History of the K.J.V.

History of the K.J.V:

History of the K.J.V: Much of the information below came from, “Critical study and knowledge of the Scriptures, 1827, written by Thomas Hartwell Horne, M.A.

Ancient books were large, some formed on a number of skins, some with pieces of linen and cotton cloth sown together, some with papyrus, or parchment, connected together. Rarely written on both sides, they were rolled around a stick, then tied with a string. We call them scrolls.

The universal ignorance that prevailed in Europe, from the 7th century to the 11th most likely attributed to the scarcity of books during that period. Books were expensive, thus scarce. Manuscripts of early centuries past, because of the high cost of material, were erased in order to substitute any new composition in its place. Because of this, many works of the ancient writers perished.

Manuscripts were defaced; the vellum or parchment on which they were written are called “Palimpsects,” meaning that which has been twice scraped. The public rarely possessed any books, and even monasteries of any note had only one missal, or prayers containing the songs to be sung in service.

In the 11th century, the art of paper making was invented, and as the production increased so also did the manuscripts. Then came the art of printing. Paper making first, printing followed. Coincidence, maybe, most likely it was God’s time frame. From this, knowledge of the Scriptures improved, it spreading as a light across Europe bringing in the era of the reformation.

When Papal power was abolished in England, and the king’s power established in parliament in 1534, Crammer became zealous in promoting the translation of the Bible into the native tongue. After much debate, argument, and opposition, the king gave his approval to begin immediately. In 1539, Grafton and Whitehurch printed the “Great Bible.” Other Bibles were also published. In 1541, the king set out a decree that all Perishes in England should have a volume.

In 1557 after the persecutions of Queen Mary’s reign an English translation was printed. In 1568 Archbishop Parker proposed a new Bible. When complete it was called the “Bishops’ Bible,” or the “Great English Bible.” As the years past, other English Bibles were produced, many lacking, here and there.

The following was recorded by Seldon: The following comes from an 1827 Critical study of the Holy Scriptures, by Thomas Hartwell Horne, M.A. 1827.

“In 1603 the last English version, the one we refer to as the King James’s Bible came into being. Objections had been raised concerning the Bishop’s Bible, so the king commanded a new version to be undertaken. At first 54 scholars were appointed. But, before things had gotten started 7 had either become ill, or had died. The final list comprised of 47 names. All were pre-eminently distinguished for their devotedness to the Scriptures. Also noted for their profound learning in the original languages of the sacred writings.

The work was divided among them into six classed. Ten at Westminster university; they were to translate from the Pentateuch to the end of the second book of Kings.

Eight assembled at Cambridge University, they were to finish the rest of the Historical Books and the Hagiography. Seven men were sent to Oxford University, and were to undertake the 4 greater prophets, with the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and the twelve minor prophets, with Lamentations of Jeremiah, and the 12 minor prophets.

The four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Apocalypse, were assigned to another group of eight, also at Oxford. The epistles of Paul, together with the remaining canonical epistles, were allotted to seven others at Westminster. The last company was sent to Cambridge and were to translate the apocryphal books, including the prayer of Manasseh.

All these groups were given their final instructions:

1. The ordinary Bible read in the church commonly called the Bishops’ Bible, was to be followed and as little altered as the original will permit.

2. The names of the prophets and the holy writers, with the other names in the text, to be retained as near as may be according as they are commonly used.

3. The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, as the word church not to be translated congregation.

4. When any word had divers signification, that to be kept, which had been most commonly used by the most eminent fathers, being agreeable to the propriety of the place and analogy of faith.

5. The division of the chapters to be altered either not at all, or as little as may be, if necessity so require.

6. No marginal notes at all to be affixed, but only for the explanation of the Hebrew or Greek words which cannot without some cir-cum-location (compass of work), so briefly and fitly be expressed in the text.

7. Such quotations of places to be marginally set down, as shall serve for the fit references of one scripture to another.

8. Every particular man of each company to take the same chapter or chapters; and having translated or amended them severally by himself, where he thinks good, all are then to meet together, to confer what they have done, and agree for their part what shall stand.

9. As any one company hath dispatched any one book in this manner, they shall sent it to the rest, to be considered of seriously and judiciously; for his majesty (the king) is very careful in this point.

10. If any company, upon the review of the book so sent, shall doubt or differ upon any places, to send them word thereof, to note the places, and therewithal to send their reasons; to which if they consent not, the difference to be compounded at the general meeting, which is to be of the chief persons of each company, at the end of the work.

11. When any place of special obscurity is doubted of, letters to be directed by authority, to send to any learned in the land for his judgment in such a place.

12. Letters to be sent from every bishop to the rest of his clergy, admonishing them of this translation in hand, and to move and change as many as, being skilful in the tongues (languages) have taken pains it that kind, to send their particular observation to the company, either at Westminster, Cambridge, or Oxford, according as it was directed before in the king’s letter to the Archbishop.

13. The directors in each company to be the Deans of Westminster, and Chester for Westminster, and the King’s Professors in Hebrew and Greek in the two universities.

14. These translations to be used, when they agree better with the text than the Bishop’s Bible, viz. Tyndal’s, Coverdale’s Matthew’s, Whitchurch’s and Geneva.

15. Besides the said directors before mentioned, three or four of the most ancient and grave divines in either of the universities not employed in translating, to be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor, upon conference with the rest of the heads, to be overseers of the translation, as well Hebrew as Greek, for the better observation of the 4th rules above specified.

According to these regulations, each book passed the scrutiny of all the translators successively. In the first instance, each individual translated every book, which was allotted to his division. Secondly, the readings to be adopted were agreed upon by the whole of the company assembled together, at which meeting each translator must have solely occupied by his own version. the book, thus finished, was sent to each of the other companies to again examined; and at these meetings it probably was.

As Selden informs us, the, “One read the translation, the rest holding in their hands some Bible, either of the learned tongues, or French, Spanish, Italian, etc. If they found any fault, they spoke; if not, he read on.” Further, the translators were empowered to call to their assistance any learned men, whose studies enabled them to be serviceable, when an urgent occasion of difficulty presented itself. The translation was commenced in the spring of 1607, and the completion of it occupied almost three years.

When time had expired 3 copies of the whole Bible, thus translated and revised, were sent to London, one from Oxford, one from Cambridge, and the third from Westminster. Here a committee of six, two being deputed (delegated) by the companies at Oxford, two by those at Cambridge, and two by those at Westminster, reviewed and polished the whole work: which was finally revised by Dr. Smith (bishop of Wichester), and by Dr. Bilson, who wrote the preface. This translation of the Bible was published in folio in 1611.”

Phillip Laspino www.seekfirstwisdom.com