Cambridge vs. Oxford - Which Standard Text?

[Psalm 51:17]

No, you got the correct "A". 

Yes, the Apocrypha is not good. It is not canonical. They are "another Jesus", primarily originating with the Gnostics. The reason it's mentioned is because the original KJV's did have it in them, between the Old and New Testaments. So this info is listed for comparison of versions/editions, as some old ones had it, while others did not.

Oh OK, I think I understand what it is now(maybe 80ish%) - yeah, some good stuff to chew on for awhile.

Matches my bible exactly.

Ok good, thanks! I know I posted a handful of them, but just wanted to make sure anything wasn't "slipped by" in mine. I might post some more later when I get the chance to make sure, but looks like mine checks out OK.

[Phord]

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! i found a website with the oringinal 1611 gothic typeset text with comparisons to others as well at

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/King-James-Bible-English.

check it out Kilika  as i know you have said you have been looking for text.

hope it helps

[Kilika]

The 1611 gothic "black letter" is available in several locations including e-Sword, but it's just the old English spelling, not the font style. That link you gave is nice in that it has pictures of an actual 1611 by Barker.

[Phord]

Yes i was just trying to find oringinal text or pictures of it,, and i thought it nice that Barker was on it, as well i believe that site it was one of the "HE" bibles.

are there any bible texts today say like 1769 you could get in gothic instead of roman? gothic is really beautiiful.

[Phord]

i found some more websites that might help aid in your search.

they are

www.rickbeckman.org/KJV-1611-VS-kjv-1769 (note: this guy ends up attacking kjv at end of his article)

also www.christianlibrary.org/bibles/kjv/kjvindex.htm (they say theirs is a 1769 Cambridge standard text i think)

also two discussions over oxford at following sites:

www.baptistboard.com/archive/index.phhp/t-61640.html

annd www.fundamentalfforums.com/bible-versions/...1769-oxford...

so hope it helps in some way.

[Psalm 51:17]

Thanks!

[Kilika]

i found some more websites that might help aid in your search.

they are

www.rickbeckman.org/KJV-1611-VS-kjv-1769 (note: this guy ends up attacking kjv at end of his article)

also www.christianlibrary.org/bibles/kjv/kjvindex.htm (they say theirs is a 1769 Cambridge standard text i think)

also two discussions over oxford at following sites:

www.baptistboard.com/archive/index.phhp/t-61640.html

annd www.fundamentalfforums.com/bible-versions/...1769-oxford...

so hope it helps in some way.

I took a look at the link for "christianlibrary", and have to say that's an open translation project. Simply not a reliable source, and frankly not needed.

What we do need to do is do some more sorting of all this info, like making separate threads for the main texts, such as an Oxford thread, and a Cambridge thread to help sort the details.

Yes, images of actual bibles are great. The best proof to have aside from a real bible. Particularly any of the frontis/title pages that shows the publisher/printer.

[Kilika]

http://www.kjv-only.com/rick/waites3errors.html

Waite's Three Errors in the Oxford KJV Edition

by Rick Norris

KJV-only author D. A. Waite maintained that "there are slight errors in the Oxford edition which do not conform either to the Hebrew and Greek or to the original Authorized Version of 1611" (Defending the KJB, p. 252). Waite wrote: "I have found at least 3 errors in the Oxford edition of the KJB" (Foes, p. 117). If these three variations or differences can be labeled "errors" by a KJV-only author, are there no other such differences that can be accurately considered errors? David Sorenson noted that "the Oxford Edition is the more commonly used one in the United States" (Touch Not, p. 18).

In one example in Jeremiah 34:16, the present Oxford KJV has "whom he" while the present Cambridge KJV has "whom ye." Waite wrote: "In Jeremiah 34:16 the Oxford University Press King James Version is wrong, false, and in error" (Foes of the KJB Refuted, p. 66). Concerning this same verse, Thomas Holland claimed that "the error was limited to the editions published by Oxford or those based on the Oxford edition" (Crowned with Glory, p. 101). He also identified it as "a printing error found in some current editions" (p. 100). David Daniels wrote that the Oxford printers "mistakenly printed ’whom he’ instead of the correct ’whom ye’ (Answers, p. 127). David Sorenson maintained that the Cambridge edition has the "correct translation" at this verse (Touch Not, p. 19). On the other hand, Scrivener pointed out that the rendering "whom he" was introduced into the KJV in the 1629 and 1638 Cambridge editions (Authorized Edition, p. 225). Two of the KJV translators themselves were among the editors of the Cambridge editions that introduced the rendering "whom he" into the text of the KJV. At this verse, the later Oxford editions were following earlier Cambridge standard editions. The 1762 Cambridge edition, one 1790 Cambridge edition, one 1824 Cambridge edition, one 1833 Cambridge edition, one 1842 Cambridge edition, one 1844 Cambridge edition, one 1865 Cambridge edition, one 1869 Cambridge edition, one 1872 Cambridge edition, and one 1887 Cambridge edition all have "whom he" at this verse, indicating that several Cambridge editions in the 1800‘s likely had this rendering. Peter Ruckman defended both renderings "ye" and "he" at this verse and suggested that either does "not alter the truth" of the statement in this verse at either edition of the KJV (Scholarship Only, p. 71). While the 1948 Pilgrim Edition printed by Oxford University Press in New York had "whom he" at Jeremiah 34:16, the 2003 New Pilgrim Bible [KJV] with consulting editors Jerry Rockwell and Douglas Stauffer has "whom ye." The 1997 Oxford World’s Classics edition of the KJV printed by Oxford University Press has "whom ye" (Jer. 34:16).

In 2 Chronicles 33:19, the present Oxford KJV has "sins" while the present Cambridge KJV has "sin." Waite maintained that the rendering "sins" is "an error in the Oxford editions" (Foes, p. 66). David Daniels referred to "sins" as "the Oxford error" (Answers, p. 130). Concerning "sins," Daniels claimed: "Cambridge University Press did not make the printing error. And all Cambridge-type texts have the correct readings" (p. 129). In contract to inaccurate KJV-only claims, Scrivener indicated that the rendering "sins" was first introduced into the KJV’s text by the 1762 Cambridge edition (Authorized Edition, p. 222). Those Oxford editions and other KJV editions that have "sins" at this verse in effect picked up this "error" from the 1762 Cambridge edition. A Cambridge edition printed in 1790 still has "sins" at this verse. One 1824 Cambridge edition, one 1833 Cambridge edition, one 1842 Cambridge edition, one 1844 Cambridge edition, one 1865 Cambridge edition, one 1869 Cambridge edition, one 1872 Cambridge edition, and one 1887 Cambridge edition also have "sins" at 2 Chronicles 33:19, which may indicate that this rendering was also found in some other Cambridge editions between 1762 and 1887. An 1762 Oxford edition, an 1782 Oxford edition, and an 1804 Oxford edition of the KJV have "sin" at 2 Chronicles 33:19. In a KJV printed in 1897 by the American Bible Union with a title page where it is stated that "the text conforms to that of the Oxford Bible printed at the University Press, Oxford," it has "sin" at 2 Chronicles 33:19. The New Pilgrim Bible [KJV] has "sin" at 2 Chronicles 33:19 while the 1948 Pilgrim Edition still had "sins." ." The 1997 Oxford World’s Classics edition of the KJV printed by Oxford University Press has "sin" (2 Chron. 33:19). David Norton indicated that the 1602 Bishops’ Bible with KJV translators’ annotations in the Bodleian Library has "all his sinnes" at 2 Chron. 33:19 (Textual History, p. 264).

The third "error" according to Waite is found at Nahum 3:16. At this verse, the present Oxford KJV has "fleeth" while the present Cambridge KJV has "flieth." The 1795 Oxford KJV edition has "flieth" at this verse. Waite contended that "’flieth’ is the correct translation" (Foes, p. 66). The 1762 Cambridge edition, one 1790 Cambridge edition, the 1817 Cambridge Stereotype Edition, one 1824 Cambridge edition, one 1833 Cambridge edition, one 1842 Cambridge edition, one 1844 Cambridge edition, one 1865 Cambridge edition, one 1869 Cambridge edition, one 1872 Cambridge edition, and one 1887 Cambridge edition all have "fleeth" at Nahum 3:16. Waite maintained "that the Cambridge edition of the King James Bible is more accurate than the Oxford edition" (p. 65). When was the Cambridge edition made more accurate than the Oxford edition? The 1948 Pilgrim Edition has "fleeth" at Nahum 3:16 while the 2003 New Pilgrim Bible has "flieth." The 1997 Oxford World’s Classics edition of the KJV printed by Oxford University Press has "flieth" (Nah. 3:16).

[Kilika]

http://www.bibleprotector.com/purecambridgeedition.htm

1900 Pure Cambridge Edition (PCE) checklist

Statement to all King James Bible (KJB) supporters concerning the Pure Cambridge Edition (PCE).

By Matthew Verschuur, copyright 26 January 2007 (Australia Day).

Since the year 2000 I have contacted various King James Bible people and organisations in regards to seeking out a certain text of King James Bible, namely, a standard text of the Cambridge Edition.

For a long time the question, “Which King James Bible edition is correct?” has not been properly answered by true Bible defenders.

We must acknowledge that there are indeed variations in various historical and present editions of the King James Bible. Furthermore, there has been a rising awareness in recent years concerning “counterfeit” King James Bibles with “subtle changes”.

The Scripture promises that the Word of God should be preserved by God, and this undergirds a sound King James Bible only doctrine. It is consistent with this that there should be one correct received standard edition of the King James Bible, where every word is pure (Proverbs 30:5) to the jot and tittle (Matthew 5:18).

I do not agree with the claim that there is no standard or that any edition of the King James Bible is sufficient. On the other side, those who have said, “The 1769 Edition”, or “The Cambridge Edition” have been too vague. Plainly, there have been changes in all editions since 1769, and there are variations in Cambridge Bibles, such as the Victorian text (circa 1830 to circa 1900), the Pure Cambridge Edition (circa 1900 to circa 1970s) which is also printed in many Collins editions, and the Concord text (circa 1970s to circa 2000). Besides these, other modernised variations appear in Bibles printed in America under the name of Cambridge.

And then there is Scrivener’s Edition, which is clearly deficient on many grounds, including that it has never been used by ordinary Protestants every Sunday morning. Even worse is the New Cambridge Paragraph Bible by David Norton, 2005, which makes many unacceptable changes departing from all traditional King James Bibles.

Those who are knowledgeable about the King James Bible agree that the Cambridge Edition is superior to the Oxford, Nelson or any other edition. However, the particular variations in Cambridge Editions have not been closely studied until now. That is, identifying which Cambridge Edition is correct.

Sadly, many King James Bibles that follow the Cambridge Edition as are now being produced or provided by King James Bible people are not the correct Cambridge Edition, but follow the Concord Cambridge Edition, which has departed from the pure text. The correct text has, among other things, “rasor”, “inquire”, “counseller”, “expences”, “ancle”, “Geba” at Ezra 2:26 and lower case “spirit” at Acts 11:12, 28 and 1 John 5:8.

There has been a great ignorance of the fact that a final purification took place in the history of the King James Bible. Those who have studied the history of the King James Bible in depth would have been aware of the major purifications that took place, such as the editions of 1629, 1638 and 1769. There was also a proper purification that took place circa 1900, which has resulted in the final text of the King James Bible, which is in all ways the definitive presentation of the King James Bible, and should not be altered.

I have now launched a website which details this area, and have also freely made available an exactly correct electronic text of the King James Bible (without typographical or edition variation errors). The Pure Cambridge Edition is the historically received true text of the Authorized Version.

Go to: www.bibleprotector.com

 

HOW TO KNOW THE
PURE CAMBRIDGE EDITION OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE

It is important to have the correct, perfect and final text of the King James Bible, since there are correctors (e.g. publishers) who have changed some aspects of King James Bible texts. The final form of the King James Bible is the Pure Cambridge Edition (circa 1900), which conforms to the following:

1. “or Sheba” not “and Sheba” in Joshua 19:2

2. “sin” not “sins” in 2 Chronicles 33:19

3. “Spirit of God” not “spirit of God” in Job 33:4

4. “whom ye” not “whom he” in Jeremiah 34:16

5. “Spirit of God” not “spirit of God” in Ezekiel 11:24

6. “flieth” not “fleeth” in Nahum 3:16

7. “Spirit” not “spirit” in Matthew 4:1

8. “further” not “farther” in Matthew 26:39

9. “bewrayeth” not “betrayeth” in Matthew 26:73

10. “Spirit” not “spirit” in Mark 1:12

11. “spirit” not “Spirit” in Acts 11:28

12. “spirit” not “Spirit” in 1 John 5:8

 

[Psalm 51:17]

Very interesting...thank you for posting this info. This is something to always study about(as I'm still curious about some things).

[Kilika]

It can help weed through the propaganda of which text is correct. Unfortunately, neither the Cambridge nor the Oxford are the true 1769 Standard texts. Both have been updated since and those originals don't seem to be in print any more. So, one must decide which among the Cambridge 1900 PCE and the later Oxford.

[Kilika]

http://www.complete-bible-genealogy.com/kjv_1769_characteristics.htm

Characteristics of the Authorized KJV Bible, 1769 Oxford edition


Different editions of the Bible have different spellings of persons' names, therefore it was really important to determine which Bible to use as a basis for generating the person name index used on this website.

The greatest help at this phase of the work was F.H.A. Scrivener's book "The authorized edition of the English Bible (1611) Its Subsequent Reprints and Modern Representatives", as it lists the characteristics of the main KJV editions.

The KJV Bible that is used on this website was downloaded from the Oxford Text Archive and then was compared to the listings printed in the book above in order to determine which edition it was. The answer was the 1769 Oxford edition.

The following is a list of verses, where you can find some of the differences between the various editions. The person names are marked bold to show which names would have been spelled differently on this website if the Bible used here would not have been selected carefully.

Please note that while it is important to pinpoint these differences when you use the Bible as a basis for a reference work, they do not alter the original message of the Bible.

(see chart)

Verse         1769 Oxford edition         Other editions
Gen 10:7         Sabtechah         Sabtecha, Sabtecah
Gen 46:12    Zarah                 Zerah, Serah
Gen 47:6         any men                 any man
Lev 11:10    and scales         or scales
Lev 13:29    have a plague         hath a plague
Lev 15:33    that is unclean         which is unclean
Num 3:13         shall they be         they shall be
Num 9:18         in their tents         in the tents
Num 20:5         or of vines         or vines
Num 30:8         disallowed         disallow
Deu 23:25    corn of thy neighbour corn of thy neighbours
Deu 27:12    Gerizim                 Gerizzim
Jos 10:1,3    Adonizedec         Adonizedek
Jos 11:2; 12:3    Chinneroth         Cinneroth
Jos 19:2         and Sheba         or Sheba
Jos 19:19         Haphraim                 Hapharaim
1Sa 31:2         Melchishua         Malchishua
2Sa 21:21    Shimeah                 Shimea
2Sa 23:37    Nahari                 Naharai
1Ch 2:47         Gesham                 Geshan
1Ch 7:1         Shimrom                 Shimron
2Ch 16:6         was building         was a building
2Ch 33:19    all his sins         all his sin
2Ch 34:10    amend                 mend
Ezr 2:2         Mizpar                 Mispar
Ezr 4:10         Asnapper                 Asnappar
Psa 24:3         or who shall stand    and who shall stand
Psa 115:3         whatsoever he hath pleased         whatsoever he pleased
Psa 141:9         the snares         the snare
Psa 148:8         vapours                 vapour
Pro 25:24         the corner         a corner
Isa 51:16         and I have covered    and have covered
Jer 16:2         or daughters         nor daughters
Jer 34:16         whom he had set    whom ye had set
Eze 11:24         in a vision         in vision
Nah 3:16         fleeth                 flieth
Mar 6:7         he called                 he calleth
Joh 11:34         They said unto him    They say unto him
Acts 18:5         pressed in the spirit    pressed in spirit
Acts 19:19    of them also         also of them
1Co 10:29    of the other            of the other's
2Pe 1:9         see afar off         see far off

 

[Kilika]

http://www.bible-researcher.com/canon10.html

Changes in the King James Version


In 1769 the Oxford University Press published an edition of the King James version in which many small changes were made. These changes were of five kinds: 1. Greater and more regular use of italics; 2. minor changes in the text; 3. the adoption of modern spelling; 4. changes in the marginal notes and references; and, 5. correction of printers' errors. This edition soon came to be known as "The Oxford Standard" edition, because it was widely accepted as a standard text by commentators and other publishers. The editions of the King James version published in our century generally reproduce this Oxford edition of 1769, with or without the marginal notes. The following information is given so that the reader may gain an accurate impression of how far the modern editions differ from the original King James version of 1611.


§ 1. ITALICIZED WORDS OR PHRASES

The King James version was originally printed in the type style known as "black letter," which has the following appearance:

The booke of the generation of Iesus Christ

Words of the translation which were supplied to make the sense clear, but which were not represented in the Greek text used by the translators, were often set in small "roman" type:

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled.

In later editions, the ordinary text was set in roman type, with the supplied words in italics:

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled.

This typographical feature was not employed very consistently in the 1611 edition; in many places the supplied words are not indicated as one might expect. This inconsistency was probably the fault of the printer's compositors, who very often modified even the spelling of words in order to lengthen or shorten a line of type.

The editors of the 1769 Oxford edition undertook, therefore, to regularize the use of italics by italicizing all words of the translation which did not have a counterpart in the text of Stephens 1550. Consequently, modern editions of the King James version are much more heavily italicized than the original: In Matthew, the 1611 edition uses roman type 69 times, whereas the more exact 1769 edition uses italics 384 times. The reader should be aware of the fact that the King James version is not, strictly speaking, a translation of Estienne 1550; and so in some cases the modern italics are misleading if used as an indication of the readings upon which the version is based. For example, in Mark 8:14 the modern editions italicize the words the disciples because they are not in Estienne, but it is evident that here the King James translators were following, as usual, the text of Beza 1598, where the words hoi mathetai are found. The following is a complete list of such cases.

Abbreviations:

S - Stephens 1550
B - Beza 1598
E - Elzevir 1624
C - Complutensian Polyglot 1522
Er - Erasmus 1527
Vul - Clementine Vulgate 1592
Tyn - Tyndale 1535
Gen - Genevan Bible 1560
Bish - Bishops Bible 1568


   Mark 8:14    Modern editions italicize the disciples, in accordance with S E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon B.
   Mark 9:42    Modern editions italicize these, in accordance with S B E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon C Vul.
   John 8:6    Modern editions italicize as though he heard them not at end of verse, in accordance with S B E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon C S1546 S1549 and the Bishops' Bible.
   Acts 1:4    Modern editions italicize them after assembled together with, in accordance with S E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon B.
   Acts 26:3    Modern editions italicize because I know, in accordance with S E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon B.
   Acts 26:18    Modern editions italicize and before to turn, in accordance with S E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon B.
   1 Cor 14:10    Modern editions print the words of them in ordinary type, in accordance with S B E. But the text of 1611 had them in italics, in accordance with Vul.
   Heb 12:24    Modern editions italicize that of before Abel, in accordance with S B E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon Er.
   1 John 3:16    Modern editions italicize of God after love, in accordance with S E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon C B.
   Rev 11:14    Modern editions italicize and before behold, in accordance with S. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon B Vul.
   Rev 19:18    Modern editions italicize both before free, in accordance with S B E. But the text of 1611 was probably based upon C.


§ 2. MINOR ALTERATIONS OF THE TEXT

The following list includes all changes to the text of 1611 which do not involve the correction of obvious errors of the press (examples of which are given in § 5 below), or changes of spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Most of these changes were made with reference to the text of Estienne 1550, and with a view to greater clarity or accuracy. The changes marked with an asterix "*" are all those which are considered improper or unnecessary by F.H.A. Scrivener, an eminent authority on the text of the KJV, in his book, The Authorized Edition of the English Bible (1611), its subsequent Reprints and modern Representatives. (Cambridge: University Press, 1884).

*    Mat 3:12    Add he before will burn up. Rejected by Scrivener.
   Mat 6:3    Add hand after right. Approved by Scrivener.
*    Mat 9:34    Omit the before devils.
*    Mat 12:23    Add not before this the son.
*    Mat 13:6    Read had no root instead of had not root.
   Mat 16:16    Add the before Christ.
   Mat 16:19    Add and before whatsoever thou shalt loose.
   Mat 26:75    Read word instead of words.
   Mat 27:22    Read Pilate saith instead of Pilate said.
*    Mat 27:52    Add the before saints.
   Mark 2:4    Add the before press.
   Mark 5:6    Read he ran instead of he came.
*    Mark 6:7    Read he called instead of he calleth.
*    Mark 6:53    Read Gennesaret instead of Genesareth. 1611 followed another source. 1769: S B E. 1611: Er Vul.
   Mark 10:18    Read [there is] none good but one instead of there is no man good, but one.
   Mark 11:8    Read branches off the trees instead of branches of the trees.
   Luke 1:3    Add all before things.
   Luke 1:74    Read hand instead of hands.
   Luke 3:21    Omit and before it came to pass.
*    Luke 8:8    Add had before said.
*    Luke 11:16    Read others instead of other.
   Luke 17:34    Add and before the other shall be left.
*    Luke 18:9    Read others instead of other.
   Luke 19:9    Read a son of Abraham instead of the son of Abraham.
   Luke 20:12    Read sent a third instead of sent the third.
   Luke 23:19    Read cast into prison instead of cast in prison.
   John 5:18    Transpose not only because he to because he not only.
   John 7:16    Add and said after Jesus answered them.
   John 8:30    Read these words instead of those words.
   John 11:3    Read his sisters instead of his sister.
*    John 11:34    Read They said unto him instead of They say unto him.
   John 12:22    Read tell Jesus instead of told Jesus.
   John 15:20    Read than his lord instead of than the Lord.
*    John 16:25    Add but before the time. 1611 followed another source. 1769: S B E. 1611: Er Vul.
   John 21:17    Read He saith unto him instead of he said unto him.
   Acts 2:22    Add and before wonders.
*    Acts 5:34    Add the before law.
   Acts 7:35    Read by the hand instead of by the hands.
   Acts 8:32    Read his shearer instead of the shearer.
*    Acts 10:9    Add top after upon the house.
*    Acts 18:5    Add the before spirit.
*    Acts 19:19    Transpose also of them to of them also.
*    Acts 24:14    Add in before the prophets.
   Acts 24:24    Read Jewess instead of Jew.
   Acts 27:18    Read And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] instead of And being exceedingly tossed with a tempest the next day.
   Rom 3:24    Read Christ Jesus instead of Jesus Christ.
   Rom 4:12    Add who before also walk.
   Rom 6:12    Transpose reign therefore to therefore reign.
*    Rom 7:2    Read law of her husband instead of law of the husband.
   Rom 7:13    Transpose Was that then to Was then that.
   Rom 11:28    Read for your sakes instead of for your sake.
   Rom 12:2    Read and acceptable instead of that acceptable.
   Rom 14:6    Read regardeth the day instead of regardeth a day.
   Rom 14:10    Add for before we shall all stand.
*    1 Cor 4:9    Read appointed to death instead of approved to death.
   1 Cor 7:32    Read things that belong instead of things that belongeth.
   1 Cor 10:28    Add for before the earth is.
   1 Cor 12:28    Read helps, governments instead of helps in governments.
*    1 Cor 13:2    Read have not charity instead of have no charity.
*    1 Cor 14:15    Add I before will pray.
*    1 Cor 14:18    Read than ye all instead of than you all.
   1 Cor 14:23    Read one place instead of some place.
   1 Cor 15:6    Read After that instead of And that.
   1 Cor 15:41    Read and another glory of the moon instead of another of the moon.
   1 Cor 15:48    Add also before that are earthy.
   1 Cor 16:22    Read anathema, Maranatha instead of Anathema Maranatha.
*    2 Cor 5:1    Read made with hands instead of made with hand.
   2 Cor 5:2    Read groan, earnestly desiring instead of groan earnestly, desiring.
   2 Cor 5:20    Omit that before be ye reconciled.
   2 Cor 8:21    Add also before in the sight.
   2 Cor 9:5    Add and before not.
   2 Cor 9:5    Add as before of covetousness.
   2 Cor 9:6    Add also after reap twice.
   2 Cor 11:26    Read journeyings instead of journeying.
   2 Cor 11:32    Add of the Damascenes after the city.
*    Gal Title    Add the Apostle before to the Galatians. 1611 followed another source. 1769: E. 1611: S.
   Gal 3:13    Add a before tree.
*    Gal 5:15    Add that after take heed.
*    Eph 1:9    Read hath purposed instead of had purposed.
   Eph 4:24    Read the new man instead of that new man.
*    Eph 6:24    Add Amen at end of verse. 1611 followed another source. 1769: S E. 1611: Vul.
   Phil 4:6    Read requests instead of request.
   2 Th 2:14    Read our Lord Jesus Christ instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.
   1 Tim 1:4    Add godly before edifying.
*    1 Tim 2:9    Read shamefacedness instead of shamefastness.
   2 Tim 1:7    Add and before of love.
*    2 Tim 1:12    Omit I before am persuaded.
   2 Tim 2:19    Read this seal instead of the seal.
   2 Tim 4:8    Add all before them also.
   2 Tim 4:13    Add and the books after bring [with thee].
   Heb 3:10    Read their heart instead of their hearts.
   Heb 8:8    Add with before the house of Judah.
   Heb 11:23    Add were before not afraid.
   Heb 12:1    Omit unto before the race.
   James 5:2    Add are before motheaten.
   1 Pet 2:1    Add all before evil speakings.
   1 Pet 2:5    Read sacrifices instead of sacrifice.
   1 Pet 2:6    Add also after Wherefore.
*    1 Pet 5:10    Read called us unto instead of called us into.
   1 John 2:16    Add and before the lust of the eyes.
*    1 John 3:17    Read have need instead of hath need.
   1 John 5:12    Add of God after hath not the Son.
   Jude 1:25    Add both before now and ever.
   Rev 1:4    Add which are before in Asia.
   Rev 1:11    Add unto before Philadelphia.
   Rev 5:13    Add and before honour.
   Rev 5:13    Add and before glory.
   Rev 12:14    Read fly instead of flee.
   Rev 13:6    Read them that dwell instead of them that dwelt.
*    Rev 17:4    Read precious stones instead of precious stone.
*    Rev 22:2    Read on either side instead of of either side.


§ 3. MODERNIZED SPELLING, CAPITALIZATION, AND PUNCTUATION

The following lists show every instance of altered spelling, capitalization, and punctuation from the first chapter of Matthew.
Spelling

It will be noticed below that fourteen is spelled two different ways in the 1611 edition: This is because early printers employed various spellings according to the requirements of space, i.e., they would lengthen or shorten the words orthographically in order to present the text in neatly justified columns. The ampersand (&) was frequently used instead of the word and for the same reason. Another graphic abbreviation sometimes used is the form ye (properly pronounced, the) instead of a fully written the.

   begate/begat        dreame/dream    hee/he    sleepe/sleep
   bin/been    feare/fear    knewe/knew    sonne/son
   booke/book    foorth/forth    publique/publick        tooke/took
   borne/born    foureteene/fourteen        shee/she    untill/until
   childe/child    fourteene/fourteen    sinnes/sins    &/and

Capitalization

The use of capital letters in the 1611 edition was somewhat irregular, but in general it may be observed that, in addition to proper nouns, common nouns referring to important persons were often capitalized, after the custom of the times. Pronouns referring to persons of the Trinity were not capitalized. Because each verse of the translation was printed as one paragraph, the first word of every verse was also capitalized. Below are listed all changes from the first chapter of Matthew.

   1611                    1769
   Angel of the Lord        angel of the Lord
   holy Ghost            Holy Ghost
   his Name Jesus            his name JESUS
   Behold, a Virgin            Behold, a virgin
Punctuation

The 1611 edition was more heavily punctuated than our modern editions, as is generally true for older books; but it appears that sometimes the punctuation was influenced by mere considerations of space, as in the second example below.

1611    So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteene ...
1769    So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen ...
 
1611    Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing ...
1769    Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing ...
 
1611    That which is conceived in her, is of the holy Ghost
1769    That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost


§ 4. MARGINAL CHANGES IN THE OXFORD EDITION OF 1769

In the first edition of the King James version, marginal notes indicating various renderings or readings appeared in 775 places in the New Testament. Of these notes, 34 evidently referred to various readings of the Greek manuscripts. They appear in the following places: Mat 1:11, 7:14, 24:31, 26:26; Mark 7:3, 9:16; Luke 2:38, 10:22, 17:36; John 18:13; Acts 13:18, 25:6; Rom. 5:17, 7:6, 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:31; Gal. 4:15, 4:17; Eph. 6:9; 1 Tim. 6:5; Heb. 4:2, 9:2; James 2:18; 1 Pet. 1:4, 2:21; 2 Pet. 2:2, 2:11, 2:18; 2 John 1:8; Rev. 3:14, 6:8, 13:1, 13:5, 17:5.

The editors of the 1769 edition left all of the original marginal readings and renderings unchanged, but added 87 more notes, of which 17 referred to various readings of the Greek manuscripts. The following is a list of all notes added to Matthew.

   1:20    Gr. begotten.
   1:21    That is, Saviour.
   5:22    That is, Vain fellow.
   6:1    Or, righteousness.
   10:10    Gr. a staff.
   10:25    Gr. Beelzebul.
   12:24    Gr. Beelzebul.
   14:6    Gr. in the midst.
   16:22    Gr. Pity thyself.
   21:19    Gr. one fig tree.
   22:26    Gr. seven.
   23:23        Gr. anethon, dill.
   24:33    Or, he.
   28:19    Or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations.

Below are listed all of the alternatives added to the margin in 1769 which evidently refer to various readings of the Greek text.

   Mat 6:1.    Read righteousness instead of alms. 1769 margin: Vul. Text: S B E.
   Mat 10:10.    Read a staff instead of staves. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: C S1546 S1549.
   Luke 22:42.    Read willing to remove instead of willing, remove. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: unknown.
   John 7:50.    Read to him instead of to Jesus. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: Tyndale.
   Acts 7:44.    Read who spake instead of speaking. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: Vulgate.
   Acts 8:13.    Transpose miracles and signs to signs and miracles. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: unknown.
   Acts 8:13.    Add great before miracles. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: unknown.
   2 Cor 10:10.    Read saith he instead of say they. 1769 margin: S. Text: B Vul.
   Heb 10:2.    Omit not and render For then they would have ceased to be offered. Because. 1769 margin: B E Vul. Text: S.
   Heb 10:17.    Add Then he said at beginning of verse. 1769 margin: no editors. The note evidently refers to the reading of the recently discovered Harclean Syriac version. Text: S B E.
   James 4:2.    Read ye envy instead of ye kill. 1769 margin: Er. Text: S B E.
   2 Pet 1:1.    Read Simeon Peter instead of Simon Peter. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: C Vul.
   2 Pet 1:1.    Read righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus instead of righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus. 1769 margin: S. Text: unknown (B E read of our God and our Saviour Jesus).
   2 John 1:3.    Read shall be with instead of be with. 1769 margin: S B E. Text: Vulgate.
   2 John 1:12.    Read your joy instead of our joy. 1769 margin: Vul. Text: S E B.
   Rev 15:3.    Read nations instead of saints. 1769 margin: C. Text: S B E.
   Rev. 15:3.    Read ages instead of saints. 1769 margin: Vul. Text: S B E.
   Rev 21:7.    Read these things instead of all things. 1769 margin: C Vul. Text: S B E.
   Rev 22:19.    Read from the tree of life instead of out of the book of life. 1769 margin: C Vul. Text: S B E.

MARGINAL REFERENCES TO THE APOCRYHA DELETED

The total number of references to the Apocrypha in the margins of the Old and New Testaments of the King James version as printed in 1611 is 113. Of this number, 102 are in the Old Testament, and 11 in the New. The New Testament passages with references to the Apocrypha are as follows:

   Mat 6:7    Ecclesiasticus 7:14
   Mat 23:37    2 Esdras 1:30
   Mat 27:43    Wisdom 2:15-16
   Luke 6:31    Tobit 4:15
   Luke 14:13    Tobit 4:7
   John 10:22    1 Maccabees 4:59
   Rom 9:21    Wisdom 15:7
   Rom 11:34    Wisdom 9:13
   2 Cor 9:7    Ecclesiasticus 35:9
   Heb 1:3    Wisdom 7:26
   Heb 11:35            2 Maccabees 7:7


§ 5. ORIGINAL ERRORS OF THE PRESS CORRECTED

The following changes are all from Matthew.

   4:25    great great    great
   5:47    do you    do ye
   8:25    awoke, saying        awoke him, saying
   21:20    away?    away!
   26:34    might    night


§ 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

For the student who wishes to learn more concerning the history of the King James version, the following books will be of interest.

Geddes MacGregor, A Literary History of the Bible from the Middle Ages to the Present Day. Abingdon Press: Nashville, 1968. An excellent layman's history of the English versions up to 1961. The original KJV prefix, The Translators to the Reader, is given in an appendix.

The Holy Bible, an Exact Reprint Page for Page of the Authorized Version Published in the Year MDCXI. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1833. Reprinted by Thomas Nelson in 1993 as The Holy Bible, 1611 Edition. This is an edition of the King James version which exactly reproduces the spelling, punctuation, marginal notes, and chapter headings of the first edition. An exhaustive collation with the printing of 1613 was prefixed to the Oxford edition, but left out of the Nelson reprint. The following paragraph from Scrivener, The Authorized Edition of the Bible, p. 35, describes the interesting circumstances surrounding the publication of this reprint. "For many years which followed the publication of the edition of 1769, even after its glaring imperfections had become in some measure known, the King's Printer and the two English universities continued to reproduce what was in substance Dr Blayney's work, when the public attention was claimed in 1831 by Mr Curtis of Islington, who complained that all modern reprints of Holy Scripture departed widely from the original edition of 1611, to the great deterioration of our Vernacular Translation [The Existing Monopoly an inadequate protection of the Authorized Version of the Scripture, &c. By Thomas Curtis, London, 1833, 8vo]. It is needless to revive the controversy that ensued, in which the case of the priveleged presses was successfully maintained by Dr Cardwell in behalf of Oxford, by Dr Turton for Cambridge, in the pamphlets which have been already cited in this section [Oxford Bibles, 1833. By Edward Cardwell; and Text of the English Bible Considered, 2nd edition, 1833. By T. Turton]. The consequent publication of the standard text in the Oxford reprint of 1833, which we have found so useful, virtually settled the whole debate, by shewing to the general reader the obvious impossibility of returning to the Bible of 1611, with all the defects which those who superintended the press had been engaged, for more than two centuries, in reducing to a more consistent and presentable shape."

F.H.A. Scrivener, The Cambridge Paragraph Bible. Cambridge: University Press, 1873. This book is a critical edition of the Authorized Version.

F.H.A. Scrivener, The Authorized Edition of the English Bible (1611), its subsequent Reprints and modern Representatives. Cambridge: University Press, 1884. This is the definitive work on the textual sources and history of the Authorized Version.

Luther Weigle, ed., The New Testament Octapla: Eight English Versions of the New Testament in the Tyndale-King James Tradition. New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1962. Full parallel texts of Tyndale 1535, Great Bible 1540, Geneva Bible 1562, Bishops' Bible 1568, Rheims 1582, King James version (represented by Scrivener's edition of 1873), American Standard Version 1901, Revised Standard Version 1960.

[Psalm 51:17]

Excellent! Thank you!