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There is a 19th century Bible study resource of which many 21st century students of Scripture may not have heard. It is the three-volume The Collateral Bible; or, A Key to the Holy Scriptures: In Which All the Corresponding Texts are Brought Together Into One View, and Arranged in a Familiar and Easy Manner (1826-1828), produced by the combined labors of William McCorkle, Ezra Stiles Ely and Gregory T. Bedell. It was a monumental labor of love for God’s Word that attempted to collate Scripture texts in such a way as to show the harmony of the Old and New Testaments. It encompasses not only Genesis 1 through Malachi 4, but brings to bear New Testament verses suitably with those from the Old Testament. The introduction to the first volume explains further:
Such is the Bible. It is a sealed book to those who do not believe; but, [to] all those who believe, it is “able to make wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.”
With this view of the subject, as Scripture is its own best expositor; harmonizing, explaining, and enforcing itself; THE COLLATERAL BIBLE was commenced fifteen years ago, but, owing to various causes, was delayed until this time, though its ultimate publication was never relinquished. The first Volume of it, is now, through the good providence of God, presented to the world. If it shall prove useful in his hands, as another means of explaining his word, so that it shall be plain to every capacity; of convincing and converting sinners; and of further instruction, edification, and consolation to his people; to Him be all the praise.
As in the present plan, verses from both the Old and New Testaments are brought together, which not only corroborate and support each other, but bring into view customs and uses of things; a number of Tables have been prefixed, which may sometimes prove necessary to the more complete understanding of particular phrases or passages of Scripture.
The work, it is trusted, will prove interesting and satisfactory. Although there are, of necessity, many repetitions, yet they will be found valuable and advantageous to the reader. It may appear to some, on a hasty perusal, that several of the collateral passages are not applicable; yet, on a closer and more critical inspection, it is believed they will be found not only strictly so, but of such a nature as to bring forward new views of the subject to the reflecting mind. Names are sometimes made collateral, as that is the only record we have or know of them. Frequently, in bringing together a number of verses from different parts of the Bible, they will be found to have various degrees of collateral affinity to the verse under which they are placed: some will be direct; others are by analogy, by implication, by inference, or by contrast; others are historical, prophetical, or monitorial. It has been therefore necessary, not only to avoid confusion where the affinities were diverse, but also to render this method of investigating and proving Scripture exceeding plain even to youthful readers, occasionally to substitute a name within brackets thus, [Abraham,] both to connect the sense, and to readily comprehend the original passage from which it was taken. The utility of this method, will be apparent at once.
Finally, should there be any who object to those passages of Scripture, which delineate either the crimes or frailties of fallen man, as has often been done without thought in some, and with malice in others, let them recollect what has previously been said; and, also, that there is nothing wrong in the BIBLE, but in themselves: that “to the pure, all things are pure,” and, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
One small example of these collated passages comes from Psalm 5:3:
3 (e) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
(e) Ps. lv. 17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice.
[Ps.] lxxxviii. 13. But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
[Ps.] cxix. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Is. xxvi. 9. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Mark i. 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
These volumes have recently been added to the Ezra Stiles Ely page, and it is thought that these Bible collations may be of interest and usefulness to modern students of Scripture.
