Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 220
EAN: 9780195288759
Edition: 3
ISBN: 0195288750
Label: Oxford University Press, USA
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 2048
Publication Date: 2007-02-02
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Studio: Oxford University Press, USA

Countless students, professors and general readers alike have relied upon The New Oxford Annotated Bible for essential scholarship and guidance to the world of the Bible. Now the Augmented Third Edition adds to the established reputation of this premier academic resource. A wealth of new maps, charts, and diagrams further clarify information found in the scripture pages. In addition, section introductions have been expanded and the book introductions have been made more uniform in order to enhance their utility. Of course, the Augmented Third Edition retains the features prized by students, including single column annotations at the foot of the pages, in-text background essays, charts, and maps, a page number-keyed index of all the study materials in the volume, and Oxford's renowned Bible maps. This timely edition maintains and extends the excellence the Annotated's users have come to expect, bringing still more insights, information, and approaches to bear upon the understanding of the biblical text.
* Wholly revised, and greatly expanded book introductions and annotations.
* Annotations in a single column across the page bottom, paragraphed according to their boldface topical headings.
* In-text background essays on the major divisions of the biblical text.
* New essays on the history of the formation of the biblical canon for Jews and various Christian churches.
* More detailed explanations of the historical background of the text.
* More in-depth treatment of varieties of biblical criticism.
* A timeline of major events in the ancient Near East.
* A brief history of biblical interpretations, from biblical times to the present.
* A full index to all of the study materials, keyed to the page numbers on which they occur.
* 36-page section of full color New Oxford Bible Maps, approx. 40 in-text line drawing maps and diagrams.

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Truly Fine Bible
Comment: I read the Bible from one to three hours a day -- sometimes more -- and over the years I've gathered something like 60 editions. Versions range from the KJV to the American Standard (1901), Revised Standard, New American Standard (1977 and 1995), NKJV... and all the more recent efforts, from literal to paraphrase. Study Bibles, Reference Bibles, interlinears, plain old Text Bibles -- they all feed me, they all offer countless layers of knowledge that promise a lifetime's reward for rigorous study.

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is the first Bible that I followed from Genesis through Revelations. It reads smoothly, but is literal enough to remind the reader of the Bible's ancient origins. The scholarship is second-to-none, no matter what you may hear otherwise.

Oxford Annotated Bibles contain a wealth of knowledge and information, presented in a dispassionate and ecumenical manner -- which is to say, there is no attempt to sway the reader in a particular dogmatic direction, but rather, the reader receives food for thought, so that she or he can determine the Bible's meaning for herself or himself.

Oxford leather Bibles are as good as they get -- I've got four of them now -- unless one wishes to spend twice or three times as much for handmade calfskin binding. This edition comes with two ribbons and an abundance of thumb indexes. The binding is stitched, the genuine leather is elegant, and it smells... well, divine. This Bible comes with quality paper, consistently dark printing, surprisingly large lettering and a minimum of bleed-through. This edition also has a concordance, glossary, extensive Oxford colored maps, and a truly-impressive essay section filled with the latest cross-denominational scholarly information. Each of the 66 books in the Bible comes with a detailed introduction, as do several major Bible sections. The textual annotations are wonderful as always, with cross-references embedded in the notes. Translation notes are also helpful in supplying alternative renderings.

This particular version does not, however, include the Deuterocanonical (otherwise known by the derogatory term "Apocryphal") books, so if this is important for you, you may want to look at The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Third Edition (Genuine Leather Burgundy Indexed 9714).

To me, the liberal-conservative paradigm is meaningless when it comes to spiritual and religious study, as I value the wisdom and insight gleaned from all my Bibles. I feel blessed to live during a time when such a wide range of versions and formats is available. The NRSV is one of the best, as is the Oxford Annotated Study format, especially in genuine leather.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A very liberal and PC study Bible
Comment: The Bible commentaries are written from a decidedly liberal theological perspective. It is obvious that the writers believe the Bible is just a product of ancient myths and storytelling. They disbelieve miracles and explain away prophecy by assigning late dates for the books. Their notes are not balanced and really do not present opposing points of view or evidence to the contrary. More a work of anti-Christian/anti-Jewish propaganda than a balanced, scholarly work. Also, while it is not a bad translation, the NRSV does have some gender-neutrality inserted into it. All in all, I cannot recommend this study Bible. It reads like skeptics and non-believers wrote it. Instead, I would recommend the NIV Study Bible or NKJV Study Bible.

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