Month: November 2019

What to look for when choosing a Bible

What to look for in a Bible

Choosing a Bible for someone? Maybe one for yourself? Here are a few hints of what to look for in a Bible.

The simple answer: readability.

The best Bible is the one you’ll want to read. The one that is easy to read. From translation (I’ll explain) to font size, to purpose of reading, we’ll look at key elements to consider when choosing a Bible.

Choosing a Bible translation or version

Translation or Version – The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic. It was eventually translated into English. Some translations are more literal, preserving original word order, and known as word for word translations. Others are translated into a more modern vernacular that some people find easier to read, and are described as thought for thought. Names of Bibles may include the word translation or version.

Examples of word for word are: New American Standard Bible (NASB), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV)

New International Version (NIV) is between word for word and thought for thought.

Example of thought for thought: New Living Translation (NLT)

The Message is a paraphrase of the Bible.

How to compare translations

I find it helpful to compare translations or versions by choosing one passage in the Bible and looking at it in a few different translations. John 3:16 is a great verse to use for this comparison.

Psalm 23 works too, though many of us grew up hearing the King James Version with the Thees and Thous, so a comfort level with that translation may be based on familiarity of the cadence. Look at the passage with fresh eyes, seeking to understand what the text is saying. Comparing translations, which one do you most readily understand? Which words settle into your soul? That might be the translation that speaks to you.

The translations I use

On a personal note, I like ESV for Bible study, NIV and NLT for personal study, and the Message when I am truly lost in a passage. When I read the book of Leviticus I used a parallel Bible, which had NIV and the Message in side by side columns. I read the passages in NIV until I got stuck, then I looked across the column to see the wording in the Message.

Whichever translation you choose, pick the one you’ll be comfortable reading. After all, we’re choosing a Bible to read.

Choosing a font size

Font size – The Bible consists of a lot of words. It is the Word of God. All those words take up a lot of space. In order for the Bible not to be too big and cumbersome (though some are) often times the font size is really small. Unless you plan on using a magnifying glass each time you open it, you’ll want one with a font you can easily read.

Bible fonts are generally smaller than we think. Small is actually tiny, 8pt. Large is normal, 10pt.

When looking at a Bible, open it up and look inside. Ask yourself can I read the font? If you can’t read it comfortably, most likely you won’t read it.

Choosing a Bible size based on where you’ll use it

Book size – Location location location. Where will you be using your Bible? At home sitting in your favorite chair or at the table? Hardcovers lay flat on a table well. Taking it with you somewhere? A softcover, smaller, more compact or thin Bible might be your preference.

Choosing a Bible based on how you’ll use it

Features – How will you use your Bible? Read scripture passages? Study more deeply? As a part of a devotional or quiet time? In a group study? Bibles may include features like study notes, scripture cross references, notes for personal application, devotional articles, or additional background information. If you have an idea how you’ll use your Bible, you can look for corresponding features.

If all of these ideas are new to you, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Find your Bible. I’ll help you find your way around it.

Finding reminders in the book of Deuteronomy

Last time we looked at Numbers. Now we’re up to Deuteronomy, a book filled with familiar content, because it covers the trek of the Israelites led by Moses.

Remember the bike ride?

I haven’t mentioned the bike ride I went on in the last few posts, so I’ll remind you about it now. Last I spoke of it I was riding through a 1.661 mile tunnel that was pitch black save the lights on each person’s helmet. Does that ring a bell?

What we’ve covered so far

Do you remember what we’ve covered so far? Deuteronomy is the book of remembrance. The fifth book of the Pentateuch, the books of the Law or the books of Moses. Don’t worry about remembering all that but do consider noting a few details.

How Deuteronomy begins

Deuteronomy begins, “These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan…” (Deuteronomy 1:1a)

Moses is the one speaking

It’s helpful to remember that Moses is the one speaking throughout most of the book of Deuteronomy, reminding the Israelites of all that has transpired up to this point. You see, the Israelites will soon enter the Promised Land but Moses won’t be going with them. This is his speech to the people before they depart without him.

What Moses highlights

With that in mind, here is some of what Moses highlights:

Ch 1 -3 A bit of a travel log, the good, bad, and the ugly.

 – How far they’ve traveled, where they are going, and where God is leading them; who is to lead; their travels and what they’ve encountered along the way.

Key verses are Deuteronomy 1:34-38 to see who actually gets to enter the Promised Land and who doesn’t.

Ch 4-26 The bulk of this book is a reminder of the commands, instructions and regulations God has given the Israelites.

Ch 18:1-2 References the inheritance of the Levites.

Ch 28 – 30 Blessings, covenant, and curses.

Ch 31 The passing of the baton to Joshua. Notice which book follows Deuteronomy?

Reminders to the Israelites

As you peruse the book of Deuteronomy, keep in mind these are reminders to the Israelites. Moses reminds them what God has done and what they have been taught. He also gives them instructions for the next phase of their journey.

Context

To help bring context and tie this book into the four that preceded it, look for familiar names or situations that appeared in one of the earlier books of the Bible, for instance, the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5 and Exodus 20) or the incident with the Golden Calf (Deuteronomy 9:7-21 and Exodus 32).

Don’t get bogged down in the details of this book, but do let it be a reminder of what came before.

How to find knowledge in the narrative of Numbers

Finding knowledge in Numbers

Ok, so Numbers, like Leviticus, is another one of those books of the Bible people prefer to skip. Those lists of names at the beginning, like the genealogy chapter in Matthew, can trip us up and cause us to avoid reading. But if we do, we miss part of the narrative of Numbers as well. If we look close enough, we’ll see the significance of those names, and we just might recognize a few.

The names

Let’s see if we can anchor into some of the names in chapter one. Starting at verse 5, do you see the first name in each verse? These are the sons of Jacob. See Exodus 1:1-5 for a concise list.

Trivia question: Which name is missing from the list in Numbers?

See Numbers 1:47-49 for the answer. Read the rest of chapter one to see why.

The census

The first four chapters of Numbers focuses on the census, hence the name of the book, Numbers.

Read Numbers 3:1-13 for some information about the Levites.

Chapters 5 and 6 provide regulations for the camp.

Chapter 7 speaks of the offerings. Remember those from the book of Leviticus?

The narrative of Numbers

Chapter nine continues the narrative of the Israelites and by chapter eleven the people are mumbling about manna. So skim or skip the front of Numbers if you must, but do consider reading the story that unfolds in chapter eleven. Chapters thirteen and fourteen give insight and backstory to another book of the Bible, Joshua.

Instructions

In the next several chapters, God gives more instructions for Moses and the Israelites, and the narrative continues as the Israelites continue their journey. By chapter twenty-six, God commands Moses to take another census.

You can treat this book of the Bible like Leviticus. Skim it if you need to, but watch for narrative sections that add to the story, and look for offering references that add to the depth and significance of the material.

Glance at Numbers

Any glance at Numbers will provide you with more data, details, insight, and knowledge for the journey. I find this gives me greater understanding and more chance that I will remember what is in this fourth book of the Bible.

And if nothing else, receive this blessing from the book of Numbers:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV