacular. (Incidentally, this was one of the purpose of Wycliffe and Tyndale, to have the scripture in the vernacular of the common man). Now I also see why the KJVO people err, can you imagine if we had to read the Bible like this? It would have been a headache. I still have difficulty with the 1769 edition of the KJV, I use, as you know, the NKJV but recently have been using the ESV for my daily reading as it's easier to read and understand and most are of the opinion that it's based on better manuscripts. It has its weaknesses as all of have, but I'm warming to it as my main Bible and the NKJV as my back up. I saw the capital Y but had no idea to read it as I. Some of them spelling was like 😲. Truly great to have though.
You showed and spoke of Schaeffer's church history book, I'm looking for a one volume edition, do you have any suggestions?
Thank you for sharing this immensely amazing set.
Thanks for commenting, Edward! The only edition of Schaff's history I know of is printed in eight volumes, but I haven't searched very hard.
You're absolutely right about the goal, to place the Scriptures in the hands of the people. I understand that the authorities in England cracked down on vernacular translations early in the fifteenth century in a reaction against Wycliffe and his followers. For instance, in 1407 Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel decreed the following: “We therefore legislate and ordain that nobody shall from this day forth translate any text of Holy Scripture on his own authority into the English, or any other, language, whether in the form of a book, pamphlet, or tract; and that any such book, pamphlet, or tract, whether composed recently or in the time of John Wycliffe, or in the future, shall not be read in part or in whole, in public or in private.”
It's good to live in these times and have access to so many good translations in modern English. Imagine having an archbishop over your country who *required* you to be KJV-Only.
Even so, I like these antique translations also. There's a chance I'll receive a facsimile 1611 in Gothic typeface soon.
@@RGrantJones It's very fascinating to have these antiquea available and I like "trying" to read them, because, frankly, that's what's happening when I read them. It's also amazing to see what the KJVO sect is doing is no different from what the Catholic Church did when Wycliffe and Tyndale tried to give the people a Bible they could read and understand. The same can be said too when it came to the KJV translation being made, there was an attempt to kill them before they could translate the Bible. It is said if one does not know their past they will repeat its mistakes and I think some of that is happening in christendom right now. Having an individual or group of people over you telling you what to read and what you should not read is exactly what the authorities did back then, and even though I don't think they would admit to it, the KJVO crew is doing the very same thing. When faithful people try to give people a translation that they can actually read and understand, not tampering with the word God for profit, I take my hat off to them. I think it's a blessing to have these modern translations and as long as people will read them and live by them, I think all will be well.
Edward, have you tried reading the CSB translation?
@@FernandoSerna1654 I have read a few books online and it wasn't bad at all. I liked much of what I read but wasn't thrilled with the Psalms and Proverbs from what I was able read. I understand that it is becoming a favourite among many people.
@@edwardgraham9443 Yes, I agree. The Psalms and Proverbs are rather prosaic. Is your preferred translation the ESV?
that is pretty tough to read but that is nothing compared to my Matthew Bible (Tyndale/Coverdale) Replica that has middle english in gothic type lol. I remember taking that down to a local park mill to read by the water and that was an exercise just to get through one page!
Thanks for commenting, IG 4WDI! I've considered getting a copy of Hendrickson's facsimile edition. I think it would be fun to try to work through it.
@@RGrantJones yeah it is a great replica, it has a tribute to King Henry the 8th and has some great wood carving art in it as well.
I am currently looking for a better pocket bible for me to take with me on trips and to school to read and enjoy. The current one that I use is a KJV and has very small about 6 pt. The ISBN is 978-1-4336-4729-1. I was wondering if you have any suggestions? I want a bigger font, and no red letters, in about the same size. I am open to different versions of the bible though.
very helpful video review of this interesting edition of Wycliffe's Bible... re. the binding, there seems to be good inner margins, which is important in glued bound books.... that compensates a bit, it seems, from the video... of course, had the 4 volumes been sewn, the cost would be considerable higher...
Have you seen the New Catholic Bible (new translation) was NCV but had to be changed to NCB?
Interesting stuff, thank you.
When are you going to post the scoring results of the MEV and NLT?
I plan to show the revised chart in an upcoming MEV review. But I'm only about halfway finished scoring them.
Have you ever done a video on the cambridge Pitt minion reference edition
No, I haven't. I've never seriously considered buying a Pitt Minion -- the font is too small for me. I'm in awe of people who are able to read it. Thanks for the question!
Ok thanks for the reply
So where would these translations roughly lie on the translation spectrum?
They have a reputation for being very literal, with the Wycliffe translation to the left of Purvey's. There's a good chance that both are more literal than the ASV. Unfortunately, I can't score them since I don't know Latin.
@@RGrantJones Thank you!
Hey do u know why it’s 4 volumes instead of just 1 book ?
In which language did the bible reveal and is that bible still exist?
I see you made this comment over a year ago, but just in case you're still curious: the original books of the Bible were written in Hebrew, Aramaic (only a very, very small amount), and Greek. We do not have originals of any of them; we have many copies, some of them in different languages than the originals. Many of the copies contain tiny differences that don't change the meaning of what was written, but some have larger differences like additions to the text or missing lines. This is why you will see so many English-speaking Christians discussing and arguing over translations of the Bible: they are arguing over the wording of the translations and also over which "original" sources were used to make the translations.
Where can I buy this?
These volumes are available at Amazon.com and other booksellers. Just search on the ISBNs listed in the video description. For instance, here's a link to Amazon's page for the first volume: www.amazon.com/Wycliffes-Bible-facsimile-Forshall-translation/dp/1782011412 .