[B-Greek] N-A 21 vs. N-A 26/27

Larry Overton lgo at larryoverton.com
Fri Sep 9 13:14:34 EDT 2005


I find the timing of this thread to be serendipitous. Through the years, I 
have had copies of the UBS texts, but my only print copy of NA was the 21st 
edition, found in a second hand bookstore years ago. I had NA27 in my copy 
of BibleWorks 4, which I purchased six years ago. Of course, the electronic 
version of NA27 does not have the critical apparatus. I recently decided to 
purchase a copy of NA27.

In my search, I accessed the ABS web page advertising the very edition Eric 
mentioned: ABS Catalog item #112823, ISBN 3-43805-100-1, the "Nestle-Aland 
Greek NT 27th edition, 8th corrected edition with papyri 99-116", $29.00 for 
1 Copy.

<< Catalog #112823
ISBN 3-43805-100-1
NESTLE-ALAND GREEK NT 27th EDITION - 8th CORRECTED EDITION W/ PAPYRI 
99-116 - (An update to ABS Item # 105388) Four-color maps on the front and 
back inside covers of "Palestine in Old Testament Times", "Palestine in New 
Testament Times", "The Ancient Near East", and "The Journeys of the Apostle 
Paul". Includes gold ribbon marker, key to sigla as a separate insert for 
easy reference. Page count 826. (5 3/8 x 7 3/8)
http://www.bibles.com/product_detail.asp?CatalogName=ABS%5FNEW&CategoryName=Nestle%2DAland+Greek+New+Testament+Texts&ProductID=112823&ProductVariantID=112823&crumb=ScholarlyResources%7CNestle%2DAland+Greek+New+Testament+Texts%7C&Page=1 
 >>

However, since the item description on that web page did not explicitly 
mention the critical apparatus, I wrote to ABS, asking for a confirmation of 
certain details before I made the purchase. Specifically, I asked if the 
edition in question contained the critical apparatus. The anonymous reply I 
received just this morning said in part:

<< Actually, this would be the addition [sic] that would contain the 
critical apparatus: Nestle-Aland Greek-English New Testament Revised 
Printing with Papyri 98-116 (an update to ABS Item#105516). Catalog #112846, 
ISBN 3-438-05408-6. $42.00 for 1 Copy. GREEK-ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT - REVISED 
W/ PAPYRI - The Greek Nestle-Aland, 27th edition, with English text from the 
Revised Standard Version, 2nd edition, on facing pages. A critical apparatus 
for the English text gives significant variants in the AV, RV and RSV. GBS, 
Stuttgart, 8th revised edition, 1994... >>

I replied to this email by saying that I had no interest in a Greek-English 
edition. I then restated my original question, just in case I had not 
expressed myself clearly and/or I had misunderstood his/her reply. I asked 
specifically:

<<  I first inquired about ABS Catalog item #112823, ISBN 3-43805-100-1, the 
"Nestle-Aland Greek NT 27th edition, 8th corrected edition with papyri 
99-116." I wanted to know if it had the critical apparatus for which the 
NA27 is so famous. By "critical apparatus," I am referring to the footnotes 
at the bottom of each page containing symbols and abbreviations indicating 
the textual variants, the alternate Greek wording for the reading in the 
text. I understood your reply to my query to say that ABS Catalog item 
#112823 (ISBN 3-43805-100-1) does *not* have this feature. Have I understood 
you correctly?  >>

I sent that email just before checking posts to B-Greek, so of course I have 
received no reply as yet. When I hear back from ABS, I will post again.

Larry G. Overton


 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Weiss" <papaweiss1 at yahoo.com>
To: "b-greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 8:27 AM
Subject: [B-Greek] N-A 21 vs. N-A 26/27


> Price comparison:
>
> N-A 27 - 8th corrected with papyri 99-116
> Catalog #112823
> ISBN 3-43805-100-1
>
> is $29.00 for 1 Copy at http://www.bibles.com (American Bible Society, the
> publisher/distributor).
>
> The Wal-Mart price is $25.01 (but shows a "retail" price of $36.99; that 
> may have been before
> American Bible Society had a price markdown). Others, like Barnes & Noble, 
> want $65.95 for
> the same ISBN (yikes!).
>
> To pay an additional $60 for the "dictionary" seems absurd, though, in my 
> opinion ($89.99 at
> American Bible Society), unless it's perhaps a larger-size/print edition 
> (which it does NOT
> appear to be).
>
> One other thing, though. If portability is the criteria, and 
> latest-textual-apparatus is not, then
> finding a used leatherbound (or even hardbound) N-A 26 is something work 
> looking for. It fits in
> the back pocket of Lee's jeans, and I can thus conveniently take it with 
> me nearly everywhere.
> (Lee's used to advertise how one can carry a Coke/soda can in the back 
> pocket, and as far as
> I know, they are the only major brand that can do this.) N-A 27 is larger 
> and doesn't fit in
> anyone's pants pockets. ("Have Bible, Will Travel")
>
>
>
>
>
> Eric S. Weiss 




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