KJV - First Printing

First Printing of the King James Version

The very first printed Bible was the Latin Version from Gutenberg’s Printing Press some time in 1454 or 1455.

May 5, 1611, the first printed edition of the KJV came from the press. This Bible was 17½ inches tall and 12 inches wide by 5½ inches thick and weighed 30 pounds. The original KJV 1611 was published in Black Letters (Old English Letters) and it included the Books of the Apocrypha. It also contained an introduction by the Translators, and a justification for their work.

“Translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty’s special command. Appointed to be read in Churches.”


1. King James was answering two requests.

a) Shouldn’t there be a standard Bible for the Church? The version approved by King James was to be used by all the Church of England.

b) Shouldn’t there be a standard Church for the Bible. The Church of England was to be the authorized Church. The Book of Common Prayer (how to do it manual) was also produced to standardize the worship, marriages, funerals, etc. (1662). We make use of these forms today (Episcopal).


2. The King James translators and revisors.

These were Christian scholars who read and studied Greek, Hebrew, Latin, as well as German, French, and many others.

a) “For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures in the English tongue:” [from the original introduction of the King James Version Bible.]

They said: "We are so far off from condemning any of their labors that travailed before us in this kind, either in this land or beyond sea, either in King Henry's time, or King Edward's...or Queen Elizabeth's of ever renowned memory, that we acknowledge them to have been raised up of God, for the building and furnishing of his Church, and that they deserve to be had of us and of posterity in everlasting remembrance."


3. To every man in his own language.

“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.” John 19:19-20 (NKJV)

a) Moses spoke Hebrew (also Egyptian and other languages).

b) The Greek version of the Old Testament (LXX) was used by the New Testament writers. Greek was the universal language of the New Testament world.

c) Latin was the language of the Roman soldiers. The Latin Bible communicated God’s message for more than a thousand years in our Western world. But God speaks all languages and He raised up men who published new versions in German, English, and many other languages. “All of us hear them speaking in our own languages the wonderful things God has done.” (Acts 2:5-11).

d) English became the language of the British Empire. It developed from many roots including Norman French. Since its publication in 1611, the KJV has influenced the language of the English-speaking world, the study noted, generating now-common phrases such as “fight the good fight,” “reap the whirlwind” and “feet of clay.”

More than half of all American adults (62%) own a KJV Bible, and those who read the Bible regularly are more likely to read the KJV. 82% of Americans who read the Bible at least once a month own a KJV, and 67 % of American adults who own a Bible have a KJV.

e) NKJV. Words do change their meanings, and some words are no longer used. The “Search For The Lord’s Way” TV program has switched to the NKJV.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)

“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)