Bible errata

Last updated
The "Judas Bible" (1613) contains a misprint in Matthew 26:36, in which the name "Judas" appears instead of "Jesus". In this copy, a slip of paper has been pasted over the misprint (circled in red). Judas Bible2.jpg
The "Judas Bible" (1613) contains a misprint in Matthew 26:36, in which the name "Judas" appears instead of "Jesus". In this copy, a slip of paper has been pasted over the misprint (circled in red).

Throughout history, printers' errors, unconventional translations [lower-alpha 2] and translation mistakes have appeared in a number of published Bibles. Bibles with features considered to be erroneous are known as Bible errata, and were often destroyed or suppressed due to their contents being considered heretical by some.

Contents

Manuscript Bibles

A page from the genealogy of Jesus, in Kells KellsFol201rGeneolgyOfChrist.jpg
A page from the genealogy of Jesus, in Kells

The Book of Kells, c.800

The Book of Kells features two errors within its text:

The Book of Deer, 10th century

The Scottish Book of Deer in Cambridge University Library has a number of errors. In the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, it has Seth as the first man and grandfather of Adam. [5]

Printed Bibles

Coverdale

Edmund Becke's Bibles

The Great Bible

The Treacle Bible opened at the page of the eponymous curiosity. St Mary's Church, Banbury. Treacle Bible, St Mary's, Banbury.jpg
The Treacle Bible opened at the page of the eponymous curiosity. St Mary's Church, Banbury.

Geneva

Douai

King James

The Judas Bible in St. Mary's Church, Totnes, Devon, UK. Judas Bible2.jpg
The Judas Bible in St. Mary's Church, Totnes, Devon, UK.
The Wicked Bible renders Exodus 20:14 as "thou shalt commit adultery" instead of "thou shalt not commit adultery" Marked Wicked bible.jpg
The Wicked Bible renders Exodus 20:14 as "thou shalt commit adultery" instead of "thou shalt not commit adultery"

In various printings of the King James Version of the Bible, some of the more famous examples have been given their own names. Among them are:

Heading for the "The Parable of the Vineyard" in a copy of the "Vinegar Bible" Vinegar Bible Farnham 2024.jpg
Heading for the "The Parable of the Vineyard" in a copy of the "Vinegar Bible"

Fictional Bible errata

Notes

  1. According to a note in St Mary's Church, Totnes, Cornwall
  2. Note that Bibles with an unconventional but deliberate overall translation style, such as an idiomatic style, a dynamic equivalence style or a paraphrasitic style, are not included in this list.
  3. According to a note in St Mary's Church, Totnes, Cornwall

Related Research Articles

The Book of Jeremiah is the second of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, and the second of the Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. The superscription at chapter Jeremiah 1:1–3 identifies the book as "the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah". Of all the prophets, Jeremiah comes through most clearly as a person, ruminating to his scribe Baruch about his role as a servant of God with little good news for his audience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King James Version</span> 1611 English translation of the Bible

The King James Version (KJV), also the King James Bible (KJB) and the Authorized Version (AV), is an Early Modern English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, which was commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611, by sponsorship of King James VI and I. The 80 books of the King James Version include 39 books of the Old Testament, 14 books of Apocrypha, and the 27 books of the New Testament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce M. Metzger</span> American biblical scholar (1914–2007)

Bruce Manning Metzger was an American biblical scholar, Bible translator and textual critic who was a longtime professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and Bible editor who served on the board of the American Bible Society and United Bible Societies. He was a scholar of Greek, New Testament, and New Testament textual criticism, and wrote prolifically on these subjects. Metzger was an influential New Testament scholar of the 20th century. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1986.

In the Bible, the abyss is an unfathomably deep or boundless place. The term comes from the Greek word abyssos, meaning "bottomless, unfathomable, boundless". It is used as both an adjective and a noun. It appears in the Septuagint, which is the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and in the New Testament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 1</span> First psalm of the Book of Psalms

Psalm 1 is the first psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English King James Version: "Blessed is the man", and forming "an appropriate prologue" to the whole collection according to Alexander Kirkpatrick. The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In Latin, this psalm is known as "Beatus vir" or "Beatus vir, qui non abiit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 4</span> Fourth psalm of the Book of Psalms

Psalm 4 is the fourth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English of the King James Version: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness". In Latin, it is known as "Cum invocarem". The psalm is traditionally attributed to David, but his authorship is not accepted by modern scholars. The message in the psalm is that the victories of sinners are only temporary, and that only repentance can bring joy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 3</span> 1 Kings, chapter 3

1 Kings 3 is the third chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel. The focus of this chapter is the reign of Solomon, the king of Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 12</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 12 is the twelfth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 9–14. This chapter and chapter 13 verses 1–6 are a section, forming a three-section "entity" with 13:7–9 and 14:1-21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 3</span> Chapter in the Hebrew Bible

Zechariah 3 is the third of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. The chapter contains the vision of Joshua, the high priest, being cleansed before God. It is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 1–8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 2</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 2 is the second of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 1–8. It records the third of eight visions received by the prophet, followed by an oracle calling the exiles to return to the city where Yahweh is about to dwell and all nations will come.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 6</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 6 is the sixth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter contains the description of the eighth vision and the crowning of Joshua. It is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 1–8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 8</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 8 is the eighth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 1–8. This chapter contains a continuation of the subject in the seventh chapter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 9</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 9 is the ninth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 9–14. It concerns the advance of an enemy, but God defends Jerusalem and his king will triumphantly enter the city to bring peace among all nations. This chapter also contains a continuation of the subject in the seventh chapter. The part about the king's entry into Jerusalem is quoted in the New Testament, especially in the event of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 10</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 10 is the tenth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 9–14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zechariah 13</span> Bible chapter

Zechariah 13 is the thirteenth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah, and is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 9–14. Verses 1–6 may be a part of a section together with 12:1-14, whereas verses 7–9 is a separate part, forming a three-section "entity" with 14:1-21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 6</span> 1 Kings, chapter 6

1 Kings 6 is the sixth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel. The focus of this chapter is the reign of Solomon, the king of Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 2</span> 1 Kings, chapter 2

1 Kings 2 is the second chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel. The focus of this chapter is the reign of David and Solomon, the kings of Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 4</span> 1 Kings, chapter 4

1 Kings 4 is the fourth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel. The focus of this chapter is the reign of Solomon, the king of Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 13</span> 1 Kings, chapter 13

1 Kings 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. 1 Kings 12:1 to 16:14 documents the consolidation of the kingdoms of northern Israel and Judah: this chapter focusses on the reign of Jeroboam in the northern kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 17</span> 1 Kings, chapter 17

1 Kings 17 is the seventeenth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section comprising 1 Kings 16:15 to 2 Kings 8:29 which documents the period of Omri's dynasty. The focus of this chapter is the activity of prophet Elijah during the reign of king Ahab in the northern kingdom.

References

  1. Matthew 26:36
  2. Luke 3:26
  3. Sullivan, Edward (1920). The Book of Kells. The Studio. p. 120.
  4. Nathan, George Jean Nathan; Henry Louis Mencken (1951). The American Mercury. p. 572. The compilers of the late seventh century manuscript, The Book of Kells, refused to adopt St. Jerome's phrase "I come not to bring peace but a sword." (" ... non pacem sed gladium.") To them the phrase made no sense and they altered it ...
  5. Stuart, John (1869). The Book of Deer. Spalding club. pp. xxxii.
  6. Stauffer - The Queer, The Quaint, & The Quizzical, 1882, p. 8, Francis Henry Shauffer
  7. McNab, Chris. Ancient Legends/Folklore. New York : Scholastic, Inc., 2007. ( ISBN   0-439-85479-2)
  8. Charles C. BUTTERWORTH, & Allan G. CHESTER, George Joye (1495?–1553). A Chapter in the History of the English Bible and the English Reformation, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1962, pp. 139–142; p. 145. n. 25. Gerald HOBBS, "Martin Bucer and the Englishing of the Psalms: Pseudonimity in the Service of Early English Protestant Piety", in D.F. WRIGHT (ed.), Martin Bucer. Reforming Church and Community, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994, pp. 169–170.)
  9. 1 Peter 3:7
  10. Metzger, Bruce M. (2001). The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English versions (Pbk. ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. p.  64. ISBN   9780801022821. P 64.
  11. Jeremiah 8:22
  12. "Treacle Bible". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  13. Genesis 3:7
  14. "Breeches Bible". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  15. Matthew 5:9
  16. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  17. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  18. Jeremiah 8:22
  19. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  20. "Photographic image of page of the Bible" (JPG). Farm2.static.flickr.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  21. Exodus 20:14
  22. Matthew 26:36
  23. Summon, Parminder (2006). Summon's Bible Miscellany. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 28. ISBN   9780802833907 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  24. Psalm 119:161
  25. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  26. Exodus 20:14
  27. Deuteronomy 5:24
  28. Rawson Gardiner, Samuel (1886). Reports of Cases in the Courts of Star Chamber and High Commission. Nichols and Sons. p. 305. ISBN   9780384197602 . Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  29. Campbell, Gordon (2010). Bible: The Story of the King James Version 1611 — 2011. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0199693016 . Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  30. L. Brown, DeNeen. "The Bible Museum's 'Wicked Bible': Thou Shalt Commit Adultery". Washington Post. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  31. Revelation 21:1
  32. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  33. 1 Corinthians 6:9
  34. Romans 6:13
  35. Russel, Ray (1980). "The "Wicked" Bibles". Theology Today. 37 (3): 360–363. doi:10.1177/004057368003700311. S2CID   170449311 . Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  36. Jeremiah 31:34
  37. Paul, William E. (April–June 2003). "Curiosities in Bible Editions". Bible Editions & Versions. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  38. "'Vinegar Bible' returns to Lunenburg". Anglican Journal. Vol. 134, no. 8. 2008-10-01. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  39. Psalm 14:1
  40. Toseland, Martin (2009). A Steroid Hit the Earth. Portico. p. 95. ISBN   978-1906032708.
  41. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  42. Galatians 4:29
  43. Summon, Parminder (2006). Summon's Bible Miscellany. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 28. ISBN   9780802833907 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  44. Ezekiel 47:10
  45. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  46. Luke 14:26
  47. Metzger, Bruce M.; Coogan, Michael D. (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-19-974391-9 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  48. Isaiah 66:9
  49. Genesis 24:61
  50. 1 Peter 3:5
  51. Summon, Parminder (2006). Summon's Bible Miscellany. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 30. ISBN   9780802833907 . Retrieved 1 December 2021.