The Twenty-four Books of the Holy Scriptures

Bible Abbreviation:  Leeser
ISBN:  n/a
Publisher:  London: Trubner and Company
Publication Date: 1857
Pages: 1255
Binding:  Hardback in leather
Size: 3.75” x 5.75” x 2”

Features: The volume begins with a section called Advertisement to the London Edition but which would now probably be call a Forward.  This is followed by a Preface and another section called General Remarks which explains how to use the volume.  The books of the Bible are not in the protestant order but rather in the traditional Jewish order of three sections: Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Kethuvim (Writings). The scriptures are presented in two columns.  There are headings for each book but it is totally without chapter headings, cross references, footnotes, maps, concordance or dictionary.  At the back of the book is a section titled “Notes”.  It contains fifty paragraphs of varying lengths containing explanatory comments.  The first one reads:

1. Gen.1.26. “Let us make,” &c. This phrase is employed here, as in other places, to express the purpose of the Deity to effect his will.  This construction is called “the plural of majesty.”

The boards and spine are separated from the book itself and from each other at the hinges. One of the boards is missing entirely.  The leather covering the spine and remaining board is in fragile condition.  Taken all together, it may prove difficult to effect a proper restoration using them.  On the other hand, the book itself is remarkably well preserved.  The binding is tight.  All the end papers are intact.  Even the gilt edges are well preserved and still shine with only a few mars confined to the top edge.  It is as though the book itself was purchased, placed on a shelf and forgotten.  Somehow only the hinges of the binding were negatively affected.  I count myself most fortunate to have acquired such a rare book in such remarkably good condition.

Comments and Observations: More than any other individual of his time, Isaac Leeser (1806-1868) made the United States a major center of Judaism. Almost single-handedly Leeser provided the basic religious texts, educational institutions, and publishing enterprises on which to construct the cultural foundation of what is now the largest Jewish community, not only in the world, but in the history of the Jewish people.  

Leeser was educated at the gymnasium of Münster and was thoroughly conversant in Latin, German, and Hebrew.  He was just seventeen years old when he immigrated to the United States.  He was unable to continue with his education due to conditions beyond his control.  In order to increase his knowledge and understanding, he volunteered to assist the hazzan (the congregation’s singer/assistant Rabbi) of his congregation in teaching religion.  He also eloquently defended Judaism in the public press when it was attacked.  One of his articles attracted the attention of Congregation Mikveh Israel and he was asked to become the congregation’s hazzan.

 
Leeser was a guiding influence of most Jewish activities in 19^th century America.  He was the provost of the first Jewish seminary, Maimonides College.   Leeser's monthly magazine, The Occident and American Jewish Advocate was America’s first Jewish publication.  He founded the first Jewish Publication Society which is unrelated to today’s institution by the same name. He was the author of many books and the publisher of many more.  The Leeser Bible is not well known at the moment, but in its day it was the authorized version for English-speaking Jews around the world.

Old Testament Comparative Verse: Psalms 23:1-6.

1  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2  In pastures of tender grass he causeth me to lie down: beside still waters he leadeth me.

3  My soul he refresheth: he guideth me in the tracks of righteousness for the sake of his name.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff—they indeed comfort me.

5  Thou preparest before me a table in the presence of my assailants; thou anointest with oil my head: my cup overfloweth.

6  Surely, only goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord to the utmost length of days.

 
New Testament Comparative Verse: N/A
 
Strengths & Weaknesses:  I have had this Bible too short a period of time to give it a thorough examination so I do not have any strengths or weaknesses to discuss, per se.  It is obviously based on the King James Version though it updates the text somewhat.  For example it keeps the formal “thou”, “thee”, “thine” and “thy” type pronouns but changes “spake” to “spoke”.  Most of the changes seem to be in word order.  One final note.  There is something about this volume, that when I touch it, it causes me to feel reverential; that it is special.  Weird I know but still ... this is one cool Bible.