1833 The Noah Webster Bible

Description

1833 The Noah Webster Bible

[Bible in English.] The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments. In the Common Version. With Amendments of the Language, by Noah Webster, LL. D. New Haven: Published by Durrie & Peck, 1833.

First edition. Octavo. xvi, 907 [908]. Complete. Double-columned with reference notes between. Order of Books, Preface by Webster, and Introduction (which lists principal alterations) precede text. Webster based his text on the impeccable version of Isaac Collins, 1791 (though the often seen error at I Timothy 4:16 is indeed here repeated).

Webster’s is one of the most important American Bibles. This copy has a little light general browning, but far less than usually encountered with American paper stock of this period. This copy is tall and exceptionally clean and fresh. As nice a copy of this book as one is likely to find. In full modern mottled calf to period style by Starr Bookworks of Arizona. Spine ruled and decorated in gilt with red calf label.

“The American lexicographer, Noah Webster (1758-1843) compiler of Webster’s Dictionary, professes to give a careful revision of King James’ Version. The alterations, which are few, affect (1) errors in grammar, (2) obsolete or unseemly words and phrases, and (3) certain mistranslations. ‘To avoid giving offense to any denomination of Christians, I have not knowingly made any alteration in the passages of the present version, on which the different denominations rely for the support of their peculiar tenets’ (Preface, p. iv)” (Herbert, p. 378, #1793).

“In his interesting Preface, Webster points out that changes have taken place in the language in the past 200 years so that the same words ‘are not understood by common readers, who have no access to commentaries, and who will always compose a great proportion of readers.’ Other words have changed meaning, thus causing false ideas and so ‘do not present to the reader the Word of God.’” (Hills, p. 123, #826).

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