The King James Bible What does it mean to you? Translated in 1611

Apple of my eye Old as the hills At death’s door At my wit’s end Baptism of fire Bite the dust Blind leading the blind Casting pearls before swine Buttering someone up Casting the first stone The haves and have-nots Thieves in the night Scum of the earth Sackcloth and ashes Streets paved in gold Skin of my teeth Save the best for last

English Bibles 1380: First English Manuscript (John Wycliffe) 1525: Tyndale New Testament (1 st printing in English) 1535: Coverdale Bible 1537: Matthew-Tyndale Bible 1539: The Great Bible (1 st authorized for public use) 1560: Geneva Bible 1568: The Bishops’ Bible 1609: Rheims New Testament (1 st authorized Catholic)

The Bible The Geneva Bible The Bishops’ Bible

The Geneva Bible Published in 1560 Relied on William Tyndale’s translation Language was more accessible Puritans and Calvinists both loved the Geneva Bible Surviving copies are dirty and well-used Anti-royal in the marginal notes King James did not like the marginal notes

William Tyndale Knew eight languages When he translated the Bible into English, it was illegal Left England to work with Martin Luther in Germany Printed the first English language Bible Executed in 1536 His English translation of the Bible is considered the best Basis for much of the King James Bible

The Bishops’ Bible Published in 1568 Translated by bishops of the Anglican Church Image of Queen Elizabeth on the title page Language was hard to understand Nobody used it The people did not like the Bishops’ Bible

King James I Cousin of Queen Elizabeth I Became king in March 1603 Scottish King James VI Wanted to be remembered

The Rules No anti-royal notes in the margins Use common language An accurate translation that relies on excellent scholarship

The Team Formed in scholars Six subcommittees Each subcommittee translated a different part Within the subcommittee, individuals translated, then compared translations Subcommittee agreed on the best translation Large committee approved subcommittee work Revising committee took a final version to two bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and finally, King James

The Result Finished in 1611 People liked the Geneva Bible better Printing errors were common Clergy used “The Great Translation” Smaller-sized bibles were printed and distributed to churchgoers By mid-1600s, most people used “The Great Translation” Became known as the King James Bible: his legacy English traders and colonists took the King James Bible along By the 1800s, Bible Societies distributed King James Bibles throughout the world.

Lasting Influence Most often used translation in Protestant religions Often the only book in a household Bridges cultural and religious traditions Flowing language and prose rhythm Language and content influence modern poetry Political ramifications from 1600s to 2000s

TheKingJamesBible Influencing life, literature, and society for over 400 years.