author
John Edgar McFadyen
1870–1933
A Scottish theologian and Bible translator, he worked to bring ancient texts into clear, modern English while keeping their literary power alive. His writing is especially remembered for rhythmic, readable versions of books such as Job and Psalms.
1 Audiobook
Introduction to the Old Testament
by John Edgar McFadyen
About the author
Born in Glasgow on July 17, 1870, John Edgar McFadyen became a Scottish theologian and scholar of the Old Testament. He went on to serve as professor of language, literature, and Old Testament theology at the University of Glasgow.
He is best known to many readers for his translations of biblical books into what he called "modern speech." In works such as Job and Psalms, he aimed not only for clarity but also for a strong sense of rhythm and poetry, trying to make ancient writing feel vivid and immediate to modern readers.
McFadyen died in 1933. Reliable biographical details available online are fairly brief, but they consistently present him as a serious scholar with a gift for making difficult religious texts more accessible.