The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition consists of seven leather-bound volumes comprising the Illuminated Word of God.
Volume 1: Pentateuch
(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Creation, Adam and Eve, the Ten Commandments, Abraham and Sarah, Exodus … some of the greatest moments of the Bible find expression in the first five books, the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. The leather cover features the image of a menorah, a recurring image of light, covenant and relationship.
Volume 2: Historical Books
(Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees)
In purples, greens and gold, the illuminations in Historical Books explore the relationship of God’s people to God’s promise. Marginal text treatments trace the Israelites’ rise and fall as they move through the era of judges and kings, with prophets guiding the way. The cover motif, from the Ark of the Covenant illumination, was inspired by the pilgrims’ cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Volume 3: Wisdom Books
(Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, The Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach)
The feminine nature of Wisdom is highlighted in the artwork and text treatments of this volume. Adorning the pages of these often lyrical passages you will find some of the most inventive, beautiful, and inspiring works of art in the entire project.
Volume 4: Psalms
(Books I, II, III, IV, V)
Psalms is the prayer book of the church. Benedictines chant and pray the psalms several times a day. This volume is graced with digital prints of the monks at Saint John’s Abbey chanting their daily prayer, as well as representations of other chant traditions throughout the world.
Volume 5: Prophets
(Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations – Maruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel – Amos, Obadiah – Haggai, Zechariah – Malachi)
The visions of the prophets during the time of the Babylonian Exile provided inspiration for Jackson and his team. Modern and period images collide in vibrant illuminations full of promise, sorrow and, ultimately, joy. This book’s full power is revealed by placing it alongside Historical Books and Revelation.
Volume 6: Gospels & Acts
(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles)
The first volume completed for The Saint John’s Bible project, the pages of Gospels & Acts abound with significant illuminations and text treatments. The life of Christ and the journey of the early church are explored in theologically rich and startling new ways that reward ongoing reflection.
Volume 7: Letters and Revelation
(Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation)
In Letters, a series of text treatments highlight the foundational teachings of the Christian tradition. Then, in the final great letter to the churches, the Revelation to John at Patmos, Donald Jackson wrote the entire text and created each page’s rich illumination, bringing the Heritage Edition to its culmination.