The King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611, is regarded as one of the most influential and enduring translations of Scripture. However, the translators of the KJV did not view their work as the final or perfect rendering of the biblical text. Rather, they recognized the fluid nature of translation and the need for future revisions as more knowledge and resources became available. In their preface, titled “The Translators to the Reader,” the KJV translators acknowledged their reliance on earlier English translations and expressed their anticipation of future updates to improve the accuracy and clarity of the Bible. This recognition of ongoing refinement is evident in the subsequent history of English Bible translation, from the 1881 Revised Version (RV) to the 2022 Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
The King James Version as a Revision of Earlier English Translations
The KJV translators were clear in their preface that they did not intend to create an entirely new translation of the Bible. Instead, they sought to refine and improve upon the English translations that had come before them. They drew heavily from the work of William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale, and other translators responsible for the Great Bible, the Bishops’ Bible, and the Geneva Bible. These earlier translations laid the foundation upon which the KJV was built.
As the translators themselves stated:
“Truly (good Christian Reader) we never thought from the beginning, that we should need to make a new Translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one… but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones, one principal good one, not justly to be excepted against; that hath been our endeavor, that our mark.”
Here, the translators humbly recognized that their task was not to reinvent the wheel but to polish and enhance existing translations. This perspective is particularly important because it reveals that the KJV was always meant to be part of an ongoing process of Bible translation—a process that had begun before the KJV and would continue after it.
Anticipation of Future Updates and the Need for Ongoing Revision
The KJV translators were not only aware of the limitations of their own time but also understood that as knowledge of biblical manuscripts and languages improved, future generations would need to refine the translation further. They wrote:
“For by this means it cometh to pass, that whatsoever is sound already (and all is sound for substance in one or other of our editions, and the worst of ours far better than their authentic vulgar [the Latin Vulgate]), the same will shine as gold more brightly, being rubbed and polished; also, if anything be halting, or superfluous, or not so agreeable to the original, the same may be corrected, and the truth set in place.”
This acknowledgment reflects their understanding that no translation could be considered the final word. They anticipated the discovery of more ancient manuscripts and improvements in linguistic studies, which would provide future scholars with the tools to create even more accurate translations. The translators’ use of the metaphor of polishing gold implies that their work was a valuable contribution, but one that could—and should—be improved upon over time.
The Evolving Understanding of Hebrew and Greek
Another key insight from the KJV translators was their recognition of the importance of improving the understanding of the original biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek. They stressed the necessity of making the Scriptures accessible and clear to all readers, not just scholars. In their preface, they wrote:
“But how shall men meditate in that which they cannot understand? How shall they understand that which is kept close in an unknown tongue?… Translation it is that openeth the window, to let in the light; that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel; that putteth aside the curtain, that we may look into the most Holy place; that removeth the cover of the well, that we may come by the water.”
Their metaphor of “opening the window” highlights the role of translation in illuminating the Scriptures for readers. Yet, they also acknowledged that this process was not static but dynamic. As scholars’ understanding of Hebrew and Greek advanced, future translations would “let in the light” even more effectively. This forward-thinking perspective laid the groundwork for later revisions of the English Bible, particularly as new manuscript evidence emerged.
The 1881 Revised Version (RV): A Fulfillment of the KJV’s Expectations
The Revised Version (RV) of 1881 was the first major revision of the KJV, undertaken by a group of British and American scholars. The RV was a direct response to the KJV translators’ anticipation of future revisions. It was based on older and more reliable manuscripts that had become available since the publication of the KJV, including significant findings from the Alexandrian text-type. The RV translators sought to correct some of the mistranslations and inaccuracies that had crept into the KJV due to the limited manuscript evidence available in the early 17th century.
For example, the RV incorporated readings from Codex Sinaiticus (330-360 C.E.) and Codex Vaticanus (300-330 C.E.), two of the oldest complete copies of the Greek New Testament. These manuscripts were not available to the KJV translators, and their inclusion in the RV marked a significant advancement in textual accuracy. The RV translators recognized that the KJV, while valuable, could be refined in light of better manuscript evidence. This approach directly mirrored the KJV translators’ own admission that future generations would need to revise their work as more ancient sources became available.
The 1901 American Standard Version (ASV): Continuing the Process of Refinement
The American Standard Version (ASV), published in 1901, was a revision of the RV and marked another step in the ongoing process of refining the English Bible. The ASV retained much of the language and structure of the KJV but made several important changes based on the evolving understanding of Hebrew and Greek. The ASV translators also had access to more manuscripts than the RV team, allowing them to make even more informed decisions about the text.
One of the most notable features of the ASV was its emphasis on translating the divine name, Jehovah, rather than using the title “the LORD.” This reflected a growing awareness among scholars of the importance of using accurate renderings of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton (JHVH). The decision to use Jehovah in the ASV was in line with the KJV translators’ call for future revisions based on a better understanding of the original languages.
The Discovery of Papyri by Grenfell and Hunt: A Turning Point in New Testament Studies
At the turn of the 20th century, the discovery of ancient papyri by British archaeologists Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt revolutionized the study of the New Testament. These papyri, many of which were fragments of the Greek New Testament dating as far back as the 2nd century C.E., provided scholars with a wealth of new manuscript evidence. Prior to these discoveries, most New Testament scholars relied on later manuscripts, but the papyri brought them closer to the original autographs.
The findings of Grenfell and Hunt, particularly the Chester Beatty Papyri and the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, offered new insights into the text of the New Testament and affirmed the accuracy of earlier translations in many places. However, they also highlighted areas where revisions were necessary to bring the English Bible more in line with the original Greek. The discovery of these papyri was a significant step forward in the process of refining biblical translations—a process that the KJV translators had anticipated.
The 1952 Revised Standard Version (RSV): Further Advancing the Work
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952 was another major milestone in the history of English Bible translations. The RSV translators sought to maintain the literary beauty of the KJV while making significant improvements in accuracy based on the latest manuscript discoveries. By the mid-20th century, scholars had access to a far larger body of manuscript evidence than ever before, including the discoveries of Grenfell and Hunt, as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The RSV was notable for its use of modern English, making the text more accessible to contemporary readers without sacrificing the reverence and dignity of the original language. The translators of the RSV continued the process of refining the text in line with the KJV translators’ vision, making changes where necessary based on the best available manuscript evidence. In this sense, the RSV represented a fulfillment of the KJV translators’ expectation that future generations would build upon their work.
The Discovery of 140+ New Testament Papyri Manuscripts in the 20th Century
Throughout the 20th century, the discovery of more than 140 New Testament papyri manuscripts further deepened scholars’ understanding of the text. Many of these manuscripts were fragmentary but provided invaluable insights into the early transmission of the New Testament. Among the most significant finds were Papyrus 52 (P52), dating to 100-150 C.E., which contains a portion of the Gospel of John, and Papyrus 46 (P46), which preserves much of Paul’s epistles from 100-150 C.E. Some leading papyri are.
These discoveries helped to confirm the reliability of the New Testament text but also highlighted areas where revisions were necessary. For instance, in some cases, the newer papyri revealed earlier readings that differed from those preserved in later Byzantine manuscripts, which had been used as the basis for the Textus Receptus, the Greek text underlying the KJV. As a result, these papyri influenced modern translations such as the English Standard Version (ESV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), both of which sought to incorporate the earliest available readings.
The 2001 English Standard Version (ESV): Continuing the Legacy of the KJV
The English Standard Version (ESV), published in 2001, represents another significant step in the tradition of English Bible translation. The ESV translators sought to maintain the literary elegance of the KJV while making use of the latest scholarship and manuscript evidence. Like the RSV before it, the ESV is a revision that stands in the lineage of the KJV, building upon the work of earlier translators while refining the text for modern readers.
The ESV translators had access to a wealth of manuscript evidence, including the papyri discovered in the 20th century. Their goal was to create a translation that was both faithful to the original languages and accessible to contemporary readers. The ESV’s commitment to “essentially literal” translation echoes the KJV translators’ own dedication to fidelity in rendering the Hebrew and Greek texts. In this way, the ESV continues the process of refining the English Bible, just as the KJV translators had anticipated.
The 2022 Updated American Standard Version (UASV): A Further Refinement
The Updated American Standard Version (UASV), released in 2022, represents the most recent development in the long history of English Bible translations. The UASV builds upon the foundation of the ASV of 1901, making use of the latest manuscript evidence and advances in biblical scholarship to create a more accurate and accessible translation. The UASV retains the use of Jehovah for the divine name, reflecting a commitment to the accurate representation of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton (JHVH). The William Tyndale, the 1611 King James Version, and the 1901 American Standard Version all retained the use of Jehovah for the divine name.
Like the KJV translators, the scholars behind the UASV recognized that translation is an ongoing process. They sought to refine the text further, correcting errors and updating language where necessary. The UASV stands as a continuation of the work begun by the KJV translators, who understood that each generation of scholars would need to revise and improve the text as new resources and understanding became available.
Conclusion: A Work in Progress
The King James Version, while a monumental achievement, was always intended to be part of a broader process of Bible translation. The KJV translators acknowledged the limitations of their time and anticipated future revisions based on better manuscript evidence and advances in the understanding of Hebrew and Greek. From the Revised Version of 1881 to the Updated American Standard Version of 2022, the history of English Bible translation has been a testament to the ongoing effort to bring the Scriptures closer to their original meaning while making them accessible to new generations of readers. The KJV translators’ foresight and humility continue to inspire translators and scholars to this day.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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