What is the Douay Bible?

Written in 1610, the Douay Version is an English translation version of the Latin Vulgate. Until 1940, the Douay was the only authorized Bible for English-speaking Catholics.

History

Dr. Gregory Martin translated the original Douay while at the English College at Douai, in Flanders, in 1568. Since 1940, the original Douay is what the English Catholic Bibles are based on. Dr. Martin published his translation in two "quarto" volumes from 1609 to 1610.

Rheims Revision

Thomas Worthington, Richard Bristowe, John Reynolds and William Allen revised the Douay. This revision took place in Rheims, France. The Douay became the Rheims-Douay.

Challoner Revision

Douay versions since 1940 are altered versions of Bishop Challoner's revisions of 1749.

Theories/Speculation

The 1610 Douay includes books not found in original manuscripts. These books include Prayer of Masses, Third Booke of Esdras, Fourth Booke of Esdras, The Prophecie of Abdias and The Catholike Epistle of Jude the Apostle.

Considerations

The Catholic Encyclopedia states regarding the English Challoner Douay Version, "To call it any longer the Douay or Rheimish version is an abuse of terms. It has been altered and modified until scarcely any verse remains as it was originally published."

References

• Ward, B. (1909). Douay Bible. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved July 11, 2009 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05140a.htm
• The Holy Bible, Douay-Rheims Version. Retrieved July 11, 2009 from Catholic First: http://www.catholicfirst.com/bibledrv.cfm
• The Fight Against God's Name: Awake (2004) 1/22 pp. 5-9

Resources

• Catholic Online