Who Was King James?

King James I of England (also known as King James VI of Scotland) was the first Stuart monarch of England, ascending the throne during a tumultuous religious era. His predecessors engaged in extensive religious persecution, with Queen Mary I executing many Protestants and Queen Elizabeth I banning Catholic practices.

By the time James came to power, members of the Church of England were clamoring for a new, more accurate English translation of the Bible. To address this, he sanctioned a translation effort that would be acceptable to Anglicans. A team of 47 scholars was assembled, supervised by Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Bancroft, to undertake this task.

The Political Objective of the King James Bible

James's goal was to prevent the kind of religious wars that ravaged France and Germany in the 16th century. He tasked a committee of 54 scholars and clergymen with creating the King James Bible, which took over seven years to complete. This project was intended as a political and theological compromise, aligning with the interests of both the established church and the growing Puritan movement.

Yet, despite its intentions, the King James Bible remains fraught with mistranslations that continue to puzzle readers.

Minor Changes with Major Implications

Translating the Bible is an immense undertaking, with the King James version containing 783,137 words. The committee debated every word, and even punctuation could significantly alter comprehension. A notable example is the "blasphemous comma" in Luke 23:32, which, when removed, implied that Jesus was part of a criminal duo rather than a victim.

Unicorns in the King James Bible

In 1611, the existence of unicorns was a topic of debate. The King James Bible mentions unicorns nine times, yet this term is a mistranslation of the Hebrew "re’em," which likely referred to a rhinoceros or wild ox. For centuries, readers have been misled by this error.

The 'Wicked Bible' Incident

In a 1631 edition, a printing mistake altered the Ten Commandments to instruct people to commit adultery instead of forbidding it. This "Wicked Bible" led to severe penalties for the printer, Robert Barker, and King Charles I ordered the destruction of all copies.

Misinterpretation of the Holy Ghost

In Matthew 28:19, the King James Bible refers to the "Holy Ghost," although the original Greek text uses "pneuma," meaning spirit or breath. This translation error stemmed from reliance on Latin sources, which influenced the translators' choices.

Confusion Over Jesus's Teachings

The Greek term "miseo," translated as "hate" in the King James Bible, has created misunderstandings. In Luke 14:26, it appears Jesus instructs followers to hate their families. However, deeper analysis reveals that "miseo" implies a preference for spiritual commitment over familial ties, offering a clearer interpretation aligned with Jesus's teachings of love.

King James's Aversion to Witches

A notorious verse, Exodus 22:18, states, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," which fueled witch hunts in England. This line was exploited by figures like Matthew Hopkins during the 1640s, leading to the execution of many accused of witchcraft. However, the original Hebrew term "mekhashepha" did not necessarily denote a witch as understood in that era.

The Evolution of Terms

Interestingly, the term "mekhashepha" was translated as "herbalist" or "poisoner" in earlier texts, but the King James translators chose "witch," reflecting the fears of their time. This decision shaped cultural narratives about witchcraft in profound ways.

King James's Personal Grudge

In 1590, King James's personal vendetta against witches intensified after a storm was believed to have been conjured by them. His subsequent actions, including torturing suspected witches, revealed his obsession with witchcraft, culminating in his book, Daemonologie, which justified his witch hunts.

Mistranslations on Giants

The King James Bible mentions giants in Genesis 6:4, but this term is a mistranslation of "N’filim," which means "fallen ones." This error led to widespread speculation about the existence of biblical giants, influencing folklore and even hoaxes like the Cardiff Giant.

The Enduring Impact of the King James Bible

Commissioned by King James I to unify religious factions, the King James Bible has endured for over 400 years, despite failing to prevent the civil wars that followed its publication. Its linguistic style has profoundly influenced English literature and culture, making it the most quoted book in the English language.

Despite its controversial history, the King James Bible remains a cornerstone of English-speaking Christianity and a testament to the power of the written word.

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