How the KJV Impacted the World
The original translation of the King James Bible was an incredible project undertaken by King James I of England and his translators during a time of major religious conflict. Once finished in 1611, no one knew how popular and accessible the Authorized Version would become 400 years into the future. Learning about how the KJV impacted the world will add more weight to your Bible study, as you will truly understand the KJV’s importance to world history.
Bible Accessibility
Before the KJV, the Bibles that devout churchgoers had at home were often very different than those used in church sermons. Bibles were expensive and inaccessible to common folk, meaning people would be lucky to own a decent Bible at all. The printing press was utilized to create copies of the KJV quickly. These copies cost less than the hand-printed copies that people had been using previously. The Bible became fully accessible to everyone once the Book of Common Prayer was changed in 1662 to use text from the King James Bible.
Settlers in the New World
Though unpopular with Puritan settlers sailing to the British colonies of the New World, the King James Bible would find its new home in America in the mid-17th century. More English settlers brought their now-accessible KJV Bibles with them, spreading its popularity. Before the American Revolution, the colonies printed their own King James Bible, which was funded and completed by 1782. Advancements in printing allowed the KJV to be published in smaller sizes, meaning individuals could give it to revolutionary soldiers during the war, earning it the name, “Bible of the Revolution.”
Idioms and Phrases From the KJV
The beautiful language used in the original King James Bible plays a large part in how the KJV impacted the world. The phrases, idioms, and expressions used in its translation are often still used in regular conversation, though many people do not know the source of their popularity. Some of the most common phrases that come from the King James Bible include:
“By the skin of his teeth”
This phrase is often used to describe a narrow escape, and is seen in Job 19:20.
“Scapegoat”
In the Bible, out of a pair of young goats, one is to be sacrificed while the other, the scapegoat, is allowed to escape into the wilderness. This represents all sins leaving a community. Socially, this word is used to refer to someone taking blame that they may not deserve.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil”
As seen in Timothy 6:10 of the KJV, this phrase is often shortened to “money is the root of all evil.”
For lovers of history and the King James Bible alike, The KJV Store offers the KJV Bible 1611 Edition. You can now read the Authorized Version in the eyes of those who were reading it when it was first published.