The Orthodox Study Bible Revisited

[@RGrantJones]

At about the 44:31 point, I mention the OSB's translation of ἀνατολὴν as 'Orient', but say that I prefer 'Dayspring'. I just noticed (23 June 2022) that the OSB translates ἀνατολὴν as 'Dayspring' in Zechariah 3.8 but as 'Orient' in Zechariah 6.12.

[@marlo8456]

Thanks for you work brother! Do you intend to review the ESV study bible? It seems to be quoted ad the best study bible around at the moment

[@RGrantJones]

@@marlo8456 - thanks for the question! No, I don't plan to review the ESV Study Bible, for two reasons: (1) my copy is about 11 years old and (2) there are many reviews of it already available. But if I were to acquire a recently printed copy, I would likely change my mind and publish a video review.

[@RGrantJones]

@YAJUN YUAN - Thanks for letting me know. I look forward to seeing it.

[@RGrantJones]

@YAJUN YUAN - interesting, and curious. Thanks for sharing that.

[@RGrantJones]

@YAJUN YUAN - thanks for posting that video. I've had that NT on my wish list for some time.

[@j.godfrey4951]

As an Orthodox I know one of the translators of the LXX personally. He told me that originally working with Thomas Nelson they were given strict limitations on how much the NKJV OT text could be edited to conform to the LXX (for cost considerations). Hence some longer passages which differed could not be fully translated. It was difficult for them to work within the parameters. The OT translation was not meant to be a full translation and is widely known within Orthodox circles that it has its own limitations. One can only hope for a complete Orthodox translation OT/NT in days to come!

[@davidrutledge6215]

Thank you. Now that's valuable information.

[@MM-jf1me]

Thank you for sharing your insider information! How much more frustrating it must have been to be a translator working on this project and knowing you couldn't make it as good as you knew it could be! How odd, too -- I always assumed that the text of the translation was provided to Thomas Nelson; it shows me how little I understand of the publishing industry! Would you happen to know why there are still so many typos within the 21st printing? Would it cost more to make the necessary changes or is Thomas Nelson uninterested or...?

[@j.godfrey4951]

@@MM-jf1me I really don't know what goes on with Thomas Nelson. I've heard that they were sold after initial printing of OSB, but not 100% sure. Have noted that newer OSB editions are printed in China although the original was printed in USA. Since the OSB is really kind of a niche Bible I suspect Thomas Nelson isn't too keen to put much effort/expense into correcting typos, verse references, etc. But that's just me thinking out loud. I'm Orthodox and like the OSB yet I pine for the day when we have our own full English translation of NT and LXX OT!

[@ArchangelsBookClub]

@@j.godfrey4951 I use the Eastern Orthodox Bible New Testament and the Lexham English Septuagint.

[@jayguevara6153]

@@ArchangelsBookClub I'm Catholic but have been looking at both of these recently. How do you like the Lexham LXX? I wish it was available as an eBook too.

[@geraldxlvii7258]

Thank you so much for the time and effort you’ve put in to this. I really wanted to love the OSB when I first obtained a copy, but having to constantly reference other translations of the LXX to see what the Greek *actually* says is a chore, and really defeats the purpose. I too would like to see a revision, and I’m hopeful that the right people happen upon this video. Though I’m not Orthodox, the type of revision you’ve suggested could easily make the OSB my primary translation. Thanks again.

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, Gerald! I agree; the OSB revised along those lines would very likely be my primary translation as well.

[@petjobedet4650]

Interesting review but in whisper tone for some reason.

[@bradgoodnight]

I loved the concept here, but in referencing the feedback given by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch during the formation of the RSV NOAB (with apocrypha expanded), it was difficult for me to understand why some of the things requested then were not considered when creating this book. One primary example would be the missing 4 Maccabees appendix, and maybe even the additional Esdras (the apocalypse one, given different names under different jurisdictions). Though neither are canonical, both books were important in the ecumenical dialogue for the RSV NOAB expanded (Esdras from the Russians and others, 4 Maccabees from the Greeks). If the book was intended as a pan-orthodox book- even just among the Greek Orthodox communion- I don’t know that it was successful, since these pieces were critical enough for the RSV. I also notice the lack of collective reception among the Orthodox regarding this text. Everywhere I have attended, the RSV (with Septuagint Psalms, and not the OSB’s version of them) is what is read aloud and sold in the parish bookstores. I don’t see that the OSB has had a formal and/or universal acceptance to this point, especially in comparison to the RSV NOAB. I’m also unsure why the NKJV NT is used over the EOB NT for this text. The OT, as you’ve clearly articulated, give minimal scholarly explanation and/or criticism for the wording choices, and the notes do not always reflect (again) a pan-orthodox perspective. In general, I think this text would be greatly improved by more scholarly feedback and pan-orthodox dialogue for a higher quality text that earns collective reception in the various Greek Orthodox Church jurisdictions.

[@RGrantJones]

Thank you for the informative comment, Brad! Just guessing, but there may be contractual reasons for retaining Nelson's NKJV NT after the EOB NT became available.

[@bradgoodnight]

@@RGrantJones Thank you for your reply! I really enjoy your channel, and I was excited to see what you would say after revisiting this book. You didn’t disappoint! Certainly, there must have be some explanation as you suggested; however, if we needed an update to the KJV legacy for the Orthodox, the RSV NOAB with apocrypha expanded was already that. I trust the scholarly and ecumenical approach, as well as the transparency with regard to translation decisions. (I recall based on the previous video that you- and others in the comments- didn’t too much care for the notes in this text, so I refer to your video on the Schuyler RSV with Apocrypha.) Thanks again for the videos, and the comment, and I look forward to your next one!

[@Samuel-r2r7e]

What does rsv "noab" an acronym for?

[@bradgoodnight]

@@Samuel-r2r7e Revised Standard Version (with Apocrypha Expanded) New Oxford Annotated Bible

[@kxtx3]

@@Samuel-r2r7e New Oxford Annotated Bible

[@Meteor_pending]

I purchased this Bible this year in 2024, and the binding of my copy is sewn, not glued. So I guess Thomas Nelson saw the light on bindings...

[@RGrantJones]

That's good news. Recently someone told me that Brenton's Septuagint is now sewn as well.

[@Charles-jj2su]

Mr. Jones, have you heard of the New Catholic Bible? It was commissioned by Bishops of the Philippines in recent years. It has a ton of good footnotes and it’s actually a brand new translation as opposed to a revision or an adaptation of a Protestant/ecumenical one. I must say it’s a breath of fresh air, translating “hail, full of grace!” As opposed to the common “favored one” or “thou who art highly favored.”

[@RGrantJones]

Yes, I have heard of it. I hope to find a sewn copy with a font size around 9.5 to 10 points without red letters to review.

[@Charles-jj2su]

Catholic Book Publishing has several versions of it. Mine is a sewn copy (red letters however) so hopefully they sell a black letter text version as well.

[@Mechtrekica]

Very detailed video. I don't think the ship has sailed with this Bible they can fix it's issues and make it identical to the LXX. I'm glad you spent so much time showing what is wrong with it. Thank you.

[@RGrantJones]

I hope they do correct it in a future edition. Thanks for commenting, IG 4WDI!

[@dino575]

Thank you for this review - I have owned a copy of the OSB for sometime - and interesting to say the least what you shared here for a relative new comer to the written word. I follow a morning Bible study given daily here on YT by a Greek Orthodox Priest who uses this copy always. It will be interesting to take up some of the points raised here with him - who by the way is an excellent teacher. Wonderful work you are doing here and so happy to see your channel growing ++

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks very much for the kind comment, Dino! I would be surprised if the priest who leads your Bible study isn't aware that the OSB often strays from the LXX. But that may not matter to him.

[@dino575]

@@RGrantJones we did talk in brief on translations and as he is Greek OD this is the standard he uses ... but he also has a vast knowledge of scripture - and so I (think) he will draw from many sources - including writings from the Saints/ Early church fathers - whom he often quotes. So yes I think you could be right in that it may not matter so much to him as he has other sources and a vast reservoir of Spiritual knowledge.

[@dino575]

@@MartaSpendowska hi search for Archimandrite Philip he calls his Study Bible : Ten at Ten as it usually starts 10am weekdays when he does this )

[@dino575]

@@MartaSpendowska hi Glad you found it - ) he is lovely to listen to on a morning - and sometimes from the other Monastery they broadcast Matins live. Father Philip does have a mischievous sense of humour along with an encyclopedic knowledge of scripture ++

[@rigavitch]

@@dino575 Thank you. I have subscribed and will make a long journey on the train to visit The Parish ☦🙏🏼

[@icxcnikalastname3317]

Regarding your recommendations to modify a few of the Orthodox Study Bible's NKJV passages, the copyright owners probably didn't give the publisher permission to modify the NKJV text. Which probably is why the NT has italics for translator supplied words but the OT doesn't. Wish the Orthodox had done their own NT instead of using half-measures

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting. I believe that the effort was limited by resources. Since the NT was a good translation, based on a text that was a good approximation to the Patriarchal Text, they deemed it close enough, and decided to concentrate their time and energy on the OT. It doesn't seem likely to me that Nelson would have refused permission to modify the NT, since the SAAS OT started out as the NKJV OT. It was fairly obvious at the time that the translators found it challenging to complete the OT given their constraints on personnel, time, and funds. I remember being periodically frustrated in the late nineties and early years of this century by repeated delays in the publication date.

[@seekeroftruth3386]

Brilliant review yet again. Appreciate the effort you put in. Thank you for the very helpful cross examination on various bible passages. Take care and God bless

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks very much for the kind comment, Seeker of truth!

[@panokostouros7609]

Along with the updates to the translation, I think that the notes should be updated/expanded and published separately as supplemental commentaries. They should have more of a focus on primary Patristic texts with very little interpretation thereof, maybe a footnote or 2 to help direct the reader. The existing notes in the old and new OSBs would serve as brilliant footnotes of this sort. They should maintain/expand the outlines, book introductions, and study articles. They should incorporate more icons, festal, liturgical, and hymnographic references, many of these explicitly interpret the Scriptures and profess the theology directly. The Scriptures are primarily liturgical documents read in conjunction with all the others (Menaion, Triodion, Pentecostarion, Octoechos, Horologion, Holy Week). My point is that in the Orthodox Church, the Scriptures are the nucleus, the heart of a much wider "organism" of liturgical and patristic texts that actually do most of the heavy lifting already with regards to "study" and "interpretation". Call me old school, but we need to get back to the idea of textbooks being books of mostly "primary texts"

[@orthodoxphronesis]

Your “Proposed Revision” is quite close to “The Orthodox New Testament” Vol. 2. (Vol. 1 contains the Synoptic and the Gospel According to St. John) Both volumes are put out by Holy Apostles Covent Dormition Skete. They’re a non-canonical group so we do not worship with them. However, many of the Orthodox use their books for study due to their devotion to remaining accurate to the Greek.

[@peterpapoutsis496]

I have come to the conclusion that the LXX was used as a base but they also used the DSS. That is the only way I can justify their departures from the LXX. Just a guess.

[@RGrantJones]

Peter, I wish I understood what went wrong and how. I noticed that the prophecy in Is 9.5/6 is short in the OSB, like Rahlfs. If I had been a translator, that's one place I would have been tempted to stray toward the DSS, particularly since the Patriarchal text is also richer with titles there.

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

not sure why the EOB OT work stopped. Maybe the holy apostles convent will have an OT translation in the future.

[@nathanielwoon6037]

You’ll have to contact Fr Laurent about the EOB. As for Holy Apostles, who knows? I have heard that Holy Transfiguration, Boston is working in a Septuagint translation of their own.

[@MatthewMcknight]

This is an incredible review of the OSB! Your meticulous checking of OT LXX is amazing work! Hopefully one day there will finally be a full English version of the Orthodox Greek OT/NT. Maybe they could use the Lexham LXX with a NT translation someday. Speaking of Lexham, do you know when/if the 2nd edition of the Lexham LXX comes out? I haven’t notice anything, but could be wrong.

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for the kind comments! The 2nd edition of the Lexham LXX is the one that I reviewed a couple of years ago. I've heard that New Rome Press plans to print that Lexham LXX (or perhaps a third edition, I'm not clear on that point) along with the Eastern Orthodox Bible New Testament in 2024.

[@MatthewMcknight]

@@RGrantJones ok great! Thanks for the clarification. That’s awesome news from New Rome Press.

[@Catholic_Papalist_Hunter]

Thank you for your presentation, keep up the good work. God bless you

[@RGrantJones]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[@profjeancarlos]

what's up buddy? Where do I find the Greek New Testament of the Orthodox Churches in Greek from 1904?

[@rmarcusshort]

David Bentley Hart mentioned in a recent podcast appearance that there will be a 2nd edition of his translation of the New Testament. He mentioned that there will be changes in renderings that he has changed his mind on. Hopefully they have changed their minds on capitalizing the first letter of every verse! That convention really hurts readability.

[@arminius504]

He’s involved? That’s not a good sign.

[@rmarcusshort]

@@arminius504 no he is not involved in the OSB, I was just sharing tangentially related news.

[@adamturner8732]

The orthodox study bible publishers really need to knuckle down and get it right. The CSV has done a real wonderful Job with theirs. They need to get a reasonably priced with commentary

[@ggesman7811]

Dr Jones, I so much appreciate your knowledgey in the Greek text and the pre Nicean fathers. Tell me about you education. What was your major and or emphasis? Fron what university(ies) did you graduate?

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for the kind words, G Ges Man. My degrees are in physics and math. I'd prefer not to share more details on the internet.

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

The older Orthodox Study Bible New Testament And Psalms has slightly more commentary footnotes and more color art pages.

[@clannard1]

Thank you for the review R. Grant Jones. I'm Orthodox and would like this to be my primary bible, but the glued binding; tight page, column and line margins; horrible ghosting and inferior materials and construction make for an unpleasant read. Currently using a TN comfort print NKJV giant print center column reference bible as my daily read/take everywhere bible, and it is a joy to handle and read in comparison to the OSB. If there's one bible that deserves a TN comfort print/premier edition facelift, it's this one!

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, Deborah! Yes, a facelift is needed here.

[@quidocetbenediscit]

This is a good review. Although I use and enjoy the Orthodox Study Bible because it contains the full canon, I tend to rely more on other translations for accuracy. There is also a weird ethos behind the morning and evening prayer rules at the end of the book, which omit many of the most traditional prayers for this purpose. I would suspect that this was to avoid raising the ire of the protestant publishers. My preference would have been to simply bind the English text of Brenton (with revisions, as necessary) with the KJV New Testament and include copious notes on each drawn directly from the Holy Fathers. Ideally, such a volume would include the lectionary sections in the text itself along with a chart that can be used across jurisdictions. Finally, Greek and Slavic prayer rules should be included in their entirety.

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, quidocetbenediscit! I that approach, harmonizing Brenton with the KJV and including patristic commentary, would work very well.

[@nathanielwoon6037]

@@RGrantJones have you seen the work of Michael Asser? He worked on a full edition of the KJV with changes to conform to the LXX as used by the official OT as used Church of Greece.

[@RGrantJones]

@@nathanielwoon6037 - I've heard about it, but I haven't seen it.

[@bstring3967]

I liked it at first but after having it a while I found the notes not only underwhelming but they don’t anticipate common questions or objections to Eastern Orthodoxy very well. A win would be an expanded comfort print smyth sewn version.

[@nathanielwoon6037]

It’s been quite disappointing really… after so many years of waiting and praying for it to come to fruition… and after many more years, very little has been done to update and improve it… 😞😞😞

[@bstring3967]

@@nathanielwoon6037 I honestly feel like it’s that “we don’t want to give them too much” type of thing. Then the icing on the cake is “we don’t need to pay extra for 2k denmarks comfort print or sewn binding, glued and whatever crappy font is fine”

[@nathanielwoon6037]

@@bstring3967 as some others have posted, what the translators wanted to achieve and what they were allowed to do are totally different things. I guess it’s a case where beggars can’t be choosers. 😞😞😞

[@bstring3967]

@@nathanielwoon6037 yea I kinda went through that in my mind on this, questioning who are the allowers? I doubt Thomas Nelson, I think more likely to appear completely unified, going back and forth within the Orthodox Church hurt the outcome, getting every single thing approved multiple times maybe. I was reading in the beginning of it today and they have had a long long time to conduct this task of the study Bible, they make note focusing on the monumental amount of work the OT would be and was especially……and that amount they achieved compared to something like the NET study Bible is not even close.

[@alexherr.]

Honestly having a win win is actually reading the bible from it's original languages. No English bible can be perfect but the Orthodox study bible helps us understand what it is saying

[@allwillberevealed777]

Wow. I was thinking of buying this book. Now, I'm going through an Orthodox English app to make sure it lines up with the NET version shown here. Edit: Just compared a few verses. Seems Genesis 4:8 matches close to what is in the NETS version shown here. And a few others as well. I'll stick to the app for now until I decide what English Septuagint version to get. Thanks for this comparison.

[@arthurbrugge2457]

I have the original. The paper quality is rough. A lot of show through, and very light, grayish font which makes for a lot of distractions when reading. The glued binding also forces a lot of the text down in the gutter. It has potential, though.

[@edwardgraham9443]

Bible publishers always seem to take you to the edge and leave you hanging. They get ever so close to what you'd want, but fail to deliver. I'd be better off getting a wide margin Bible and use either the NETS and or the LES with the NET Bible notes and that should be good enough, I believe. Thanks for sharing this video. By the way, (I think I might have asked to this question before), now that some time have passed since you've had both NETS and LES, which of these two editions of the Septuaginf do you think would be better, or maybe a third, let's say Brenton be better?

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, Edward! I hope to receive a copy of the second edition of the LES soon (they're still delaying shipments due to Wuhan virus considerations, apparently), so I can only speak to the first edition. I still prefer the NETS, largely because of the informative introductions and the fact that they provide two translations when source texts vary greatly (e.g., in Joshua, Judges, and Tobit). I have it on my desktop right next to my Crossway Greek-English New Testament and my copy of Brenton (visible in the background of this video). But I keep the LES within arm's reach as well. Still, if I could have only one, it would be NETS.

[@edwardgraham9443]

@@RGrantJones Thank you. I got myself the ESV Large Print Wide Margin Bible which is my main Bible and it's a lovely Bible. I'm not sure whether to try and get the NET full notes in hard copy or use the free online one. Bibles I really like are either way too expensive, have red letters or don't have the full set of translation footnotes. It always seem to be oh so close, but not there. I've settled on using the ESV translation now and complimenting it witht the NASB and NKJV and the Septuagint witht he helpful NET Bible notes. A good copy the the Septuagint will be nice. I'm jot sure if there is a decent English version of the Deadsea Scrolls. The New Testament is so much of a great issue and there are so many editions and versions that somewhere in all those translations you get the best out of it.

[@RGrantJones]

@@edwardgraham9443 - I hope that wide margin works for you. I think you've got a good mix (ESV/NASB/NKJV). If you don't have any problems with internet connectivity and you're mostly interested in the NET's notes, I'd recommend foregoing the hard copy. Regarding the Dead Sea Scrolls, they're fragmentary. I did a review here a few years ago of a Dead Sea Scrolls Bible, and for the most part it isn't something you would sit down and read. It strikes me as more useful for seeing, in English, variant DSS readings.

[@nendwr]

@@RGrantJones If only they did the bifurcation with the later historical books too, especially where B is Kaige - it would be good to have the Antiochene text as well.

[@edwardgraham9443]

@@RGrantJones Thank you again. If it's one thing that works properly on this island nation of mine is internet, and it is also one of the least expensive things to have. The device used on the other hand is completely different story. Our government made having internet access one of their major projects and placing free public Wi-Fi access in most major towns. I'm only interested in NET's notes, I've tried the translation online, but like the CSB it wasn't doing it for me. They may very well be accurate and for other people, but I way prefer more literal translations. The ESV is aa far away from the more literal that I'm willing to go. I don't have a hard copy version of the NASB though, I would love to have one. The Zondervan NASB Preacher's Bible looks nice as well as their Single Column Reference (I saw your review of this one). It would be either one of those or a Lockman one because those are all black letter text. I had recently asked the Lockman Foundation about their plans for the 1995 NASB and responded to my email saying that they were going to retypset the Single Column Compact and Side Column Reference editions of the 1995 and maybe they will so the LPUT. The went on to say by the end of 2023 into 2024 we should be seeing these. So I could wait until then. That would perhaps give me enough time to save some money to get one of them.

[@gregg288]

Very informative guide, do you know if this book comes in audio as well ?

[@J_Chaucer]

Hi R. Grant Jones would love to hear your thoughts on the Haydock Douay Rheims, and the Jewish Study Bible put out by Oxford.

[@allancarmichael835]

Hi. I can't remember where I read this, but I read an article that said the Hebrew text was imported to appease the Russian Orthodox on board the project. Their old testament is an eclectic text based off the Masoretic text. So, they don't appear to be errors, but they are not Septuagint readings. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@RGrantJones]

Thank you, allan! I hadn't heard that before.

[@allancarmichael835]

@@RGrantJones They had sample articles as well. The text did match Brenton's in the rough draft. I believe they compared it to the situation with the NRSV being more faithful to the RSV before Metzger altered it into the more liberal translation it was. Basically, it started life as a purely Greek Orthodox translation, but ended up pan-Orthodox. And, I'm sure you are aware of the animosity the Greek and Russian churches have against each other. So, yeah. It was an interesting read. If I ever find it again, I'll link you to it.

[@RGrantJones]

@@allancarmichael835 - I'd love to read it. I remember hearing about the project in the nineties and being disappointed by its repeated delays. One thing that remains clear in my memory is that it was advertised as a translation of the Septuagint, based on Rahlfs' text. And it's called the Saint Athanasius Academy *Septuagint* . So if such a compromise was made, I would find it very disappointing.

[@allancarmichael835]

@@RGrantJones Hi again. The article I mentioned has been deleted. The Google link is 404ed. I did find an article that mentions criticisms of the text and supplements though. The main complaint was that American members of the committee were not only too inexperienced to handle the project, but had more liberal views than those from Europe. They also were the reason for the changes to be more Russian in the text, as well as the calendar used for the lectionary at the back. (to make the Russians feel more a part of the project) There also seemed to be infighting between the different sects. Finally, Thomas Nelson seems to have had final say on the text and would not allow a full translation to be carried out, as they originally wanted to alter the New Testament to match the Patriarchal Text.

[@Broken_ChainsM]

The Ancient Faith Edition of the OSB is sewn bound, Both the leatherette and hardcover. I've had some issues with the gluing in the Thomas Nelson version.

[@pastorforthemaster8816]

Thank you for both the original review and this “revisit review “. I own a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible and, although I’m not Orthodox, I enjoy reading it and learning about their traditions. I just wish the paper quality was better on this edition. I’ve recently ordered a copy of the Eastern Orthodox Bible New Testament in paperback and am looking forward to reading it as well. Are you aware of and leather versions of the OSB or the EOB? Keep up the great reviews!

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, PastorForTheMaster! No, I don't recall seeing leather editions of either. Both are available in imitation leather, I think. The EOB zippered New Testament is imitation leather, if I recall correctly. And the Ancient Faith store (online) sells a leathersoft edition of the OSB, which I'm told has a sewn text block.

[@ahbeng888]

@@RGrantJones, when the OSB was first released, I remember Thomas Nelson issuing an edition in bonded leather which I have (my edition has held up quite well over the last decade). Here in Australia, the only version which now is on sale (at least at the pre-eminent Christian bookshop chain down under, Koorong) is the hardback edition.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

There is a leather-bound zipper copy of the EOB put out by New Rome Press but the font is very small. If you can tolerate the font size it's very nice. The Leathersoft ancient faith edition paper quality isn't much better than the hardback for the price. Thomas Nelson used to publish the OSB in a leather-bound form and they were going to issue a new printing of it but they backed out because people complained they weren't going to revise and expand the study notes in the Old Testament. There is also a two volume translation by Holy Apostles Convent in Colorado but the translation is very literal and isn't the easiest to read.

[@RGrantJones]

@@NavelOrangeGazer - the edition I see at their web site is in imitation leather. I reviewed it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4KYmqGHZbebo68 .

[@theherbalsanctuary811]

this was very helpful thank you

[@RGrantJones]

Thank you for the kind comment!

[@SibleySteve]

Good videos but let me give you some printer jargon from a printer. When you see text from the reverse showing through thin paper, it is called ghosting. There is a lot of ghosting on this Bible. When the text lines do not match up, you call that registration. The registration has a tolerance, it is not always meant to be perfect, especially if the ghosting is minimal. If the ghosting is gross, then the registration tolerance becomes important. Hope that helps.

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks. I sometimes use 'ghosting' instead of 'show-through.' I'll see if I can work 'registration' into a future video.

[@davidmarinkovic2383]

Please, does some one know what is the cross symbol at end of verses ? Genesis 3:1, you shall not eat from every tree of the garden ? after the question mark, we have a cross symbol, what does it mean ????

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for the question, David. The Orthodox Study Bible uses a cross to indicate that you can find a footnote on the passage at the bottom of the page. See page XII of the introduction.

[@bstring3967]

Septuagint rendering in proverbs 23:31 isnt in masoretic renderings and also is translated a bit different in the nets to OSB, essentially saying if you choose to set your heart on food and drink you will walk around more naked than ground beef(OSB) or a pestle(nets)

[@RGrantJones]

That is curious, B String. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@bstring3967]

@@RGrantJones yea I noticed it when I was reading the note in OSB on proverbs 23:20,21. Those verses also differ in nkjv/esv to OSB/nets you should check it out, OSB does not mention “gluttonous eaters of meat” is one difference(although OSB 23:31 makes gluttony in general the context). I’m thinking the context for masoretic renderings of 23:20 is that meat resembles the most filling part and most expensive part of a meal where in biblical times you could go broke trying to buy meat in pursuit of pleasing your tastebuds, this could also apply to fast food/pre packaged types of food modern times(proverbs 23:1 makes me think it’s that context also Septuagint variants). Thanks 🙏

[@rahele564]

Hello I’m Ethiopian orthodox and our Bible has 81 books. Please, how many books has in The orthodox Bible study” ?

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for the question, rahel E. The answer depends on how they're counted. For instance, the Orthodox Study Bible includes Psalm 151, but should it be counted separately, or should it be included in the book of Psalms? I recommend you freeze the video at about the 15:24 point, where I show the table of contents. The chart that appears at the 16:15 point may also be helpful to you.

[@rahele564]

@@RGrantJones ohh okay, if I’m not mistaken, I saw that yours has 76 books. Thank you so much R.Grant Jones!! Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo has 81 everything together, not separately. The book of psalms is also included in the 81 books. I was wondering if I can find similar to our Bible in English translated. Thank you again!

[@RGrantJones]

@@rahele564 - I don't know of an English Bible that includes all of the Ethiopian Orthodox canon. There may be one, but I don't recall having seen it.

[@rahele564]

@@RGrantJones yes there is, but I might need to contact our church fathers from other states. Thank you for your hard work!

[@timotheospetros]

I downloaded a copy of this the other day to see if it could throw any light on some of the challenging passages I've encountered in my own translation of the Septuagint. I was shocked to see how cavalier it was with the Greek text. I expected better of the so-called 'Orthodox'.

[@timotheospetros]

​@YAJUN YUAN Grateful for the question. There was a time when I suppressed many of the superfluous "ands" (Greek καὶ) in my translation, but I don't do that any more and I've now put them back - but I missed this particular one out. So the text should read "AND before any verdure of the field was on the earth". Incidentally, the "before" comes from the Greek πρὸ that prefaces the articular infinitive τοῦ γενέσθαι; the same construction can be seen a few words later in πρὸ τοῦ ἀνατεῖλαι.

[@timotheospetros]

@YAJUN YUAN Yes, the Greek is often incredibly close to the Masoretic Text. On the other hand, it sometimes varies widely. There seem to be three main reasons for this: (i) the LXX translators were clearly using a different Hebrew text (very common); (ii) they interpreted the same (or at least very similar) Hebrew text differently (quite common); (iii) they misunderstood the Hebrew text (less common).

[@jovanzdravkovic5851]

Does the OT have translation errors only in the specific examples you showed or is the whole OT incorrectly translated? Thank you in advance

[@RGrantJones]

There are many other departures from Rahlfs' Septuagint that I haven't shown. Thanks for the question!

[@LiberalDemocracy-g9d]

Mr. Jones, could you please explain or tell what are the differences between the Orthodox Study Bible by Thomas Nelson and between Catholic Study Bible by Donald Senior ? And which one is more worthy to buy ? Thanks in advance.

[@RGrantJones]

I haven't seen that Catholic Study Bible, but some differences are likely. First, the Orthodox Study Bible includes books that likely aren't in the Catholic Study Bible, such as 1 Esdras, the Prayer of Manasseh, 3 Maccabees, and Psalm 151. Second, the New Testament of the Orthodox Study Bible was translated from the Textus Receptus, which is a sixteenth century critical Greek text which largely agrees with the manuscripts preserved in the Eastern Roman Empire. The New Testament of the Catholic Study Bible seems to be the NABRE, which is based on modern critical Greek texts, which tend to put more emphasis on the earliest extant Greek manuscripts. Third, the Old Testament of the Orthodox Study Bible is usually translated from the Septuagint, which is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, along with other works, most of which probably were not originally written in Hebrew. It is my understanding that the NABRE is based on the Masoretic Hebrew text, though it sometimes strays toward the Septuagint and toward the Dead Sea Scrolls. The text in the Orthodox Study Bible Old Testament is likely to agree more often with the Old Latin Bible read by Augustine and earlier Latin writers, while the NABRE is likely to agree more often with Jerome's translation and the Bible read by later Latin writers. Fourth, and here I'm guessing, but notes in the Catholic Study Bible likely display an interest in Higher Criticism, concentrating on the human, social, and cultural aspects of the production of the books of the Bible. If so, those notes will cast doubt on the veracity of Scripture when read literally. The Orthodox Study Bible avoids those issues, and it tends to focus on traditional and patristic interpretations of Scriptural passages.

[@LiberalDemocracy-g9d]

Thank you very much for your quick reply. It is really helpfull. It was really confusing to me at first. But now I think I am more sure about which book is right for me! May God Bless you and be with you. Again, Thanks a lot 🙏

[@mrtdiver]

Which Orthodox translation has people's names all in Greek vs. Anglicized? Which one is best for seeing their Greek names in the NT?

[@OrthodoxyChronicles]

It's a great text. It could be even a lot better but it's one of the best I've seen for sure.

[@dayyego]

Coming from a protestant nondenominational church, and I read the John MacArthur NASB study Bible, the more I read my Bible the more I feel called to come back to the Catholic church or join the orthodox church because I feel they are the gold standard. I feel like they take worship and repentance more serious. That said, is there a study Bible you recommend me to get? I was looking at this one or the Didache Study Bible.

[@RGrantJones]

Those are both good choices. I can't recommend one over the other. This is also very good, but it includes only the New Testament: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qrhpSMe9aNfdE .

[@OrthodoxReview]

Bravo

[@WgB5]

I have the 2008 edition. I was disappointed to see the OSB using modern Protestant versions for the NT instead of their own. Even the EOB. NT is snagged into CT stuff, rather than sticking with the PT translation.

[@hassanmirza2392]

This newer version of OSB, does the OT text read more similar to LXX readings now? I think in LXX the books of Esther, Danial, Isiah, Jeremiah and Malachi are different from MT.

[@RGrantJones]

No, I don't believe they made any substantial changes.

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@RGrantJones Maybe a new OSB is needed, with 4. Macc included and better translation. But Orthodox canon and verse ordering is very fragmented and confusing, and different from Jewish-Protestant one.

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@RGrantJones A book recommendation, written by a Shia Muslim Navid Kirmani 'Wonder Beyond Belief: On Christianity '

[@RGrantJones]

@@hassanmirza2392 - thanks for the recommendation!

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@RGrantJones Kirmani writes in German, he is an Iranian-German Shia writer and very famous in Germany and Austria. His PhD thesis generated a book on the aesthetics of Quran. This one is about his observations of Christianity.

[@inksword6029]

As an Orthodox i want to buy a study Bible and i know this Bible has lots of criticism but is overall good, do you think there's a better bible i could buy for study? Buying old testament and new testament separately? or is this one the way to go? Thank you!

[@RGrantJones]

This is a good study Bible, but it could be much better. I don't know of a better study Bible for Eastern Orthodox Christians.

[@inksword6029]

@@RGrantJones Thank you so much for the reply! I'll take your comment in mind, I think I will either buy this study bible or buy an English Septuagint translation, a good New Testament translation and then just buy Orthodox theology books separately

[@RGrantJones]

@@inksword6029 - I've heard that Newrome Press plans to publish the EOB New Testament with the Lexham English Septuagint in 2024. That's a step in the right direction, but, imo, someone should translate the two testaments from the Greek in a fairly consistent manner. Nevertheless, it could prove worthwhile.

[@inksword6029]

@@RGrantJones great information! Thank you so much! God bless 🙏🏻

[@Captem_]

what do you think of it if you bought it?

[@thewhitedoncheadle8345]

i have the 2008 version. my only issue is how the pages have been cut. the text does not run parallel with the bottom of the page and on some pages you can see the cut line that wasnt hit

[@cristyoutube212]

Does it have a blessing granted from a bishop at the title page?

[@RGrantJones]

No, I don't see one. Thanks for the question!

[@cristyoutube212]

​@@RGrantJonesYou're welcome!God bless you!

[@danielkeathley6477]

Excellent review! This is a bit off topic but I enjoy your thoughtful opinions on all things Bible related. Have you read any of Dr. Michael Heiser’s books like Unseen Realm or Reversing Hermon? If so what are your thoughts on him?

[@danielkeathley6477]

Also would you ever attempt to produce your own translation of the Bible? If so, how would you go about doing it? What translation if any, would you base it off of, and would you include the apocrypha? I would definitely purchase it if you were to undertake such a task. Thank you for these videos, I watch them daily. God bless you and your family, may he bless you in all that you undertake.

[@RGrantJones]

Daniel - I've seen some of his videos and I often find myself agreeing with him. I tried to read one of his books once, but I couldn't finish it for some reason I can't recall. It may have been the popular, teasing (if that's the right word) style in which it was written.

[@RGrantJones]

@@danielkeathley6477 - About twenty years ago, I worked to revise Brenton's translation and the KJV New Testament simultaneously, attempting to meld the style and vocabulary. I made numerous alterations to both in an attempt to align them; and as I read early Christian authors, I used their insights into the meaning of the text to make further adjustments. But I never finished the project. Yes, I would definitely include the apocrypha. Perhaps after I retire I'll finish that effort, but I doubt I'll be able to find a publisher.

[@danielkeathley6477]

@@RGrantJones Thank you for your detailed response! I appreciate that you took the time to write all of this. Your project that you mentioned regarding the Brenton and KJV translations is quite impressive and interesting. I’m sure many of your subscribers, including me would jump at the chance to purchase such a translation. Thank you, for your reviews. I enjoy watching them often and appreciate how much effort you put into each video.

[@RGrantJones]

@YAJUN YUAN - If I still have a KZbin channel in those days, you'll have to periodically remind me.

[@Nick-wv5zp]

Does this include the books of Enoch?

[@RGrantJones]

No, not in this edition. Thanks for the question!

[@jacobshepard654]

an orthodox priest i know uses the osb and the ancient faith study bible. which funnily enough are very similar especially since the afsb is Protestant

[@KavindhyaJayakody]

Recently I got this book. What type of paper they use to print it out??

[@JoShUa_J78]

I wear my watch the same way

[@RGrantJones]

Wearing it this way definitely helps me keep track of the time as I'm recording videos. Thanks for commenting, J 1978!

[@FernandoSerna1654]

Am I correct in assuming you prefer the 1977 over the 1995 and 2010? Blessings!

[@NuryPPanaligan]

What's your mechanical pencil?

[@paxster76]

Bought 3 of these. 1 for me and 1 for each of my 2 girls. I plan on reading before I give to my girls. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

[@arunajena4224]

How many notes are there in orthodox study bible?

[@jimmu2008]

I bought the first edition of the Lexham English Septuagint recently, not knowing there would soon be a second edition. I am both looking forward to your review and hoping I don't find myself wishing I had waited a little longer. The faithlife website says, "The second edition of the LES makes more of an effort than the first to focus on the text as received rather than as produced. Because this approach shifts the point of reference from a diverse group to a single implied reader, the new LES exhibits more consistency than the first edition." Does anyone know what that's supposed to mean?

[@RGrantJones]

James - I believe that, instead of trying to bring into English what they thought the various human authors had in mind, their goal is to represent how a typical Christian reader of the early centuries would have understood it. But the words you quote are in the edition that I own, and an earlier sentence in the same paragraph makes reference to the first edition, which the context makes clear had previously been published. That tells me that I've ordered myself a _second_ copy of the second edition, and that I've already reviewed the second edition!

[@RGrantJones]

The acknowledgements page of the copy I own also contrasts the earlier (first) edition with the second (which I reviewed here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnukaJullN-IgKc ).

[@jimmu2008]

@@RGrantJones Does it say second edition on the title page? My copy doesn't. I bought it from Amazon just a few months ago.

[@RGrantJones]

@@jimmu2008 - no, I don't see any such statement there. But read the paragraph on the lower half of page xvi that starts, 'The first edition of the LES included ...'

[@jimmu2008]

@@RGrantJones I'll have to check my copy after I get home from work. I wonder if they even printed the first edition. Maybe it only existed as a digital resource.

[@PiPoGe]

Please review the Antioch Bible released by Gorgias Press

[@RGrantJones]

Are you referring to one of these New Testaments? www.gorgiaspress.com/new-testament-syriac-english-overview

[@PiPoGe]

@@RGrantJones Yes that is correct! It is a fresh translation of the Syriac Peshitta

[@kussregen]

Which one do you prefer? The 2008 or the 2018 version?

[@RGrantJones]

No preference here. Thanks for the question!

[@danielgreen2975]

I've currently got the Orthodox study bible. Which had led me to going Orthodoxy. But with the errors you have pointed out and the knowledge you have. I'm wondering what would be the best bible for Orthodoxy?

[@Kauahdhdhd]

There isn’t a church sponsored Bible. Although I’d recommend the rsv bible

[@Yahweh-Chase-Bella]

I find your hobby or passion intriguing. Very in depth. Im not sure if you go into debating different versions or not but for that ill say you can find relationship through basically any of them and even without so im not a big fan when i see people arguing over it. To be honest a good majority of it hasnt been understood properly to begin with lol but Good correction is coming and a new level of Gods goodness will be seen ❤🌈💗🥳🔥

[@gregg288]

Thanks

[@SeekYHWHsface]

SHALOM

[@hassanmirza2392]

I will buy its next version only if they include 4 Macc. in appendix. Also, the notes in this version are lacking and have little depth. This one is just a very average study Bible. I think it might be due to the lack of demand in Western/Latino nations for Eastern Orthodox theology/Bibles?

[@RGrantJones]

'I think it might be due to the lack of demand in Western/Latino nations for Eastern Orthodox theology/Bibles?' It could be that, but it could also be a lack of resources. I recall waiting for this Bible when it was being prepared. If I remember correctly, there were repeated delays and fundraising appeals. And there were likely only a few English speaking Orthodox scholars with time and energy available to contribute to the notes.

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@RGrantJones That makes sense, as most Christian scholars in English speaking countries will be Catholic/Protestant, hence plenty of resources for their study Bibles are there, but not for Eastern Orthodox Christianity. I read that OSB is practically an Evangelical study Bible with more books, nothing else. It is not a proper Orthodox Bible.

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@RGrantJones A lot depends on demand, there are much less Catholic translations and study Bibles because their religious life revolves less around the Bible compared to Protestants and more around their religious traditions and liturgy. As I understand Orthodox rely as much on their traditions as Catholics, hence less interest in producing one volume commentaries. They are not even interested in doing vernacular Bible translations and keep relying on Greek manuscripts.

[@RGrantJones]

@@hassanmirza2392 - I largely agree, though in the US, converts to Eastern Orthodoxy are often interested in reading the Bible in English.

[@Jd-808]

@@RGrantJonesthis is correct, imo it’s actually a potential issue. Some of the most prominent online Orthodox types are essentially fundamentalist Protestants who have adopted Orthodoxy from a creedal and aesthetic perspective but little else.

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

both the nt (nkjv) and the ot (not a real translation of the septuagint) are probably not that suitable for orthodox use. There are better orthodox translations of the new testament.

[@Сагдинова]

which would be a better translation?

[@colonyofcellsiamamachine6175]

@@Сагдинова I have the orthodox NT translated by the Holy Apostles Convent which is now in its 7th edition.

[@lxlthr4058]

Does this book discuss god drowning babies and turning them into floating, bloated corpses for birds to rest on and for fish to dine on during the great flood?

[@RGrantJones]

Noah's flood is indeed described in this Bible, but not in that much graphic detail. Of course, we live in a world in which floods _do_ drown babies, and their corpses _do_ become food for fish.

[@ARajantara777]

It doesn't. This is not a satanism book review, you are on a wrong video.

[@TurtleMaster-q5m]

Ok cool rebellious person. You're so hip.

[@TK-en2hq]

wish I had saw this before I had bought it. It's a bit disappointing that I basically bought another NKJV. Oh well, I suppose it's not the worst thing in the world.

[@RGrantJones]

Thanks for commenting, TK! I wouldn't feel so bad about it. While it sometimes reads like the NKJV where it shouldn't, in many places it faithfully represents the Septuagint, and it has several books that are absent from the typical NKJV.

[@sascha6176]

it would be nice instead of confusing (already confused) me, give a link to the best eastern orthodox (English) bible so I know what to read.

[@RGrantJones]

Sorry, but I can only tell you what I know, not what I don't know. And I can't identify the best Eastern Orthodox Bible in English. But perhaps others will see your comment and offer their opinions.

[@peachjwp]

Any reason why this guy sounds like he’s whispering?

[@RGrantJones]

I believe his voice was giving out due to allergies.

[@nathanielwoon6037]

Thank you for all the hard work you put in in producing these splendid videos, @@RGrantJones! Keep up the good work! ❤️

[@RGrantJones]

@@nathanielwoon6037 - thanks for the encouragement!

[@RGrantJones]

@YAJUN YUAN - I'm allergic to most plant pollens, I suspect.

[@victoriouskingdom]

I'm done with it.

[@arminius504]

Not a big fan of this Bible and the commentary tbh

[@MikeTMike]

When the bible says a donkey talked, is that a mistranslation? 😂

[@RGrantJones]

That account is given in every translation I know of (Numbers 22.22-41).

[@MikeTMike]

@@RGrantJones Shrek also talks about a talking donkey. Shrek is fantasy.

[@RGrantJones]

@@MikeTMike - Fascinating.

[@MikeTMike]

@@RGrantJones Indeed.

[@davidbradberry7637]

Paul...the great imposter.

[@TheDawnOfAmbition]

Why?

[@MikeTMike]

Any book that says a donkey can talk is fantasy.

[@paulsinclair3401]

Having been raised in a Greek household as a Greek Orthodox, some of my main issues arose from what I saw in the Greek Orthodox translations which began once I became a true Believer in Jesus Christ and finally resulted in my being publicly declared a 'heretic' in the local Greek Orthodox church and having an 'anathema' declared over me! This arose because of things in the Orthodox New Testament which I couldn't reconcile with what I was reading in my ' non-Greek Orthodox' Bible versions and which I'd love to know if they are still being perpetuated in this 'new' version? These 'unforgiveable' doctrines which no Greek Orthodox is permitted to question, focussed around The Virgin Mary - or the 'ever virgin Mary' as is the official line in Orthodoxy - starting with Matthew 1:25 where we're told that Joseph did not have relations with Mary until after she had given birth to Jesus. "καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τόν υἱόν αὐτῆς τόν πρωτότοκον." The priests and 'theologians' who argued it with me, but could not accept this, however categoric it is in all the original Greek texts, but is always changed and extensively 'explained away' in the 'footnotes' in every Greek Orthodox translation, as are also the verses in Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, which all speak of Jesus' Mother and brothers coming to seek Him out! Which of course can't have happened according to the GO, as he never had brothers and sisters, despite Matthew 13:55-56 even going so far as to name them! “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ....... and another major disagreement was over 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,", because of course, to the Greek Orthodox, Mary is their 'mediator'! There were a number of other discussions I was cast out of the Greek Orthodox church for, but I'd be interested in knowing what this new Greek Orthodox Bible says about these verses and if they still mislead people over these verses, then I would suggest that this version should be avoided at all costs!

[@IveSeenSupernatural]

mary is an intercessor, not mediator.. getting tossed out of an orthodox church with that label specifically sounds like it was more arrogance around these talks than anything....a refusal just as much on your part as theirs.. im not ortho btw..

[@paulsinclair3401]

@@IveSeenSupernatural - right.... of course.... silly me.... I was 'arrogant' in refusing to accept another Gospel? Sounds about right...... and BTW, Mary is neither an 'intecessor', nor 'mediator' (nor eternally virgin) according to The Bible!

[@IveSeenSupernatural]

@@paulsinclair3401 and sola scriptura is illogical...so why assert it ? the red flag was that you dont even have your terms right even after talking to your elders....you still jus repeat your opinions..... staying humble is the key to understanding God...."let Him who is wise become a fool, so that He may become wise" the fact you even made a sola scriptura arguement shows you were never really understanding orthodoxy to begin with, and makes me doubt the validity of your story entirely....hope this doesnt upset you, but its obv kind of, im sure if the elders had their piece theyd have mor information you arent sharing....the fact you sai d" another Gospel" means you never looked at orthodoxy as your own mary was perpetual according to the very people who wrote the bible....you act like they just lie about it for no reaons...try having perspective as to how things were around the chruch after Christ... she didnt just dissapear, she didnt just become a sinner lying about her virginity..if EVERYONE KNEW SHE WAS, it would be at her own word and probably josephs..so why ASSUME everyone was lying ? even martin luther in 1500 acknowledged it, because he knew the chruch held that belief.. there no "chapter " about it because 1. its not marys story its a book about God and redemption2 everyone knew it so why assert it in text when its a common fact to them back then? PERSPECTIVE is a gift from God

[@paulsinclair3401]

@@IveSeenSupernatural - "sola scriptura is illogical"??? Most certainly not! I truly believe solely in The revealed Scriptures as revealed within The Bible. Of course Mary wasn't lying about her virginity! Of course she was a Virgin when she was pregnant with The Lord Jesus through The Holy Spirit. However, The Bible is clear that she was only a virgin 'until' she had given birth to The Lord Jesus, The Christ. After that she had a number of other sons and daughters. Anyway, it will not be resolved here..... Though even your own 'church fathers' are at odds with a number of Greek Orthodox 'traditions', which as they feared have become part of GO mainstream faith. See what they say about ikons and the like..... or even better, see what The Bible has to say about so much which the GO believe. I don't mind what you believe, but balk at anything which does not agree with The Bible.