The NRSV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

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Күн бұрын

A review of the NRSV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (ISBN 9780310452683). This Bible features the text of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) arranged in two text columns, formatted into paragraphs. The font in the text is 10.4 points. Footnotes and articles provide "expert insight into the customs, culture, and literature of the ancient world." The paper is reasonably opaque and show-through (ghosting) is not a problem. The volume is a sturdy, sewn hardback, and it lies flat in both Genesis and Exodus. The words of Christ are in black ink. Only the 66 books of the Protestant canon are present.
Detailed contents
00:00 Dimensions, margins, layout, font ..., four slides
00:33 Size compared to a Cambridge Cameo KJV and a Crossway ESV Study Bible
00:56 The back of the dust jacket
01:46 Page layout
02:59 The font in the text
03:38 Center column references are in column order
04:18 The font in the study notes
04:36 Paper qualities (weight, glossiness, color, opacity)
05:05 Print nonuniformity (fading)
05:20 Book introductions
06:27 The words of Christ are in black ink
06:55 The Index of Articles in Canonical Order
07:24 The Index of Articles in Alphabetical Order
07:36 The NRSV Authorized Concise Glossary and Concordance
08:17 The index to the color maps
08:30 The fourteen color maps
09:19 The 11 pages of lined notepaper
09:56 The bare cover (without the dust jacket)
10:26 The copyright page
10:47 The table of contents
12:16 Hebrew to English Translation Chart
12:36 Ancient Texts Relating to the Old Testament
12:57 Old Testament Chronology
14:05 Old Testament color codes
14:24 New Testament color codes
14:35 A close-up look at the font and font comparisons
16:28 The NRSV as a translation
18:53 The footnote at Genesis 6.2 -- the sons of God
19:17 The footnote at Genesis 6.4 -- who were the Nephilim?
20:00 An article on Baal
21:29 A footnote and an article on the Baal Cycle and Psalm 29
22:15 The footnote at Isaiah 9.6, "a child has been born for us ... Prince of Peace"
23:17 The footnote at Daniel 9.24 and the seventy weeks
24:51 The footnote at 1 Cor 11.10, "because of the angels"
25:40 An article on resurrection
25:58 An article on mystery cults
26:14 An article on travel in the Greco-Roman world
26:35 An article on the function of the tabernacle
27:13 The introduction to Jude
27:28 An article on sealing documents
27:41 An article on the Millennium
28:09 Summary

Пікірлер: 56

@erindreams1790 Жыл бұрын

This is a must-have for me. I have it in the NIV version, but the notes are the same from what I understand. You're right that it doesn't do much bibical exegesis, but it IS a fantastic addition to a collection because it can definitely help with exegesis! It's critical to understand the time and culture to really dig out what the text means, and this is a good resource for that.

@abhishekconstantinewinches9907 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of the best Study Bibles available now.

@Ramig10000 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a fantastic review of this very interesting book.

@RGrantJones Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind comment!

@thomashadleigh2575 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this and all the other reviews on your channel. I ordered my nrsv bible and already love it. Thumbs up!

@paulcollins6732 3 жыл бұрын

Always great to get a new review from you! (And I'm a fan of the NRSV!)

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that heartening comment, Paul!

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

@Alethia 21 - I'll give you an example: 1 Cor 12.6. The RSV has, "and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one." The NRSV reads, "and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone." I think "activates" is better than "inspires". The RSV could have used "works", which would have kept the parallelism visible in the Greek. As a general rule, I prefer the RSV over the NRSV. But the NRSV sometimes smooths the language, making it easier to digest, and occasionally it's more literal. If you're interested, take look at my NRSV vs ESV video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nNCqn5CKz6_Rop8.html .

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

@Alethia 21 - I enjoy its elegant mid-20th century style. The RSV isn't particularly literal, but that doesn't prevent me from using it as a secondary translation. I wish the RSV's translators had made better use of the New Testament interpretations of the Old Testament (e.g, "virgin" in Isaiah 7.14), but I can write "virgin" in the margin. I would say: Yes, overall it's a sound translation. I still haven't found a perfect one.

@fumastertoo 2 жыл бұрын

I have this Bible in large part b/c of your review and others, and I am very happy with it. This is an awesome study Bible full of information. The NRSV isn't my first choice but the study notes and background information is why I picked up this Bible.

@RGrantJones 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the encouraging comment, ThyMasterToo!

@fumastertoo 2 жыл бұрын

@@RGrantJones You're welcome brother!

@ThriftStoreBibles 3 жыл бұрын

Nice overview of this Bible! I received one at Christmas and have been working through the NT with it. The cultural information is very interesting. And I too have gotten used to the cut-off lowercase g.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comment, Thrift Store Bibles!

@acardnal 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Grant. Another worthwhile review.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comment, acardnal!

@brendaboykin3281 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mr. Jones.

@IndianaJoe0321 4 ай бұрын

I have one in NKJV. Outstanding.

@charlene2377 3 жыл бұрын

I have this Bible in NKJV Leathersoft. Having studied archaeology and cultural anthropology in college, I find this Bible enlightening to the cultures and times of the Bible. Of course there have been and even more archaeological finds being discovered since it was written. Good review. Maybe it's the lighting but the pages in yours are lighter or brighter than in my copy.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that kind comment, Charlene F.! I adjusted the exposure on the camera for the latter portions of this video, so that may explain the difference. Of course, the paper may be lighter too.

@charlene2377 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that response. We have an overcast day today and our lighting isn't good. Have a dark cave for a house today. lol

@rachelkarslake7787 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for reviewing this Bible. I have been curious about the contents, since I first saw it in a bookstore last year. I did not get a lot of time to really get the feel of the Bible, while I was there. I decided not to buy it, at the time, because I have a NRSV Oxford study Bible (4th ed.) that has decent cultural notes (in my eyes). Your review has been helpful in making up my mind. Thank you, again.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad the video was helpful. Thanks for letting me know!

@rachelkarslake7787 3 жыл бұрын

@awe yea I am not sure if this question was for me or not. But, I will give my opinion, since it was a reply to my comment. I really like my Annotated Oxford NRSV. It is a quality Bible. I also like the translation. It does have good cultural and historical notes, and it is also packed with extra information. It is pretty accurate at representing modern Reform and Conservative Jewish thought in the Old Testament. And, of course, it has the best Bible maps ever made. However, I would not recommend it to a person who doesn't have a solid theological background or strong faith. It was written ecumenically, so it tries to stay neutral on a lot of points, or it skips over them all together. I don't agree with someone the opinions in the back essays, either.

@Josh-yk6xk 2 жыл бұрын

@@rachelkarslake7787 I have the older RSV version and I also appreciate it. I sometimes feel that the New Testament scholarship doesn’t have enough conservative views but the Old Testament comments are top notch at pointing out how the books interact.

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderfully done Review of this Cultural Study Bible. I purchased this NRSV in Hardback expecting to find the Apocrypha inside -- but to my surprise, no Apocrypha! I noticed you did not mention the Apocrypha missing from this translation.

@RGrantJones 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comment! I may have neglected to mention, in the video, that this is a 66-book Bible, but I believe I showed the table of contents. And the video description includes this sentence: "Only the 66 books of the Protestant canon are present."

2 жыл бұрын

@@RGrantJones @R. Grant Jones - Thanks for responding. Yes, I missed that.

@joest.eggbenedictus1896 3 жыл бұрын

Based on the brief sections of the footnotes you showed in the video, it seems that this Bible may raise more questions than provide context. I can see how many people reading the study notes may walk away more confused than before. Perhaps thats the danger of having only 2 authors?

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Maybe, but maybe that was deliberate? It could be that the target market is mature pastors and teachers and serious Bible students who have little need for explanations, but who have an interest in ancient Middle Eastern culture and view pagan religions as distorted foreshadowings of Christianity. Just guessing. Thanks for commenting!

@bradb2680 3 жыл бұрын

I have noticed this in regards to other NRSV study bibles like the Harper Collins and the NOAB . In general NRSV study bibles are going to be targeted more towards academics (they are the most commonly recommended by university courses and seminaries ) and assume a focus on, and in turn familiarity with, certain topics that might not be familiar to the average person in the pew. In particular they are more focused on the study of the bible itself: the background and composition, as opposed to theological exegesis or personal growth. For that reason I wouldn't really recommend any of the three NRSV study bibles I mentioned as a first study bible unless the person knows what they are getting into although I find all three are very well done.

@joest.eggbenedictus1896 3 жыл бұрын

@@bradb2680 Totally agree!

@erindreams1790 Жыл бұрын

It's mostly factual evidence from the cultures that were around during those times and it isn't intended to be an actual biblical commentary. It kind of explains the history behind things - what other cultures believed, why things may have been written the way they were, etc. Like he said, it's not a standalone study bible. It IS a wonderful resource for understanding what was happening when the books were actually written.

@kishascott2017 2 жыл бұрын

You stated this study bible is not good for exegesis... in your opinion, which study bible do you suggest that is exegesis in nature?

@josueinhan8436 Жыл бұрын

Dear Rev Grant, in your opinion, wich one is the best? This bible, Archeological study bible or some other (for cultural backgrounds purpose)?

@hassanmirza2392 3 жыл бұрын

Great review, I think this books should have a plastic cover to save its good looking dust jacket. learned this term ''Dust Jacket' only recently ;).

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Hassan: it does have one -- a Brodart archival dust jacket cover. I removed it for the video, since it's very reflective. But I shot the still photos for the video with the dust jacket beneath its plastic cover. Thanks for the kind comment!

@hassanmirza2392 3 жыл бұрын

@@RGrantJones I see in your library shelve you have removed the dust cover of books. I think it is a better option? Dust jackets are a problem as they themselves become damaged. Paperback books are fine for casual books like GOT or Harry Potter. But I am thinking of buying all important books like Bible, Quran, Philosophy of Science books in hard cover, but dust jackets are a huge problem as they require extra protection, they get damaged the most. Am I the only person who finds them problematic? :) And Can we store them separately in a box? What will a professional writer do?

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

@@hassanmirza2392 - if a dust jacket is missing from one of my books, that usually means I bought it used and the dust jacket was absent. You could store them separately, but it would be difficult to avoid putting creases in them. Perhaps you could place them in a large box, with the larger covers enveloping the smaller ones.

@hassanmirza2392 3 жыл бұрын

@@RGrantJones You should do a video on how you store your books in boxes, library, and how you try to protect them from sunlight, humidity damage etc. Many people will like it.

@juniorjones5137 3 жыл бұрын

Grant great video as always i have the NKJV okay study bible great article on the Shroud of Turin, can you do a review on the John Macauthor study bible and the Nelson NKJV study bible both excellent bibles

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind comment! I intend to review the NASB MacArthur Study Bible with Comfort Print font in a few weeks. Unfortunately, the Nelson NKJV Study Bible I have was printed in 2008, so it's not very recent.

@juniorjones5137 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for your quick response Nelson does have i think fourth edition i use it great balanced study notes 15k and word studies articles when u do your review would like to hear your view on his interpretation of I Corn 13'7-10 I disagree with him lol I take a gordon fee or wayne grudeun approach keep up the videos especially the study bible videos mamy are interested God bless

@israelrivera3009 Жыл бұрын

Since Craig Keener and J. Walton are the Authors of this Cultural Backgrounds SB and of the IVP Bible Background Commentary as well,.....If i already have the IVP Commentary of them....that means that I already have all of the study notes that are in the Cultural Backgrounds SB ........whats the difference between them??

@MAMoreno 3 жыл бұрын

I'm interested in this study Bible largely because I'm typically disinterested in excessive exegesis in a study Bible (though I'll take that over clunky attempts at modern-day application...ugh). This Bible seems to strike a nice middle ground between a purely secular academic work such as the newest editions of the Oxford Annotated Bible and a purely conservative Evangelical composition such as the ESV Study Bible.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

It's unique -- in my experience at least. I may have made the point about its limited exegesis too often, but I didn't want the viewer to have the impression that this study Bible aims to clarify all (or even many) obscurities. Still, it contains interesting and useful information. Thanks for commenting!

@peterschroepfer 3 ай бұрын

Allow me to ask, what is the music at the intro?

@RGrantJones 3 ай бұрын

That’s “Lord Jesus, Think on Me.” I used a program called MuseScore, which allows you to type in the notes, select instruments, and output an mp3 file. I chose “flute.” I believe the tune is known as “Southwell.” Thanks for the question.

@peterschroepfer 3 ай бұрын

@@RGrantJonesThanks for being you.

@user-zo2ge3oe8d 5 күн бұрын

What do they mean that these women will someday judge angels?

@ConciseCabbage 3 жыл бұрын

The timelines are such a crap shoot for me. If they follow the Masoretic dates, it makes the whole bible worthless for me haha. For that reason I think it’s better to just get a plain bible.

@RGrantJones 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting, C S. No doubt the timelines are speculative.