The translators to the reader preface to the king james version 1611. Volunteers at read this preface to the 1611 king james bible into a free audio format for your enjoyment. We are left to wonder why it has been left to a modern scholar to issue this compelling and legitimate objection to the removal of the translators preface. Preface to the king james version 255 is translated and even superior to the originals themselves. The king james version translation committees were as. This post is taken from appendix 1 of rebooting the bible.
The translators to the reader original preface to the king james version of 1611 the familiar epistle dedicatory to king james i, printed at the beginning of many current kjv editions, is often mistakenly thought to be the preface of this translation. Preface to the king james version 1611, part 9 of 10. The missing preface to the 1611 king james version the. Other english translations before tyndale were translations from the latin vulgate rather than from the greek or hebrew texts. We submit that inclusion of the translators preface in king james bibles would provide kjv readers with the facts concerning the translation of the 1611 authorised version facts that, as stated by e. Greek for descent and language, even of ptolemy philadelph, king of egypt, to procure the translating of the book of god out of hebrew into greek. Miles smith remarked in his preface to the kjb, the translators were greater in other mens eyes than in their own, and sought truth rather than their own praise. At least sixty men were directly involved in the translation of the king james bible hereinafter kjb. This preface is primarily a defense of the new translation, but it also provides important information about. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the translators to the readers. Goodspeed, would enlighten and protect them against the great quantity of false and misleading information that has issued forth from the leadership of the kjvonly movement.
As noted previously, they unequivocally regarded only the original hebrew and greek to be divinely inspired and inerrant, and all translations, by their very nature. The translators of the bible wish grace, mercy, and peace, through jesus christ our lord. The translators preface has not been included in king james bibles since the. Bible king jamespreface wikisource, the free online library. Dedication letter from the translators to king james kjv bible. The titlepage is followed by 17 preliminary leaves containing dedication, preface to the reader, calendar, almanack, etc. Republished with permission from theologically driven when the king james version of the bible came off the press of robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface titled the translators to the reader. Thesis by ej goodspeed regarding preface to kjv 1611. The king james bible translators were forbidden by the king to use certain words, concepts and principles contrary to the teachings of the church of england in their translating, therefore making it a statesponsored religion bible the very thing that our american founding fathers were trying to. Apr 09, 2012 when the king james version of the bible came off the press of robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface titled the translators to the reader. It matters what the 47 scholars who did the translating from hebrew and greek into the king james version asserted about their work. They did not have the same view of other translations that king james onlyists have today. The translators to the reader, preface to the king james version. The preface is no longer printed in present copies of the book.
As the kings speech, which he uttereth in parliament, being translated into french, dutch, italian, and latin, is still the kings speech, though it be not interpreted by every translator with the like grace, nor peradventure so fitly for phrase. In all its forms it has greatly served religion, and in its modern forms its meaning comes out more clearly and more tellingly than ever. This preface is primarily a defense of the new translation, but it also provides important information about the translators views on the subject of bible translation. Combs when the king james version of the bible came off the press of robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface entitled the translators to the reader. May 19, 2015 1611 king james bible translators to the reader pt 1 read out loud original pg 8 to 11 this is being read from a digital copy of an original 1611 king james bible. The translators to the reader preface to the king james version 1611 thesis by edgar j. Mar 16, 2014 volunteers at read this preface to the 1611 king james bible into a free audio format for your enjoyment. The titlepage of the new testament has a woodcut border. It is commonly reported that there were 54 translators selected to the translation, but only 47 actually participated in the work. What a 400yearold bible preface can teach us about translations. The translators to the reader preface to the king james. Welcome to the king james bible translators website. The translators were allowed to use previous translations at their liking, such as tyndales, matthews and the geneva bible. This bible became the authorized version to be used in the church of england.
Bible king jamespreface wikisource, the free online. The preface is a necessary, though often unread, gift. Preface to the revised standard version of the bible 1971. The translators of the king james version expressed many other views which would probably be the undoing of king james onlyism if their preface was widely published and read. The first edition of the socalled king james bible, or authorized version. They approached the task of translation with humility, understanding they were standing on the shoulders of giants like william tyndale. The preface to the kjv bible is fitting to read, as it reminds contemporary readers of the transitory nature of all bible translations. January 2004 the text of the king james version kjv of the holy bible also called the authorized version av by some is in the public domain. The king james translators did not consider the apocrypha to be scripture and neither did king jamessee, alexander mcclure on the apocryphal committee and why the apocrypha is not is the bible.
King james version kjv original preface 1611 free online. He had a knowledge of greek and latin fathers, as well as being an expert in chaldee, syriac, and arabic. What other book is published without its own preface, the preliminary essay in. The king james version kjv, also known as the king james bible kjb or simply the authorized version av, is an english translation of the christian bible for the church of england, was commissioned in 1604 and completed as well as published in 1611 under the sponsorship of james vi and i.
The translators to the reader original preface to the. The translators argue that all previous english translations can rightly be called the word of god, even though they may contain some. At the hampton court conference, convened by king james i in 1603, john reynolds, the head of the puritan church in england, proposed a new english translation of the scriptures that would unite the churches and the people of england. P recisely 451 years after the june 19, 1566, birth of king james i of england, one achievement of his reign still stands above the rest. The foundation on which everything else rested was the influence of the king james version on the english language. Most were translators, while a few were project overseers, revisers and editors. Perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the modern protestant church is that the bible used by that body is not the original king james bible. This is the translation of the seventy interpreters, commonly so called, which prepared the way for our saviour. When the 1611 king james bible was published, it was a book that summed up and refined the preceding tradition of english bible translation. Part 6 of the translators preface to the king james bible. When i first read the kjv translators preface, i was surprised to see that they fully expected a cold reception to their work. Excerpts from the translators preface to the kjv 1611 take note of the spirit of the translators as they expressed their desire for all christians. Dedication letter from the translators to king james kjv. A new translation of a bible translation preface logostalk.
Translators preface to the king james bible, part 6 of 15. Philadelph, king of egypt, to procure the translating of the book of god out of hebrew into greek. They approached this translation with the mindset that they were translating the very word of god, not just some book. The sixth company of translators at cambridge translated the apocryphal books. The preface to the king james version and the king jamesonly position by william w. These were divided into six companies, two of which met at oxford, two at cambridge, and two at westminster. We wonder why it has been left to a modern scholar to publish this compelling and legitimate protest to the removal of the translators preface. Preface to the king jesus version essential revelations. They could have no idea that their bible would one day be praised even by nonchristians for its literary quality and cultural importance the kjv translators felt they had to defend the very idea that another english bible translation was necessary. The translators to the reader original preface to the king. The embarrassing preface to the king james version sharper iron.
Unabridged with original spelling retained kindle edition by king james translators, publications, crossreach. The king james bible translators were a collection of some of the worlds best scholars. The embarrassing preface to the king james version. Joash the king of israel did not satisfy himself, till he had smitten the ground three times. That translation, completed in 1611, and the bibles published for the use of the clergy and the church members until late in the 19th century, contained 80 books. Where geoffrey king first westminster company served as vicar. The king james version is not a king james only document. The king james translators did not consider the apocrypha to be scripture and neither did king james see, alexander mcclure on the apocryphal committee and why the apocrypha is not is the bible. Preface to the king james version 1611, part 8 of 10.
G reat and manifold were the blessings, most dread sovereign, which almighty god, the father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of england, when first he sent your majestys royal person to rule and reign over us. Oxford is proud to announce a limited edition of the 1611 text of the king james bible, with real leather binding, gilt edging, ribbon marker, gift presentation plate, and protective cloth slipcase. The missing parts of the king james bible the lost books. Of one and the same book of aristotles ethics, there. The king james bible translators were forbidden by the king to use certain words, concepts and principles contrary to the teachings of the church of england in their translating, therefore making it a statesponsored religion bible the very thing that our american founding fathers were trying to get away from. The translators of the bible, wish grace, mercie, and peace, through jesus christ our lord. Preface to the king james version art and the bible. Librivox recording of the preface from the king james version.
The translators of the king james bible av1611 a brief summary. In fact the word bishopricke was used in wiclifs translation which was produced over 200 years before the. Goodspeed the university of chicago press chicago illinois no book means so much to religion as the bible. Much about that time, even in our king richard the seconds days, john trevisa translated them into english, and many english bibles in written hand are yet to be seen with divers, translated as it is very probable, in that age. Ambrose officium ambrosianum was a great while in special use and request. The translators of the bible wish grace, mercy, and peace. The kjv translators did not think this was a problem at all. Robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface entitled. In actuality, the true preface is a lengthy section entitled the translators to the reader.
The makers of the version in their day felt that the work called for some explanation and defense, and entrusted the writing of a suitable preface to myles smith, of brasenose college, oxford, afterward bishop of gloucester. Get started with free bible software compare translations, take notes and highlight, consult devotionals and commentaries, look up greek and hebrew words, and much moreall with the help of intuitive, interactive tools. This is the most authoritative edition of the king james bible available. So the kjv translators complaint that new things, things of. But it is the omission of the great preface, the translators to the reader, that is most to be regretted. This translation was not unique to the king james bible. Jun 19, 2017 p recisely 451 years after the june 19, 1566, birth of king james i of england, one achievement of his reign still stands above the rest. The following thesis by a modern manuscript scholar, now deceased, protests the omission of the translators preface to the 1611 king james version from king james bibles for the past 100 years. Oct 25, 2017 when the king james version of the bible came off the press of robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface titled the translators to the reader. Introduction to the translators preface at a conference with church authorities in 1604, the newly appointed king james i ordered a new, uniform translation of the bible into english.
The makers of the version in their day felt that the work called for some explanation and defense, and entrusted the writing of a suitable preface to myles smith. The king james bible translators f the 54 invitations issued to join the team of king james bible translators, only 47 of the men appointed for this work are known to have engaged in it. The books of the king james version include the 39 books of the old testament, an intertestamental. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. When the king james version of the bible came off the press of robert barker in 1611, it contained an elevenpage preface titled the translators to the reader. The preface is a necessary, though often unread, gift from the translators to readers of the kjv. At a conference with church authorities in 1604, the newly appointed king james i ordered a new, uniform translation of the bible into english. Great and manifold were the blessings most dread soveraigne which. Unabridged with original spelling retained translators, king james, publications, crossreach on. The use and misuse of the king james bible forthcoming, lexham press. The following accounts of the king james translators are taken from, the translators revived by alexander mcclure published in 1858.
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