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| picture used with permission |
In 1603 King James VI of Scotland rode into England to become its new monarch King James I. Although raised on a strict Presbyterian diet of the Geneva Bible, that particular Bible always held an association with his harsh upbringing as an orphan. In addition its anti-monarchical marginal notes did not endear themselves to the new king - later editions of the Geneva Bible even translated the word King as Tyrant!
2. Out with the Bishops Bible
But James was not only a King but a scholar fluent in five languages. Trained by the renowned George Buchanan in Biblical Greek, Hebrew and Theology, he recognised that the Bishops Bible commonly used in England was a sloppy work. So when the Puritans proposed a new translation in the 1604 Hampton Court Conference James jumped at the chance.
3. In with accuracy, scholarship and unity
To enforce unity under himself as king, James personally took the lead. He drew up the translation principles. He chose 54 of England’s greatest scholars (puritans, traditionalists and literary giants) to do the work. He saw they were divided into 6 teams and reported to an editorial committee. He wanted the most accurate and beautiful English translation of God’s Word, and he wanted it translated from the best available sources of the day.
