The King James Version: The First Translated Bible in the English Language
When we think of the Bible in the English language, the King James Version (KJV) often comes to mind as the most influential and widely read translation. However, it's important to note that the KJV was not the first translated Bible in the English language. Indeed, various English translations of the Bible were produced before the KJV, each with its own unique historical and theological significance.
Earliest English Translations
The journey of the Bible being translated into English began much earlier than the KJV. The Wycliffe's Bible, the first substantial and complete English translation, was produced between the years 1380 and 1382. John Wycliffe, a prominent English theologian and philosopher, was instrumental in translating the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into Middle English. This version was extensively hand-written, making it a rare and valuable artefact today.
Notably, Wycliffe's second translation, completed in 1388, adopted a more thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence) approach rather than a literal word-for-word translation. This translation faced significant opposition from the Church and, as a result, Wycliffe suffered theirconsequences, with his remains being exhumed and burned posthumously.
Reformation-Driven Translations
The William Tyndale Bible, translated between 1525 and 1534, followed the Wycliffe tradition. Tyndale's version was revolutionary, being the first New Testament printed in English, and it used the Greek New Testament by Erasmus and the German translation by Martin Luther as references. Tyndale's revisions to the New Testament order excluded certain books like Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation, aligning more closely with Luther's arrangement. Tragically, in 1536, Tyndale was executed for heresy.
The Great Tradition of Biblical Translations
The Coverdale Bible, published in 1535, marked the first complete English-language Bible printed. It was sanctioned by King Henry VIII and included an Apocrypha section. Myles Coverdale continued Tyndale's work, translating from both German and Latin texts. Subsequent translations like the Matthew's Bible (1537) and The Great Bible (1539) built upon the earlier efforts by making use of new texts and translations.
The Great Bible, oftentimes called the Whitchurch Bible, was a significant milestone. It was commissioned by Thomas Cromwell and revised the Matthew's Bible to align with Church of England sanction. It was declared the official Bible of the Church of England after King Henry VIII's death, replacing both Tyndale's and Coverdale's previous editions.
Conflict and Controversy
The Geneva Bible, produced by the exiled Protestants and published in 1560, became a controversial yet influential text. It featured extensive editorial notes that defended the Protestant Reformation theology, leading to its prohibition by Queen Elizabeth I. The Geneva Bible's use of chapter and verse numbers remains a feature in many modern translations, including the KJV. Edited later by the Bishops' Bible (1568) and the Douay-Rheims Bible (1609), these translations further enriched the landscape of English-language Bibles.
The King James Version: A Culmination of Efforts
In 1611, the King James Version emerged as the culmination of several earlier translations. Authorized by King James I of England, it was the first translation of the Bible to be produced using a committee of scholars. Unlike its predecessors, the KJV prohibited the inclusion of editorial notes, ensuring a more straightforward and accessible text. Despite being somewhat outdated in terms of textual accuracy, the KJV remains one of the best-selling and most popular English versions of the Bible.
Conclusion
The King James Version, while monumental in its own right, stands on the shoulders of many earlier translations. Each translation from Wycliffe to the KJV played a critical role in the development of the English language and the preservation of Christian doctrine. These translations not only paved the way for the KJV but also underscored the ongoing importance of the Bible in English-speaking cultures.