The "Oxford Companion to the Bible" examines areas such as Karl Marx's and Sigmund Freud's biblical connections and "curious Bibles," a section written by Metzger.Īmong oddities such as an alphabetical Bible and one written in verse "for the benefit of weak memories," Metzger describes versions whose notoriety stems from typographical errors.Īmong them is a 17th Century London text that became known as the "Adulterous Bible." Because the word "not" was omitted in error, the Seventh of the Ten Commandments in Exodus Chapter 20 reads, "Thou shalt commit adultery." Dating back to the 1930s, there have been "Oxford Companions" to a wide range of subjects.
The effort is the latest in a series of reference books published by Oxford University Press in New York. Metzger has since led the writing-editing team of the New Revised Standard Version.Īnd for the last nine years, he has been co-editing the "Oxford Companion to the Bible" with Michael Coogan, professor of religion at Stonehill College. He and fellow scholars had an audience with Pope Paul VI, to whom they presented their Revised Standard Version of the Bible in 1977. He has lectured at 130 colleges, seminaries and universities on five continents. "The Bible is the least-read best seller in the world." Was there not a sin offering at the door? Why not bring that being a sinner? If he had no sin offering in his hand, by which he could be accepted, his sin remained.In a recent interview, Metzger proudly noted that various translations have made the Bible accessible to "85 percent of the people in the world." Having said that, however, he offered a severe appraisal of its popularity: It could not be overlooked by the LORD and this He points out to Cain. Cain's fruit, however good of its kind, could not meet and settle the question of sin and this was ignored in the offering that he brought: his state as a sinner was not taken into account by himself. The LORD points out to him that a “sin offering” was required.
Was Cain to go and try again by his toil (the sweat of his brow) to produce a better sample? Certainly not. But what was doing well? Did the LORD mean that the fruit which Cain had brought was inferior in quality and thus disqualified.
“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” And who was to judge of this? The LORD or Cain? Surely the LORD, as it is written: “Let God be true, and every man a liar, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged” ( Rom. 3:4 4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. It was simply a question of what was right or wrong. The LORD gently expostulates with him asking why he was angry, and why his countenance was fallen. His disappointment was such, that his countenance fell, and himself was very angry with the LORD. Why could not the Loan accept it? Doubtless it was of the very best, and it seemed hard to Cain that the LORD had not respect to his fruit. (Genesis 4:3)) “In process of time, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground, an offering unto the LORD.” The firstborn of sinful parents, grown up to manhood, comes before the LORD with his offering, but was grievously disappointed when “The LORD had not respect to his offering.” Why was this? Cain had tilled the ground, and brings the fruit of it as an offering to the LORD. So we read ( Gen. 4:3 3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. For sin God drove the man outside the garden which the “Lord God had planted” for him, when all came from His hand” very good.” Although justly turned outside into a world where toil and sorrow were found in consequence of sin, God did not refuse intercourse with man-nay, He desired it as is proved by His seeking Adam, who was hidden away from Him amidst the trees of the garden. It was then by bringing in his hand an acceptable offering and it is here most clearly solved and very early in man's history. The question, how a sinner can approach to a holy God, is all-important.