Many people often overlook the importance of the early Bible translators. Many assume that if it was not translated then, it would have been translated later. Although this may be true, it is not what happened. There is great importance in the history of the Bible’s translation. One must remember the fact that when the Bible was being translated there was great persecution. Therefore the importance lies in the fact that it was by God’s power that the translations survived. Although the Bible could have been later translated into English and other languages, God had a purpose in the events and the desires of these times. He showed his great power in provision over these men and their work to lead up to what now can be enjoyed today. This paper is designed to give a brief history of each of the English translations up to the King James version of 1611. In each description, the persecution and protection of God can be seen.
Most of these translations were done before and during the reformation, where persection was indeed very rampant. The reformation was said to have been started with Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible in 1382. Catholicism was rampant during this time and Wycliffe and others started to see the fallacies in their doctrines. The more they learned the more persecution broke out. Luther was a great tool in this. He sparked the reformation in Germany. People began to see the truth and fought (“Reformation”). Many were persecuted but by God’s provision the ideas and the work did not die.
The first Bible ever translated to English was completed by John Wycliffe, “the morning star of the Reformation” (“Wycliffe” and “John Wycliffe”). He translated the Bible using the Latin vulgate and most of the errors in that translation were transferred over to the English version he completed. The New Testament was completed in 1380 and the Old Testament was completed in 1382. It was later revised by John Purvey who before Wycliffe’s death was his follower. Purvey was imprisoned for his faith. This edition was the most widely distributed of the Wycliffe version (“Wycliffe”). Wycliffe was expelled from the Catholic church for what he was teaching. He died two years after his work was completed. Forty-four years after his death the Pope ordered his bones to be burned (“Wycliffe” and “John Wycliffe”). Although the scriptures were forbidden in the English language at this time, as were for many other cultures, God stretched his hand and allowed his word to spread. Wycliffe was constantly hounded by the Roman authorities and was later cut off completely, but his work prevailed only by God’s hand. Purvey was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually killed for his faith. His work lived on thanks to the Lord’s power (“Wycliffe”).
The Tyndale New Testament was the published in 1525. It was translated from the Greek original by William Tyndale (“History”). Tyndale went to school at both Oxford and Cambridge University and was a strong supporter of reform of the Catholic Church (“William Tyndale”). He was executed by the Catholic Church in 1536 and was not able to complete the Old Testament before his death. His translation was finished by several different men into several different editions- the Coverdale Bible, the Matthew’s Bible, the Great Bible, the Geneva Bible, the Bishops Bible, and eventually the King James Bible of 1611 (“History”). Although Tyndale was persecuted and executed for his faith his work lived on and was able to be completed in many different ways. All this is due the great provision of God.
The Coverdale Bible of 1535 was the work of Miles Coverdale. Miles Coverdale was a graduate of Cambridge University who was converted from Catholicism by reading the scriptures. He worked with Tyndale up to his death on the Tyndale translation. It was first printed in 1535 and shipped to England to be distributed. This edition contained Tyndale’s original New Testament and the portion of the Old Testament Tyndale was able to complete before his death. The rest of the translation was done by Coverdale using the German translation and the Latin original. He dedicated this Bible to King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn, “his dearest just wife, and most vertuous pryncesse, QUEEN ANNE.” When Anne was executed in May 1536, the dedication became the reason the distribution of this version was stunted. Some copies were changed. Coverdale had to flee from persecution, but was later able to have his work shipped to England to be distributed (“History”). This has to be the work of the hand of God.
The Matthew’s Bible of 1537 was translated by John Rogers under the pen name of “Thomas Matthew”. Rogers was also a student of Cambridge University. It was said that Tyndale himself was the driving force behind Rogers conversion from the Catholic faith. Like, Coverdale, Rogers used the Tyndale translation to compile his own translation of the Bible, but instead of using the German and Latin to complete his edition- he used the Hebrew. It is rumored that he just revised the Coverdale Bible to complete his edition. He received the Tyndale manuscripts from Tyndale himself while he was imprisoned by the Roman Catholic church. Roger’s had intended his Bible to be an intense study Bible. He included a summary of Bible doctrine from by Lefevre’s French translation of 1535 and an alphabetic concordance from Olivetan’s French translation of 1535. In 1555, Rogers was also executed for his faith. He left behind a wife and ten children. He was not allowed to say goodbye (“History”). His translation lived on thanks again to the Lord.
The Great Bible of 1539 was an edition of the Matthew’s Study Bible. Coverdale also oversaw the completion of the first edition of the Great Bible, but there were also other editions done by other authors. The Great Bible went under great persecution. It was burned and torn and some of the pages were sold as scrap paper. Coverdale and his partner Grifton fled persecution and were later allowed to return to France to recover quite a bit of the original printings of this edition of the English Bible. The Great Bible was finally finished printing in 1539 and was dubbed “The Great Bible” because of its substantial size. It was printed in six 16.5 X 11 inch volumes. It was also known as the Chained Bible because copies were at one time chained to reading desks in the church to discourage theft. Cromwell, the current king of England, ordered for copies of the Great Bible to be placed in all the English churches (“History”). Surely, God had his hand in this miraculous printing of this translation of His word.
The Geneva Bible of 1560 was published by English refugees who fled persecution of Queen Mary settling in Geneva. There were many translations of the Bible printed in Geneva- the French, the Spanish, and an edition of the Greek. The English Geneva Bible was translated by William Whittingham. Whittingham married John Calvin’s sister, Catharine Chauvin. He graduated from Oxford and traveled all over England. He fled persecution to Geneva in 1555 and became a pastor of a small English church. The translation work was afforded by the wealthier members of Whittingham’s congregation. He completed the revision of the Tyndale Bible in 1560 with the help of two other refugees, Anthony Golby and Thomas Samson. Golby was an Oxford graduate with skills in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Samson was a Cambridge graduate who later was a Dean of Christ Church in Oxford. He was considered one of the greatest linguist in England. He was arrested for non-conformity by Queen Elizabeth in 1564. Shortly after publication, Whittingham returned to England. The New Testament was published in 1557, and the whole Bible in 1560. It was commonly printed in travel sized and was the first Bible to have verse divisions throughout the whole Bible. It contained explanatory notes condemning the Roman Catholic Church. It was printed until 1617 and remained popular until the King James Version of 1615 took over (“History”). Despite the incriminating notes and the persecution all around, this work was also allowed to remain in existence.
The Bishop’s Bible of 1568 was published under the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 who established the Church of England under Protestant views. There was a desire for a new Bible that surpassed the popularity of the Geneva Bible and could replace the Great Bible by Coverdale. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker, was in charge of this translation. Those called to help in the actual translation were bishops of the Anglican Church influencing the naming of this edition. These men were also persecuted for their faith. This translation was never as popular as the Geneva Bible. There were only twenty publications of this Bible (“History”). Although not as popular, the men behind this work were also persecuted and yet the scriptures lived on.
These men risked their lives for what they believed. Yet many ignore the importance of these men and what God did by his power of protection. He graciously gave us the Bible to reveal to us all he is, all he has done, and all he will do. He then miraculously allowed his word to work through tribulation and persecution of his saints and what he stands for so what exists now can be enjoyed. It is possible that the Bible could have been translated later and it would still exist in the English language and in the many other languages today, but why should that hinder the reflection of God’s power? Thank the Lord for what he has done and will do.
Works Cited
“History of the English Bible between Tyndale and KJV.” Way of Life Literature, wayoflife.org. Way of Life Literature, 2008. Web. 22 March 2010.
“History of the English Bible-Wycliffe.” Way of Life Literature, wayoflife.org. Way of Life Literature, 19 March 2008. Web. 28 March 2010.
“John Wycliffe.” Wycliffe, wycliffe.org. Wycliffe Bible Translators, 2006. Web. 28 March 2010.
“The Reformation.” History World, history-world.org. History World International. Web. 29 March 2010.
“William Tyndale.” Christian Biography Resources, wholesomewords.org. Wholesome Words, 2010. Web. 26 Mar. 2010.
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