The Development of The King James Bible
The King James Bible has been demonstrated as the most known translation of the holy bible currently. Its authorization occurred in 1604, while the first copy appeared in 1611. The King James Version of the holy scripture is still one of the paramount milestones in the English language. The version has affected the English language and thought groups. Although the King James Bible was produced in England, it played an exceptional part in the historical advancement of America (Campbell, 2010). The King James Version of the holy bible has been celebrated for long by many people. It is not only by its description of Christianity but also for its capability of spreading the English language in the world, making it the leading language used globally today. The development of the King James Bible was a long and painful process.
King James I of England was born on 19th June 1566. One of his greatest achievements, which still stands today, is the translation of the holy bible to an English version that takes his name. When King James came to power, he inherited a quarrelsome religious state which acted as a motivating factor to authorize the English translation of the bible to King James Version. Before he took power, Queen Mary, a Catholic who was Queen Elizabeth half-sister, had killed about 250 protestants (Hannabuss, 2011). Queen Elizabeth confirmed the legality of the Anglican church but preserved the settlement where puritans and protestants were permitted to practice their personal choices of the religion. Later the Anglican church was attacked by Puritans and Calvinists who wanted to position of bishops abolished, leading to bitter disputes (Griffith, nd) During the reign of King James, the sharp disagreements were conveyed in a very different setting. Translation of the old texts blasted in the 15th century. An urgent demand for people who were able to read the ancient languages was created by the fresh marked for translated versions.
It was after a petition was handed over to King James by a delegation of puritans that he called a conference to deliberate on their grievances (Campbell,2010). The meeting was held at the Hampton Court Palace. It is at that place where King James ordered a new translation. It was to be perfect and correct to the originals. King James wanted a standard translation where old known terms were to be used. Fifty of the nation’s best language intellectuals were appointed by the King to take part in the translation. It well explained that King James did not want any extreme notes to be attached to the translation, as was the case in the Geneva Bible.
Conclusion
All translations are a result of the prevailing circumstances at the time, and the King James version is not an exception. It was written when there were so many bitter disagreements between various groups. To settle the conflict, King James ordered a translation that was to be perfect and true to the initial scriptures, and this resulted to the King James bible (Baker, 2009). The King James Bible has influenced the English language in a greater way than any other book, or section of culture. Its turns of idiom have filled each day of speakers of the English language. Although the initial version was produced in England, it has helped in spreading the English language making it the leading language in the world.
References
Barker, H. (2009). English Bible Versions. doi: 10.1017/cbo9780511790096
Campbell, G. (2010). The Bible in English. Bible, 7–31. doi:
10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199693016.003.0002
Griffith-Jones, R. (n.d.). The King James Bible and the Language of Liturgy. The King James
Version at 400, 69–86. doi: 10.2307/j.ctt5hjgtt.12
Hannabuss, S. (2011). Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language2011201David
Crystal. Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2010. vii 327 pp., ISBN: 978 0 19 958585 4 £14.99 $16.95. Reference Reviews, 25(5), 9–10. doi: 10.1108/09504121111145177