Why are Bibles Printed With the Text in Two Columns Instead of One?

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In this video:
The practice of using two columns with compact texts dates back to at least the fifteenth century, which in turn was just a continuation of an older tradition of narrow columns in horizontally opened scrolls. Both the Gutenberg Bible and the original King James Version (see: How the King James Bible Came About) used two columns, and many Bibles are still printed this way today. But why?
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[@TodayIFoundOut]

Ready to learn more fascinating facts? Then check out this video and find out the answer to the question- Did English Speakers Really Not Use Contractions in the 19th Century as Depicted in True Grit?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaWomoZno5iFsK8

[@nacoran]

Two columns, if it's a big page with small font, is a life saver if you are dyslexic. Shakespeare is usually in 2 columns too.

[@JoelReid]

Two columns are also easier to read aloud. Unlike other books, the bible is regularly read aloud and as such the reader needs to quickly identify the next line and be mentally prepared for it (we tend to say words after we read them when fluent at reading aloud). if there is one column then it leads to getting lost more easily as the eyes pass back across the page, whereas a smaller distance allows the eyes to quickly flip back and forth. This is also one reason why in film and play scripts the dialogue sections are a thinner column rather than reaching across the whole page like the rest of the directions. (it is also thinner as it takes more time to speak those parts and a page is to be 1 minute) Some bibles are also doing large font in single columns for the elderly and others with reading difficulty... an example of how the bible is the most accessible book in history, alongside it being translated to more languages than any other.

[@fisebilillah4406]

Most holy books are read aloud. But only Bible (by both Jews and Christians) is written in the two column method, as much as I know.

[@tonyhemingway7980]

Mystery Man That may be true but most preachers refer back to the text, of their sermon topic. The Bible layout makes it easier to find than a regular book format would.

[@_Hodgepodge]

Wow. Been around Bibles my whole life and never really thought about this aspect of the columns. Very insightful! Thanks Simon!

[@butterflyqueen9260]

Jonathan Hodgson me too!

[@jjc5475]

i use an app, allows me to take it everywhere.

[@lancelindlelee7256]

john pardon same here. Im too lazy to bring one to church these days but I still keep one at home. Also, as a bonus, I can have multiple versions at once which does help sometimes.

[@_Hodgepodge]

Bad Cattitude Yeah, I have something similar. Double translations are nice.

[@_Hodgepodge]

john pardon I love the Bible app. It is really convenient.

[@denisadolakova9307]

Back in the olden days, when we only had one PC and no internet in phones, I used to print my fanfiction. The format I ultimately deemed ideal was Verdana size 4, minimal edges and 3 columns. It saved me a shitload of paper. 😂😂😂

[@sailinginthetea5243]

Denisa Doláková I wish I had thought to do that.

[@ozozznozzy]

Editor: just my opinion, but I've noticed in a few videos that your scrolling paragraphs start below screen. This makes them difficult to read along as Simon quotes the text. Maybe have it start a line or two up from the bottom so the current line is always visible? 3:33 as an example. Great video as always! Thanks guys!

[@monkeywithocd]

I have a two-column Bible with slightly larger text that's about as easy to read for me as any other story-form type of book. Personally, my biggest issue with the way Bibles are made doesn't have anything to do with the layout, but the fact that so many have this hair-thin paper their made out of that I would be accidentally ripping the pages while just trying to read it.

[@jamesb.8940]

That kind of paper is India paper, and seems to be used only for the Bible. My complaint is that the print in some editions is very small. A problem with thin papers for the Bible is that they can crease rather easily when one tries to turn them, leaving an unsightly dent in the page. The worst-printed IMHO is the 1970 New American Bible. It is divided in two columns on each page, each column being printed in sense paragraphs, with references in a centre column: the text on quite a few pages is printed so that the words run together. A later edition of the NAB is much more pleasing to look at.

[@monkeywithocd]

Wow, that does sound bad. The version I own is The New American Bible Revised Edition with large type (Saint Joseph edition). The paper is still thin, but not as much as most I've seen.

[@fearlesscrusader]

I have the same problems with the paper and print, though my biggest issue is that I can't do all the highlighting I'd like because it bleeds through the paper. I tried more expensive highlighters that were supposedly made just for Bibles, but they were just as bad - just a gimmick to charge more money.

[@monkeywithocd]

fearlesscrusader Yah, that tends to be the case, like CD markers. I don't make any marks in my bible, so I can't say if the slightly thicker paper in mine helps.

[@katrinE3499]

You should try using coloured pencils to highlight

[@Remer714]

We need a video on the question: "Can Simon Whistler actually whistle?"

[@mehrcat1]

Maybe not consciously, but he does. Listen to some of his "s", "ch" and "sh" sounds.

[@George040270]

@@mehrcat1 What about his mother?

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

Only if you ask him, and preface it with "Simon says"! 😄

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

@@George040270 I was thinking the same thing. Very artistic...

[@tommynorthwood]

Simon Whistler whistling is a feature u get when you contribute along with him on your gps etc

[@Nigh1shad3]

I've casually wondered this myself, and basically assumed it was for reasons similar to the ones you laid out here. This video was wonderfully informative, thank you so much for presenting facts and not inserting personal opinions (as many channels tend to do with subjects such as those surrounding the bible), it's very refreshing!!

[@KnowArt]

If you have a very small font size, one column would be hard to read because you will jump to the wrong line very often since they are so small and long in comparison to a normal font size.

[@dixienormous1053]

A book fell on my head yesterday, I can only blame my shelf.

[@charlesmiller6826]

That is the puny-ist thing I have read all day, and it's only 7 am here.

[@TheSinglecoillover]

One of the things I love about this channel is how you approach subjects, particularly those involving history and religion, with so little bias. No agenda, no politics, just logical analysis and information. Keep up the good work!

[@annoloki]

Narrower columns were also easier to copy when this was done by hand... you can fit the end of the line and the beginning of the next line in your vision, so are less likely to accidentally copy a line twice or miss a line

[@LaneGramling]

I have both two-column and one-column versions (the ESV reader's Bible). It's fascinating how your Scripture reading experience changes from one to the other. Both are beneficial in different ways for my spiritual development. Thanks for the insightful video!

[@BillWalkerWarren]

Great one Simon! I never gave the subject much thought before . Thanks for the down low on this . Keep up the great work .

[@heinrichagrippa5681]

I've also noticed that papers in science journals typically use the two-column format as well. I guess, among other things, it makes it easier to insert figures which only disrupt one of the columns.

[@jayt9608]

If you look, it is still used in other print media such as the daily newspapers, periodicals, and collegiate textbooks.

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I've noticed this in other books as well. I remember reading The Merchant of Venice in high school, and it was laid out in full left-to-right pages, but years later, when I bought a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare, it was broken up into two columns. I always wondered about that.

[@christyler6234]

This is why I typically have my paper Bible with me at church but when my wife and I do reading I use my Kindle YouVersion App (single column). When in a sermon environment or study session it makes much more sense to be able to go back and forth to find references easily but when doing basic reading you wouldn't need that as much. This is why it's best to have multiple Bibles, as well as a wide range of translations.

[@TheTransforcer]

Well said Simon! As to not convey any bias YOU might have towards it, you certainly gave the Bible it's due respect as the Christian religions holy book. I appreciate that, as no one is here to dispute the credibility of it, but rather simply finding out why it's formatted thusly.

[@alexandercross9081]

the additional problem is that the bible is not a single book, its an anthology of many many books by various authors across history from Egypt to the rise and fall of Rome

[@jamesb.8940]

It's basically a library.

[@alexandercross9081]

James M yeah, about 66 books total, in standard King James, it is a library

[@CAT-2323]

James M Cool. I never thought of it that way before, but now... I'm going to tell this to everyone in my church tonight!

[@majorramsey3k]

The word Bible even comes from the Latin word biblio, which means library.

[@reman81]

Biblio(Βιβλίο) is a greek word, and it means Book.... the greek word for library is bibliothiki(βιβλιοθήκη).. So Bible actually means "Big Book"..i am greek btw....;)

[@shawnkerr]

I like the columns. Before the internet, it made it easier to use with a concordance. Now I can read it however I like because it is available on the internet.

[@DrB1900]

Hey Simon, thanks for treating the topic so respectfully! Thumbs up.

[@johnwmacdonald994]

What I learned as a young printer was that 52 characters is the optimal line-length. Go much less and word-breaks become difficult - especially back when printed text used justified lines. Go much over and readability goes down. And that's why scholarly journals tend to have really long lines, to make things all the harder for graduate students.

[@fredworthmn]

I always figured the scholarly texts with long sentences were because professors really don't know how to write so people can understand them. You're saying this is intentional. That would be mean of them.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

You guys are AMAZING! I swear, I find out answers everyday to questions I never even knew I had! Thank you. :)

[@austinhernandez2716]

I'm an atheist, and I found this video quite interesting. I've always wondered about this.This video isn't trying to convince you anything, it is only educating you. So please my fellow atheists, don't start any unnecessary arguments. Go off and do it somewhere else if you wish because that is completely irrelevant to this video.

[@gordonlawrence3537]

If you are curious take a look at the Codex Sineaticus online (in early Koine Greek before spaces and lower case etc). It's hand written in 2 columns. Then there were copies of either the Enuma Elish or Atra Khassis (I get the names mixed up) in cuniform also in two columns on clay tablets (about 4 x 6 inches).

[@TimothyChapman]

It's not very often I find an atheist online with your level of honesty.

[@stylis666]

Timothy Chapman Then you see 100% more honest atheists than anyone has seen theists. I hereby challenge you to make an argument for believing in a god without making a logical fallacy.

[@TimothyChapman]

Setekh, I see almost 100% more honest theists than atheists of which you are not one of them.

[@austinhernandez2716]

Setekh Any arguments about God or religion on this thread will be deleted.

[@TinyFord1]

I’m getting my single paragraph one tomorrow thanks to this video. It’s going to read so much easier

[@TonyBabarino]

Quite possibly THE best (or top 3) KZbin channels!!! Great job Simon...and great sweaters too! :)

[@joshualane1716]

It's a cardigan but thanks for asking!

[@williamwells7775]

Two questions, when did people start to become vegan and vegetarian, and also why does metal cutlery not taste of metal?

[@AvailableUsernameTed]

I once read that some knights would go vegetarian as a test or for some discipline. One or more religions have it way back. You're right, interesting question.

[@parallel4]

I recommend this playlist; it's well-researched! (also, yes, it is a vegan channel, although it's very objective and this is literally reciting history, so there's not much 'indoctrination' if you're one of those people) P.S. It is theorised that we were pretty much herbivorous, maybe occasional insect-eaters, at first, but when we migrated to places with colder winters, vegetation became sparse so we began to eat meat. I'm no historian and am only presenting this as a possibility if you're really curious and want to look it up, but if you take this, people technically were vegetarian/vegan and the question would became 'when did people start to become omnivorous?'

[@fxvg7091]

Metal cutlery does taste of metal, however certain metals taste less so, this depends on reactivity with our mouths. Reactive metals like tin (pewter) and brass have a noticeable taste, as does iron. However less reactive metals like gold and silver have a much less noticeable taste, but used to only be affordable to nobility. Most modern metal cutlery is made of stainless steel, which uses a chromium layer to protect the iron, making it much less reactive. So we now have a cheap source of a non-reactive metal, which has become so common place that most people have forgot about foul tasting utensils the poor used to use. Maybe ask an elderly person if they remember funny tasting cutlery.

[@ESSBrew]

depends what you mean by when did we start. Well out early ancestors were likely vegetarian, but after we started eating meat, I have a feeling there were some very early vegetarians. No proof, but with the way we think, Im sure some humans living in areas where surviving on plant material alone was sufficient, did become vegetarian.

[@livingdaystodaze6201]

+snowdudelester sounds like you were indoctrinated a bit there buddy. Nearly every lecture and speech I've heard and read on this subject boils down to there is little to no evidence early hominids were ever purely carnivorous or herbivorous. But during the transition from tree dwelling to walking early hominids started scavenging meat allowing them to devote less energy into the GI tract [since fiber and green plant material is harder to process per calorie and the biomass needed requires alot of energy] while the vitamins/amino acids/etc in the meat let them also eat the low nutrition high calorie starchy plants that were available on the plains like roots allowing their brains to grow from the surplus energy. So the switch to a more heavily meat based diet instead of plants and insects was long before the migration out of africa into colder climates and unless you would consider hominids from 2 million years ago "people" I think your idea that the OP's question is backwards is just wrong. It is an interesting question and would be nice to have an actual answer instead of a vegan talking point.

[@danield2sl]

Thanks for the insight +TodayIFoundOut Pretty cool information there! Keep at it!

[@okrajoe]

Interesting question -- I had never thought about that.

[@onethirst63]

Thanks! I have Bibles in both formats and I've always wondered about this. I have heard that before about the 1940's or 50's they were also printed on paper of normal thickness which made them HUGE. The two-column thing makes a lot more sense now.

[@LlywellynOBrien]

They were, I have a few old ones which are on pretty normal paper, some of which are also single column (they are big enough that one can't really take it places, or even really read them except at a desk).

[@TheCptCoy]

I always thought it was for the same reason it had very thin pages, to make the book as small as possible.

[@maxscott3349]

Having space in the middle like that would be less efficient, unless they were sticking to the thing with putting new verses on new lines

[@robertgr0077]

Another great video, Simon! Thanks for explaining this one to us!

[@jdawn1982]

My Bible is single column but it has wide margins for note taking and journaling. It is significantly thicker because of it.

[@tchase4726]

Surprisingly complicated topic. I'm actually going to have to watch this more than once, I think, to fully understand the nuances of what I'd assumed was just a typographical thing. As always, though, thanks for the info, Simon!

[@julius-stark]

Have you guys done a video on why hair turns grey as you age or the science behind why records sound better than CDs?

[@MrYTGuy1]

How do you objectively and scientifically prove a subjective opinion like what sounds better?

[@jasonr8967]

@@MrYTGuy1 You could measure the information loss of a record, a CD, and other digital formats over the sound of a live performance. Sound is the vibration of certain physical matter, and that vibration can be measured. You measure the frequencies produced at a live performance. At the same time you create a recording, at various distances from the source of the sound. Then you create the different media formats and then you play back the recording and measure the frequencies produced by each medium.

[@flittlefield]

Having read many styles of books over the years I have noticed that a page with a full page width line of text is much slower to read and more distracting because when you get to the end of the line you have to find the next line which gets more difficult the longer the line of text get. This is why the Bibles and dictionaries are printed in two columns. Most people that read the Bible don't just read it because they have probably read it many times before. Most people study the Bible line by line. Also, it is true that the shorter lines in a two column text are easier to scan for words and ideas than a single column text. Also, page size has an impact on how a book is read. Notice that most novels are printed on a small page sized single column books, that means shorter lines and it is easier and faster to read. Thanks for your video. I enjoyed it.

[@noahzuniga]

could you do a vid about the colors of freeway/highway signs in various countries? eg green in most of the US vs blue in the UK and a lot of europe

[@jamesb.8940]

That could be very interesting.

[@hufforguk]

Noah Zuniga Read up on the Worboys report

[@jaredwblack]

The ESV reference Bible strikes a nice balance. It is a single column format and uses modern typographic conventions like paragraphs and quotation marks. But also has lots of footnotes and illustrations. However, it makes for a big volume that can be a little unwieldy to physically handle.

[@cjdfv]

1:10 Spent way too long figuring out that shadow effect.

[@NormanF62]

Good explanation! Multi column books are forced back into a single column format on digital ebook readers for lack of space. Jumping from one column to another on a smartphone or tablet is fatiguing, clumsy and inefficient. In print form, however, there’s no good reason to discontinue it.

[@diego2fuego869]

I always love these videos

[@capwkidd]

Simon: At 5:17 into your video your went out of focus... When you turned you head, which makes me think you had auto focus on with face detect.. May I suggest manual focus? Also, did you know that the videos you mention on the right do not show up on the Apple TV version of KZbin? Looks odd when you point to a blank side of the screen. Great job with theses videos!

[@RohenBlackwolf]

I would like to inform you, that the Gutenberg bible was not based on the King James bible, as the Gutenberg bible was printed between 1452 and 1454, while the King James bible was printed around 1611 more than 150 years later.

[@edwinhughes6493]

He didn't say that , he said the Guttenberg bible and the original KJ .

[@johnhooyer3101]

My assumption was usually that, asides from it looking good and archaic, it benefited the verses. Since the Bible is divided into verses, putting the text into narrow columns gives it a poetic feel and makes the verses look more like stanzas.

[@Nik110512]

The number of triggered atheist in the comment section 😂. It is however unfortunate to judge and reject something you don't know or understand. In the end, God is love and I choose to believe in the existence of love. The Bible is complex because it is anthology of the lives of non perfect men and women but above all it is about God's unwavering, love of the same flawed people. It is about unconditional love for each and every one of us, no strings attached. I don't know why I would ever find such a notion abhorrent.

[@LMacNeill]

This is a situation where e-books can really shine. It's extremely easy to re-format the text on an e-ink screen -- you could switch from the "novel" format to the "reference" format, and back, as your needs changed. Not to mention, with an e-book, it doesn't matter if there are 500 pages or 2,000 pages -- the device weighs the same and has the same thickness.

[@Nico-lq8ik]

i love these videos

[@workhardism]

That's Simon this is prob my fav vid from you guys thus far. Since I've never seen a bad one from you thus far that is really saying something!

[@Thkaal]

Actually it's because original gaming books were two column pages so that means that the Bible is actually a role playing game so if yeah that's why it's two columns is because tradition because it's easier to read anyone who says otherwise has not actually tried to read the Bible

[@nottechytutorials]

I like that you quoted J. Mark Betrand from the Bible Design Blog, he makes a lot of great points (even to the chagrin of others who wants an entire market dominated by tradition and nothing else). It would be nice if there were reader's bibles alongside reference bibles. An ideal would be a multi-volume approach with no chapter and verse numbers, but even if the minimal is done, just doing a single-column and paragraph style, it would help immensely with readability and scare less people away.

[@AcrimoniousMirth]

Question: who actually uses the KJV? I've only met one person who does and am taken aback by the amount of reference being made to it here.

[@seth5899]

It's generally common among the various Baptist and Church of Christ denominations in America, through the New King James Version is starting to take its place in these spheres for the younger members. KJV is historically important, as King James I of England decreed that a new English bible be written for all English countries in Europe to be able to read a standard bible. It began circulation around 1611. Hope this helps!

[@Otherwise88]

Older people seem to predominate among KJV readers that I know.

[@SeraphimKnight]

Double columns also make for smaller margins and thus less wasted space on a page! Single column books tend to have much wider margins as a function, for readability and esthetical reasons.

[@robmc120]

Thank you, TIFO, for covering this question, not many channels like to cover topics on Christianity, but you are covering a topic everyone should be discussing, seeing as it involves their eternal soul. God bless you all, whether you believe or not.

[@fnjesusfreak]

I have two early Confraternity New Testaments, the text of which was published in 1941. In both copies, it is presented in a one column paragraph format, with the verse numbers on the side (following the example of the ERV and ASV apart from those being usually set in two columns; and a prototype, perhaps, of the Jerusalem Bible).

[@WordUnheard]

Hey Simon. Why is the smell of marijuana so overwhelmingly strong when both grown and smoked? It's as if marijuana is working with the government to narc on us. That's what I'd like to find out.

[@josuadom1320]

How do you know so much about marijuana?🤔

[@warlordera5409]

I completely agree that the popular format for modern Bibles makes it difficult to read through. They're more for references than actual reading. I think the "novel" format for the Bible will grow more popular. I bought a set called "Bibliotheca" for my sister and she loves it. It was expensive tho and was split into 4 books, one of them is still thick and heavy. But hopefully it will become more affordable. :)

[@DANNYYIM1999]

why do movies have buildings with fire axes

[@ravenestrella2072]

As always, beautifully well done! Perfect dose of new knowledge to learn especially since I was going to break out my Bible and give it a read here on Palm Sunday! Hahaha! No wonder it's no wonder I had such a hard time reading it for my high school comparative religions class, during my pre-Christian days as an unruly teenager! Makes me wonder if I should buy a copy written in single column format!

[@jjc5475]

lot of people are angry it seems because it is about the bible. if you are so anti religious maybe you can show why your beliefs are so good by showing that you are for example smarter or more respectful? it probably works a lot better than saying for example "because it burns better" or "i don't give a f*ck" doesn't make your believes look that attractive. (not saying that religious people are better or anything, cause that's not true)

[@fredworthmn]

As an atheist I agree. However, we do not have beliefs. We know your god is false because if he existed we wouldn't need anyone trying to convince us to believe that he existed.

[@TimothyChapman]

Very informative. I'm personally in favor of the "reference book" style formatting partially because, ironically enough, I find that format easier to read (probably because I'm used to it).

[@frozeneternity93]

Question: is there any truth to "being big boned"?

[@wschippr1]

FrozenEternity Yes

[@Bagsy84]

partially, it doesnt justify a big belly though since the only bones in you abdominal region is actually at the back (the spinal column) so if a person is large but doesnt have a big belly, (usually you can use a caliper test) to check the body fat ratio. but for the most part, its obvious when someone is just using "big boned" as an excuse.

[@MagnusSkiptonLLC]

Sure. Ron Jeremy is big boned. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@o0Noctuabundus0o]

of course, my mom wouldn't lie.

[@fearlesscrusader]

"Skeletons are seldom seen...'cept around Halloween" - Schoolhouse Rock. Get on the ball next Halloween and look around. You'll see that some skeletons are bigger than others. And bigger skeletons have bigger bones.

[@MrCBroz]

For future videos, when showing text also spoken aloud, consider progressively revealing static text as opposed to scrolling up from the bottom. It keeps the viewer's eyes more central on the screen rather than competing with the bottom edge.

[@notsoperfectlyme7276]

I have a Bible that is printed like a normal book. It messes with my brain.

[@alexplorer]

All bibles mess with your brain. Stay clear of that shit.

[@BrotherTris]

Alexplorer: what are you afraid of?

[@alexplorer]

Its followers.

[@ESSBrew]

You think the book has some voodoo magic over its readers? lol

[@alexplorer]

Worse. It gives them license to believe in magic over what their own senses tell them.

[@Matthew-307]

Bible typography is very important! The intended use for the individual reader will determine which type of layout one should seek. For study and referencing, a double column verse-by-verse layout is ideal. But for devotional reading, or reading many chapters at once, a single-column layout with no references is ideal. God bless you all. :)

[@eliseugouveia5065]

"The original King James' Bible". LOL

[@edwinhughes6493]

He's not saying it's the original bible. He's talking about the original version of the KJB. As in as it was first printed.

[@RMoribayashi]

There have been electronic versions of the bible since the dawn of computing but they have yet to take full advantage of the medium. Eventually someone will proudce an e-text with multiple formatting options, each choice vetted by qualified biblical scholars. You might even add charts, maps and original source languages with multiple translations and scholarly commentary, a perfect opportunity for hypertext to shine.

[@seth5899]

I believe the makers of The Bible App are currently working on something like this

[@328am]

I love the Bible. I got saved when I was 20, and I have ZERO regrets. Psalm 84:11, great verse

[@cheeseontoast9418]

shut up

[@chris7sutton19]

You got saved and millions other killed, thank god

[@jayhill2193]

@@chris7sutton19 so this is how you guys respect another persons religious and personal freedom? Are we living in a modern society or back in the days were each village was considered an own society?

[@inkbold8511]

When god bestowed you with cancer you won’t blame him but when a doctor saved you from that same cancer, you thank god. 😂 what a hypocrite

[@fredworthmn]

@@inkbold8511She was saved from a life of having to think for herself. Or just thinking in general I suppose.

[@jdavis417]

Your explanation is very well researched and thought out... thanks for the info! ;)

[@buckingham412]

So when are they gonna release "The Bible 2: Return to Nazareth"?

[@niboe1312]

Underrated comment. This is hilarious.

[@buckingham412]

As futile as it seems you slightly warmed my youtube heart

[@veronicacervantes3697]

Lol while 90% of these comments are fighting about religion, this joke is the best thing here. Good on you! 😂

[@erniemiller1953]

Soon. It will be announced with a trumpet.

[@AGFuzzyPancake]

With a few seconds of thought after seeing the title I came up with the same conclusions. This is far from your best work. Now please explain to us why 16x9 is the standard aspect ratio for most displays rather than the arguably more immersive 21x9 aspect ratio which has been used for most big movies for decades now.

[@fearlesscrusader]

My eyes aren't far enough apart to see a 21x9 screen without swinging my head back and forth.

[@JohnDoe-qx3zs]

It was a semi-obvious improvement on the traditional 4:3 ratio (4 times 4 to 3 times 3). The 4:3 ratio of television was also the original format of movies (about 24x18mm on the same negative stock also used for 24x36 "small size" photography) . Widescreen in movie theatres was/is done by putting a distorting "wide screen" lens on a 4:3 projector and doing the opposite when making the movie. Theatres had/have different lenses depending on the different formats that movie studios used. 21:9 (= 7:3) has been heavily marketed by Phillips TV products as closer to what widescreen movies use, but historically, movies have been made both wider and narrower than that. For example, I think Dreyer's Jean D'arc silent movie used 12:3 (24:9) for its widescreen scenes.

[@AGFuzzyPancake]

Whether you have to move your eyes/head or not is totally dependent on the size of the display and the distance your eyes are from it. For example, I have a 2000R (especially tight) curved 35" 21x9 monitor in front of me. I have to crane my neck left and right for some things if i am just two feet from it. If I am three/four feet from it I do not have to move my neck or eyes to any significant extent.

[@AGFuzzyPancake]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply! Since you know more on the subject than myself - what ratio you prefer for your specific viewing pleasure in a world where all media will scale perfectly?

[@wschippr1]

AGFuzzyPancake It should also be noted that having to move ones head is seen as a benefit from an immersive perspective, as when we see the world around us our peripheral vision is used extensively (try and walk around with you peripheral vision blocked off). Having a screen wide enough to engage our peripheral is hugely beneficial as it makes the cinematic experience more attuned to what we actually experience in our day to day lives.

[@traddymom4368]

The King James is NOT the original bible. Where did you come up with that? The King James Bible is a protestant version that was first released in 1611. The Douay bible's new testament was dated in 1582 and the old testament in 1610. The Tyndale bible was the first complete bible to be translated into English in 1526. The King James Bible is often considered the best translation in English, but this is not true. It leaves out 7 books of the complete bible and was commisioned by King Henry VIII to be distributed to the church of England in rebellion to the Catholic Church.

[@spicyjimbo3605]

Those 7 books that are left out were left out for a reason. It was made up and has multiple contradictions to the actually Bible. The Catholic Church was corrupt back then and still believes in weird stuff. That's why the Catholic Church isn't really considered Christianity. If you ask a baptist what religion he is he will say he is a christian but if you ask a catholic what religion he is he will say he is a catholic.

[@drumguy1384]

Pretty sure the King James Bible was not commissioned by Henry VIII. I mean, I know when I see KING JAMES on the front of a Bible I think King Henry too ... but despite our shared natural inclination, I'm pretty sure it was commissioned by James I. Sarcasm aside, Henry VIII did commission the first official English Bible for use by the newly formed Church of England, but it predated the KJV by 76 years. Henry's "Great Bible", by the way, being commissioned in 1535 also predates the Douay Bible by 47 years, so you're not winning any competitions there. All of the early English translations of the Bible were done as a part of the Protestant Reformation, including Tyndale. The Douay Bible was the exception; done by Catholics specifically in reaction to the Reformation in an attempt to fight it in the English speaking world. Bonus Fact: Tyndale never produced a complete translation of the Bible. He died before he could complete it. He had completed the entire New Testament and about half of the Old before he was defrocked and executed for Heresy. His work was carried on and eventually completed by Myles Coverdale in the form of the "Great Bible" mentioned earlier in 1539. Another Bonus Fact: All English translations of the Bible printed in the 16th Century included the Apocrypha and as such, so did the King James Version, though it has fallen out of favor in most Protestant churches today. Third Bonus Fact: The Douay Bible was very hard to read as it maintained a densely Latinate vocabulary. Later revisions took their base text from the KJV as it was the easiest English Bible of the time to read. As such, later revisions were really Douay in mostly name only.

[@donbeissel2965]

Baltimore Ravens You are wrong about why Luther left out the 7 books. He had a criteria that they had to be originally in certain languages. Luther has sing been proven wrong in this regard when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

[@donbeissel2965]

Baltimore Ravens further, Catholics are the original Christians and the word Catholic means Universal. You are a bigot.

[@John-cena6483]

@@donbeissel2965 Ummm... If you read the Bible then you'll realise that the 12 disciples were the first christians...

[@MaximilianonMars]

A very informative video! I am very glad for the content. I enjoyed learning more about the most important book in existence.

[@fredworthmn]

It is not an important book, pretty bad actually.

[@Bishop38f8]

Yeah, you don't want to read the Bible as an ordinary book, it's really boring. Especially the old testament, full of names you won't remember. And then the new one repeats the same story 4 times, slightly changed, which is a pretty smart learning tactic, if you manage to make someone read it all through. ... Changing the format won't help people read the thing. It is composed as a dictionary/reference book, because that is exactly what it is, a collection of smaller stories told through time, later written down and composed into one big Bible (books). Changing two columns into one page with paragraphs won't do much.

[@EthanRom]

The New Testament doesn't just repeat it just for the sake of repeating it. It's the same event, but from the perspective of a different author hence it is in another book, which is mostly named after the writer.

[@zemorph42]

blackknightkanos Actually, the gospels weren't named at all for at least two centuries, and those names almost certainly were not of the actual authors.

[@EthanRom]

It depends. I know that some are disputed, but some are pretty obvious with the case of Paul's letters in Philippians.

[@zemorph42]

blackknightkanos the four gospels are anonymous. It's practically certain that none of those four books were written by people they were attributed to. I wasn't going to bring up the rest of the new testament.

[@Tigerbricks11]

Bishop38f8 I've read the whole bible

[@Me2Lancer]

Personally, I find it easier to read any book when multiple columns are used as it's common with periodicals. The narrower lines make it much easier to scan the text and follow line breaks. You are correct about references as seen in your example of the Book of Matthew. I've done book layouts and it is much easier to flow multiple column text between pages as well.

[@Romandy13]

Expect a lot of religion wars and triggered atheists here. Scroll back up to save yourself from depression.

[@fartface8918]

Romandy Doe I don't see this anywhere don't be unfair to them

[@gumgumsenpaiuncensored3418]

fartface8918 I've seen 4 getting to this point so... And as an atheist I'm disgusted by this behaviour

[@loganhinds74]

I respect this comment. This video provides knowledge regardless of your spiritual background or religious beliefs and should be viewed as such (mere knowledge) without anyone getting offended or trying to offend other people.

[@Romandy13]

Logan Hinds Thank you. I came here to learn something really interesting, but the comments section is not worth looking at (except for a few gems if you can get past all the useless comments.)

[@TheJanitorIsIn]

Romandy Doe Thnx will do

[@Sathrandur]

I love my family-sized King James Bible with its three-column-per-page layout.

[@StephenMortimer]

TIFO.. will you lease to me Whistler's forehead space ?? It sure looks like a missed opportunity for "ad space" !! (aka "revenue")

[@NathanEmmert]

Stephen Mortimer 😂😂😂

[@chrisofnottingham]

That is very rude.

[@StephenMortimer]

So????? Also I VOTED TRUMP

[@StephenMortimer]

I (and Trump) supported BREXIT (now just wait for "TOMORROW IN SWEDEN")

[@hurtzthadon]

lmao savage

[@CalvinLimuel]

I own Bibles that are arranged in paragraphs and two columns. I prefer this layout as this also aid in speed reading. I also have multiple Bible applications on my mobile devices for different situations.

[@MrBryan-hr1rp]

90% of Earths sodium chloride(NaCl) sources come from the tears of atheists after watching this video

[@eerokivisto5103]

As an atheist I can tell you that some of us actually value the bible, not as a holy book, but a work of literature that has made a huge impact on our world. You don't have to believe in it, in order to value it. I also happen to be fascinated with religion and history so I actually found this video interesting.

[@Kwizii]

Iron SEAgu11 Huh? I'm an atheist but I don't really understand why I should be crying after watching this video

[@fartface8918]

Eero Kivistö yes me too

[@eerokivisto5103]

Kwizii The stereotypical atheist is apparently somebody who starts complaining about the mere mentions of anything affiliated with religion.

[@tophers3756]

Iron SEAgu11 not crying, but it's funny how the religious think we are such snowflakes. Even the atheists most averse to religion are nothing compared to the religious who get been out of shape when their beliefs or holy books are critized.

[@GlueFactoryBJJ]

Also, studies have shown that columns, about 2-3 inches wide allow for faster reading. The idea is that with wider columns you eye loses track when it reaches the end of the current line and tries to move to the beginning of the next. This is why newspapers use a multi column format rather than a single very wide column. IMO, it is also the reason why small paperbacks so quickly replaced wider column hardback books... in addition to their generally smaller size. I, personally, find reading books easier and faster on a smartphone in portrait (vertical) orientation compared to landscape (horizontal). And much better than reading on tablets unless I can configure the tablet to use multiple columns. Anyway, just some further food for thought...

[@captaintimcurry1713]

Lol! All the whiney little theist haters in the comments are getting super triggered over a video? Grow up and worry about real problems in your life!

[@AvailableUsernameTed]

How are you different from those attacking a group of people in order to prop themselves up?

[@captaintimcurry1713]

I'm pointing out how childish and immature all the atheists in the comments sound. If you can't tell the difference, then there's no helping you...

[@parallel4]

theists gettings triggered over a video on the bible which isn't bashing it? hmm. do you know what the word theist means?

[@captaintimcurry1713]

As a matter of fact I do know the difference between theists and atheists. By "theist haters" I meant those who hate the theists, namely the atheists.

[@skwills1629]

More by te ocmments, but who cares abotu facts?

[@angryhairpeice]

It could be that the last thing a church leader wants is his flock actually reading the Bible. Reading the bible is the number one cause of Atheism.

[@BrotherTris]

That's not true in my case. I read it every day, and large portions of it, for the last 11 years and it only gets better and better.

[@yajasuszenfonemax4388]

angryhairpeice Wow, are these facts or are they just a figment of your imagination?

[@Logarithm906]

It was true in my case, though plenty of holes in my old religion's explanation for stuff certainly didn't help. My one paragraph review of the bible would be. Spoilt kid makes lego world. Kid spends 2/3 of his childhood messing with the minifigures, setting them on fire, smashing up the lego cities, punishing them for arbitrary random reasons and giving entire nations plagues because one person pissed him off. Kid grows up and gets a bit liberal and starts treating the minifigures with respect. Kid moves off to college and the lego set is left on his bedroom shelf, in peace.

[@BrotherTris]

Firebird: my one paragraph review of your understanding would be; Spoilt kid loves his sins. Therefore, holiness has no appeal to him so he invents insulting ways to make the Almighty God seem small and petty and puffs himself up in pride to DARE to ridicule things he has not even the first clue about. For now, he thinks he is reasonable and clever, but is soon to be very shocked when he has to confront said God on his own on a day coming very soon, and explain why he hates truth and goodness so much.

[@patricklloyd1797]

Preach.

[@gordonlawrence3537]

This goes back way before the printing press. The Codex Sineaticus (AD350 approx.) uses two columns per page (actually 4 I was going from memory) and that is a complete Bible. Several way older fragments do also (P52 Rylands fragment for example which may be as early as AD87). There are even fragments of the Enuma Elish in cuniform from possibly as early as 750BC that have two columns. There are papyrus scrolls from about 2500BC but I have no idea how hieroglyphs were written on them and I should imagine it is significantly different to any representation of letters be it Cuniform Hebrew or Greek.

[@wesss9353]

if Adam and Eve had 2 children, who built the next town where they found wives? 4 people don't magically make towns far away

[@TodayIFoundOut]

The Bible never says Adam and Eve were the only ones God created, merely the first. ;-)

[@wesss9353]

Excellent that's the first time I got a response about the question

[@wesss9353]

The other folks must have had a bad publicist

[@catherine_404]

Wes C-W it is said they met other people when they left Eden. First theory, they were not the only people god created. But the second idea is more realistic: when the story of origin was written, he was not the only god, only the local god of this tribe, and Adam and Eve were his perfect people. I'll find my source if your want me to, I have that book marked on Goodreads.

[@thefaceofawsomeness491]

Actually, there are two separate creation stories in the bible. Among their differences is that one depicts god creating all of humanity at once and the other is the Adam and Eve story.

[@martinjansson1970]

Haven't the old tradition of multilingual bibles played a part in the two column format? I have always assumed that was the case. Multilingual bibles are usually in 3-4 languages. The right page in a spread has two columns with the original texts in Greek and Hebrew, while the left page have one or two translations from Hebrew or Greek in one or two columns. Sometimes the second column on the left page in a spread contains annotations instead of a translation. They are excellent excersises for learners of new languages.

[@Gracefuldove2024]

I am sorry, I like the topic, but when he calls the Bible a MYTHICAL story when there is more archeological evidence to prove this Mythical book is actually true. I have a problem with it!

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Christine Hensley pretty sure donkeys don't talk, friend.

[@alieninthecaribbean]

Talking snakes, magical fruit trees that give you eternal life and knowledge of good and evil, angels having sex with human females, a global flood and all the species of the planet in an ark, donkeys talking, flying chariots, God impregnating a virgin who gives birth to a man-God hybrid etc. etc. These are mythological stories OBVIOUSLY. Just because the setting and little parts of historical context are true does not mean these fantastical things happened anymore so than the stories of Greek, Roman, Persian or other deities which mention actual locations archeologists can find.

[@wschippr1]

Christine Hensley You realize everyone from every other religion says the same thing about their religions as well right?

[@fearlesscrusader]

Wade, I don't believe that's true. Can you provide some documentation that everyone from every other religion says the same thing about their religions? Or that they actually have any archaeological evidence?

[@clintronnow264]

LMFAO!!! You're correct, you have a problem. There is no (zero) archeological evidence to support the bible. Because if there was proof of any of the people or events depicted in the bible "religious faith" would not be necessary.

[@fynbo1007]

Thank you for sharing your amazing video, very interesting information about the Bible.

[@SkipTerrio]

It should just be a picture book with pop-ups, like other fairy tales.

[@catherine_404]

Jack there are kids Bibles. Even I had one, it had an illustration for every shortened story. My favorite picture was about a colorful dress father have to Josef (if I remember the story right).

[@thefaceofawsomeness491]

Josephs coat of many colors.

[@n-extrafries-surprise]

There is something like that, but this is for adult version :P

[@hardstyle3196]

Dam thatdbe TICK book!!! problbly an enciclopedia

[@apache1234657]

lol rekt

[@ffjsb]

The best version of a Bible to get is a study Bible with topical concordances and short commentaries on each book to give context to what is talked about in the particular book of the Bible. When you better understand WHY something was said or done, it makes it easier to understand.

[@tubecioso728]

I like to gives likes to atheist comments!

[@fruit5003]

I like to annoy christians with my stupid and unnecessary arguments. :P

[@Raphe9000]

I like to annoy Christians by calling their stupid and unnecessary arguments stupid and unnecessary :P

[@omegafoxxtrot7248]

I like to see other people arguing over stupid comments when the world outside our doors is jumping face first off a cliff and calling it flying.

[@jeeology8574]

+Raphe9000 +zh11147 I like passive-aggressive love hearts!

[@vickievegas1837]

Wow I can’t believe Simon talked about the Bible without being a snarky atheist! I’m so proud of him. To talk about the Word of God without snide remarks, that’s a new one. Lol. Love ya Simon loooove the information I receive fro Your channel. Keep up the good work!(I’m not kidding or joking I watch this daily & Bio. Basically whatever Simon is on. :o)

[@kantoros]

short answer: because it burns better.

[@evilotto9200]

As a Midwestern Christian, I do find it hard to turn my back on a good book burning.

[@kantoros]

then what 'bout quoran?

[@kantoros]

Lee Griffin page 69 tastes kinda like gods tears.

[@jeeology8574]

Making fun of something without saying why you think it's wrong.

[@evilotto9200]

Cause an explanation is the best way to finish any joke

[@JadeyCatgirl99]

Perhaps different of the Bible should be formatted based on their composition. For instance the more narrative books like Exodus, Kings, and the Gospels could be structured like a novel. The more poetic books like Psalms, Proverbs, and Sirach could structured in the traditional two column style. Then letters could be structured like letters.

[@stevedoe1630]

I like the two column approach, especially for the small font size. Additionally, 2-columns appeal to me because I don’t appreciate the content as a simple story to be read. For me it communicates ideas to be analyzed, for which there are different ways to analyze (look up “techniques of hermeneutics” for add’l info). I can think about a line or two for a whole day, if the mood strikes me right...and having a single column would allow me to read right through a lot of content without consideration. It’s kind of like thinking about a Druid triad, Buddha’s travels, or thinking about Art of War. I don’t treat it like a story. I use it to engage critical thinking skills. I don’t think it’s meditative for me, I don’t feel transcended or anything like that, but it does bring me comfort to learn more of anything.

[@pawpawsailor]

Thank you for a fair and informative report without the derogatory remarks so many are throwing in these days.

[@Darkasthenight06]

I think an episode on the invention of the disposable sanitary pad and the public reaction to it first being marketed would be interesting. I'm presuming there was quite a bit of disgust at first.

[@BibleStudent4U]

Thank you so much for doing this topic, if I could give 2 thumbs up I would! Personally I like the two column format because it means reading fewer words per line which helps with eye strain, also it gives you the availability of having each verse start on a new line which may not be great for causal readers but is excellent for Bible study and reading aloud. However, I do use a large print Bible (12-14pt) which also helps with eye strain. You will find that most students of the Bible are very particular about the format they like.

[@pierreabbat6157]

I have a Greek NT, an Aramaic/English NT, and a Tanakh, all printed in one column, and a considerably smaller Reina-Valera, printed in two. The Greek NT (Majority Text) is designed to be read easily (though the apparatuses at bottom are for reference) and I'm on my third copy. I'm also on my second Tanakh, having worn out the first. Most Hebrew poetry in the Bible is printed in lines split in the middle (as is Beowulf). Judges 5, though, is printed with three part-lines in every two lines, except the last line, which has two part-lines because the number of part-lines is 1 mod 3.

[@lcarliner]

The advantage of multiple narrow columns, aka newspapers, is that it facilitates speed-reading, as with the Evelyn Wood reading dynamics program.

[@konstantinallinforchrist9867]

A fantastic bible meant for reading is the NIV Heritage Single-column (without references). If you want one like a novel try a Reader's bible - they are without verse numbers, single-column. The best i found is a CSB reader's bible.