1611 KJV vs Today

Oops 😬

Speaking of typos … that’s what I get for trying to type an url on my iPhone.

I just checked back in with David’s substack posting.
Have not heard from him for a while.

Here is the hopefully right click:


He rates a translation I personally do not use as “good.” But no sense debating that point. It certainly is lower in grade level to use than the 12th grade level KJV or KJV1611.

Consider this though in Colonial Times parents (mostly mothers) taught their children to read using KJV * before they first entered a classroom.

David does a fantastic job on using the readability scale we Reading teachers use to test out the reading level of each translation.

~ Mabe
 
For that matter, the better known Geneva Bible was also considered a 'political' Bible because of its notes. But got dumped in favor of the 1611. I guess depending who's in power (God always is) determines the outcome.
The KJV translation got a big push from King James due to the Geneva Bible study notes were critical of Kings ruling and lording over the people, and he did not like their Calvinist study notes either
 
The KJV translation got a big push from King James due to the Geneva Bible study notes were critical of Kings ruling and lording over the people, and he did not like their Calvinist study notes either

Amen, YeshuaFan;

You add on a very interesting history behind the King James. You mentioned the study notes. Aside from King James "Calvinistic study notes", we assume the study notes are automatically agreeable. But if you compare study notes from different translations there will be a variance of comments for that particular Passage. I personally don't always agree with the commentator but it gives me food for thought.

For years my wife and I used to read the Bible separately except at a Church Bible study. I think it was four years ago when we started reading together, a different translation each year according to the study calendar.

Our study together sparks more Bible conversation which encourages me. In January 2026 I suggested we study the KJV.

I'm going to go back to review the earlier translations and it's critical history prior to the King James and share with her as we read along.

God bless
you, and Merry Christmas.

Bob
 
Amen, YeshuaFan;

You add on a very interesting history behind the King James. You mentioned the study notes. Aside from King James "Calvinistic study notes", we assume the study notes are automatically agreeable. But if you compare study notes from different translations there will be a variance of comments for that particular passage. I personally don't always agree with the commentator but it gives me food for thought.

For years my wife and I used to read the Bible separately except at a Church Bible study. I think it was four years ago when we started reading together, a different translation each year according to the study calendar.

Our study together sparks more Bible conversation which encourages me. In January 2026 I suggested we study the KJV.

I'm going to go back to review the earlier translations and it's critical history prior to the King James and share with her as we read along.

God bless
you, and Merry Christmas.

Bob
What is interesting is the KJVO crowd hate modern versions using textual criticism in translation process, yet even the 1611 kjv had notes in margins showing other variants and other ways to understanding passage then what they decided on, so were using textual criticism themselves
 
What is interesting is the KJVO crowd hate modern versions using textual criticism in translation process, yet even the 1611 kjv had notes in margins showing other variants and other ways to understanding passage then what they decided on, so were using textual criticism themselves
Although the Geneva Bible had notes as well as the KJV, they were both based on the Textus Receptus as opposed to the Siniaticus and Vaticanus manuscripts, which more modern bibles are based on.
 
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Although the Geneva Bible had notes as well as the KJV, they were both based on the Textus Receptus as opposed to the Siniaticus and Vaticanus manuscripts, which more modern bibles are based on.
There is no way they could have used Codex Sinaiticus because it was not discovered until 1844 by Constantin von Tischendorf which was long after the Geneva Bible and KJV were translated. Erasmus did know of Codex Vaticanus, however, he never saw it in person. He had written correspondence with Paulus Bombasius and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda concerning the codex who had access to the Vatican library.
 
There is no way they could have used Codex Sinaiticus because it was not discovered until 1844 by Constantin von Tischendorf which was long after the Geneva Bible and KJV were translated. Erasmus did know of Codex Vaticanus, however, he never saw it in person. He had written correspondence with Paulus Bombasius and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda concerning the codex who had access to the Vatican library.
1844? So much for preserving His Word...Up until then, I guess people sat groping without God's Word for a good 1700 years or so?...

Psalm 12:6-7 KJV
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
 
1844? So much for preserving His Word...Up until then, I guess people sat groping without God's Word for a good 1700 years or so?...
I never even suggest something like that.

I am sorry I did not make myself clear. I did not mean to suggest it was completely unknown. The monks at St. Catherine monastery, where it was it found by Constantin von Tischendorf, they knew of it.

However the truth of the matter is the Greek New Testament was not really utilize in the West which had been dominated by the Latin Vulgate for ca. 1000 years. And Erasmus' 1st edition of the N.T. was not published until 1516.

Also Erasmus used only 7 manuscripts for his edition: one dated to the 11 century, four to the 12th century, 2 to the 15th century.
 
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As I stated after my slap down on my belly in the shape of a Cross - born from above occurrence - I began again starting with a children’s Bible Stories and worked my way up through various translations to KJV and Geneva which is the most difficult reading level of 12.

Not a KJVO person mind you.

Read the Foreword of the committee translation editors of KJV the first edition. Quite telling that King James I have the ultimate say what was included and what was excluded. He was most concerned with the legacy of “The Divine Right of Kings” preservation. Interesting indeed that he insisted the Authorized Translation used James presumedly

… “The Hebrew name for the Book of James is "Yaakov" (יעקב), which is derived from the name Jacob. This name reflects the original Hebrew roots of the text, as James is a translation of the Greek form of Yaakov.”…

I enjoy as my carry Bible to service the ESV Study Bible Hard Bound. Our Pastor the son of a Baptist Missionary most frequently uses this translation but not exclusively when reading Old and New Passages during his well conceived sermons. His brother was one of the Editors contributing to the Study Notes. Last week Pastor used Holman.

He is very well versed in Aramaic, Ancient Hebrew, and Koine Greek. Although our local church says Presbyterian on the sign we are not of the “frozen chosen” flavor beyond our walls to Session level and definitely not World Council of Churches affiliated.

Currently our Bible Study is the traditional book of Hebrews melding well the Old and Nrr Testament. The human pens committee yet inspired by The Holy Spirit recorders were Priscilla, Aquila, Apollos, and Paul.

We know and teach that The Great GOD Almighty’s Holy Name translated from Aramaic to Koine Greek to English is I AM.

Serving I AM with you,
~Mabe
 
Uh 🙄 oh

Make that …

New Testament.

Using this silly Apple 🍏 phone 📱 for data entry mmmm a proddlin!

Hmmm 🧐 think about this … Job using Apple for his line logo.

}}}===>>> Steven Jobs birth parents were Joanne Carole Schieble and Abdulfattah "John" Jandali (Arabic: عبد الفتاح الجندلي). Abdulfattah

This tool of technology indeed far from precise and AI most disturbing to say the least.

I apologize.
 
Crossnote,

As far as editions…
have a few I would avoid to be sure.

There are merits of so many no one size fits all.

I’m rather annoyed at times with the misquoting stuffy original language types who pretend to know the languages. Lecturing those of us grafted in.

They get Jesus’s name WRONG not using Aramaic and insisting on a Kabbalah name.

One came out with fangs on another venue yet not knowing IESOUS CHRIST I AM clearly His Holy Name is I AM.

In order to see our Lord and Savior more clearly in all the Books of the Holy Bible - Old Testament and New Covenant go for it!

Great study I recommend to all here assembled go through your Bibles circling in red I AM.
 
There is no way they could have used Codex Sinaiticus because it was not discovered until 1844 by Constantin von Tischendorf which was long after the Geneva Bible and KJV were translated. Erasmus did know of Codex Vaticanus, however, he never saw it in person. He had written correspondence with Paulus Bombasius and Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda concerning the codex who had access to the Vatican library.
What is interesting is also how KJVO slandered Westcott and Hort, as being into spiritualism and the occult, and also keep propagating the idea that those Greek texts used by MV were found in the garbage waiting to get burned up
 
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