Though I am woefully lax in reading it, I am very fond of the King James version of the Bible published four hundred years ago. Even in these modern times, if one rises above archaic words such as ‘thee’ and ‘thou’, its language is rich, resonant and beautifully crafted.
Also known as the Authorised Version, the King James Bible was first published in 1611 by the King’s Printer, Robert Barker, and replaced two previous versions. It came about when King James I convened the Hampton Court Conference of 1604 when a new version was ordered to deal with the problems perceived by the Puritans in the earlier translations.
The new translation was undertaken by 47 scholars, all of whom were members of the Church of England. The Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew texts and the New Testament from the Greek Texts. Though the new translation was not initially universally accepted, it slowly supplanted the previous versions and remained the standard text until fairly recent times when new translations were made.
The new translations, in my view at any rate, do not have the resonance and richness of language of the King James version. Compare, for example, the following text from the Gospel according to St. John at Chapter 1 between the 1611 King James Version and that in the New English Bible of 1970:
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (KJV)
‘When all things began, the Word already was. The Word dwelt with God, and what God was, the Word was.’ (NEB)
Why do I raise this on new Year’s Day?
It is because the Archbishop of Canterbury in his New Year’s Address has said that the King James Bible could help people see the ‘big picture’ at a time of financial or job pressures. ‘This year's anniversary is a chance to stop and think about the big picture - and to celebrate the astonishing contribution made by that book 400 years ago’, he said.
It is interesting that the Archbishop has pointed towards the King James version and not one of the modern translations. And, for once, I agree with him.
Four hundred years after it was crafted and published, the King James version of the Bible remains richer and more resonant in its language than any of its successors.
.
Also known as the Authorised Version, the King James Bible was first published in 1611 by the King’s Printer, Robert Barker, and replaced two previous versions. It came about when King James I convened the Hampton Court Conference of 1604 when a new version was ordered to deal with the problems perceived by the Puritans in the earlier translations.
The new translation was undertaken by 47 scholars, all of whom were members of the Church of England. The Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew texts and the New Testament from the Greek Texts. Though the new translation was not initially universally accepted, it slowly supplanted the previous versions and remained the standard text until fairly recent times when new translations were made.
The new translations, in my view at any rate, do not have the resonance and richness of language of the King James version. Compare, for example, the following text from the Gospel according to St. John at Chapter 1 between the 1611 King James Version and that in the New English Bible of 1970:
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (KJV)
‘When all things began, the Word already was. The Word dwelt with God, and what God was, the Word was.’ (NEB)
Why do I raise this on new Year’s Day?
It is because the Archbishop of Canterbury in his New Year’s Address has said that the King James Bible could help people see the ‘big picture’ at a time of financial or job pressures. ‘This year's anniversary is a chance to stop and think about the big picture - and to celebrate the astonishing contribution made by that book 400 years ago’, he said.
It is interesting that the Archbishop has pointed towards the King James version and not one of the modern translations. And, for once, I agree with him.
Four hundred years after it was crafted and published, the King James version of the Bible remains richer and more resonant in its language than any of its successors.
.
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