Oxford Annotated Bible Explained

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.

Editions and Biblical versions

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]

In 1965, the OAB was re-published with the Apocrypha. This action was done 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.^[2] Later, the OAB was welcomed by Orthodox leaders as well.

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

In 1977, the NOAB was re-published with the Apocrypha.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

See also

• Oxford Bible

References

Sources

• Book: Metzger, Bruce. Reminiscences of an Octogenarian. 9780801047138. 1995.
• Book: May, H.G.. Hammershaimb: 1904-1974. The Revised Standard Version Bible. 9789004039100. 1974.

External links

• Oxford University Press study bibles

Notes and References

1. News: Herbert G. May, 73, Biblical Scholar. October 11, 1977. The New York Times Archives. 38. New York. The New York Times Company. March 4, 2020.
2. . The Bible: One for All at Last . . . June 3, 1966 . June 23, 2020.
3. Web site: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version, Expanded Ed. . 2014-12-29 . Oxford University Press.
4. Book: Coogan . Michael D. . Michael D. Coogan . New Oxford Annotated Bible . 5th . 2018 . xiv . 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..
5. Web site: The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha . 2024-05-16 . global.oup.com.