1611 AV

THE HOLY BIBLE,

CONTAINING THE OLD TESTAMENT, AND THE NEW: 

NEWLY TRANSLATED OVT OF THE ORIGINALL TONGVES: & WITH THE FORMER  TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED, BY HIS MAIESTIE’S SPECIAL COMMANDE.

APPOINTED TO BE READ IN CHVRCHES.

IMPRINTED AT LONDON By Robert

Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie.

ANNO DOM. 1611.

The King Iames Bible (1611) – Auncient Typographie & Holy Wrytte

The King Iames Bible of 1611 is one of the most renowned and sacred translations of Holy Scripture in the English tongue. Commissioned by King Iames the First of England, this translation was wrought by learned men of divinitie and linguistick skill, who sought to render the Word of God with great fidelitie and majesty of prose. The worke was intended not onelie to be a translation but a harmonization of previous English versions, such as the Bishop’s Bible and Tyndale’s translation, so that it might unite the people of the realm vnder one authoritatyve text.

Orthographie & Spellynge

In the original 1611 edition, the spelling of words differeth from that of moderne English. This is due to the lack of standardized orthographie at the time, and the influence of Middle English. Common peculiarities include:

• The vse of 'u' and 'v' interchangeably: e.g., vnto (unto), haue (have), vnfaithfull (unfaithful).

• The interchangeability of 'i' and 'j', as the letter J had not fully developed into a distinct character: e.g., Iesus(Jesus), iudge (judge).

• The letter 's' appearing in a long form (ſ), resembling an 'f' without a crossbar: e.g., bleſſed (blessed), ſayth (saith), ſinfull (sinful).

• Doubling of consonants for emphasis or phonetic reasons: e.g., beeſt (beast), needeſt (needest), ſhall (shall).

• The ye of 'Ye Olde' fame, where 'y' representeth the ancient thorn (þ), pronounced as 'th': e.g., Ye Lord (The Lord), Ye people (The people).

• Words that appear with extra or omitted letters, as orthographic rules were not yet fixed: e.g., moſt (most), deliuereth (delivereth), bee (be), heauen (heaven).

• The spelling of past participles oft endeth in -ed or -t, depending on phonetic pronunciation: e.g., burned or burnt, learned or learnt.

The 1611 AV, First edition is sometimes referred to as the He-Bible

"He Bible" and "She Bible" are termes which are vsed to describe two early editions of the King Iames Bible from the 1600s, which differ in a certaine verse in the Booke of Ruth 3:15. In the first edition from 1611, it is written: "he went into the citie," referring to Boaz. In a later edition from 1613, this was changed to: "she went into the citie," referring to Ruth. These differences haue led to them being called the "He Bible" and the "She Bible" respectiuely.

The Typeface & Printinge

The original edition of the King Iames Bible was set in blackletter type, also called Gothic script or Fraktur, which was common for ecclesiastical and formal texts of the period. This script conveighed an auncient and solemn aspect, differing from the Roman type (Antiqua) that gaineth prominence in later printings. The blackletter was chosen to emphasize tradition and reverence, aligning with the typographical choices of previous religious printings.

The first folio edition imprinted at Robert Barker’s press in London employed blackletter to emphasize the weight of the sacred text, with certain portions—such as the preface, the translators’ notes, and marginalia—set in Roman type for contrast and ease of reference. Capitals were oft adorned with elaborate flourishes, and drop capitals were employed at the beginning of chapters. The text was justified, and ligatures were commonly used, enhancing the visual unity of the printed page.

The Lingual Grandeur & Lasting Impacte

The King Iames Bible was translated with a high and reverent diction, echoing the rhythm of Hebrew and Greek original texts. It followeth a balance of simplicity and poetic grace, aiming for readability while maintaining a cadence fitting for oral recitation. Phrases such as “In the beginning God created the Heauen and the Earth” or “The Lord is my Shepheard, I ſhall not want” exemplifieth the cadence and poetry therein.

The committee of translators drew inspiration from previous English versions but also consulted the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus, ensuring a faithful and doctrinally sound rendering. The language was deliberately archaic even for the time, preserving the gravity and solemnity deemed proper for divine scripture.

Though later editions of the King James Version did alter spelling and typography, the 1611 First Edition remaineth a monument of English letters and religious devotion. Its influence extendeth not only to the sphere of religion but also to literature, shaping the development of the English language itself. Many phrases and idioms introduced or popularized by this translation are still in common usage today.

Even vnto this day, it is held in high esteem amongst men of faith and learning, a text revered for its historical, linguistic, and spiritual significance.

"For euer, O Lord, thy word is ſettled in Heauen." (Pſalme 119:89)