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Posted on 11/20/2011 6:30:16 PM PST by Jim Robinson
The King James Version of the Bible has been enormously influential in the development of the English language. It ranks with the complete works of Shakespeare and the Oxford English Dictionary as one of the cornerstones of the recorded language. After Shakespeare, the King James, or Authorized, Version of the Bible is the most common source of phrases in English. The King James in question was James I of England and James VI of Scotland. He didn't write the text of course, he merely authorized it, hence the name that the book is best known in the UK (King James Version, or KJV, being more commonly used in the USA).
The King James Version was translated by 47 biblical scholars, working in six committees. It was first printed in 1611 and was by no means the earliest English translation of the Bible. It was pre-dated by several other partial or complete translations, notably John Wyclif's translation in 1382 and William Tyndale's in 1528 - the latter forming the basis of a large proportion of the KJV.
What raises that version above other versions of the Bible in terms of its linguistic impact is the fact that the language used has persisted into the present-day. Many of the phrases includeded are still commonplace. Here are some of the many phrases that originated in the Bible (most, but not all from the King James Version):
A list of 122 everyday phrases that have a biblical origin:
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
A broken heart
A cross to bear
A fly in the ointment
A graven image
A labour of love
A law unto themselves
A man after his own heart
A multitude of sins
A nest of vipers
A peace offering
A sign of the times
(Excerpt) Read more at phrases.org.uk ...
Let him who has ears to hear, hear!
I seem to recall that at one time there was a FReeper whose handle was “Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin”. I don’t know what became of them...
I’ve always been interested in the spread of biblical names around the world and the various forms they’ve taken in different languages.
Mine is probably the single most common biblical name there is and likely ranks in the top 3 common names overall globally.
Sigh. Our society is illiterate.
Back a few months ago I began listing book titles, that had names that were Biblical in nature. I was surprised at how many there were, of course if I could think of even one, now, I would be vindicated. But of course, brain cramps are more evident with age.
Still here, I’ve seen a few recent replies. “You’ve been weighed in the balance and found wanting.” By the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.”
YES!!!
There are parts of the KJV, which though I've read them a hundred times before, still always send chills down my spine, or elevate me to euphoria. The language may be archaic, but it is grand and glorious!
When my daughter was growing up, I would read to her from my KJV, with what I hope was proper phrasing and emphasis. We memorized the Ten Commandments together, just as we did the Bill of Rights later. She was always impressed and thoughtful, and asked for some parts and stories particularly. "Daddy, read me the story of Noah's Ark again!" Such times are among my fondest memories of her childhood.
We could use a little education on the difference between phase and faze.
I was going through my bloodsucking phase, but it didn’t faze my mother a bit and she still made me clean my room.
kind of a "readers digest" version of the complete bible. The KJV omits some really beautiful and meaningful books from the real bible....very sad, kind of like a "do it yourself" version!!!
That's a very good, and important, point. The Bible's stories, lessons, and morals, will serve one well regardless of one's religion, or for that matter, lack of same.
And as was pointed out earlier, it's part of the foundation of our Great Nation, and deserves consideration for that alone, even if one does not acknowledge it as Holy Scripture.
“...a “readers digest” version of the complete bible. The KJV omits some really beautiful and meaningful books from the real bible....very sad...”
Could you be more specific?
"I can't recall your handle, but your phase is familiar."
Lord Bless you!
I wish I had done more now, but I remember reading Bible stories to my little boy-the openness and wonder they expressed when young was such a joy.
Alas, so true.
Here here!
Many social conventions are mentioned first in the KJV Bible. For instance, smoking. In Genesis 24:64, we see that “And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.”
Ping
My full name - first, middle and last mean “sweetheart of christ the king”
Yes indeed!
I also found it interesting that given the choice of reading one of the Bible stories in the KJV, versus a version of the same story told using a "small person's vocabulary", she would often prefer to work through the language of the KJV, because she liked the archaic usage, saying it made her imagination happier to have more to work with.
Years later, she has become a fan of DnD and steampunk.... coincidence? Maybe.... :)
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