
Bible Class 1
Series: Common Bible Phrases
An Introduction to the King James Version Bible
You will notice that there are many links embedded in the following classes, these are for your easy reference to further information on the topic. At the time of publishing all links were functioning. If you find a broken link, please let me know at: bibletopix@gmail.com
If you would like to listen to a beginners introduction to the Bible, I suggest you try this link to the Bible Made Easy podcasts.
The King James Version (KJV) of the English Bible has been very influential in the development of the English language. Here is a link to the online site for this version of the Bible.
Along with the complete works of Shakespeare and the Oxford English Dictionary the KJV Bible is one of the cornerstones of the recorded English language. After Shakespeare, the KJV (also called the Authorized Version of the Bible), is the most common source of phrases in English that are or have been in common use.
The ‘King James’ referred to in the title of this Bible was James I of England (also known as James VI of Scotland). Although he was a theologian, he didn't write the text of course, he only authorized it to be translated and compiled from the original ancient writings.
The KJV was translated by 47 biblical scholars, working in six committees. It was first printed in 1611. It wasn’t the earliest English translation of the Bible. Before the KJV there were other partial or complete translations, notably John Wyclif's translation in 1382 and William Tyndale's in 1528.
So, what raises the KJV above other versions of the Bible? In terms of its linguistic impact is the fact that the language used has continued into the present-day. Many of the phrases included are still commonplace. In the upcoming classes we will study some of the many phrases that originated mostly, but not all, from the King James Version of the Bible.