NOTES.
THE BREECHES, OR GENEVA BIBLE.
Of this, the most popular edition of the Scriptures in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, we meet continually with erroneous opinions of its rarity, and also of its value, which the following brief statement may tend in a degree to correct.
The translation was undertaken by certain reformers who fled to Geneva during the reign of Queen Mary; and is attributed to W. Whittingham, Anthony Gilby, Miles Coverdale, Thomas Sampson, Christopher Goodman, Thomas Cole, John Knox, John Bodleigh, and John Pullain; but Mr. Anderson, in his History of the English Bible, says that the translators were Whittingham, Gilby, and Sampson: and from the facts stated, he is, no doubt, correct.
It is called the "Breeches Bible" from the rendering of Genesis, iii. 7.:
"Then the eyes of them bothe were opened, and they knewe that they were naked, and they sewed fig tree leaves together, and made themselves breeches."
The first edition of the Geneva Bible was printed at Geneva in 1562, folio, preceded by a dedication to Queen Elizabeth, and an address "To our beloved in the lord the brethren of England, Scotland, Ireland," &c.; dated from Geneva, 10th April, 1561. This edition contains two remarkable errors: Matt. v. 9. "Blessed are the place makers." Luke xxi. "Chris condemneth the poor widow." This is the first Bible divided into verses.
Second edit. 4to., printed at Geneva, 1569. To this edition is added "Certeine Tables, A Calendar, and Fairs in Fraunce and elsewhere."
The first edition printed in London is a small folio. Imprinted by Christopher Barker, 1576.