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The English Bible, King James Version: The Old Testament

A Norton Critical Edition
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( 69 ratings, 12 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The English Bible, King James Version: The Old Testament marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible with a comprehensive edition featuring succinct introductions to each biblical book, detailed annotations, and rich contextual and critical materials. It explains archaic language, addresses textual issues, and highlights stylistic features of the original texts, making the Old Testament accessible to readers without Hebrew knowledge. The volume incorporates modern biblical scholarship alongside centuries of interpretation, offering insights into its literary complexities, historical contexts, and evolution.

The book also includes an extensive historical and critical appendix, presenting ancient Near Eastern backgrounds, a diverse anthology of biblical interpretations from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, reflections by philosophers, and modern scholarly perspectives. It explores the Old Testament’s pivotal role in English literature through paraphrases and parables and concludes with discussions on iconic passages and English translations over time. Complemented by timelines, diagrams, and maps, this edition serves as a vital guide for understanding the Old Testament’s enduring significance.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Ideal for students, scholars, and readers interested in religious studies, biblical literature, history, and English literature, this edition suits those seeking a critical and accessible exploration of the Old Testament within its historical and literary contexts.

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A stunning work of scholarship, the Norton Critical Edition of The English Bible, King James Version, is the most accessible edition available.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, these long-awaited volumes bring together succinct introductions to each biblical book, detailed explanatory annotations, and a wealth of contextual and critical materials. Archaic words are explained, textual problems are lucidly discussed, and stylistic features of the original texts are highlighted.

Judicious and economical, the introductions and annotations to the Old Testament give readers without Hebrew an entry into the complexities of biblical literature, reconstructing its original contexts, tracing its evolution, and pointing out productive strategies of reading. Incorporating the insights of modern biblical scholarship as well as centuries of precritical interpretation, they offer essential guidance to a labyrinthine world, while respecting the text's integrity.

The historical and critical appendix comprises three distinct collections. A section on ancient Near Eastern backgrounds presents the myths, hymns, prayers, and legal codes that informed the creation of the Hebrew Bible. A historical anthology of biblical interpretation gathers—for the first time in one volume—generous selections from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, along with classics of secular commentary. It includes reflections on the Bible by philosophers from Hobbes to Ricoeur; a compendium of modern biblical scholarship, focusing on topics such as the oral and the written, the composition of the Pentateuch, and the historical movement from covenant to canon; and a provocative sampling of comparative and literary approaches.

The crucial presence of the Old Testament within English literature is represented by paraphrases and parables in verse and prose, and a recapitulatory conclusion brings the diverse perspectives of this millennial survey to bear on two of the Bible's most famous passages: the expulsion from the garden of Eden and the binding of Isaac. A final section devoted to the question of translation includes significant English versions from Wycliffe to the present.

The English Bible, King James Version: The Old Testament includes time lines, chronologies, diagrams, and maps to enhance understanding.

Series: Norton Critical Editions

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Esteemed scholars praise this Norton Critical Edition for revitalising the King James Bible. Robert Alter highlights its apt introductions, illuminating annotations, and the wealth of contextual materials enhancing accessibility and understanding. Harold Bloom commends Herbert Marks as a leading literary exegete of the King James and Hebrew Bibles, underscoring the edition’s scholarly depth and literary insight.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393927450

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 May 2012

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Edition: Critical edition

Contributors:

  • Edited by Herbert Marks

Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 64.0mm

Width: 178.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 2036g

Pages: 2304

About the Author

Herbert Marks is Professor of Comparative Literature at Indiana University, where he also directs the Institute for Biblical and Literary Studies and edits the monograph series Indiana Studies in Biblical Literature. He is the editor of the Norton Critical Edition of The English Bible, King James Version: The Old Testament.

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