What Books Are Included in the Geneva Bible?

The Geneva Bible holds a significant place in the history of Bible translations.

Originating in the 16th century, it was one of the earliest English translations and profoundly influenced later versions, including the King James Version.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive list of the books included in the Geneva Bible, offering insights into its unique composition.

Understanding what books are part of this historical text can shed light on its impact and its differences from other Bible versions.

Old Testament Books in the Geneva Bible

The Old Testament of the Geneva Bible consists of the same 39 books that are found in most Protestant Bibles today.

These books are divided into several categories: the Torah (or Pentateuch), the Historical Books, the Wisdom Books, and the Prophets.

The Torah or Pentateuch:

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

Historical Books:

• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• 1 Samuel
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings
• 2 Kings
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther

Wisdom Books:

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon

Major Prophets:

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel

Minor Prophets:

• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi

It is important to note that the Geneva Bible includes the same books in the Old Testament as other Protestant Bibles, but the arrangement and division of the books may vary slightly in different editions.

Apocryphal Books in the Translation

The Geneva Bible also contains a section known as the Apocrypha, which is a collection of books not found in the Hebrew Bible but included in some Christian traditions.

These books are often considered valuable for historical and cultural understanding but are not universally accepted as authoritative scripture.

Historical and Narrative Texts

• Tobit
• Judith
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch
• 1 Maccabees
• 2 Maccabees

Additions to Existing Books

• Additions to Esther
• Prayer of Azariah
• Susanna
• Bel and the Dragon

Prophetic and Poetic Texts

• Prayer of Manasseh
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

While these books are included in the Geneva Bible, they are often separated from the Old and New Testaments to indicate their distinct status.

Some Protestant denominations refer to these books when studying historical context but do not use them for doctrine or practice.

New Testament Books in the Geneva Bible

The New Testament in the Geneva Bible is made up of 27 books, which are the same as those found in most other Christian Bibles.

These books are divided into various categories based on their content and purpose.

Gospels

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

Acts

• Acts of the Apostles

Letters of Paul

• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon

General Epistles

• Hebrews
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude

Apocalyptic Literature

• Revelation

These books form the core of the New Testament and are used for various purposes including teaching, historical accounts, and ethical guidance.

They are considered authoritative and are widely studied and cited.

Annotations and Marginal Notes

One of the standout features of the Geneva Bible is its extensive use of annotations and marginal notes.

These notes serve multiple functions, such as clarifying the text, providing historical context, and offering interpretations.

Unlike many other Bible versions, the Geneva Bible was one of the first to include such comprehensive notes directly on the page, adjacent to the relevant verses.

Clarification

• The notes often provide definitions or explanations for words or phrases that might be unclear to the reader.

Historical Context

• These notes offer background information that helps the reader understand the setting and circumstances in which the text was written.

Interpretation

• Some notes aim to explain the meaning or significance of a particular passage, often drawing from scholarly perspectives of the time.

The presence of these annotations made the Geneva Bible a popular choice for study and discussion, as it provided readers with additional layers of understanding.

It also set a precedent for future Bible editions to include similar features.

Comparison with Other Versions

When it comes to comparing the Geneva Bible with other versions, several key differences stand out.

These differences often relate to the text itself, the annotations, and the overall approach to translation.

Textual Accuracy

• The Geneva Bible is known for its meticulous attention to detail in translation, often favoring a word-for-word approach. This contrasts with some modern versions that opt for a thought-for-thought translation.

Annotations

• As previously mentioned, the Geneva Bible was groundbreaking in its use of annotations and marginal notes. While other versions like the King James Version also have annotations, they are generally less extensive.

Language and Style

• The Geneva Bible uses Elizabethan English, which, while archaic to modern readers, was contemporary at the time of its publication. Newer versions often use modern English to make the text more accessible.

Availability

• The Geneva Bible was one of the first Bibles to be printed in mass quantities, making it more accessible to the general public. This set the stage for future versions to be widely distributed as well.

Target Audience

• The Geneva Bible was initially intended for a broad audience and was not commissioned by any governing body. This is in contrast to versions like the King James, which was commissioned by the monarchy.