A Dictionary of the Bible Comprising Its Antiquities, Biography, Geography, and Natural History.

EDITED BY WILLIAM SMITH,.

$1,250.00

Item Number: 111032

London: John Murray, 1863.

First edition of Smith’s Dictionary of the Holy Bible. Octavo, three volumes, bound in full vellum with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges red, illustrations with three maps and illustrations throughout text. In near fine condition. Armorial bookplates.

The Bible has had an unprecedented influence on literature and history, especially in the Western World, where the Gutenberg Bible was the first book printed using movable type. According to the March 2007 edition of Time, the Bible “has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating.” With estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, it is widely considered to be the most influential and best-selling book of all time. Attitudes towards the Bible also differ among Christian groups. Roman Catholics, high church Anglicans, Methodists and Eastern Orthodox Christians stress the harmony and importance of both the Bible and sacred tradition, while many Protestant churches, including Evangelical Anglicans, focus on the idea of sola scriptura, or scripture alone. This concept arose during the Reformation, and many denominations today support the use of the Bible as the only infallible source of Christian teaching. Others though, advance the concept of prima scriptura in contrast.