Choosing the Right Bible for Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Readers
Finding a Bible that aligns with Eastern Christian traditions can feel confusing at first.
Many newcomers ask the same questions: What Bible do Eastern Catholics use? Do the Eastern Orthodox have their own translation? How is the canon different?
This guide answers those questions and compares the most popular tradition‑specific Bibles available today.
Why Tradition‑Specific Bibles Matter
Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians belong to ancient churches with distinct liturgies, theological emphases and scriptural traditions.
Their Bibles differ from the Bibles used in many Western churches in three main ways:
The Old Testament canon – Eastern churches include additional books beyond the 73 books used in the Roman Catholic canon.
The translation base – Eastern Christians traditionally use the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures prepared in the centuries before Christ, instead of the later Masoretic Hebrew text.
Commentary and study helps – Tradition‑specific Bibles often include commentary from early church fathers or Eastern theological perspectives, giving readers a better sense of how the Scriptures have been interpreted in their own tradition.
For Western Christians exploring Eastern traditions, reading a Bible rooted in those traditions offers a window into the liturgical life and theology of the Eastern churches.
For Eastern Catholics and Orthodox believers, a tradition‑specific Bible helps preserve continuity with their own worship and devotional practices.
How to Use This Guide
Each of the following sections introduces one of the major English Bibles used by Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Under each heading you’ll find a summary of the translation history, strengths and any drawbacks.
After the summary you’ll see a clear marker where you can insert the product comparison module for that Bible.
Orthodox Study Bible (NKJV & Septuagint)
The Orthodox Study Bible is the first complete study Bible prepared especially for Eastern Christians.
Unlike most English Bibles, it combines two different translation bases:
Old Testament – translated from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek Old Testament used in the early church and still read in Orthodox liturgy.
New Testament – uses the New King James Version (NKJV), a respected translation of the Greek New Testament.
What Makes It Unique
Ancient commentary – The study notes draw on the writings of church fathers and other ancient Christian sources.
Liturgical supplements – It includes prayers, daily readings and a lectionary calendar.
Readable format – The book features line‑matched typesetting and a comfortable font size.
Potential Drawbacks
NKJV for the New Testament – Some Eastern readers prefer translations based on the Patriarchal Greek text rather than the NKJV.
Limited language choices – The study notes reflect an Orthodox perspective that may be unfamiliar to Catholics or Protestants exploring Eastern traditions.
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Eastern/Greek Orthodox Bible (EOB) – New Testament
The Eastern/Greek Orthodox Bible (EOB) is an ongoing project to produce an English translation of the entire Bible specifically for Orthodox Christians.
Currently the New Testament is complete and is available as the EOB New Testament.
What Makes It Unique
Patriarchal Greek base – The New Testament is translated directly from the Patriarchal Greek text used in Greek Orthodox churches.
Extensive footnotes – Notes highlight textual variants and explain differences among manuscripts.
Appendices – Essays address key theological questions such as the role of bishops or the meaning of certain verses.
Future Septuagint translation – The project plans to translate the Old Testament from the Septuagint and to include introductions and appendices comparing it with the Hebrew Masoretic text.
Potential Drawbacks
New Testament only – A complete Old Testament has not yet been published.
Scholarly tone – The translation is designed for serious study and may be less accessible for casual readers.
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NRSV Catholic Edition (Anglicized)
The New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (NRSV‑CE) is an ecumenical Bible translation endorsed by Catholic bishops in the United States and Canada.
It includes all 73 books of the Catholic canon and is widely used in liturgy and study.
What Makes It Unique
Literal yet clear – The NRSV aims to balance accuracy with readability.
Inclusive language – It employs inclusive language where appropriate, which some readers appreciate.
Ecumenical scholarship – Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant scholars collaborated on the translation.
Approved for liturgy – It has an imprimatur and is used in the liturgy in various regions.
Potential Drawbacks
Modern style – The inclusive language and smooth prose may feel too contemporary for readers who prefer traditional phrasing.
Septuagint vs Hebrew – Like most Catholic Bibles, the NRSV‑CE uses the Hebrew Masoretic text for the Old Testament rather than the Septuagint.
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Ignatius Bible (RSV‑2CE)
The Revised Standard Version – Second Catholic Edition (RSV‑2CE) is a revision of the RSV that aligns the translation with Catholic and Orthodox tradition.
What Makes It Unique
Formal equivalence – It retains traditional, dignified language while preserving the original sense of the Hebrew and Greek.
Deuterocanonical order – All seven deuterocanonical books are included in their traditional order.
Minimal changes – Only minor updates were made to the original RSV to correct passages where Catholic doctrine is at issue.
Used in study and catechesis – The RSV‑2CE is cited in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and used by Catholic scholars.
Potential Drawbacks
Traditional language – Some readers may find the archaic language challenging.
Hebrew‑based Old Testament – Like the NRSV‑CE, it relies on the Hebrew Masoretic text rather than the Septuagint.
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Douay‑Rheims Bible (Baronius Press Edition)
The Douay‑Rheims Bible is an English translation of the Latin Vulgate.
For centuries it was the only English Bible used by Catholics.
What Makes It Unique
Latin Vulgate base – The translation reflects St Jerome’s Latin version of the Scriptures.
Traditional vocabulary – It preserves archaic phrasing that emphasises reverence and solemnity.
Physical craftsmanship – The Baronius Press edition is leather bound with gilded pages, coloured maps and engravings.
Historical significance – It served as the standard English Catholic Bible for more than three centuries.
Potential Drawbacks
Old English style – The archaic style may be difficult for modern readers.
Based on the Vulgate – Some prefer translations based directly on the Hebrew and Greek rather than the Latin.
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New American Bible – Revised Edition (NABRE)
The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) is a modern translation produced by U.S. Catholic scholars.
What Makes It Unique
Original languages – The translation team worked from the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic texts.
Updated scholarship – Released in 2011, it reflects modern archaeological and linguistic discoveries.
Approved for Mass – It is one of the translations approved for liturgy in the United States.
Traditional canon – It includes all 73 Catholic books and is arranged in the standard order.
Potential Drawbacks
Modern idiom – Some readers find its style less reverent than older translations.
Hebrew‑based Old Testament – Like the RSV and NRSV, it uses the Masoretic text rather than the Septuagint.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible does the Byzantine Catholic Church use?
Byzantine Catholic parishes often use the RSV‑2CE or NRSV‑CE for English liturgy and private reading.
These translations include all the deuterocanonical books and are approved by Catholic bishops.
The RSV‑2CE retains more traditional language, while the NRSV‑CE uses inclusive language.
Because the Eastern Catholic Old Testament readings in the Divine Liturgy come from the Septuagint, some readers supplement with the Orthodox Study Bible to compare translations from the Greek.
What’s the difference between Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons?
Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox share the same New Testament (27 books).
Their Old Testament canons are similar but not identical:
Eastern Catholic – follows the 73‑book Catholic canon.
Eastern Orthodox – typically includes additional books such as 3 Maccabees and the Prayer of Manasseh.
Ethiopian Orthodox – includes an even larger canon, adding texts like Jubilees and the three Books of Meqabyan.
Why use a Bible based on the Septuagint?
The Septuagint was the version of Scripture used by Jesus and the apostles in the early church.
It contains books and passages not found in the later Hebrew Masoretic text.
Eastern Orthodox and many Eastern Catholic liturgies still chant the psalms and readings from the Septuagint.
For those traditions, a translation from the Greek better reflects their liturgical heritage.
Which Bible is best for a Protestant exploring Eastern Christianity?
Protestant readers may find the Orthodox Study Bible approachable because its New Testament uses the NKJV and its notes explain how early Christians interpreted Scripture.
For comparison, pairing the Orthodox Study Bible with a standard Protestant translation can highlight the differences in canon and translation.
What should I look for when choosing a tradition‑specific Bible?
Canon coverage – Check that the translation includes the books recognised by your tradition.
Translation base – Decide whether you prefer a Septuagint‑based Old Testament or a Hebrew Masoretic–based one.
Language style – Choose between traditional (Douay‑Rheims, RSV‑2CE) and contemporary (NABRE, NRSV‑CE) language.
Notes and commentary – Consider whether you want patristic commentary (Orthodox Study Bible), textual footnotes (EOB), or minimal commentary.
Choosing a Bible that aligns with Eastern Catholic or Eastern Orthodox tradition means more than simply buying the first Bible you find online.
It involves understanding the differences in canon, translation history and theological perspectives.
The six Bibles highlighted in this guide reflect the range of options available on Amazon and provide a solid foundation for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Eastern Christian Scripture.
