BOOK NOTICES

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 30, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 25.

“The Scofield Reference Bible, with a new system of connected topical references to all the greater themes of Scripture, with annotations, revised marginal renderings, summaries, definitions, and index; to which are added helps at hard places, explanations of seeming discrepancies, and a new system of paragraphs.” Edited by the Rev. C. I. Scofield, D.D. Oxford University Press, American Branch, 35 West 32d Street, New York, N. Y.

Such is a part of the title page of a new Bible which has come to our table. The very fact that it is an Oxford Bible speaks eloquently always for its binding and press work. These are always good if published by the Oxford house. The editors after mature reflection determined to use the Authorized Version. We wish they had taken the Revised Version, in fact, the American Revised Version; and yet the old version will be used as a study and reading book for many years to come, and many are the souls indeed to whom it has given life and comfort.

The topical references are suggestive and many times helpful; sometimes much more so than the verse, phrase, or word references which we find in common Bibles. The revised marginal renderings are also generally helpful. The definitions and explanations of terms not generally understood, such as weights, measures, etc., are exceedingly beneficial. For instance in 1 Sam. 25:18, we read that Abigail brought to David five measures of parched corn. Contrary to all our ordinary versions, and yet just what all teachers’ Bibles ought to have done, we are told in the margin that one measure equaled about four pecks, giving us a guide by which we can ascertain the amount that was brought to David by Abigail. Another instance: In Neh. 10:32, we read that the children of Israel taxed themselves with the third part of a shekel in the service of the house of our God. We read in the margin that one shekel equaled 2 shillings and 9 pence, or 65 cents. One third of this is about 22 cents.

There are many things of this kind that make the volume very valuable.

The marginal annotations are many times good. If the editor had confined himself to the explanation of facts so as to make the words and facts stand out more clearly, we believe that the Bible would have been much more satisfactory, but he has seemingly taken space to introduce his ideas of the second advent and the fulfilment of prophecy on every occasion possible. This is especially true regarding the second advent of our Lord, the promises to Israel, the book of the Revelation, etc. Sometimes his theology is indicated by the subdivisions of the chapters.

The Bible we believe would give much better satisfaction if these annotations were eliminated; and notes upon intensely practical themes, or upon the explanation of rarely used words or terms, or the location of geographical places, would have been far preferable. It is in many respects very helpful, and would be a good Bible to compare with a regular Oxford teachers’ Bible; but we would urge our readers to go to the Bible for the doctrines and not to the notes. Use the notes merely for suggestions and helpful facts. The Bible has twelve excellent colored maps.