What version Bible do the Orthodox use?

Matthias · Sep 30, 2003

Hey there,

What version Bible do the Orthodox use? I've heard of the New American Edition, King James, Catholic Edition, etc, and as I need a new one, I'd hate to go out and buy the wrong version!

Thanks heaps,

Matthew.

Photini · Sep 30, 2003

There is a version (split into two volumes, the Gospels, and the Epistles) called the Orthodox New Testament, that I hope to be able to purchase soon.

RIght now, I am using the NKJV, and NRSV for the NT, and have a LXX (in Greek, and English) for the OT.

Oblio · Sep 30, 2003

Liturgically, in our Jusrisdiction/Diocese (OCA/South), we use the KJV. I also use the ONT mentioned by Photini. I would ask the priest in the parish you are/will attend for his recommendations.

Alfred M · Sep 30, 2003

Matthew,

Since our conversion we have used the Orthodox Study Bible. This contains the New Testament (New King James version) and the Psalms. It has countless footnotes with explanations of scripture by Orthodox scholars/clergy, as well as a lectionary, a concordance, glossary, morning and evening prayers, an article by Bishop Kallistos Ware on how to read the Bible, maps and information about the history of the Orthodox Church. Scattered throughout are other various articles relating to Church life and full page prints of icons with descriptions.

As for the Old Testament we have the Septuagent with Apochrypha.

In the love of our Saviour,

Alfred

Reader Nilus · Sep 30, 2003

In the Diocese of the West, His Grace Bishop TIKHON prefers the KJV and the NKJV, but he recognizes the use of the RSV. The Bible that is prohibited is the NRSV, except for private study to compare it with other versions. In our parish, for the Lenten Presanctified readings we used either the New American Bible or the RSV.
Jeff the Finn

Matrona · Sep 30, 2003

I wonder, why is the NRSV prohibited? I own one (in fact it's the only hard copy I have with me right now) and haven't noticed anything heinously wrong with it. In fact it's rather nice having a Bible with the deuterocanonical books. Still, most of the time I use the online Bibles at http://www.biblegateway.com since it has so many different translations available in one place and I don't have to hunt around my messy dorm room for this big fat one.

ChristianOrthodox · Oct 1, 2003

NRSV and loving the Ancient Christian Commentary Series on Scripture. Huge books on what the Fathers have said concerning Scripture. I also heard the Logos Commentary Software called the Ancient Fathers is really good as well.

Rising_Suns · Oct 1, 2003

As for the Old Testament we have the Septuagent with Apochrypha.

If you do, then shouldn't a bible with the apochrypha in it be the most recommended, like the NAB?

Reader Nilus · Oct 1, 2003

Matrona said:
I wonder, why is the NRSV prohibited? I own one (in fact it's the only hard copy I have with me right now) and haven't noticed anything heinously wrong with it. In fact it's rather nice having a Bible with the deuterocanonical books. Still, most of the time I use the online Bibles at http://www.biblegateway.com since it has so many different translations available in one place and I don't have to hunt around my messy dorm room for this big fat one.

Bishop's Pastoral Letter on the New Revised Standard Version This is Vladika Bishop TIKHON's letter on the subject of the NRSV.
Jeff the Finn

Oblio · Oct 1, 2003

Rising_Suns said:
If you do, then shouldn't a bible with the apochrypha in it be the most recommended, like the NAB?

You can pick up addendums to the KJV that contain the Deuterocanons. I read from Wisdom at Vespers just the other night, the print is a bit small though.

KennySe · Oct 1, 2003

How does an Orthodox church accept the KJV, which was translated by Englishmen in 1611, who were opposed to the Catholic Church?

I thought (with no research whatsoever) that the Orthodox Churches would have the old manuscripts etc translated by the monks on Mount Athos (for an example) into English.. I assumed there was a translation BY Orthodox FOR Orthodox.

Didn't the Orthodox Churches accept the Latin Vulagate prior to the year A.D. 1000? And if so, why couldn't an Orthodox Council of Bishops do a translation from that into English for the orthodox community?

I'm confused.

Oblio · Oct 1, 2003

Sadly, since Orthodoxy is rather new to most of the English speaking world (or many of the parishes are ethnic and speak another language) there is much translation that needs to be done. This includes not only Holy Scripture (see LXX.org for a current OT effort) but service books and traditional practices (e.g. The Russian OC Typikon).

Oblio · Oct 1, 2003

How does an Orthodox church accept the KJV, which was translated by Englishmen in 1611, who were opposed to the Catholic Church?

The important thing for Orthodox is how the Church interprets Scripture so unless there are numerous blantant heresies in the text, we (like Catholics) are much safer than our Protestant friends in being led astray by a bad translation. I think the KJV is used because it is a pretty good translation, and it certainly hasn't been molded by some of the modern PC 'minds' to change genders or paraphrases Scripture to lead one down a certain theological path that the author is fond of.

Reader Nilus · Oct 1, 2003

KennySe said:
How does an Orthodox church accept the KJV, which was translated by Englishmen in 1611, who were opposed to the Catholic Church?

I thought (with no research whatsoever) that the Orthodox Churches would have the old manuscripts etc translated by the monks on Mount Athos (for an example) into English.. I assumed there was a translation BY Orthodox FOR Orthodox.

Didn't the Orthodox Churches accept the Latin Vulagate prior to the year A.D. 1000? And if so, why couldn't an Orthodox Council of Bishops do a translation from that into English for the orthodox community?

I'm confused.

It has been in the 20th ct that Orthodoxy has really grown in English Speaking countries. St Innocent was calling for an English Translation as did St Tikhon, but when the revolution hit Russia, the Church was in no position to really help with that effort at that point. Like Chris said, there are vast amounts of Orthodox Liturgical Services still to see the light of day in English. There is no uniformity in the English Translation of the Liturgy as it is, so when it comes to the Bible, the work on the LXX is slowly being done. Why would one if one is going to spend vast amounts of time translate the Vulgate when the LXX can be translated?
Jeff the Finn

Hoonbaba · Oct 2, 2003

Anyone know when an entire Orthodox Study Bible will come out? I've only see the NT one (with psalms).

-Jason

Oblio · Oct 2, 2003

See LXX.org

The OSB is kinda a weird beast right now. It is NKJV and not an EO translation. Some of the Scripture notes are good, others have a more Protestant bent to them (some of the authors came from an Evangelical background). Other than the Magnificat, there are no praises to the Theotokos or requests for petitions in the daily prayer section. I have heard that this is to make it more palatable to Protestants. We should never dilute the faith entrusted to us by the Apostles to make it more acceptable to others. I know many Orthodox hope for an overhaul of the NT OSB along with the new English LXX translation.

Matrona · Oct 2, 2003

And it would be nice to get the Orthodox LXX along with an overhauled OSB in the same volume.

Seraphim Reeves · Oct 3, 2003

If you can, I'd say look into the Orthodox New Testament. I've been told nothing but good things about it - apparently it's also a very well put together series as well (quality wise.)

Seraphim

Maximus · Oct 3, 2003

I use a nice black leather RSV with the Deuterocanonical Books. I like the RSV but sometimes the translation leaves a little to be desired.

I have the OSB NKJV. It's pretty decent overall, although Oblio's comments are certainly right on the money.

I wish I could find a nice Bible with Deuterocanon that has wide margins for note-taking.

I wish I had the spare time to study NT Greek. That would solve a lot of my Bible problems. It looks like I will begin studying it soon through some courses given through Catholic University in Washington.

Photini · Oct 4, 2003

Maximus said:
I wish I had the spare time to study NT Greek. That would solve a lot of my Bible problems. It looks like I will begin studying it soon through some courses given through Catholic University in Washington.

I'm going to start studying it as well. It will be slow-going for me...I will be taught by the chanter at my church, and on my own time. They've ordered a beginner's course for me that a nun recommended, but it hasn't arrived yet.

What version Bible do the Orthodox use?

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