Why is the Douay-Rheims so different?

[texasag7599]

I just bought a Douay-Rheims Bible and I have already fallen in love with it. My question is why are there such vast differences in the names of books as compared to the RSV and the NAB? I also already noticed a huge difference in the book of Tobit. I know it was the first English Bible and all but I guess my question is why were the newer versions changed so much?

I’m a convert and I used to use the King James as a Baptist. It just seems like the KJ and the DR are more Bible than book.

 

[JaMc]

The Douay version uses the Greek names for the books, while the RSV, KJV (and most other versions) use the Hebrew names. Also, the Psalms in the Douay versions are numbered differently as well.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I know it was the first English Bible and all but I guess my question is why were the newer versions changed so much?

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**The DR was not the first English Bible. There were several translations before it, notably Tyndale’s and Wycliffe’s.

However, it DOES predate the KJV, and is one of the “former translations” that the KJV translators “diligently compared” their work with.**

 

[m134e5]

I just bought a Douay-Rheims Bible and I have already fallen in love with it. My question is why are there such vast differences in the names of books as compared to the RSV and the NAB? I also already noticed a huge difference in the book of Tobit. I know it was the first English Bible and all but I guess my question is why were the newer versions changed so much?

I’m a convert and I used to use the King James as a Baptist. It just seems like the KJ and the DR are more Bible than book.

I’ve never been much of a Bible-reader, but I agree with you- the KJV and DR seem more Bible than book. It uses more traditional language, and we can imagine it being read with a “proper” English accent in an an ancient castle somewhere. It has sort of a romantic quality to it almost. Sometimes, however, I find the language so archaic about all I get from it is a laugh (Luke 11:27, for example). I spent a few years trying to find a good bible. The NAB was terrible, and I wasn’t a protestant- so I didn’t want a protestant bible. I decided on the RSV-CE. It uses more proper language- so I am always reminded that I’m reading something important…but I don’t feel like I’m at a Renaissance festival whenever I read it either. I can see how someone who was attached to the King James version would really appreciate the Douay-Rheims version- and I wish it were easier to get, for their sake.