Polyglot Bible

CerebralCherub · Aug 21, 2025

Hi all,

Sorry, new here, so not sure this is the right section. If not, please let me know and I'll move it, if possible.

Just wondered if anyone read this type of bible? I have recently purchased one that I believe was published c. 1820. Up until this purchase, I did not know these existed and wondered if anyone could help me understand that intent of it and how to use it etc.

Thanks!

Gregory Thompson · Aug 21, 2025

I had to look it up, I think the interlinear bible with strongs numbers is a similar product.

CerebralCherub · Aug 21, 2025

Gregory Thompson said:
interlinear bible with strongs numbers

Thank you so much! What is this, please?

A genteleman sells very old, and even ancient, bibles. I am trying to collect them, as much as possible, but don't really know or understand the value of them as far as historical provenance, accuracy etc.

Thank you.

Athanasius377 · Aug 21, 2025

A polyglot anything is simply a text with more than one language. A polyglot would be english on one page, and Greek/Latin or Hebrew on the opposing page(s). An interlinear is a similar text, but not the same. The polyglot should keep the word order and original language structure the same, while the interlinear will try and match the word order to the target language such as English. Software like Logos or Accordance would be more useful, though the best is to learn the original languages. I have a diglot of Sutonious with English on the left page, and Latin on the right. Useful, if you are not fully learned in the Latin, not so much if you are.

I hope this helps!

A.

Gregory Thompson · Aug 21, 2025

CerebralCherub said:
Thank you so much! What is this, please?

A genteleman sells very old, and even ancient, bibles. I am trying to collect them, as much as possible, but don't really know or understand the value of them as far as historical provenance, accuracy etc.

Thank you.

Collecting such things is useful, you never know when the internet will break, or electricity will stop being a thing. If you google Interlinear Bible, you would get a result such as this.

CerebralCherub · Aug 21, 2025

Athanasius377 said:
A polyglot anything is simply a text with more than one language. A polyglot would be english on one page, and Greek/Latin or Hebrew on the opposing page(s). An interlinear is a similar text, but not the same. The polyglot should keep the word order and original language structure the same, while the interlinear will try and match the word order to the target language such as English. Software like Logos or Accordance would be more useful, though the best is to learn the original languages. I have a diglot of Sutonious with English on the left page, and Latin on the right. Useful, if you are not fully learned in the Latin, not so much if you are.

I hope this helps!

A.

Thank you very much. My bible is English only. There are references in the middle of the margins but I don't really know what they are referencing. The writing style is similar to KJV but not identical. It was published via Samuel Bagster if that means anything to anyone?

CerebralCherub · Aug 21, 2025

Gregory Thompson said:
Collecting such things is useful, you never know when the internet will break, or electricity will stop being a thing. If you google Interlinear Bible, you would get a result such as this.

Thank you very much! Do you read this version? I am concerned about the printing in China and the suggestion by many that the Bible is being edited.

Gregory Thompson · Aug 22, 2025

CerebralCherub said:
Thank you very much! Do you read this version? I am concerned about the printing in China and the suggestion by many that the Bible is being edited.

That interlinear has been around for a while, and is reliable. I keep it as a backup in case sites like blueletterbible.org stop working.

CerebralCherub · Aug 22, 2025

Gregory Thompson said:
That interlinear has been around for a while, and is reliable. I keep it as a backup in case sites like blueletterbible.org stop working.

Thank you. Before you came along, I did not know it existed. I love study bibles, like the Geneva, but I like most of the pre 1900 bibles especially where they contain maps. I am not 100% sure how to read the one that I have, regarding the references e.g. because it isn't clear to me what exactly is being referenced but I try to learn as I go when I read to the family each night!

Athanasius377 · Aug 22, 2025

CerebralCherub said:
Thank you very much. My bible is English only. There are references in the middle of the margins but I don't really know what they are referencing. The writing style is similar to KJV but not identical. It was published via Samuel Bagster if that means anything to anyone?

I know that Bagster did publish polyglots, and the edition you have may have the English translation of the Greek Septuagint (LXX) instead of the Masoretic Hebrew text of the OT. And the notes may be pointing out where there are textual differences. It appears he did multiple Polyglots with different languages. Without seeing it, I am merely speculating.

CerebralCherub · Aug 22, 2025

Athanasius377 said:
I know that Bagster did publish polyglots, and the edition you have may have the English translation of the Greek Septuagint (LXX) instead of the Masoretic Hebrew text of the OT. And the notes may be pointing out where there are textual differences. It appears he did multiple Polyglots with different languages. Without seeing it, I am merely speculating.

Thanks! What do you need to see and I'll post a pic if you're interested.

Athanasius377 · Aug 22, 2025

CerebralCherub said:
Thanks! What do you need to see and I'll post a pic if you're interested.

Just a pic or two from the OT showing the references in the center column, and the title page if it gives any kind of description. Pretty cool if it is what I think it is.

A.

CerebralCherub · Saturday at 12:38 AM

@Athanasius377 here you go!

Athanasius377 · Saturday at 9:19 AM

CerebralCherub said:
@Athanasius377 here you go!

Very nice! That bible is in incredible shape for its age. It appears to be just the English of the Polyglot, and KJV, though it may be using a different revision than what modern KJV bibles today use. Very cool indeed. The center column is giving cross references and more importantly, the textual notes. Meaning, the word that was chosen in the text may have an alternate meaning or a more precise meaning than what the English equivalent normally conveys. The cross references will be helpful in the NT especially to alert the reader that human author is quoting the OT. Very useful. I have an NASB text that uses a similar format. Look for the corresponding letter or number nearby in the text, usually in italics or subscript/superscript, and that is referent that the reference notes are pointing to. Think of it as an early type of study bible but without the bent say of the Geneva Bible of the 16th century and its rather infamous margin notes.

CerebralCherub · Sunday at 4:31 AM

Thank you! Your picture looks better than mine! Sorry about the not great quality. It was 5 am and that's the only excuse I have ha

The polyglot and your bible sort of reminds me of the bible my cousin invented: Burgundy NIV RAINBOW STUDY BIBLE Every verse color coded Bold Line Edition RSI | eBay UK

It was called the Rainbow study bible. He has since sold it to a new publisher, so it's probably not the same quality etc, but it was well known in its time and I use it to read from daily. Most newer bibles are published in China and my understanding is that they are editing information. This is why I collect older bibles and particularly enjoy ones from before 1900s.

I guess many of these bibles took their inspiration from the Geneva, as my understanding is that the Geneva is the earliest 'study bible', but please feel free to educate me if I'm wrong on this point! I do have a facsimile of the Geneva, too, but am currently trying to save for an original.

The gentleman I bought the polyglot from has more of these polyglots but in Hebrew/Greek to English translation, also some Latin versions, but he told me that most don't buy them because most don't speak these languages. However, it makes it difficult for me to understand what the reference points are referencing towards without explicit reference to a translation, or I'm just using it incorrectly. I don't seem to have this issue in the Rainbow Bible.

Athanasius377 · Sunday at 9:45 AM

CerebralCherub said:
Thank you! Your picture looks better than mine! Sorry about the not great quality. It was 5 am and that's the only excuse I have ha

The polyglot and your bible sort of reminds me of the bible my cousin invented: Burgundy NIV RAINBOW STUDY BIBLE Every verse color coded Bold Line Edition RSI | eBay UK

It was called the Rainbow study bible. He has since sold it to a new publisher, so it's probably not the same quality etc, but it was well known in its time and I use it to read from daily. Most newer bibles are published in China and my understanding is that they are editing information. This is why I collect older bibles and particularly enjoy ones from before 1900s.

I guess many of these bibles took their inspiration from the Geneva, as my understanding is that the Geneva is the earliest 'study bible', but please feel free to educate me if I'm wrong on this point! I do have a facsimile of the Geneva, too, but am currently trying to save for an original.

The gentleman I bought the polyglot from has more of these polyglots but in Hebrew/Greek to English translation, also some Latin versions, but he told me that most don't buy them because most don't speak these languages. However, it makes it difficult for me to understand what the reference points are referencing towards without explicit reference to a translation, or I'm just using it incorrectly. I don't seem to have this issue in the Rainbow Bible.

That is a very cool idea for a study bible. I have seen some older where it breaks down verses about the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit in a color coded system from the early 20th century(?). I believe I have seen one of these in real life.

I agree that purchasing bibles printed in China will be a problem in the future, but I have not noticed any editing. I have a Thomas Nelson single column NKJV that I use for daily reading and it was produced in China with no problems. However, if you wanted a quality bible that is not produced in China, I would suggest anything by Schuyler or RL Allan. I would try to find used first, if you don't mind a name imprinted on the cover or a little wear. The pic I sent you is an Allan. They are pricey, but I found that one online and used with someone else's name on it years ago, but that did not bother me. I managed to get that one at a really good price, before the prices shot up and are now approaching crazy. The paper in older bibles is simply better in my opinion. More opaque, thinner but more durable. I am not sure why modern bible publishers have such a hard time locating good paper stock.

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