Early and Later English Bible Translations

First major translation of the Bible into English (c. 1382), translated from the Latin Vulgate.

Earlier attempts to translate the Bible into English, mostly from the Latin Vulgate, were incomplete, poor quality and inaccessible to the common people.

English theologian and scholar who challenged Church practices and translated parts of the Bible into English (c. 1382)

The Latin translation of the Bible used as a source for early English translations.

Followers of John Wycliffe who spread his ideas and teachings.

The devastating plague that affected England in 1348, impacting access to religious information.

English monarch who translated a portion of the Pentateuch into English.

An English Bible with verse division, published in 1557.

Early English Bible translations had limitations in accuracy, availability, and source documents.

An English Bible translation of 1611.

One of the first major books printed using mass-produced movable metal type in Europe, printed in the 1450s by Johannes Gutenberg.

The first English New Testament translated directly from Greek (1525-1536).

First complete English Bible, translated utilizing Luther’s German and Tyndale’s work (but not directly from the original languages)

Combined Tyndale's New Testament with Coverdale's Old Testament, including around 2000 notes (some controversial).

Large English Bible ordered by Henry VIII to be placed in churches - based on Matthew's Bible.

First English Bible entirely translated from Hebrew and Greek, also done by a committee.

A less successful translation produced by bishops, later deemed less superior than prior models.

Famous English translation from 1611, sometimes called the Authorized Version.

Modern English translation from Holman Bible Publishers, translated by a committee of scholars.

Mass-produced printing using metal type influenced the spread of knowledge and literacy.

The English language was considered lower-class, Latin was the language of power, and the Church was not interested in making the Bible accessible to the common people.

A 14th-century English scholar who challenged the Church and translated the New Testament into English.

Followers of John Wycliffe who spread his teachings and were often persecuted for their beliefs.

The standard Latin translation of the Bible used as a source by early English translators.

They were often inaccurate, not translated from the original languages, and not accessible to ordinary people.

The plague made people more receptive to spiritual matters but also hindered open access to religious knowledge.

It was the first English Bible translated entirely from Hebrew and Greek, making it more accurate than previous versions.

It became the authorized English Bible for centuries due to its beautiful, readable translation, which is still widely used.

Mass production of printed books made the Bible more affordable and accessible to a wider audience.

It allowed more people to read and understand God's word directly, leading to greater literacy and religious devotion.

William Tyndale's translation of the New Testament (1525-1536) was the first to be translated directly from the original Greek, making it a significant leap in accuracy and representation.

Johannes Gutenberg, a German printer, is credited with printing the Gutenberg Bible in the 1450s, marking a pivotal moment in the history of printing.

The Coverdale Bible (1535), produced by Miles Coverdale, was the first complete English translation of the Bible, though not translated directly from Hebrew and Greek.

The Matthew's Bible (1537) was sometimes referred to as the 'Wife-Beater's Bible' because of a controversial marginal note at 1 Peter 3:7 suggesting a husband should 'beat the fear of God' into his disobedient wife.

The Geneva Bible (1557-1560) was the first English Bible translated directly from the original Hebrew and Greek, surpassing previous efforts.

The King James Version (KJV), also known as the King James Bible, is an influential English Bible translation from 1611 that remains widely read today.

The Geneva Bible, while translated directly from Hebrew and Greek, still drew heavily on Tyndale's earlier work, solidifying his legacy in English Bible translations.

The Great Bible (1539), ordered by King Henry VIII to be placed in churches, was a large-format Bible that promoted wider access to Scripture among the people.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) is a modern English translation from Holman Bible Publishers, published in 2004, known for its clarity and accuracy.

The Bishops' Bible (1568) was a translation produced by English bishops but was considered less successful and less well-received compared to previous translations.