The King James Version (KJV) is an English translation of the Bible produced in 1611 by the Church of England. At the time, King James I of England commissioned a new translation designed to replace the Bishops’ Bible of 1568. The goal was to create a more accurate and accessible English Bible for the Church of England. The KJV was translated by 47 scholars from the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster over a seven-year period. It drew on the work of William Tyndale, as well as other translations like the Geneva Bible and the Latin Vulgate.
The King James Version became one of the most widely used and influential English Bible translations. For centuries, it was the predominant Bible translation for English-speaking Protestants. Its literary style and prose had a profound impact on the development of the English language and literature. Even after new manuscript discoveries led to revisions in other translations, the KJV was slow to adopt changes and remained deeply influential into the 20th century.
Here are some key facts about the King James Version (KJV):
- It was commissioned by King James I of England in 1604 at the Hampton Court Conference.
- 47 scholars from the Church of England worked on the translation over 7 years.
- It was based primarily on the Bishops’ Bible of 1568, influenced by the Geneva Bible, and translations by William Tyndale.
- The goal was to produce a more accurate and accessible English translation than previous versions.
- It was completed and published in 1611.
- The KJV uses formal, literate language that was innovative at the time and influenced English literature.
- It has gone through several editions with minor changes, but the text has remained largely unchanged from 1611.
- It was the predominant English Bible translation for over 250 years and had deep cultural influence.
- It introduced several new phrases and sayings into the English language.
- The KJV is in the public domain due to its age.
Origins of the King James Version
By the early 17th century, there were several English Bible translations available, but no authorized version for the Church of England. Popular translations included the Bishop’s Bible of 1568, the Geneva Bible of 1560, and the Douay-Rheims Bible of 1582-1609 (translated by Catholics). However, the Bishops’ Bible had limitations, and the Geneva Bible contained contentious marginal notes that offended the Church of England and King James I.
In 1604, King James I convened the Hampton Court Conference outside of London. One of the stated purposes was to address objections raised by Puritan leaders about the Church of England. While discussing Puritan grievances, Dr. John Reynolds, president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, suggested a new authoritative English Bible translation. King James warmed to the idea and soon commissioned the new translation.
King James issued 15 specific guidelines for the proposed translation. Notably, he insisted on a revision of the Bishops’ Bible rather than a new translation from original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. The new version was also not to have marginal notes to sway interpretation. A team of around 50 scholars gathered from the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster to undertake the translation process.
The translators were organized into six separate committees, each assigned particular sections of the Bible to translate. Completed drafts were circulated and reviewed amongst the different committees and editors. The six committees met together in 1610 to review and refine the final text. The complete King James Version Bible was first published in 1611 by the printer Robert Barker.
Translation Philosophy and Style
The translators of the King James Version had several guiding philosophies as they approached their work. First, they sought greater accuracy than previous English translations, yet maintaining the formal eloquence of the bishops’ Bible. They strove for more consistency with the original Hebrew Masoretic text of the Old Testament and Greek Textus Receptus of the New Testament.
The translators viewed their task as one of faithful translation of the original texts, resisting the urge to interpret or edit. However, they favored translating idioms dynamically rather than literally when it avoided ambiguity. They also frequently translated names rather than transliterating them.
The language of the King James Version was deliberately archaic and formal even for its time period. The translators admired the style of formal literature and wanted to impart Biblical scriptures with a sense of majesty and gravity. As a result, their language was scholarly and used syntax and vocabulary already passing out of fashion.
Some characteristics of the KJV’s style include:
- Archaic pronouns: thee, thou, thy
- Frequent use of -eth verb endings
- Lengthy sentences with complex clauses
- Literal translation of idioms and phrases
- Poetic language with rhythm and beauty
- Use of repetition, symmetry, and parallels for rhetorical effect
The translators borrowed heavily from the work of pioneering translator William Tyndale. It is estimated around 84% of the New Testament and 75% of the Old Testament in the KJV are directly from Tyndale’s work. The result was a translation with great literary merit that profoundly influenced English literature and became part of the English cultural heritage.
Reception and Impact of the King James Version
The King James Version Bible was not immediately accepted by all when it was first published. There were critics of the translation within the Church of England, some preferring the Geneva Bible. However, the KJV’s elegant language soon endeared it to many. Church authorities’ endorsement of the KJV also helped elevation as the authorized version.
Over the 1640s and 1650s during the English Civil War period, the KJV rose to prominence and led to the decline of the Geneva Bible. By 1700, the KJV was effectively the only Bible translation used in English churches. It gained universal acceptance and popularity not only in Britain but also across the Atlantic in the American colonies.
For over 250 years until the late 19th century, the King James Version was virtually unchallenged as the Bible translation for English-speaking Protestants. Some revisions were made over the centuries to update spelling, grammar, and certain phrasings. However, the text itself remained largely unaltered from the 1611 original.
The KJV had a profound literary impact and influence on the development of the English language. It introduced hundreds of phrases and expressions into English that are still commonly used today. Examples include “the powers that be”, “the salt of the earth”, “give up the ghost”, and “the skin of my teeth”. The majestic language cadence and prose rhythm also influenced many English writers and poets.
By the late 19th to early 20th century, the development of modern textual criticism and discovery of earlier biblical manuscripts led to advances in scholarship of original language texts. This led to interest in revising the King James Version to use the most accurate original texts available. The first major revision was the Revised Version of 1885, but the KJV itself remained unchanged. The KJV is now in the public domain due to its age.
Accuracy and Limitations
For its time, the King James Version was considered one of the most accurate Bible translations into English, drawing on the latest scholarship and ancient manuscripts available to scholars in the early 17th century. However, it still has limitations that would be exposed as knowledge of biblical languages and texts advanced.
Some key limitations of the KJV translation include:
- It was based primarily on the Bishops’ Bible, not directly from Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
- Fewer ancient manuscripts were available compared to discoveries in modern times.
- Errors were carried over from the texts used as sources.
- Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew was more limited in the 17th century.
- Some later English words and phrase meanings have shifted over time.
- The New Testament relies on the Textus Receptus rather than earlier texts.
- Archaic language is difficult for modern readers to fully comprehend.
Modern scholars now have access to many more ancient biblical manuscripts. This includes Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus for the Greek New Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls for the Hebrew scriptures. Scholars have discovered some minor errors or inconsistencies in the KJV compared to more recently compiled critical texts in Greek and Hebrew. However, it remains one of the most important and enduring Bible translations in history.
Ongoing Legacy and Use
The King James Version remains one of the most beloved, resonant, and influential Bible translations in history. It shaped the English language, culture, theology, and literature for centuries. While newer translations like the English Standard Version may be more widely used today, many Christians still appreciate the majesty and poetic qualities of the KJV.
Some churches, institutions, and Christian traditions still use the KJV exclusively as their authorized Scriptures. Groups such as some Baptists, Pentecostals, and Mormons prefer the familiarity and tradition of the KJV phrasing. Fans of the KJV appreciate its literary qualities and resist modernization of the biblical text.
However, other groups now use more modern Bible translations based on earlier Greek and Hebrew texts. This includes many evangelical Protestants and non-denominational churches. Catholics predominantly use translations like the New American Bible based on the Vulgate Latin translation.
While not as widely read today, the King James Bible remains deeply influential on language, literature, culture, and theology in the English-speaking world. Modern translations owe a debt to the efforts of the original translators who compiled and edited the text of the King James Version.
In summary, the King James Version is an iconic English Bible translation commissioned by King James I and published in 1611. It was undertaken by teams of scholars to create an authoritative, accessible Bible for the Church of England based on the best texts and scholarship of the time. The elegant, majestic language of the KJV made it a literary masterpiece that shaped English culture and theology for centuries. While modern scholarship has provided discoveries to improve biblical translations, the King James Bible retains its status as an enduring spiritual and literary classic loved by many.