The Social Universe of the English Bible
Scripture, Society, and Culture in Early Modern England

This book sheds light on the shaping of the English Bible and its impact on early modern English society and culture.

Naomi Tadmor (Author)

9780521769716, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 October 2010

226 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.5 kg

'Tadmor's book is a rarity among books on the English Bible (especially those appearing in 2011) for its original research into the texts, the critical sense it gives of important aspects of the translators' work, and the precision with which translation is tied to social history. Jerusalem may not have become Atlanta, but aspects of Hebrew society were Anglicised in ways that we do not usually notice.' English Historical Review

How can we explain the immense popularity of the English Bible? In this book, Naomi Tadmor argues that the vernacular Bible became so influential in early modern English society and culture not only because it was deeply revered, widely propagated, and resonant, but also because it was - at least in some ways - Anglicised. She focuses in particular on the rendering into English of biblical terms of social description and demonstrates the emergence of a social universe through the processes of translation from ancient and medieval texts to successive and interrelated English versions. She investigates the dissemination of these terms in early modern society and culture, focusing on community ties, gender and labour relations, and offices of state. The result is an important contribution to the history of the English Bible, biblical translations, and to early modern English history more generally.

Introduction
1. Friends and neighbours in early modern England: biblical translations and social norms
2. Women and wives: the language of marriage in early modern English biblical translations
3. Slaves and servants: a Bible for freeborn Englishmen
4. Prince, captain, lord, duke, and eunuch: the making of the English biblical polity
Conclusion
Select bibliography.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]