The Geneva Bible: 1560 Edition, hardcover The Bible of the Protestant Reformation

The Geneva Bible was a monumental achievement in the history of Protestant Bible translation. Born in a time of religious and political upheaval it helped foster scripture literacy among the common people of England.

The first English Bible to be fully translated from the original languages, the Geneva Bible was the product of some of the finest biblical scholars of its day. It was the first to feature many innovations in the field of Bible publishing:

• Text printed in readable roman type
• Division of the text into numbered verses
• Italic type used for words not in the original languages
• Marks placed over the accented syllables to aid in pronouncing proper names
• Extensive textual and explanatory commentary placed in the margins
• Words/phrases displayed at the heads of pages to promote scripture memorization
• Maps and woodcuts illustrating biblical scenes included
• Sold in a variety of sizes so many people could afford a household Bible

English settlers that voyaged to the New World favored the Geneva Bible. It is probable that the Geneva Bible came to America in 1607 and was used in the Jamestown colony. Thirteen years later the Pilgrims brought it with them on the Mayflower's perilous voyage to religious freedom.

Features:

• Facsimile of the University of Wisconsin Press edition of the 1560 Geneva Bible
• Features clear, legible type throughout (marginal commentary is in smaller type)
• Complete, original marginal commentary, maps and woodcut illustrations
• Authoritative introduction to the Geneva Bible by Lloyd E. Berry

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I love this Bible. I bought it at a bookstore in town. It takes me back in time to Puritan days. It's quality is very good. I would highly recommend it. I would also recommnend a Tyndale's New Testament and a 1611 Edition KJV as companions, of which I also own.

Until the KJV, the Geneva was the best translation of the Hebrew and Greek texts available. It was the first English Bible brought to 'American' shores; and was the text upon which the original settlers founded their churches, governments, their lives, and homes. Most of the early colonial Genevas were of the 1560 edition, and were in Gothic (or Old English, Black Letter type.) I would love to see the GV and the KJV printed in parallel columns. It is a real shame that so-called Christians have to fall out over whether we should read the GV or the KJV, when both are great old Bibles of our history and ancestry. The KJV was an improvement in many ways, but that doesn't make the GV a lesser product. I love and honor them both; and have used them both in my preaching and teaching ministry for many years. Dr. John Clarke M.D., Founder of the first Baptist church in America (New Port, RI, 1638)used a Black Letter GV, of the 1560 edition. William Bradford, of the 'Pilgrims' used a Black Letter GV, which was a 1590 printing, most likely of the 1560 edition text also. Just remember to refer the 'hard places' to the Received Text (from which they were both translated)when reading the GV or the KJV, and you won't have any serious problems reading them. Remember: a translation is not the original inspired text; but was (in these bibles) guided by God, and thus we can use them with a great deal of assurance. NO translation is going to be perfect, as it is very difficult to give a word for word translation from an ancient language into our own; but thus far, these two are as good as it gets! Enjoy them. I do; and hope to for many years to come, God willing. Brethren, may the love of Christ show through our ministry and fellowship, regardless of which one of these old Bibles we use most! May I remain your servant in the hope of God's grace through the merits of the finished work of Christ for His people, Larry L. Burton

I am not really thrilled with this purchase due to the untranslated ancient English/German lettering. Having studied German, I can decipher it, but it is not for most people. Too bad a scholar has not yet translated the lettering into legible English.

This is a great addition to those who are serious students of the reformation, and particularly the struggle to bring the Bible to the English speaking world. The notes at the beginning are invaluable.

I just received this yesterday and I really love it. It takes a few minutes to get used to the obsolete spelling but it is highly readable for all that. Occasionally a word or part of a word is a bit faded but this is almost certainly due to the source material as this is a facsimile. The pages are printed on a parchment like paper, which is perfect. This beautiful book is worth every penny (and more) of the 39.99 price.

Many months ago, I started to question the newer translations of the Bible so I looked for something very old and more original without learning Greek, Latin, etc. The 1560 Geneva Bible seems to be the book of my choice. I grew up with a King James Version that my Grandmother gave me back in 1965 and have been reading it ever since. I tried several newer translations and realized it felt like soft talk as to not offend anyone instead of telling the hard truth of the Gospel the way it was in the beginning. The Geneva 1560 is dificult at first because of the Old English and Roman Numerals however, once learned, it's a delight as an older comparison tool to find truth.

In getting to the meaning of God's word in the language of today back to its true source ths and 1917 Scofield KJV are outstanding resource and guide to our reason to give thanks for our salvation

This bible laid the ground work for all study bibles that have been printed. Those who helped produced this bible should be commended for their commitment of getting God's word into the hands of the people so they could see for themselves if what was being taught in their day was scriptural based or the teachings of flawed men. As the King James Bible was a blessing to generations of God people, this too at one time was the instrument that God used to melt hearts and instruct the world in the way of Salvation. The commentary help God people to understand and explain the scriptures. It had to have been a help to God minister in preparing their sermons for God's people. This facsimile edition allows us to see what some of the early settlers of our nation used to gain strength to endure the hardships of living in the new world.

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