Oxford Annotated Bible

The Oxford Annotated Bible (OAB), later published as the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB), is a study Bible published by the Oxford University Press. The notes and study material feature in-depth academic research with a focus on the most recent advances in historical criticism with contributions from Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and non-religious scholars.

The 2001 edition of The New Oxford Annotated Bible, with the NRSV text
The 1973 edition of The New Oxford Annotated Bible, with the RSV text.

Editions and Biblical versions

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In 1962, the first edition of the OAB, edited by Rev. Dr. Herbert G. May and Dr. Bruce M. Metzger was published which used the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible.[1][2][3]

In 1965, the OAB was re-published with the Apocrypha[2] because some of the Apocrypha is used by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. That same year, the OAB received an official imprimatur of Cardinal Richard Cushing for use by Catholics as a Study Bible.[4][3][5] Later, the OAB was welcomed by Orthodox leaders as well.[6]

In 1973, the second edition of the OAB now called the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB) was published which also used the RSV text.[2][3]

In 1977, the NOAB was re-published with the Apocrypha.[7] This edition is still in print.

In 2001, a third edition was published which used the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. It is considered to be more ecumenical in approach. For example, it calls the Old Testament the "Hebrew Bible" out of consideration for Jewish readers.[8]

In 2010, a fourth edition was published which contained new color maps along with updated essays and commentaries.

In 2018, a fifth edition was published with similar improvements.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Herbert G. May, 73, Biblical Scholar". The New York Times Archives. New York. The New York Times Company. 11 October 1977. p. 38. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Metzger 1995, p. 80.
  3. ^ a b c May 1975, p. 239.
  4. ^ Metzger 1995, pp. 80–81.
  5. ^ "The Bible: One for All at Last". Time. New York. 3 June 1966. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. ^ Metzger 1995, p. 81.
  7. ^ "The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Ed". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  8. ^ Coogan, Michael D., ed. (2018). New Oxford Annotated Bible (5th ed.). p. xiv. ISBN 9780190276119. In keeping with the general desire to take account of the diversity of the users of this study Bible, the editors have adopted two widely‐accepted conventions: referring to the first portion of the text as 'the Hebrew Bible,' since it is a collection preserved by the Jewish community and that is how Jews regard it; and citing all dates in the notes as BCE or CE ('Before the Common Era' and 'Common Era') instead of BC or AD ('Before Christ' and 'Anno Domini' ['in the year of the Lord']), which imply a Christian view of the status of Jesus of Nazareth. Use of the title 'Old Testament' for those books here designated as 'the Hebrew Bible' is confined to instances expressing the historical view of various Christian interpreters.
  9. ^ "The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha". global.oup.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.

Sources

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