Internet Bible Catalog - EELBV Cross Reference

For those of you who use the Encyclopedia of English Language Bible Versions, there are some web resources you might want to know about.  I just noticed that the Internet Bible Catalog has cross reference its entries to the EELBV.  On the EELBV page the IBC lists all the entries by their EELBV numbers.

At the website for the EELBV, you can find a list of EELBV numbers with a corresponding web link.  There is also a page with new versions found since the EELBV was published.

Topical Reference Bible: New American Standard

Topical Reference Bible:  New American Standard

I recently received a review copy of the Topical Reference Bible (Foundation Publications, Inc., 2010, ISBN 978-1-58135-147-7) from the publisher.  The receipt of this Bible did not influence the outcome of this review.

This is a two column New American Standard (1995, EELBV #8100.120) text bible with cross references and textual notes in an additional center column.  My copy is a hardback.  The Bible is also available in Leathertex™ and bonded leather.  This is not a premium Bible so expect some ghosting (text behind the current page showing through) and no ribbons.  I intend to use this Bible as a quick study tool, so it isn't as big a problem for me.  According to the Bible Buying Guide, this is a sewn binding.  The Lockman Foundation lists the font size as 9pt.  Comparing the font size with my other NASB Bibles, it looks like 8pt.  The cover measures about 5.75 x 8.75 inches.  It is a handy sized bible.  It lays fairly flat due to the sewn binding.

It also has the words of Christ in red.  I am not a big fan of red lettering, mostly because of readability.  However, Lockman often uses a brownish red that is easier for me to read.  I prefer it over most other red lettered texts that I have.

The first section is a 255 page topical index.  This is followed by the Bible text.  Next is the 210 page New American Standard Dictionary/Concordance/Thesaurus.  Additional pages present Jesus' family tree, God's promises, The miracles of Jesus, Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Christ, The parables of Jesus, and the titles of Christ.  The introductions to the books of the Bible are included here instead of at the beginning of the books.  A reading schedule and full color Lockman Foundation maps round out the extra sections.

For the purpose of this review I decided to do a quick study on the topic of evil.  I recently read an article, 5 Indicators of an Evil and Wicked Heart, that got me thinking more about this subject.

I started my study in the Topical index, copyrighted 2000.  The picture to the left shows the ghosting well.

The topical index has excellent divisions to help narrow down your search.  Under the heading "EVIL" there are subdivisions for "in relation to God," "good and evil," "ascribed to" and others.





  Given the topic of the article I mentioned above, I chose to focus on good and evil, discernment between.



This leads to passages such as "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:9).  This is part of Solomon's prayer to God after becoming king of Israel.
 



Turning to the Dictionary/Thesaurus/Concordance we find synonyms or definitions for evil listed as "bad, wicked, wrong."  Of course, the size of this Bible doesn't allow for an exhaustive concordance.  Thus, under "Evil" there are just 18 verses listed.  These range from "man's  heart is evil" (Genesis 8:21) to " But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison" (James 3:8).  I find a concordance to be an invaluable tool anytime I am doing a topical study.  As you can see, the entry for "Evil" covers about half a page.


The topical index and dictionary/thesaurus/concordance are handy additions to this little Bible.  Neither compares to a full sized reference so this won't replace your standard reference library.  But for an easy-to-carry quick reference this Bible is good.  I can see myself taking it along to Sunday School or Bible Study where I want something small and portable. With the average ghosting, I prefer better quality paper for daily reading.

Another important note is the price:  $29.95 (USD) retail.  It is available for about $20 on ChristianBook.com.  American Bible Sales offers it for less that $14!  It offers a lot of features for such a low price.


For its small size this Bible contains a great deal of helpful information.  I like it that the references all point me back to the actual scriptures.  If this were printed on better paper in a leather binding I believe I might just carry it all the time.

Bible Hunting Update

I've received several notices about new versions but haven't had time to get them all listed.  Here they are (initials of the contributor follow each item):

My Personal Book of Yahuwah by Glenn Wilson, 2011.  A sacred name revision of the KJV.  GK
An Abridgment of the New Testament by Sarah Trimmer, 18??.  GK.
Pauline Theology: A Study in Galatians by Joel D. Martin, 2004.  K
Watchman's Bible: Yehovah's Second Testament by Richard H. Perry, 2015. JH
The Fusion English Version by Daniel Harder, 2015 (John only so far).  A revision of the WEB.  JH
The Holy City Bible, August 2015.  Catholic.  JH
Byzantine New Testament.  Possibly the WEB, unsure of changes.  JH

Leonard's Book Restoration rebind - IBS LP NIV(84)

Earlier this year I decided to have one of my Bibles rebound.  After seeing several people's rebinds done by Leonard's Book Restoration, I sent off my information for a quote.  The Bible I decided to rebind is not a premium Bible, but one I have used quite a bit when preaching.  It is an International Bible Society large print 1984 New International Version.  It has a glued binding which was cracking in the front.

As you can see, it wasn't badly worn.  It does not have gold edges.  The paper is fair - it does allow some ghosting.  But it has been a great Bible for preaching now that my eyesight is gradually getting worse.  Since the 2011 NIV was published there are decreasing options for large print 1984 NIV texts (or any 1984 NIV Bible, see my earlier post for some options).

I decided to have it rebound in black goatskin.  Leonard's added binding cord to the spine edge of the text block to repair and strengthen the Bible.  I had them insert three black ribbons as well.  The whole process, including ship time, took about a month.  I found Leonard's easy to work with.  Here is the finished product:

When I unboxed my newly rebound Bible I was delighted at the appearance. When I first handled it I found it stiff.  To be honest, I wasn't sure I liked the way it felt.  However, after handling it and reading from it, I soon found it softened up.  Now I am delighted with the way it feels.  As you can see above, the text is too close to the gutter.  This is due to the way the text block is printed, not the way it was rebound.  The cover is as flexible as the text block (see below).

One thing hit me as I first viewed this rebind:  It looks like this preacher's Bible.  With the ribbons hanging about 4 inches off the bottom, the silver printing on the spine and the rounded corners on the cover it really is my kind of  Bible.

The spine has raised ribs.  The print is very similar to that on the original hardback.  I  like the smaller ribbing.  I tend to prefer a simple, cleaner look on a Bible.

Of course, the original Bible did not have a box.  So I found some acid free board at Hobby Lobby.  My two part box isn't fancy or all that well made, but it protects the Bible.  I glued decorative paper on the outside that has Scripture verses (such as the Lord's prayer).

I am delighted with the work done by Leonard's book restoration.  Once I got the cover broken in (a very short process) it is perfect for my needs.  Their work will preserve one of my favorite preaching Bibles for years to come. 

Rare Bible translations for sale

A fellow Bible lover and collector is selling some rare translations out of his collection.  You can view his sales on eBay here.  Some of the items listed for sale are Abner Kneeland's NT, Gilbert Wakefield's NT, Thomas Belsham's NT and Granville Penn's NT.  The seller states "Since there is no standard for pricing these Bible translations, most of them are truly one of a kind and extremely rare...the price is my own estimate. If you think the price is unreasonable, please Make Offer with explanation. Every serious and reasonable offer will be dutifully considered."

New Testament - Breakthrough Version

While still in translation, this version was called The Bible for a New Generation, which is UBV-0048 in The Encyclopedia of English Language Bible Versions.  Now that the New Testament is finished the name has changed to New Testament - Breakthrough Version.  It is available in electronic formats on Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.  It is available in print on Amazon.  My earlier post about The Bible for a New Generation is here.


Thanks to JH for this version.

21st Century Revised King James Version

The 21st Century Revised King James Version is one I just heard about from the Internet Bible Catalog.  It is a revision that was published in South Africa in 2001.  Sample verses and a link to the entire work in PDF are available on that website as well.  It is an immersionist version.  As the title indicates, it is a revision of the King James Version.

Thanks to SR for this version.

The Original Pittsburgh Bible

The Original Pittsburgh Bible is a King James New Testament modified to reflect the local dialect of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.  The second person plural "you" has been replaced with "yinz."  Here's a sample:

And he saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make yinz fishers of men (Matthew 4:19).

You can see more of it on Amazon using their "look inside" feature.

Thanks to BR for finding this one.

The High-Definition King James Version of the New Testament

The High-Definition King James Version of the New Testament was copyrighted by Ted Rouse in 2012.  In a manner similar to the Amplified Bible, Rouse has inserted definitions into the King James text.  Here is Matthew 1:1:

The (book relating to) the (genealogy, manner of the birth, and coming into this world) of Jesus Christ (the anointed Messiah), who was the son of David, and the son of Abraham.

  In some cases, sentence structures were rearranged to fit modern usage.  Words in italics were added to clarify the meaning of certain phrases.  This is an expensive New Testament - $49 USD for the hardback on Amazon.  You can view a sample on Google books.

Thanks to JH for this version announcement.

The Bible Exchange

If you have visited the Bible Exchange, you might want to give it a look.  It is a new site to buy, sell and trade high quality Bibles.  Recently, they just removed seller fees and commissions on all auctions.  If you've got some good quality Bibles to sell, now is the time to reach others who also appreciate God's Word.

Shem Qadosh Version

The Shem Qadosh Version is another sacred name version.  It is the work of J. A. Brown.  It can be downloaded in PDF format here.  Here are some samples:

יהוה Elohim planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed (B'reshiyt 2:8).

 The book of the generations of ישׁוּע the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Avraham (Mattithyahu 1:1).

But when he had considered this, behold, a messenger of יהוה appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Yoseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is from the Set-apart Ruach (Mattithyahu 1:20).

Thanks go to JH for this find.

New Lutheran Bible translation: The Wartburg Project

The Wartburg Project is "a group of Lutheran pastors and professors who are working together to produce a new translation of the Bible."  They recently made a publication agreement with Northwestern Publishing House.  There is more information as well as a sample containing the passion history at the Northwestern Publishing House website.  The Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Psalms are available for the Kindle ($0.99 USD).  They hope to publish the New Testament and Psalms in 2017.  No date is set yet for completion of the Old Testament.

Thanks to NS for this version.