Bibliotheca Volume I: The Five Books of Moses & The Former Prophets

Bibliotheca #1

by Adam Lewis Greene (Designer)

Bibliotheca is the entire biblical library separated into volumes and designed purely for reading. The text is reverently treated in classic typographic style, free of all added conventions such as chapter numbers, verse numbers, section headers, cross references and notes.

Genres: Christian, Biblical Studies

751 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Erik Rostad · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this reading, I focused heavily on the tribes of Israel and who was from each tribe. This made Judges, Samuel, and Kings extra interesting. This is my second time reading the Bible straight through and there are so many cool things that happen when doing so. I find I remember a lot more and am able to make better connections when the names, places, and turns of phrase are fresh in my mind. I plan to start each year here on out reading straight through the Bible for the rest of my life. If the enjoyment and pleasure I experienced in just this first part for this year, it's going to be an epic way to start off each year. I can't wait. Now on to The Latter Prophets.

[Drew Heindel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chapter-less, verse-less, more literary format lends itself well to the narrative portions of Scripture, however, unless you're very familiar with the context of the passages, etc. it will be difficult not to get lost in the language and be confused at what's going on and the significance of what's going on.

I had my ESV Study Bible commentary close at hand to help.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the version (American Literary Version) and the fact that it is written like a story.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

High quality materials, excellent binding, beautiful font and layout (though I tend to prefer block print to left-justified). The translation, a modified ASV, makes for fantastic reading that preserves both the literary quality and the feeling of age that the Scriptures have.

I was honestly surprised what a difference all the numbers, footnotes, cross-references and such makes for comfortable reading. What might have taken me 15 minutes to read from my ESV takes me 5 here! This is the first time that reading the entire Bible in a year felt achievable to me.

I also like the decision to put the Torah and the Former Prophets into one volume here. It highlights the fact that these 9 books really do come together to form a cohesive literary whole.

[Roger Feenstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this particular edition of the Bible. The translation comes from the line of the 1611 King James, to the 1885 revision, then to the American Standard edition of 1901, and finally to a newly (but lightly) edited 2016 edition.

In this volume I read, Genesis through Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1,2, Samuel and 1,2 Kings.

Onward to volume II.

[C.J. Stunkard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful translation and excellent publishing craft bring the Holy Scriptures to readers in a wonderfully vibrant new edition that offers a new rhythm to the text from which readers can gain fresh insight. This is a great piece of work.

[Ian Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

No chapters or verses. Single column. Beautifully bound. I enjoyed reading the American Literary Version, which is an update of the American Standard Version (a 1901 update of the KJV). I am glad I bought this before I knew about the ESV one, which ended up coming our shortly before, I believe...

[CJ Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful volume, solid translation, uncluttered reading.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literary masterpiece with a unique presentation. Was well worth the wait and I have enjoyed re-reading these books in this format.

[Marc Schelske · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful edition of an important and influential piece of literature.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give the design and materials of Bibliotheca 5 stars but I am not going to lie, by the end of this volume I was slogging through the kings and their continued insistence on doing evil in the sight of God. Seems almost sacrilegious to give the Bible 3 stars but hard to say "I really liked it" given the content...

A few things struck me while reading in this format: it really reads like the ancient text that it is, there is a lot of violence, and there is very little obvious doctrine or theology. My perspective leans heavily in this direction but I was structure by the narrative drive of scripture. It is about the relationship of the people of Israel with their God. It is not abstract theology but often blunt and ugly history but with a God who is faithful.

[Corey Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for putting The Bible in a format that I could actually read and enjoy! The format without the conventional adds like sub headers, numbering, verses, and chapters makes it so much less distracting. All my energy and attention can be on The Word!! Book one down, and can't wait to hop into the other four. I wish more of the world remembered this: " if there is with you a poor man, one of your Bretheren, within any of your gates in your land that YHWH your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand to him."

[George Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an original Kickstarter supporter of Bibliotheca in 2014. So, I have been using Bibliotheca to great benefit for years, since its release in 2016. Obviously, the binding, the paper, the typeface, the layout, and the reader-friendly design were incredibly attractive to me from the start. But, it is the translation that makes this project so remarkable. The old ASV is very accurate and yet literary translation. The extensive updates to the translation that the Bibliotheca team made it all the more readable--and in some cases, all the more accurate. Brilliant work!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the presentation. It is beautiful and so easy to read. I'm experiencing the Bible in whole new way. I gave it 4 stars, though, because it really bothers me that interpreters insist on using "J" rather "Y" in their translations. There is no "J" in Hebrew so if you can write YHWH consistently then why can you not write Yerushalem or Yonah?

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read through the Bible in several other translations and am really enjoying how the design on Bibliotheca (no chapter or verse numbers) to make it more like other works of literature changes the reading experience. The type and translation work to make for a different reading experience that is engaging.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean, clear, and crisp reading ahead. At first, I thought I'd be annoyed with the lack of chapters and verses; however, this edition allows me to fully engage with the book without distractions. If I were looking to study I'd go elsewhere, but for pure reading it is a joy.

[Caleb Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great translation but the binding was lovely.