The Holy Bible: Douay-Rheims (DRB)

Overview

The Douay-Rheims Bible is the classic English Catholic translation of the Scriptures from the Latin Vulgate, produced by scholars of the English College at Douai/Reims in the era of the Counter-Reformation. The New Testament appeared at Reims in 1582; the Old Testament was published at Douay in 1609–1610.¹² In the eighteenth century, Bishop Richard Challoner issued substantial revisions (1749–1752) that shaped the widely used “Douay-Rheims–Challoner” text.³

Textual Basis & Catholic Canon

The DRB follows the Latin Vulgate, the Church’s normative Latin Bible. The Council of Trent (1546) received and venerated all the books of the Old and New Testaments and affirmed the Vulgate’s authority for public use.⁴ Consequently, Catholic Bibles contain 46 Old Testament books (not 39), including the seven deuterocanonical books, with additional passages in Esther and Daniel.⁵

The Deuterocanonical Books (Catholic OT)

Catholic Bibles include these seven books: Tobit (Tobias), Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 Maccabees, and 2 Maccabees. They also include Greek additions to Esther and Daniel (Prayer of Azariah/Song of the Three Youths; Susanna; Bel and the Dragon).⁵

Names & Numbering You’ll See in DRB

Because the DRB follows Vulgate naming, some books appear under traditional titles: Josue (Joshua); Paralipomenon (Chronicles); Osee (Hosea); Aggeus (Haggai); Machabees (Maccabees); and Apocalypse (Revelation). This reflects the Latin tradition rather than a different canon.²

Reception & Use

For centuries the Douay-Rheims (especially in the Challoner form) served as the standard English Catholic Bible. It remains valued for liturgy, catechesis, and devotional reading, and for study alongside modern Catholic translations.⁶

Annotated Bibliography (Chicago style)

1) “Douai-Reims Bible.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Definitive overview of origin, dates (NT 1582; OT 1609–10), and Douai/Reims context.¹

2) “Douay Bible.” Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent). Catholic perspective on the DRB’s aims, Vulgate basis, and historical setting.²

3) “Richard Challoner.” Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent). Details on Challoner’s eighteenth-century revisions and influence on later printings.³

4) “Decree Concerning the Canonical Scriptures.” Council of Trent. Primary source for the Catholic canon and the Vulgate’s public authority.⁴

5) “Questions about the Bible.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Pastoral explanation of the seven deuterocanonical books and additions to Esther/Daniel.⁵

6) “Uncomfortable Facts about the Douay-Rheims.” Catholic Answers. Historical note on the DR’s long standard use among English-speaking Catholics.⁶

Footnotes

1. Douai-Reims Bible, Encyclopædia Britannica (NT 1582 at Reims; OT 1609–10 at Douay). ↩
2. “Douay Bible,” Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)—on Vulgate basis and Douai/Reims origins. ↩
3. “Richard Challoner,” Catholic Encyclopedia—on the 1749–1752 revisions shaping the common text. ↩
4. “Decree Concerning the Canonical Scriptures,” Council of Trent, Fourth Session (1546)—canon and Vulgate authority. ↩
5. USCCB, “Questions about the Bible”—lists the seven deuterocanonical books and notes additions to Esther/Daniel. ↩
6. Catholic Answers, “Uncomfortable Facts about the Douay-Rheims”—on its long standard use among English-speaking Catholics. ↩