After
learning Whitaker House had published the KJV Sword Study Bible with
the direct words of God in red, I just had to order a copy. Although many New Testaments
can be found with Jesus’ words in red, I’d never seen a red-letter edition of
the Old Testament.
That unique feature gave reason enough to buy the KJV Sword Study Bible, but this edition offers many more special helps. For example, the King James Version of the biblical text has an “easy read format,” aka KJVER, which means archaic words such as “oft” have been updated to “often,” verbs have lost their “th” or “st” endings, and second person pronouns “thee” and “thou” have been changed to “you.”
These minimal changes do indeed make the text easy to follow, especially since uncommonly used words have a contemporary synonym directly below the verse in which that word appears. For instance, in Genesis, “dominion” is underlined with the its equivalent “authority” in the space between verses.
Another unique feature occurs in marginal markings, covering about 100 topics divided into three categories. As the Introduction explains:
“For example, the G heading is for those verses relating to God and the many attributes of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Since God has a plan, the verses that illustrate His plan or reflect Him implementing His plan, go under the P heading. Verses that speak of God using man are found under the M heading.”
Then
“At the bottom of each marginal reference line is a number. This number directs you to the next page on which the study of the subject continues.”
In addition to the Introduction, the front matter includes:
A Basic Outline of Old Testament History
The Names and Attributes of God
Definitions of Biblical Terms Rarely Used Today
Word Changes
In the latter, for instance, we see a four-page list of updated words such as “astonied – astonished” and “yesternight – last night.” Also, the changes of verbs from “speakest” to “speak” and “taketh” to “take” have been included.
The section “Between the Testaments,” which is appropriately named for its location, discusses various empires and influences. Then the page “Margin Study Reference & Guide” highlights that feature and encourages readers to “Follow the references – subject by subject – through the Bible. Make and mark your own special subject you want to know about.” Several pages then follow, enabling readers to readily find a topic of interest.
In the extensive back matter, the “Treasury of Biblical Information” begins with articles occasionally of a controversial nature, which I would have preferred to be excluded. However, they’re followed by helpful study aids, such as the “Names and Titles of Jesus Christ,” a “Detailed Chronology of the Acts,” “Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament and their New Testament Fulfillment in Christ,” a list of primary “Events of the Bible,” a thorough concordance, and clear black and white maps, including one I especially appreciate, “Major Nations of the Bible Then and Now.”
Since I
bought a copy the KJV Sword Study Bible myself, I
ordered my favorite perks: a genuine leather cover, 15-point font, and thumb
indexing. If you click onto the above hotlinks, you will find that same KJVER edition,
which I highly recommend.
Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, Bible Reviewer, and lifelong lover of God’s Word.
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