37. Anthony Purver,
a poor Quaker carpenter, conceived that the spirit impelled him to translate the Bible. He accordingly learnt Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and published a literal version of the Old and New Testament in two vols. folio, 1764.
This book is curious for its Hebrew idioms. By adhering to these, Anthony has in some rare instances excelled the common version; but when he alters only for the sake of alteration, he makes miserable work. E. g. A hind let go may exhibit genteel Naphtali; he gives fine words— for, "Naphtali is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words."
I am he who am, is better than I am that I am.
He calls the Song of Solomon, the Poem of Solomon; "Song, (he says) being of profane use."