The Jerusalem Bible is a 1966 publication. A scholarly team made up of archaeologists, linguists, and theologians all contributed to its production. This Bible made a significant splash, at the time. The discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls significantly helped an initial French translation. Later, this was made available in English.

The Jerusalem Bible developed to support all the incredible theological scholarship happening. This was the first truly original and modern English version of the Bible to come along since the 1611 King James Version. As a result, new modern translation work began in earnest with several Bibles we are now familiar with today such as the Revised Standard Version and the New International Version.

The New Jerusalem Bible is a 1985 revision, paying special attention to the original languages and forming a readable translation for English readers. The Bible I own is a revised and updated study edition (2019). It contains new notes including the Apocrypha, introductions to all the biblical books and major sections, as well as plenty of helpful study materials.

The Revised New Jerusalem Bible (RNJB) is often associated as a “Catholic” Bible.  That’s because it has been endorsed by several Catholic conferences and a British monk is the reviser of this latest edition. So, unfortunately, the RNJB tends to get overlooked by many Protestants. However, people from all Christian traditions can benefit from this Bible’s attention to both translation and scholarly notes.

Using Bob’s Five Bark Bible Review System we give you our take on The Revised New Jerusalem Bible….

1. Trustworthy

The RNJB is published by Image Books, a religious arm of Random House. Just so you know, Penguin Random House is the largest publisher in the world of paperback books. It is a massive corporation in the book world. They can be (and are) choosy about what they publish. You would be hard pressed to find them publishing non-fiction works with slip-shod scholarship.

As with nearly all modern translations, the RNJB has a team of top-notch scholars behind it from the 1966 version. This revision has paid careful attention to maintaining the original integrity of the Bible’s translation. Yet, it is significant updates such as gender-inclusive language.

The RNJB, unlike modern translations which utilize a dynamic equivalent theory, has been committed to a formal equivalent theory. This means the RNJB remains as close as possible to a more literal sort of translation. Bob and I do not espouse one theory over another. We simply want to point out there are various translation theories translators utilize in their work.

Bob gives the RNJB a clear “bark” for its trustworthiness.

2. Understandable

One might think with a focus on scholarship and using formal equivalence theory, the text of Scripture would be more difficult to understand than other versions presently available. That depends on who the reader is. For example, if you are looking to give a gift for a graduating high school senior, then the RNJB might not be the best choice. However, if you are an avid reader who enjoys classic literature and history, then the RNJB just may be the ticker for you.

Check out the beautiful lyrical quality of the opening of Psalm 23’s translation in the RNJB:

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me;

He revives my soul.

Bob’s ears perked up at that reading. He gives a hearty “woof” (a half-bark) for the RNJB’s understandability.

3. Readable

One of the features I especially like about my RNJB is that the verse numbers are set to the edge of the margin. They are not embedded in the actual text. The Scripture references and allusions are set on the opposite margin. This has the advantage of maintaining a nice clean reading experience while having ready access to further investigation.

What’s more, despite the presence of verse numbers and references in the margins, there is still adequate white space if you like writing in your Bible, like I do. The text in my RNJB has a nice font. However, the footnotes on the bottom of the page are in a smaller font. This might be difficult for some to read without squinting. The quality of the page stock is sufficient. Yet again, if you are used to writing in your Bible, you will need to be careful as to what kind of writing utensil you use.

Unlike many other modern translations today, the RNJB doesn’t have multiple options of Bibles. There are no various prints, fonts, and page stocks for you to choose from. Bob and I are okay with that. Sometimes there seems to be a ridiculous amount of options with some translations. Just know that this is a big Bible. It will take up most of your bag or backpack. It’s not exactly a portable sort of Bible.

Bob gives the RNJB a distinct and well-deserved “bark” for readability.

4. Durable

The study edition which I have is a big thick hardback book. So, there is no leather cover options or thin line sort of stuff going on here. The RNJB has a good spine and solid binding to it. The advantage to such a big book is that it easily remains open when sitting on a desk.

In our opinion, the RNJB is smartly put together in such a way as to be financially available to a wide audience. When you consider the immense scholarship behind this Bible, along with the notes, this could easily be a two-hundred-dollar Bible if all the bells and whistles were there on leather, handsewn binding, etc. But we’ve got to hand it to Random House for paying attention to providing an affordable Bible which will stand the test of repeated usage.

At a retail price of $59.95, this Bible is a steal.

Therefore, Bob proudly gives the RNJB a “bark” for its durability coupled with its affordability.

5. Attractive

The RNJB is neither the most beautiful Bible you will see, nor the ugliest. Keep in mind that this is not a gift kind of a Bible. It is meant for repeated reading and serious use. You really could have this Bible just about anywhere in your house or office and it would look like it belongs there.  The RNJB is a modest and handsome volume which you can be proud to leave out on any coffee table or end table.

Bob gives the RNJB a distinct “bark” for being attractive despite its hefty size.

So, there you have it. Based on Bob’s Five Bark Bible Review System we give The Revised New Jerusalem Bible, Study Edition….

4 ½ Barks out of 5

Thanks, RNJB. You have much to offer the avid Bible reader.