The King James Bible

Heather Maytham
 King James

• Reigned in England from 1603-1625

• Financed and approved a new English translation

of the bible to replace the many editions in use
(including Geneva and Bishops)

• This translation came to be known as the King

James or “Authorized” version.
 Why A New Translation?

Because the Church of England was…. [Moment of SUSPENSE]

 Divided!
• Between: Conformists who liked the way it was and…Puritans who demanded
change

• Luckily, Dr. John Reynolds proposes a new Bible that will be unified and
more accurate.

• The king approves 15 Rules

for translating.

• 47 Scholars worked together using Greek and Masoretic Hebrew texts

(and a small section of the Latin Vulgate)

• King James Bible 1ST Published: 1611

 Happier Times
• The King James Bible was very well accepted and became the most
popular version. The Geneva bible was termed “the worst of English
translations.”

• Millions of copies sold.

• Became the standard version for Protestants. Still widely used.

• With good looks, eloquent words,

truth, and great stories, what
more could you want in a bible?

• After 250 years of dominance

other versions developed.
 Exodus.
Passage Picking: I chose the exodus from Egypt to symbolize
the exodus from traditional translations, like the King
James Version, in modern bible versions.

The main idea:

-For a modern reader, or a 16th century one, both versions are
understandable.

Connotation… and theological implications:

- But small differences in syntax and word choice can make the
conveyed meaning notably different.
 Coming Attractions:
Note:
• The length of the Contemporary English version compared to King James

• How the word order emphasizes certain parts.

• The personal pronouns in King James Thee and thou hath remained, but
shall come unto demise in Contemporary English.

• Words that are replaced or omitted entirely.

• What the two passages say about the bible…. Is the bible meant as
history? As allegory? As literal fact? As just a good read?

• And finally… the transcendent meaning and implications for God and all
his people.
 YHWH… Yahweh
• King James :
13And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel,
and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and
they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say
unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

• Contemporary English:
13" I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has
sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?"

14 God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the LORD, whose
name is " I Am," has sent you.
 Say My Name Say
My Name
King James
15And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,
the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto
all generations.
Contemporary English: Sleeping on the Job?

15 This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.
 Have Your Milk And drink it too!
• King James:
• 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD
God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto
me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in
Egypt: 17And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt
unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the
Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and
honey.
• Contemporary English
16Call together the leaders of Israel and tell them that the God who was
worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to you. Tell them I
have seen how terribly they are being treated in Egypt, 17and I promise to
lead them out of their troubles. I will give them a land rich with milk and
honey, where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and
Jebusites now live.
Unto… The End