Question:
Why is it that the Blue Letter Bible makes use of such an old version of Scripture (i.e., the King James Version)?
Answer:
Those involved in the Blue Letter Bible project believe the scriptures to be the inspired Word of God in their original autographs (i.e., the original writings of the authors).
The Blue Letter Bible does not believe that the Authorized Version (more commonly called the King James Version) is the only Bible translation that can be used. The Blue Letter Bible does believe the King James Version to be a good literal translation into 17th-century English; however, if the difficulty of the language is a hindrance to reading the Bible, then we believe it best that a person use a good modern translation to read the Bible.
There are two basic methods in translating the original languages. The first is called formal equivalency. This is the method that provides as best as possible a literal word-by-word translation. The second model is called dynamic equivalency. In this case, the idea is to provide as close as possible, the original meaning (giving consideration to the idiom of the time) translated in today's modern language.
The various Bible translations fall somewhere along the spectrum of formal equivalency and dynamic equivalency. No translation is a perfect word for word literal translation.
However, towards the formal equivalency end are:
The New American Standard Bible
(generally considered the most literal English translation),
The newer, English Standard Version,
The King James Version, and the
The New King James Versions.
From the dynamic equivalency method standpoint are:
The New International Version, and
The New Living Translation.
Both forms of translations have their strengths and their weaknesses. And many people will use one type for a certain type of use (e.g., the dynamic equivalency format for general reading) and the other for a different purpose (e.g., a formal equivalency for word studies).
We do not believe that there should be division in the Body of Christ over the issue of what English translation is the right one. And for that reason we do not give any further arguments in favor of one side versus the other. The feeling of those of us here at Blue Letter Bible is that the best Bible translation of those mentioned here is the one that is read!
What Translation Does Blue Letter Bible Use?The Blue Letter Bible utilizes the King James Version of 1769. Note that the King James Version went through many editions to correct wording of the 1611 text. These were not new translations, but corrections of the original. Such editions came out as early as 1612 and number at least a dozen. Unfortunately, some of the intermediate editions that corrected printing errors in earlier editions, brought in their own errors, mostly dealing with spelling and punctuation. Most of the King James Versions that you see today are the revision by Benjamin Blayney completed in 1769, which dealt with these issues, as well as added thousands of marginal references.
Why Does Blue Letter Bible Use The KJV?The Blue Letter Bible utilizes the King James Version for several reasons. These reasons are primary:
- The KJV is a good literal translation.
- The KJV is in the public domain (several of the newer versions are still copyrighted). Note that the KJV originally was protected by similar legal privileges that were owned by the Crown of England and expired approximately 100 years after its initial printing.
- The KJV is widely available in digital form.
- The Strong's numbering system is tied to the King James Version.
The primary focus of the Blue Letter Bible team has been to provide Biblical study tools, references, commentaries, etc. linked to the scripture. We have had numerous requests to provide additional translations; a significant portion being to provide other foreign language translations (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, etc.). The Blue Letter Bible programming team consists of just a few people. Therefore, we continually are seeking the Lord's guidance as to the best use of the limited time resource available to the Blue Letter Bible team.
Thank you for your interest in the Blue Letter
Bible and we hope that God will grant you continual blessing in your studies.