But is the Bible really such good literature and philosophy? Is the Bible really so elegantly, eloquently written?
Let's consider the art and thought, story and theme, style and content, etc. of what is widely considered to be one of the best written parts of the Bible: Jacob's wrestling with god (Genesis 32: 22-30). Then let's consider an alternative version.
Here's the intensely-admired King James rendition:32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
Jacob Wrestles With God
32:23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
32:27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
32:29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Now here's an easily made-up alternative:
And it came to pass that eve that noble Jacob had a strange vision. So he ordered out his three wives, five courtesans, and seven sons. Then he commanded his manorial possessions removed. Now Jacob was alone.
Then came a man, uninvited, to his abode.
"I desire all that ye have," quoth the stranger. "I'll fight you for it," quoth Jacob.
And the two wrestled from sundown to sunup. But the ghostly visitor was exceeding strong. The specter left poor Jacob with bones broken, ligaments torn, and skin abraded. The house lay asunder: not one stone rested upon its neighbor.
Still, Jacob was defeated not. Then dawn broke.
"Let me go," quoth the mysterious ghost. "It is day."
"Nay," replied Jacob. "No freedom shall you enjoy -- till you bless me."
"Who art thou?" spoke the apparition.
"Jacob," he replied.
"No longer is thy name Jacob," informed the strange creature. "Henceforth, thou shalt be Israel. For thou hast wrestled with god -- and won."
"Who art thou?" trembled old Jacob.
"Why askest?" replied the vision. Then he blessed him.
Immediately, Jacob was alone.
And valiant Israel -- hero of family and home -- henceforth called his sacred place Peniel, "Visage of the Lord."
"For I have seen the face of god -- and struggled with him -- yet my life has been saved."
