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It has been nearly 400 years since the
Authorized Version of 1611, and still the King James Version is beloved by
people across the English speaking world. However, I am increasingly
alarmed by the number of people I talk to who say they love the KJV
because it is easy to understand, but then cannot answer correctly several
basic questions that do not involve interpretation, but simple reading
comprehension.
The problem is nothing short in many cases than the way our language has
evolved over the past 400 years. Conversation no longer means the
way we live, as it did in 1611. Leasing refers to cars today,
but in the KJV it refers to speaking lies. And anon...well, what
does that mean anyway? What is a rereward, and how will God be that
for us? Who knows today that surfeiting means drunken carousing?
Or that "let" actually means to hinder or obstruct? The
fact is, there are over 400 words in the KJV that have either changed
their meaning, or are simply no longer a part of our modern vernacular.
And then there are translation issues. The King James Version New
Testament was translated using only a handful of manuscripts, while today
we have thousands at our disposal. The translators did an exquisite
job with what they had, but today we are able to identify several areas
where corrections are needed. These corrections are necessary
where we can now prove additions and/or changes were made to the early
manuscripts (as in the case of 1 John 5:7-8, a proven interpolation), and
also where linguistic studies of the 1600's failed to properly define
certain words. One such case of the latter is found in James 5:4 where the KJV
reads,
"...and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears
of the Lord of sabaoth."
Many readers simply identify that last word, "sabaoth," with
"the Sabbath" because it has a similar sound. Few know
that it is a Hebrew word that appropriately translated should read,
"hosts." That is, the cries of the reapers have entered
the ears of "the Lord of Hosts." Other instances do not
stand out so easily, for in some cases the KJV translators simply chose
the wrong English word to translate its Greek or Hebrew (and in some
cases Aramaic) counterpart. For example, Acts 12:4 in the KJV shows
Herod placing Peter in prison with the intent to pass judgment on him after
Easter, while the Greek word specifically refers to Passover (as
it is rendered in all 29 other occurrences in the NT). The
difference between "Easter" and "Passover" may seem
insignificant, but it reveals a bias in translation that elsewhere might
be harder to identify. Overall, translation errors are few, but a significant amount of them exist to merit a real revision and
update of the English Version.
That is why this translation was done. While there are many
new translations available today, none have undertaken the task of
updating the King James Version in
such a way that the poetic and linguistic style of the beloved
Authorized Version is retained. Of course, that is not to say that modern
efforts should try to do so. The thees and thous of the KJV may seem
more reverent to us today, but in its original form the Word of God has
always been in the language of the people. But the King James
Version has been a familiar standard for so many people for so long that
newer translations are often scorned and rejected,
not on the
grounds of real textual criticism, but rather on the basis of familiarity.
That is, because the new versions don't read like the old, we are
suspicious that they are corrupt. Some people even accuse them of
being conspiratorial. I do not share those sentiments. But I
believe that the work I am doing will be of great service to those who
love the King James Version (as I myself do) and want a version that is
loyal to its familiar majestic quality, at the same time being accurate according to the most
recent manuscript and linguistic discoveries.
Regarding the included commentary, I have restricted my notes largely to the field
of cultural context and linguistic helps. I pray that the insights I
share will be beneficial to you as well.
If you have further questions or comments, please e-mail
me! I would also like to recommend the book, "The
King James Only Controversy," an excellent book on the subject of
new translations that exposes a lot of the myths concerning translations
both new and old. Below are a few
examples of the differences you will find in my translation as compared to
the traditional text. I have offered a brief explanation for the new
rendering. |
|
King
James Version
|
My
Translation |
Explanation |
| For
verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one
jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till
all be fulfilled. Matt. 5:18 |
For
verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, not
the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen shall by
any means pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. |
The
jot in the KJV is the yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew
alphabet, while the tittle refers to the decorative spike placed
upon it. My rendering serves to explain this Hebraic image in
similar English idiom. |
| The
light of the body is the eye: if therefore
thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of
darkness. Matt. 6:22-23a |
The
light of the body is the eye; if therefore
thine eye be good [that is, if
thou art generous], thy whole body
shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil
[that is, if thou art stingy], thy whole body shall be
full of darkness. |
The
"single eye" should more appropriately be translated as a
"good eye" and is an idiomatic expression which means to
be generous and giving. See Proverbs 22:9 and 28:22. See
Chapter Six commentary for more. |
| The
thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast
the same in his teeth. Matt. 27:44 |
The
thieves also, who were crucified with him, insulted
him likewise. |
The
phrase "cast the same in his teeth" is not a literal
translation, but an Old English idiom used by the KJV translators.
"Insulted him likewise" is a literal rendering of the
Greek. |
| But
he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that
heareth the word, and anon with joy
receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth
for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth
because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Matt. 13:20-21 |
But
he that received the seed on stony places, the same is he who
heareth the word, and at once with joy
receiveth it; Yet he hath no root in himself, but
endureth only for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth
because of the word, he quickly falleth away. |
This
passage illustrates the need for updated English. The
translation is fine in the KJV, and was easily understood in it's
day, but today words like anon, by and by, and offend are either
unknown or simply misunderstood. |
| And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of
heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matt. 11:12 |
And
from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is
breaking forth; and men are breaking forth in it. |
The
KJV rendering of this verse is regrettable, especially since it is
popularly quoted. Chalk this one up to linguistic discoveries
that still elude many modern translations. |
| And
behold, a woman, which was diseased
with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
touched the hem of his garment.
Matt. 9:20 |
And
behold, a woman who was diseased with
an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the
tassel on the corner of his cloak. |
The
Greek word for hem refers specifically to the tassels on the
garment, which for observant Jews would be the tzitiyot worn on the
four corners of the cloak in obedience to Num. 15:37-41. |
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