User:Amereservant/CompanionBible/Preface

= PREFACE = PREFACE.

THE COMPANION BIBLE is a new Edition of the English Bible. Published originally in six Parts, is now presented in one Volume, and the description which follows shows that the Work is a self-explanatory Bible design for the general use of all English readers throughout the world. It has an amount of information (much of it hitherto inaccessible to the original English reader) in its white margins not to be found in any addition of the A.V. extant. Its position, and these respects, is unique. In size and weight, and type and paper, as well as price, it will compare favorably with all existing editions. It is called THE COMPANION BIBLE because it's wide margin is intended to be a Companion to the Text; and the whole is designed as the Companion of all readers of the Bible. The human element is excluded, as far as possible, so that the reader may realize that the pervading object of the book is not merely to enable him to interpret the Bible, but to make the Bible the interpreter of God's Word, and Will, to him. Do the same in this Edition is not associated with the name of any man; so 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. It is NOT A NEW Translation. It is NOT AN AMENDED Translation. It is NOT A COMMENTARY.

THE TEXT. The Text is that of the Authorized Version of 1611 has published by the Revisers in their "Parallel Bible" in 1886. There are NO ALTERATIONS in the Text beyond what can be effected by a variation in the character of the TYPE. Hence, there is nothing that affects the ear when reading it aloud; but only that which meets the eye in order to call attention to important facts and truths. All ancient ratings and new and amended renderings are confined to the margin; which, for this purpose, extends to one half the width of the page. There are no minute English or Greek "superior" letters to confuse the Text; or to perplex the reader when searching for the corresponding number or letter in the margin.

THE TYPES EMPLOYED IN THE TEXT. 1. These distinguish ALL the Divine Names and Titles. (See Appendix 4.) 2. All pronouns used. 3. The pronouns, &c., emphasized in the Original art and special type. 4. Attention is given to the capital and small letters in other cases where they affect interpretation. 5. The words spoken or cited are placed within quotation marks. 6. Where the Hebrew Text is written in separate lines, these lines are preserved by being presented in the same way in the present Edition. 7. In the Book of Psalms, the Titles will be printed so as to present the super-scriptions and sub-scriptions as broad to light and demonstrated by Dr. J. W. Thirtle. 8. In the New Testament, all quotations from the Old Testament will also be specially indicated. 9. Proper Names with their pronunciation, &c., Are included in a special Appendix, No. 52. The chapters and verses of the authorized version are retained; but spaces are introduced to mark them off into paragraphs; so that the advantages of both Verses and Paragraphs are retained. These paragraphs are not divided according to the usual Paragraphs Bibles, but according to the Structure, which are given in the right-hand margin; while the corresponding Index-letters are repeated in the left-hand margin, by the side of the Text with the number of the page where they may be found, so that the subjects of the various Paragraphs (or Members) may be seen at a glance, and be intelligently followed. The other figures in the left-hand margin are the B.C. dates.

THE MARGIN. A small circle (°) against a word or words in the Text calls attention to this same word or words which are REPEATED in the right-hand margin, with the number of the verse to which they belong. In order to save repetition, and economize valuable space in the margin, words in the Text on which a note has already been given in a preceding verse in the same chapter, and to which the same note applies, are marked with the number of the verse in which such note is given. When these words are Referred to there will be found no "views" expressed, but only facts which are incontrovertible, and information which is indispensable. Where references are given, these are not merely to PARALLEL PASSAGES, or to the same ENGLISH words, which are often as unnecessary as they are misleading; but only to those passages which explain the words in the Original, and which throw light upon their truth and teaching. If an amended rendering is suggested in the margin, and several references follow, then the reader knows that he has before him ALL the occurrences of such words in the Original. Where there is "&c." at the end of such references, then he will know that the Hebrew or Greek word in question occurs to many times for all the passages to be given; but that a sufficient number is selected as evidence in favor of such amended rendering. Thus the reader will be able to judge for himself as to the accuracy of what is suggested: and the Bible becomes its own interpreter.

THE MARGINAL NOTES. 1. In the OLD TESTAMENT all the important readings will be given ¹ according to Dr. C. D. Ginsburg's Massoretico-Critical Text of the Hebrew Bible ². 2. In the NEW TESTAMENT all the important readings will be given according to the evidence of the great textual critics, Griesbach, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, Westcott and Hort, and the Reviser's Greek Text. 3. There are no words and Hebrew or Greek characters to burden our hinder the English reader. But a complete system of Transliteration, generally approved by Oriental Scholars, will enable him readily to put back all such words into the Original characters with ease and accuracy. The Hebrew words are given not in the Inflection found in the Text, but in the root-form in which they will be looked for in Lexicons. 4. All important emendations are given -- (a) Whether required by the above readings, (b) Are demanded for the sake of uniformity in translation, (c) Or, where the current renderings are inadequate and open to amendment ³: not otherwise, or merely for the sake of giving an alternative. 5. The facts and phenomena treasured up in letter Massōrah or forward the first time presented in connection with the A. V. ² (See Appendix 30). 6. All Figures of Speech are noted, and their bearing on interpretation ¹. These are the Holy Spirit's own markings, calling attention to what is emphatic, and worthy of our deepest attention (see Appendix 6). 7. The spiritual significance of Numbers is pointed out ¹ (see Appendix 10). 8. The principle synonymous words in the Original are distinguished, especially those bearing on sin, atonement, and psychology. 9. The first occurrences of important words and expressions are duly noted ¹. 10. The most recent Archaeological discoveries in Assyria, Egypt, &c., are included. 11. Eastern manners and customs are explained, as they throw light on the Scriptures. 12. The meanings of Proper Names of persons or places or given where these are suggestive. 13. Money and Coins, Weights and Measures, are referred in every case to Appendix 51. 14. Chronology is dealt with on Biblical lines, which proceed on durations rather than dates. These are adhered to pass given in the Bible itself, and are not adapted are made to conform to any system. This transforms a dry study into a subject of deepest interest. The various Charts and Tables are given in Appendix 50. 15. The Structures of the Books are given, and all their parts: which are the surest guide to their interpretation, and the strongest proof of their inspiration ¹. The marginal notes do not record every POSSIBLE Reading or Emendation, as these would only load the pages with a mass of needless matter. Only those new readings and renderings are given which will remove difficulties from the Text, enlightened the eyes, inform the mind, affect the conscience, instruct the head, and influence the life. Several of the above points are, for the first time, placed within the reach of the ordinary English reader.