The Cambridge ESV Apocrypha

A review of the Cambridge English Standard Version (ESV) Apocrypha, ISBN 9781108842020.

This volume is a sewn hardback containing Tobit, Judith, Esther with additions, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, The Prayer of Azariah and the Sond of the Three Young Men, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, The Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151, 3 Maccabees, 2 Esdras, and 4 Maccabees.

The ESV Apocrypha is a slender volume, 9 5/16 x 6 1/4 x 0.72 inches in dimensions. The text block is sewn. The text is laid out in two columns. Prose is organized into paragraphs, while poetic sections are formatted accordingly. The margins are narrow.

There are no references. Text and translation notes are in a 7.5 point font and placed at the bottom of the page.

The text itself is in an 9.5 point Minion font. It is neither bold nor fine. Line spacing is 10.5 points. It is usually line-matched.

The ~76 grams per square meter (gsm) paper is relatively opaque. It is nearly matte. Show-through is not distracting, and there is no annoying paper sheen.

A few low-detail, black-and-white maps related to the Apocrypha appear at the back of the volume. They are printed on the same paper used for the rest of the volume.

There is no concordance.

This volume is an illustrated brown hardback without ribbon markers. It does not lie open near the boards. Since the inner margin is narrow, the text tends to drop away from the eye into the gutter.

The English Standard Version is a mild revision of the Revised Standard Version of 1971.

Contents

00:00 Introduction
01:11 Page layout
05:35 The print (darkness, variation in darkness, font)
07:04 Paper qualities
08:06 Maps, head and tail bands, sewn binding
10:53 Information on the back
11:54 Copyright and contents pages
13:37 Font comparisons
18:53 Summary

[RGrantJones]

Update: I pressed each page in this volume flat using a bone folder, working first back to front, then front to back. It now lies open and very nearly flat. As far as I can tell, the procedure didn't damage the binding.

[larrym.johnson]

Wisdom of Sirach is one of my favorite books Along with the book of Genesis and Psalms in my Bible.

[rachelkarslake]

Thank you! I have always appreciated your thorough reviews. This series has been quite helpful to me. I am looking to purchase a stand-alone Apocrypha for a gift this year for one of my friends. Although this one would not be the best fit for her, I do think I will purchase a copy for my borther-in-law, who uses the ESV exclusively.

[erikafels]

I have ordered this copy and should arrive soon. I use my ESV Pew and Worship Bible, large print with the Lutheran Bible companion set from Concordia which also has notes on the apocrypha. So, I think this will go well with the Bible companion set. The Bible companion set gives enough information about the apocrypha without burdening you will too much detail which allows for good free reading of the Bible and the apocrypha. I will leave the extensive detail to younger people.

[joabthejavelin]

I got the ESV Diadem in hardback and I liked it so much that I also just got it a few days ago in calfskin. Thank you for the reviews.

[allancarmichael]

Any chance of you ever reviewing the Baronius Vulgate/Challoner Bible? It's one of a few I have had my eye on, but never pull the trigger on.

[krzysztofpocian]

Hi!
I've a question about the @Esdras chapter 7! How many verses have Cambridge English Standard Version (ESV) Apocrypha & Cambridge Diadem English Standard Version (ESV) Reference Bible, with the Apocrypha 70 or 140???

[williamearle]

Could you tell us if there were any differences in Tobit between this and the ESV-CE? Now ya got me wondering if the recent standalone 9.5 font no-notes ed of the ESV Bible with Apocrypha might lie flatter, or have other advantages beyond being integrated, as well as what other strengths & weaknesses it might have in comparison to the standalone. From an unthorough review online it looks like the integrated version might not include the intro to the apocrypha, but I think that is included in the Diadem from what I remember of your review.

[allwillberevealed]

Does this have 2nd Esdras Chapter 7, verses 70-140?

[ConciseCabbage]

It doesn’t include Enoch?? Big missed opportunity there.

[ettoredipugnar]

I have a 20 yr old print of a Cambridge Apocrypha

[hassanmirza]

I have read apocrypha. The only scripture-like books in 18 books of apocrypha are Wisdom and Sirach. They are not written by the prophets though. Rest are semi historical and fictional books, which are Jewish nationalistic literature and pious folklore. I think books called Esdras were written by Christians and not Jews because they mention the Holy Spirit.

[timotheospetros]

To label the the seven deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament 'apocrypha' is not just false marketing, it is a very grave sin against Almighty God and His Holy Church. St John's warning at the end of his Apocalypse can be understood to apply to all of canonical Scripture:
_"If anyone cuts anything out of the prophecies in this book, God will cut off his share of the tree of life and of the holy city, which are described in the book."_
No one goes to Heaven who does not accept ALL the books of canonical Scripture.