Protestant Bible: A Journey Through Centuries

After Henry VIII and his two daughters (Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I) died, James VI of Scotland (son of Mary Queen of Scots) also became James I of Great Britain. The King was to play a pivotal role in the Bible's journey to the 21st century.

Not long after James became king, scholars discussed the need for a new English translation of the Bible. Reformers, fleeing to Switzerland during the reign of Queen Mary, had published a Bible in English (the Geneva Bible). The Geneva Bible (the Bible of Shakespeare and the pilgrim fathers) existed in many different editions. King James referred to it as "the worst."

By 1604, James I convened the Hampton Court Conference. The King and the conference attendees agreed to commission a new translation. Using Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, collectively known as the Textus Receptus, scholars called this new translation the King James Version (KJV) in honor of the king who had authorized it.

Actually, two KJV versions were issued in 1611: the original "He" and a corrected "She" (in which Ruth 3:15 was changed to read, "and she went into the city"). Follow these links to the first edition chapters of Matthew 12:22-50 and II Thessalonians, Chapter 1.

As a preface to the King James Version, the translators included a note to readers. Although the preface is usually not included in today's copies, you can follow this link to read what the translators said in the first edition.