The King James "Authorized Version" is 400 years old this year. By all accounts it has been the most widely read, published and carried bible version in history. I own several copies ranging from small to a very large study bible version. They have been studied and carried lovingly. The most useful version so far has been the computer based KJV with Strong's Links. It is available in both the Swordsearcher Software and the E-Sword Software (free). I have always been partial to the old 1600's style of English.
Having grown up with the King James Version I can understand why so many people are attached to it. I cannot figure out why some folks believe and teach that it is inspired and infallible. I agree that the inspired words of God as recorded by shepherds, priests, prophets, kings, fishermen, tax collectors and a physician are infallible. I just cannot see how anyone could think a translation could be inspired and infallible.
God said that he would preserve his word. Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. (KJV) I believe that he has. We have to keep in mind that His Word was not penned in English. Remember also that it was God who made the decision to confound the language! (Genesis 11)
With regards to the new testament, the majority of the Bibles translated after the KJV have been translated from the three oldest Greek Uncials. They are Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Vaticanus. The Lord Jesus gave the rules concerning witnesses. By Divine Providence we have two witnesses and a third to rely on when the first two disagree. It is worth mentioning that these three uncial texts were not used by the KJ translators; they had not been found yet!
Having grown up with the King James Version I can understand why so many people are attached to it. I cannot figure out why some folks believe and teach that it is inspired and infallible. I agree that the inspired words of God as recorded by shepherds, priests, prophets, kings, fishermen, tax collectors and a physician are infallible. I just cannot see how anyone could think a translation could be inspired and infallible.
God said that he would preserve his word. Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. (KJV) I believe that he has. We have to keep in mind that His Word was not penned in English. Remember also that it was God who made the decision to confound the language! (Genesis 11)
With regards to the new testament, the majority of the Bibles translated after the KJV have been translated from the three oldest Greek Uncials. They are Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Vaticanus. The Lord Jesus gave the rules concerning witnesses. By Divine Providence we have two witnesses and a third to rely on when the first two disagree. It is worth mentioning that these three uncial texts were not used by the KJ translators; they had not been found yet!
It is most unfortunate that we now have King James Only sects. They believe that every other Bible translation is liberal, corrupted or otherwise poorly translated. I confess, I used to belong to one of these sects. I was a fundamentalist. When the preacher yelled "The wicked shall be turned into hell" I believed him.
Lets take that scripture and look at the Hebrew. Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned (bwv shoob) into hell (lwav sheol), and all the nations that forget God. The Hebrew word shoob is translated as the English word turned. The KJV would have you to believe that the wicked are turned into hell as in put there. The Hebrew word (bwv shoob) means return. The wicked are returned to hell. Yes, that is what the scripture says. Lets look at a few other occurances of the Hebrew word (bwv shoob).
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return (bwv shoob) unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (bwv shoob). Here is the same Hebrew word, (bwv shoob), only this time the KJV renders it return. Not once but twice in the same verse. Notice what God says about Adam. He will return to the ground.
Lets look at the Hebrew word that the KJV renders hell. The Hebrew word (lwav sheol) occurs 65 times in the Hebrew scriptures. The KJV renders it grave 31 times, hell 31 times and pit 3 times. It is defined as the place of the dead or grave (ground).
Lets look at the Hebrew word that the KJV renders hell. The Hebrew word (lwav sheol) occurs 65 times in the Hebrew scriptures. The KJV renders it grave 31 times, hell 31 times and pit 3 times. It is defined as the place of the dead or grave (ground).
Lets look at Psalms 9:17 again:The wicked shall be turned (bwv shoob) into hell (lwav sheol). Our study indicates that the wicked will be returned to the grave (ground). Just like God said concerning Adam. From the ground you are taken and to the ground you will return. God never said anything to Adam about hell. Am I saying the unsaved will not be punished for their wicked deeds? No of course not. All will be judged. Some at the Great White Throne some at the Dais of Christ.
I am not a scholar, but I know that words have meanings. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13 (KJV) The original Hebrew says the wicked shall be returned to the grave. The KJV says the wicked shall be turned into hell. Which one is inspired and infallible?
Grace be with you!
Grace be with you!
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