was properly the first Authorized Version, Henry VIII. having ordered a
copy of it to be got for every church. This took place in less than a year
after Tyndale was martyred for the crime of translating the Scriptures. In
1539 Richard Taverner published a revised edition of Matthew’s Bible.
The Great Bible, so called from its great size, called also Cranmer’s Bible,
was published in 1539 and 1568. In the strict sense, the “Great Bible” is
“the only authorized version; for the Bishops’ Bible and the present Bible
[the A.V.] never had the formal sanction of royal authority.” Next in order
was the Geneva version (1557-1560); the Bishops’ Bible (1568); the
Rheims and Douai versions, under Roman Catholic auspices (1582, 1609);
the Authorized Version (1611); and the Revised Version of the New
Testament in 1880 and of the Old Testament in 1884.
- VILLAGES (Judges 5:7, 11). The Hebrew word thus rendered (perazon)
means habitations in the open country, unwalled villages (Deuteronomy
3:5; 1 Samuel 6:18). Others, however, following the LXX. and the Vulgate
versions, render the word “rulers.” - VINE one of the most important products of Palestine. The first mention
of it is in the history of Noah (Genesis 9:20). It is afterwards frequently
noticed both in the Old and New Testaments, and in the ruins of terraced
vineyards there are evidences that it was extensively cultivated by the
Jews. It was cultivated in Palestine before the Israelites took possession of
it. The men sent out by Moses brought with them from the Valley of
Eshcol a cluster of grapes so large that “they bare it between two upon a
staff” (Numbers 13: 23). The vineyards of En-gedi (Cant. 1:14), Heshbon,
Sibmah, Jazer, Elealeh (Isaiah 16:8-10; Jeremiah 48:32, 34), and Helbon
(Ezekiel 27:18), as well as of Eshcol, were celebrated.
The Church is compared to a vine (Psalm 80:8), and Christ says of
himself, “I am the vine” (John 15:1). In one of his parables also (Matthew
21:33) our Lord compares his Church to a vineyard which “a certain
householder planted, and hedged round about,” etc.
Hos. 10:1 is rendered in the Revised Version, “Israel is a luxuriant vine,
which putteth forth his fruit,” instead of “Israel is an empty vine, he
bringeth forth fruit unto himself,” of the Authorized Version.
- VINEGAR Hebrews hometz, Gr. oxos, Fr. vin aigre; i.e., “sour wine.”
The Hebrew word is rendered vinegar in Psalm 69:21, a prophecy fulfilled
in the history of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:34). This was the common