Reading the Bible

[NCearlymitford]

I'm reading the King James Bible, one book a month, but I'm finding it a bit hard going. Is there any guide I could get to help me with it?

When I first read Shakespeare, I looked at guides to get an idea of the plot, background and so on. That's the kind of thing I mean.

I'm not religious at all - I'm interested in the Bible's influence on literature and culture.

Thanks

Maybe try a children’s bible? It’ll give you the gist of the various stories.

I would change translation. The New American Standard Bible is the most accurate I believe, although others might correct me. Or you could go for a much simpler one like the Good News. It will be easier to make sense of than the KJV.

There are lots of commentaries online. I tend to just google ‘Matthew 6 meaning’ or whatever, and loads comes up.

Apologies if that’s not exactly what you’re asking! There are lots of books available that are commentaries for specific books of the Bible.. some more detailed than others. I guess it depends exactly the purpose you’re reading it for.

It will sound a bit crazy to you if you’re not religious, but I actually suggest asking God before you read it to show you what it’s about. It’s not going to cause any harm and who knows.

Sorry for the Canadian link
but this might be helpful
www.amazon.ca/New-Oxford-Annotated-Bible-Apocrypha/dp/0190276088/ref=asc_df_0190276088?mcid=df5a1b3354e83efcb057970852119015&tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706827905720&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10498485716399913863&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9208226&hvtargid=pla-524414522043&psc=1&hvocijid=10498485716399913863-0190276088-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1p

I agree with changing translations, KJV is great for poetics, but not for understanding the Bible. It's a revision of earlier English translations with particular choices made and between those political choices and archaic language, it's harder to understand. If really wanting to do KJV for the cultural history, you can buy or find online commentaries - the Oxford Bible Commentary is your best bet, I think.

As already recommended, the Oxford New Revised Standard Version with annotation is a great choice, though if I recall correctly, they are coming out with a New Revised Standard Updated Edition in May next year. There is debates on best translation - it depends on a lot of factors - but the link you've already been given is widely praised by people, and I know many who are looking forward to the updated version. I'd also recommend a Jewish Publication Society translation with annotations for those books to get a broader cultural understanding.

The kind of guide that focuses on understanding each book and the cultural influences do exist; however, are hard to find. The one I've used the most - The Bible and Its Influences - is a very American textbook (so primarily discusses US culture), aimed at older secondary age, and regularly goes out of print, I can online recommend it if you find a decently priced second hand copy and those parameters work for you. I've not yet found an accessible one that discusses culture more broadly than that, though there are academic journals on the topic that might be of interest.

The Bible Project - Bible project.com - is a good online resource. There's a brief video introduction to each book of the Bible, and a written guide too.

I agree with @JaneJeffer — the OP clearly wants to read the KJV for the poetic language. She just needs a guide to the stories.

Could you try the New King James Version? It aims to keep the language of the KJV while making it more accessible.
I find the lyricism of the The Jerusalem Bible beautiful, Tolkien was part of the editorial team.
For a plan and commentart then The Bible in One Year is useful. It is written by Nicky Gumbel who developed Alpha and also comes as an app.
Glad you have started on this journey and truly hoping it is beneficial for you

I'd recommend watching the Bible Project introduction to each book on YouTube before reading it.

I tried the Bible Project but found there was so much waffle. Are there any other Podcasts/ YouTube around. Currently working the Bible in a Year one ( episode 21) but finding that a bit dry too

Thanks everyone. I've read lots of early modern literature, so I don't have a problem with the language. It's a lot simpler than Shakespeare, for example. I'm just not usually sure what's going on.

My local bookshop has something called the 'Lion Bible Guide', or similar - no idea if it's any good.

If you are wedded to the Authorised Version and find it tedious, I suggest you read something more modern alongside. You could compare it to NIVA and The Message.

It's difficult to get a lot from the Bible if you are just reading it as a bunch of text. It is a living book, designed to be read in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Try https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Genesis.html you can put in each book you’re reading followed by summary and it will give you that - for every book of the Bible. There are thousands of questions answered on here so any questions fhat arise as you’re reading will be covered. Hope that helps. I also read the message version (simple direct message) alongside different versions to help me.

Ah, then you need to read the Lion Children's Bible. This is aimed at older primary level, and will give you an overview of the stories where there is action.

The language permeates so much literature and culture today, it's probably good to go for a translation you are enjoying but read something else alongside. Would agree the Bible project is helpful, also the Jesus Storybook bible is aimed at primary age but actually really helpful in tying the history back to Jesus. It helps to see the whole overarching narrative rather than getting bogged down in some of the harder to read books. It sounds like you are a curious person and you will be able to make lots of connections with other things you know in history, art and literature I'm sure.

I'm on and off listening to 'The Word of Promise ' audio bible, free with audible. For anyone who wants an easier way in. It's very engaging.

Resources already listed are good. But my big tip would be don’t start with the Old Testament. It’s dense and obscure and contains a lot of non-narrative sections. It’s Bronze Age mythology, law, poetry and history and that’s always going to be hard. Frankly, most of it is pretty boring too. I would rather do just about anything than read Numbers or Leviticus cover to cover.

I would strongly, strongly encourage you to start with the New Testament, especially the gospels, and then the major letters of Paul. That’s where most of the KJV language that has seeped into English idiom has come from anyway. You’ll probably also find they illuminate a lot of art and architecture you’ve seen, and a lot of cultural ideas that you didn’t realise were Christian.

As we are in Advent, don't miss the opportunity to experience Nine Lessons and Carols. The Nine Lessons take you through creation and prophesy to the incarnation of Jesus.

There is a modern English version called the Study Bible. I find it incredibly helpful because it has explanatory notes, and a bit of background (eg. X was in prison when he wrote this.) Sometimes the Bible can feel so confusing, as though you can't quite grasp what's going on, and the notes can really help add in the context.
Also, the books are not all written in chronological order. Sometimes characters quote or refer to a previous book so again, it's good to have the context. (Remember that Jesus and the people he was preaching to then only had the books of the old testament, or some of them, and he often quoted or referred to those books and the prophecies.)
I really don't think you can read one book at a time - you need to be referring back and forth. Finally, another reason for using modern English is that some word meanings have changed: eg. "suffer" can mean "allow", and "jealous" can mean protective rather than something negative. (Suffer the little children to come to me, etc.) Good luck!
I recently went to a course at my local church where a group of us went right through the Bible, from start to finish, following the prophecies. It was really interesting!

I'd recommend this if no-one else has yet. Made reading the Bible very accessible. Lots of secondhand copies around on eBay.

I found reading it chronologically sometimes helped with understanding it. I did switch to the NIV though.

Listening to a summary of the book on the Bible Project before reading it for context.

eSword app if you want to look up the original meanings of words /alternate translations.

Parts of it are pretty horrific...

Inspired by the new thread about church and AI, I went to ChatGPT and asked "explain the book of genesis". It gave a brilliant overview - dividing the book into various chunks. I tried this with a few other books and it was really helpful too, complete with maps. Try it.

Thanks. The man that plays Poirot (can’t remember his name sorry) has an audio book on Spotify of the entire bible. I don’t know if that any good to you but I prefer listening to it than reading it (although I fall asleep, it’s days long. ) Good luck x

Pleased to find your Thread OP, I have been dipping into The KJB for a while and I think I should organise myself to be more methodical. I am pleased to see the suggestions here.
The Good News Bible is the 'best seller' I have been told, and the language was old fashioned by the time it was printed. It is mainly Wm Tyndalls translation and he was executed by Henry VIII.

The first 1500 years of the Bible's influence on culture - all that art, all the stories. didn't come from the King James Version and didn't come from the post-Luther abridged Bible with various book dismissed as 'Aprocryphal'.

So I think you're trying to do two different things.

I suggest using a more modern translation, with notes and annotations, to get you through the meaning of the text (which isn't just 'stories', there is poetry, philosophy and other stuff there), and then a site that will give you KJV, Douay-Rheims, Coverdale and other translations that will bring out the language echoes that we still use.