What do you think?
Rate this book
The Companion Bible
E. W. Bullinger's exhaustively researched study Bible
A direct descendant of the great Swiss reformer, Johann H. Bullinger, E. W. Bullinger was a life-long scholar and writer. He studied at King's College, London, from 1860 through 1861 and was ordained in the Church of England in 1862. In 1867 he was appointed to the position of clerical secretary for the Trinitarian Bible Society, a post he would hold until his death.
The Companion Bible by Bullinger was released in six parts, beginning in 1910, and Bullinger's identity as author of the notes and editor was purposely left off the title page. The introduction
"To the same end this Bible is not associated with the name of any man; so that its usefulness may neither be influenced nor limited by any such consideration; but that it may commend itself, on its own merits, to the whole English-speaking race."
The text of The Companion Bible is the Authorized Version (KJV). Bullinger's notes relied upon many sources from the biblical studies of that era, particularly the emerging archaeological and linguistic discoveries of the late 19th century.
Notes within the text of this 2,176 page, one-volume study Bible give valuable insights into the original Greek and Hebrew languages. Alternate translations, explanations of figures of speech, cross-references and an introductory detailed outline of each book and chapter are among the many features which Bible students, pastors, and seminarians will find helpful.
Study helps in The Companion Bible
A direct descendant of the great Swiss reformer, Johann H. Bullinger, E. W. Bullinger was a life-long scholar and writer. He studied at King's College, London, from 1860 through 1861 and was ordained in the Church of England in 1862. In 1867 he was appointed to the position of clerical secretary for the Trinitarian Bible Society, a post he would hold until his death.
The Companion Bible by Bullinger was released in six parts, beginning in 1910, and Bullinger's identity as author of the notes and editor was purposely left off the title page. The introduction
"To the same end this Bible is not associated with the name of any man; so that its usefulness may neither be influenced nor limited by any such consideration; but that it may commend itself, on its own merits, to the whole English-speaking race."
The text of The Companion Bible is the Authorized Version (KJV). Bullinger's notes relied upon many sources from the biblical studies of that era, particularly the emerging archaeological and linguistic discoveries of the late 19th century.
Notes within the text of this 2,176 page, one-volume study Bible give valuable insights into the original Greek and Hebrew languages. Alternate translations, explanations of figures of speech, cross-references and an introductory detailed outline of each book and chapter are among the many features which Bible students, pastors, and seminarians will find helpful.
Study helps in The Companion Bible
2176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 1990
206 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
E.W. Bullinger
252 books39 followersE. W. (Ethelbert William) Bullinger was born in England. A direct dissent of Swiss reformer Johann Heinrich Bullinger, a covenant theologian, he was born and raised in a home strongly influenced by Wesleyan Methodist doctrine. An Anglican priest as well as secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society, he is primarily known as a theologian who published numerous books. He is most commonly known for The Companion Bible.
Some of his theology was and remains controversial, but there is no arguing that he had an in-depth knowledge of Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew. Some of his more popular books still in extant include his Figures of Speech Used in the Bible and Number in Scripture.
Some of his theology was and remains controversial, but there is no arguing that he had an in-depth knowledge of Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew. Some of his more popular books still in extant include his Figures of Speech Used in the Bible and Number in Scripture.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 12, 2007
I have learned so much from this english version because it refers back to the original hebrew and greek texts. It clarifies the meaning of certain words and phrases. It lets you know how the same verse was written in other texts such as the Septuagint among others. It has an appendix full of information that you cannot learn simply from reading the text. I study it almost daily and have learned more from my own study than any church ever taught me.
June 22, 2016
I love this study Bible. It offers a lot of information that is very helpful. I would have given it 5 stars were it not for a few of Bullinger's highly unconventional views. However, for a serious Bible student already grounded in sound doctrine, this Bible is a winner.
January 6, 2010
The Bible is the best book there is... and even though I've read it through many, many times, I find it can never be exhausted. I am always learning and growing through it. I especially recommend the Companion version as it contains wonderful side notes and appendices to help you understand as you read. This is especially helpful for those who are fairly new to reading the Bible.
January 23, 2008
I learned again this year the importance of reading even just a little of God’s Word everyday. It comforts me, lifts me up, is a way for me to send praises forth to the Lord, and most of all helps me understand Him better and draws me closer to my Maker.
December 6, 2013
One of the most valuable study tools around! Mr Bullinger is exhaustive in his appendices and research.
June 26, 2017
Great Knowledge
The Companion Bible is a wonderful tool to help anyone who wants to know the truth of God's Word. A must have!
The Companion Bible is a wonderful tool to help anyone who wants to know the truth of God's Word. A must have!
Read
July 17, 2009Don't be fooled by the title "The Companion" Bible. This King James, authorized 1611, version, is not a commentator Bible. The side margin gives in-dept understanding of the Hebrew and Greek language structure.
This version does NOT include comments/interpretation of the author (which I dislike with a passion).
But, don't stop there...look at the definition (of the Hebrew or Greek) word for yourself in the Strong's Concordance.
This version does NOT include comments/interpretation of the author (which I dislike with a passion).
But, don't stop there...look at the definition (of the Hebrew or Greek) word for yourself in the Strong's Concordance.
January 29, 2010
Graet Bible!
June 13, 2012
best Bible
May 9, 2025
One of the goofiest and most cringe-worthy collections of notes ever written for the Bible. Aside from the rather blatant "Bible codes" nonsense present in the book, as well as "soul sleep" stuff, Bullinger presents probably THE most "fringe" belief ever regarding the Gospels: that "fringe" belief being, that the four Gospels writers all recorded in chronological order rather than topical order, and therefore any events that might appear to be the same are actually different events, no matter how similar they are. Yes, you read that correctly. He actually DUPLICATES many events from the Gospels when putting together his personal timeline, which leads to absurdities such as:
- Jesus casting demons out of men who live in tombs in Gadara twice, and both times they go into pigs who throw themselves off a cliff
- Jesus raising a ruler's daughter from the dead and having his cloak touched by a woman who was bleeding for twelve years while he's on the way to raise the girl from the dead, twice!
- Jesus telling the Parable of the Sower twice ON THE SAME EXACT DAY! (I get that he repeated some of teachings more than once, but come on now! The same day?)
- Peter denying Jesus six times rather than three. Three before the rooster crows at all, three more before it crows again. I actually thought he might have something there with this one. But then it turned out, via his proposed timeline, that no single one of the four writers actually recorded all three of the denials that they were supposedly purporting to record. We'd expect Mark, being the only one to mention "before the rooster crows twice," to record specifically the final three denials, and Luke, who mentions "the rooster won't crow at all until you deny me three times," to record specifically the first three denials. But nope. Via Bullinger's proposed timeline, the Gospel writers were apparently high when they wrote about the denials, with Mark recording the second, fifth, and sixth, and Luke recording the second, fourth, and sixth, John recording the first, third, and sixth, etc. Apparently, only Bullinger's harmonization shows you what order the six denials were in. As if readers back when these were written would have had all four to examine at once.
- Four men being crucified with Jesus instead of just two.
-Four different signs being placed on Jesus' cross at different points of time during his Crucifixion.
I'm only scratching the surface. The entire timeline is full of absolutely absurd stuff like this, and why anybody ever took Bullinger's book seriously is beyond me. Yes, I get that Jesus did some things more than once. He definitely taught certain things more than once, and he probably cleansed the temple twice, so duplicating some of the events that might seem slightly different in the Gospels isn't all that absurd in concept. But to duplicate events to the extent that Bullinger did is just insane. Like, come on! You really expect me to believe that some of these events happened twice and played out in exactly the very same specific way. Like, there just happened to be two different women who were bleeding for twelve years who touched Jesus' cloak both times that he was traveling to raise a ruler's daughter from the dead, within probably only a few months at the very most? Like, you have just strained credibility at this point. All because "Oh, joy! Now my hypothesis that the Gospel writers all wrote chronologically rather than topically can be true!" Like, is that really even a good tradeoff?
Seriously, if you ever read this guy's notes, read them just for some nice laughs at how absurd they are. I'd rate this zero stars if I could.
- Jesus casting demons out of men who live in tombs in Gadara twice, and both times they go into pigs who throw themselves off a cliff
- Jesus raising a ruler's daughter from the dead and having his cloak touched by a woman who was bleeding for twelve years while he's on the way to raise the girl from the dead, twice!
- Jesus telling the Parable of the Sower twice ON THE SAME EXACT DAY! (I get that he repeated some of teachings more than once, but come on now! The same day?)
- Peter denying Jesus six times rather than three. Three before the rooster crows at all, three more before it crows again. I actually thought he might have something there with this one. But then it turned out, via his proposed timeline, that no single one of the four writers actually recorded all three of the denials that they were supposedly purporting to record. We'd expect Mark, being the only one to mention "before the rooster crows twice," to record specifically the final three denials, and Luke, who mentions "the rooster won't crow at all until you deny me three times," to record specifically the first three denials. But nope. Via Bullinger's proposed timeline, the Gospel writers were apparently high when they wrote about the denials, with Mark recording the second, fifth, and sixth, and Luke recording the second, fourth, and sixth, John recording the first, third, and sixth, etc. Apparently, only Bullinger's harmonization shows you what order the six denials were in. As if readers back when these were written would have had all four to examine at once.
- Four men being crucified with Jesus instead of just two.
-Four different signs being placed on Jesus' cross at different points of time during his Crucifixion.
I'm only scratching the surface. The entire timeline is full of absolutely absurd stuff like this, and why anybody ever took Bullinger's book seriously is beyond me. Yes, I get that Jesus did some things more than once. He definitely taught certain things more than once, and he probably cleansed the temple twice, so duplicating some of the events that might seem slightly different in the Gospels isn't all that absurd in concept. But to duplicate events to the extent that Bullinger did is just insane. Like, come on! You really expect me to believe that some of these events happened twice and played out in exactly the very same specific way. Like, there just happened to be two different women who were bleeding for twelve years who touched Jesus' cloak both times that he was traveling to raise a ruler's daughter from the dead, within probably only a few months at the very most? Like, you have just strained credibility at this point. All because "Oh, joy! Now my hypothesis that the Gospel writers all wrote chronologically rather than topically can be true!" Like, is that really even a good tradeoff?
Seriously, if you ever read this guy's notes, read them just for some nice laughs at how absurd they are. I'd rate this zero stars if I could.
December 13, 2022
I started my journey through the word of God by way of His Son Jesus Christ the Logos. The only!!! Way to God and His plan of salvation is through the living word. I did not want to be deceived by man so I did a lot of praying and Shepherds Chapel came on t. v. One day and totally got my attention. They where simply reading the Companion bible with there students and explaining along the way just how to study to show yourself approved before God. Well I wanted to know everything so I ordered the bible along with the strongs exhausted concordance ( they go hand in hand) I started studying with the chapel up to 4 hrs a day, I could not believe how stupid I was bf Christ truly came into my life and opened my eyes to see and my ears to hear HIS VOICE!. A treasure of a book and the last one you'll ever need. Everything else is junk! This book is the real deal!!! 🙏
June 28, 2019
This review is for the 'companion' part, Bullinger's part, not the Bible part.
His notes are very meticulous and totally unhelpful, unless you want someone defiantly attacking evolution and hysterically defending inerrancy. Or if you want every single list in the Bible to be tagged with the figure polysyndeton or asyndeton, with the bizarre conclusion that both types of lists are somehow emphatic. Or if you want examples of people shoving and bullying a text they profess to believe is inspired, because it doesn't appear to agree with what they think it says (1 Corinthians 15:29, for instance, means precisely the opposite of what it sure looks like it means, because Bullinger says so).
Or if you want lots and lots of appendices!
His notes are very meticulous and totally unhelpful, unless you want someone defiantly attacking evolution and hysterically defending inerrancy. Or if you want every single list in the Bible to be tagged with the figure polysyndeton or asyndeton, with the bizarre conclusion that both types of lists are somehow emphatic. Or if you want examples of people shoving and bullying a text they profess to believe is inspired, because it doesn't appear to agree with what they think it says (1 Corinthians 15:29, for instance, means precisely the opposite of what it sure looks like it means, because Bullinger says so).
Or if you want lots and lots of appendices!
November 13, 2022
This Bible is fantastic and Bullinger’s appendixes break down the language barriers and help clarify what the authors where trying to relay to the readers. Anyone who says otherwise simply doesn’t know how to use this Bible or are bias in their own interpretations that Bullinger’s research contradicts.
September 14, 2017
This is phenomenal if used right. It's detail on the original languages is it's best feature.
However, the overbearing (arrogant?) commentary can often be distracting if not taken with a grain of salt. Which is a shame because there is often great insight.
Eat the meat, spit out the bones.
However, the overbearing (arrogant?) commentary can often be distracting if not taken with a grain of salt. Which is a shame because there is often great insight.
Eat the meat, spit out the bones.
April 14, 2021
A great body of work. This is a great tool I recommend all Bible students must have. The Companion Bible is truly that, a companion to the Bible. With an appendix in the back, it is a wealth of information.
December 7, 2022
In Jesus name Amen.
February 8, 2016
I read my Bible through every year :), but I especially like the Companion version. If you haven't heard of it, I think you should look into it! As always, I highly recommend reading through the Bible every year or even in a period of 6 months or less. It is well worth it and yes, somewhat challenging at times. Contains a total of 66 books- 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament
Update April 2011:
I finished The Bible on April 23rd.
With the 90 day plan, I should have finished on the 1st.
However, I slacked off (partially due to my illness in March) and ended up slowing digesting Revelations.
I think God knew I needed to take that book slowly. :) and not meeting my 90 day goal really didn't hurt me anyway.
If anything, it was defintely a humbling journey! I discovered a lot about myself and self-discipline (or lack therof)
It was indeed a spiritual learning experience for me. I found that putting God first in each day brought me closer to Him.
I discovered that reading half the passages in the morning and half in the evening was the best way for me to digest it all.
And ending my day with Bible reading was excellent!
Update April 2011:
I finished The Bible on April 23rd.
With the 90 day plan, I should have finished on the 1st.
However, I slacked off (partially due to my illness in March) and ended up slowing digesting Revelations.
I think God knew I needed to take that book slowly. :) and not meeting my 90 day goal really didn't hurt me anyway.
If anything, it was defintely a humbling journey! I discovered a lot about myself and self-discipline (or lack therof)
It was indeed a spiritual learning experience for me. I found that putting God first in each day brought me closer to Him.
I discovered that reading half the passages in the morning and half in the evening was the best way for me to digest it all.
And ending my day with Bible reading was excellent!
Read
October 5, 2015I have an regular size , indexed version that I like but, the print size is a problem so I ordered a Large Print version , unfortunately the large Version did not have an Index feature.
Other than that problem with Indexes and small print, I like the Companion Bible with the Appendices .
I have and in my right eye so I need larger print size. I would like to see Kreger offer the Appendices as an additional compatible book with the Companion in order to increase the print size.
The last item that would increase the value of the Companion Bible would be a Concordance like the KEY WORD Study Bible with the additional Appendices Book .
The Companion Bible is the best I have seen as I am very leery of these versions that have come out since the 1900'sbecause of tweaking.
Other than that problem with Indexes and small print, I like the Companion Bible with the Appendices .
I have and in my right eye so I need larger print size. I would like to see Kreger offer the Appendices as an additional compatible book with the Companion in order to increase the print size.
The last item that would increase the value of the Companion Bible would be a Concordance like the KEY WORD Study Bible with the additional Appendices Book .
The Companion Bible is the best I have seen as I am very leery of these versions that have come out since the 1900'sbecause of tweaking.
April 21, 2014
The only reason l give only 3 stars is because the print is so tiny.
I did buy the large print btw.
You are best of reading his Bible online.
I did buy the large print btw.
You are best of reading his Bible online.
November 10, 2014
KJV Bible with the best Appendix explaining the antharopolgy I have ever seen
Read
September 5, 2017Just got my new shiny KJV Bullinger. I really, really like it. Now I have the bigger Bullinger study bible. I will say that paper matters, the big study the paper is very light so the pages fold over all the time. The smaller "to go" that I just received has perfect paper for this size. It is easy to read, I can read it without putting the glasses on. The look and feel of this I believe it will get used a lot.
NOTE: for some of us that would like to put the european word for LORD to rest with ancient erroneous history. I know my prayer will be answered. The 19th century generation was known for there enthusiasm for the word. It would be great if this generation would finally undue what the kenite scribes did to the LORD's good name. Print a version of the KJV with His Hebrew Name the way the acrostic call for and see where it goes!
NOTE: for some of us that would like to put the european word for LORD to rest with ancient erroneous history. I know my prayer will be answered. The 19th century generation was known for there enthusiasm for the word. It would be great if this generation would finally undue what the kenite scribes did to the LORD's good name. Print a version of the KJV with His Hebrew Name the way the acrostic call for and see where it goes!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews