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'''The King James Version''' ('''KJV'''), also known as the '''King James Bible''' or the '''Authorized Version''', is the 1611 English translation of the Holy Scriptures for use in the Church of England. Commissioned in 1604 by King James VI and I and completed in 1611, it has become one of the most influential works in the English-speaking world. | '''The King James Version''' ('''KJV'''), also known as the '''King James Bible''' or the '''Authorized Version''', is the 1611 English translation of the Holy Scriptures for use in the Church of England. Commissioned in 1604 by King James VI and I and completed in 1611, it has become one of the most influential works in the English-speaking world. | ||
The KJV includes 80 books: 39 of the Old Testament, 14 in the Apocrypha, and 27 in the New Testament. | The KJV includes 80 books: 39 of the Old Testament, 14 in the Apocrypha, and 27 in the New Testament. | ||
Noted for its | Noted for its "majesty of style," the KJV has shaped Anglican liturgy, hymnody, English literature, and the devotional life of the English-speaking church for more than four centuries. Its turns of phrase have passed into everyday speech and continue to influence Christian theology and preaching. | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The translation was produced by teams of scholars working at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster. They were instructed to revise existing English | The translation was produced by teams of scholars working at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster. They were instructed to revise existing English translations, especially the Bishops' Bible, while retaining traditional ecclesiastical terms and conforming to the doctrine and polity of the Church of England. | ||
The translators relied primarily on: | The translators relied primarily on: | ||
* | * Ben Hayyim's ''Mikraot Gedolot'' (Masoretic Text) – Old Testament | ||
* | * Stephanus' ''Editio Regia'' (Textus Receptus) – New Testament | ||
* Septuagint and Vulgate – Apocrypha | |||
The result is an English Bible intentionally crafted for public reading in worship, marked by rhythm, clarity, and stately language. | The result is an English Bible intentionally crafted for public reading in worship, marked by rhythm, clarity, and stately language. | ||
== Historical Context == | == Historical Context == | ||
The KJV was preceded by the Great Bible (1535) and | The KJV was preceded by the ''Great Bible'' (1535) and ''Bishops' Bible'' (1568), while the ''Geneva Bible'' (1560) remained popular among the laity. Puritan objections to the ''Bishops' Bible'' and marginal notes in the ''Geneva Bible'' led to the Hampton Court Conference (1604), where the proposal for a new translation was formally presented. | ||
King James gave instructions to the translators that ensured: | King James gave instructions to the translators that ensured: | ||
* Consistency with Anglican ecclesiology | * Consistency with Anglican ecclesiology | ||
* Removal of partisan marginal notes | * Removal of partisan marginal notes | ||
* Retention of words such as | * Retention of words such as "church" rather than "congregation" | ||
* Use of earlier English translations where appropriate | * Use of earlier English translations where appropriate | ||
== Publication == | == Publication == | ||
The first edition appeared in 1611, printed by Robert Barker, the King’s Printer. Two | The first edition appeared in 1611, printed by Robert Barker, the King’s Printer. Two versions, commonly called the "He Bible" and the "She Bible", differed in a single verse (Ruth 3:15). | ||
Throughout the following centuries, several corrected editions were released, including the Oxford Edition of 1769, which became the standard text reproduced in most modern printings. | Throughout the following centuries, several corrected editions were released, including the Oxford Edition of 1769, which became the standard text reproduced in most modern printings. | ||
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== Influence == | == Influence == | ||
The King James Version profoundly shaped: | The King James Version profoundly shaped: | ||
* Anglican worship, especially the lectionary and homiletics | |||
* English-language liturgy, notably in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer | |||
* English literature, influencing poets, dramatists, and novelists | |||
* Christian thought and doctrine across denominations | |||
It remains widely used in Anglican churches and retains official status in many parts of the Anglican Communion. | It remains widely used in Anglican churches and retains official status in many parts of the Anglican Communion. | ||
== Sample Verses == | == Sample Verses == | ||
*Genesis 1:1–3: | *Genesis 1:1–3: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." | ||
*John 3:16: | *John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
| Line 49: | Line 48: | ||
* [[Anglican Doctrine]] | * [[Anglican Doctrine]] | ||
[[Category:Bible Translations]] | [[index.php?title=Category:Bible Translations]] | ||
[[Category:Anglican History]] | [[index.php?title=Category:Anglican History]] | ||
[[Category:Scripture]] | [[index.php?title=Category:Scripture]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:45, 25 November 2025
The King James Version (KJV), also known as the King James Bible or the Authorized Version, is the 1611 English translation of the Holy Scriptures for use in the Church of England. Commissioned in 1604 by King James VI and I and completed in 1611, it has become one of the most influential works in the English-speaking world.
The KJV includes 80 books: 39 of the Old Testament, 14 in the Apocrypha, and 27 in the New Testament.
Noted for its "majesty of style," the KJV has shaped Anglican liturgy, hymnody, English literature, and the devotional life of the English-speaking church for more than four centuries. Its turns of phrase have passed into everyday speech and continue to influence Christian theology and preaching.
Overview
The translation was produced by teams of scholars working at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster. They were instructed to revise existing English translations, especially the Bishops' Bible, while retaining traditional ecclesiastical terms and conforming to the doctrine and polity of the Church of England.
The translators relied primarily on:
- Ben Hayyim's Mikraot Gedolot (Masoretic Text) – Old Testament
- Stephanus' Editio Regia (Textus Receptus) – New Testament
- Septuagint and Vulgate – Apocrypha
The result is an English Bible intentionally crafted for public reading in worship, marked by rhythm, clarity, and stately language.
Historical Context
The KJV was preceded by the Great Bible (1535) and Bishops' Bible (1568), while the Geneva Bible (1560) remained popular among the laity. Puritan objections to the Bishops' Bible and marginal notes in the Geneva Bible led to the Hampton Court Conference (1604), where the proposal for a new translation was formally presented.
King James gave instructions to the translators that ensured:
- Consistency with Anglican ecclesiology
- Removal of partisan marginal notes
- Retention of words such as "church" rather than "congregation"
- Use of earlier English translations where appropriate
Publication
The first edition appeared in 1611, printed by Robert Barker, the King’s Printer. Two versions, commonly called the "He Bible" and the "She Bible", differed in a single verse (Ruth 3:15).
Throughout the following centuries, several corrected editions were released, including the Oxford Edition of 1769, which became the standard text reproduced in most modern printings.
Influence
The King James Version profoundly shaped:
- Anglican worship, especially the lectionary and homiletics
- English-language liturgy, notably in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer
- English literature, influencing poets, dramatists, and novelists
- Christian thought and doctrine across denominations
It remains widely used in Anglican churches and retains official status in many parts of the Anglican Communion.
Sample Verses
- Genesis 1:1–3: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."
- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
See Also
index.php?title=Category:Bible Translations index.php?title=Category:Anglican History index.php?title=Category:Scripture