Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119567 in Books
• Published on: 1985-10-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 2128 pages

Customer Reviews

Good study notes but too many typos for the price
Excellent study notes, introductions and other study aids. The pleasant presentation of the text is unfortunately spoilt by various typographical errors, from missing verse numbers to wrong spellings - for (the price) one would expect more accuracy. The usual English alternatives to the Hebrew verse numbering are not always noted (e.g. Malachi 4). Some rather idiosyncratic expressions are used in the translation (e.g. "pedigree" in Numbers 1 for tribal lists or descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel; or "Say on, Master" in Luke 7:40).
Some of the translation sheds new light on the meaning of bible passages by its choice of words, but at the expense of consistency of translation (e.g. cf. Romans note 7c, which details the various translations used for the Greek "sarx", usually translated in other version as "flesh", but here using five different terms, none of which is "flesh", but mainly "human nature".
Mistranslation through the usage of gender-neutral language is not as widespread as in the NRSV, but is about the same amount as in the NAB. In this respect, the translation guidelines of the Church for bible translations for use in the liturgy have been better, though not fully, met.
In the New Testament, deviations from the standard Nestle-Aland Greek texts are not always noted (this is clearer in the NRSV and NAB).
Nevertheless a good scholarly and non-doctrinal Catholic bible, although it has not so far been approved for liturgical use, unlike its predecessor the Jerusalem Bible.

A welcome addition to my study Bibles.
The New Jerusalem Bible in the Standard Edition is a good and welcome addition for study alongside other versions, together with the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, lexicons and analytical concordances - and an open prayerful mind!
It claims to be a translation from the original languages, but mistranslations are to be found by assiduous study - but then this applies to all versions to a greater or lesser degree.
...it adds a lot to study by way of footnotes and cross-references. I shall enjoy using it alongside my other references - never trusting it or any other version entirely - translators are fallible beings, and translators do not take the place of hard study and thinking.
But I do commend it as very useful to those grappling with Biblical studies.
George Hopper; Writer and Bible Scholar

A good translation, it's just a shame..........
In fact, a really good translation, if a little inconsistent in it's renderings at times. The divine name is transliterated as Yahweh, while all other hebrew words and names are translated. Well, there are a couple of other transliterations such as Yahweh Sabaoth, Sabaoth, being a rendering of the hebrew "armies" or "of armies", evidently a reference to the "armies" of angels under Yahweh's command. There's also, "El Shaddai," "God Almighty" of course. But why not be consistent then and transliterate all the names, Elijah, Jeremiah etc. It's also just a shame that the introductions to each book seem to be written from the standpoint of higher criticism, they call into the question, without any justification or evidence other than wishing to appear wise to those who would detract from God's word, the authorship and reliability of the very books the translator's claim to respect so much. But otherwise really good, just, unfortunately not perfect