The Revised Standard Version (RSV): A Mid-20th Century Scholarly Milestone

Origins and Core Objectives

The Revised Standard Version (RSV) stands as a pivotal English translation of the Christian Bible, first unveiled in its entirety in 1952. This significant work was published under the auspices of the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. The National Council of Churches (NCC) is a prominent ecumenical organization representing various Christian denominations in the United States, lending considerable authority and interdenominational appeal to the RSV's development. Conceived as a direct revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, the RSV aimed to create a modern English translation that was both highly readable and literally accurate. Its foundational goal was dual-faceted: to "preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the centuries," thereby maintaining a continuity with revered historical translations, and simultaneously "to put the message of the Bible in simple, enduring words that are worthy to stand in the great Tyndale-King James tradition." This aspiration highlighted a commitment to clarity for contemporary readers while honoring the literary and theological legacy of English Bible translation, particularly the profound influence of William Tyndale and the King James Version.

Groundbreaking Scholarship and Textual Basis

A defining and revolutionary aspect of the Revised Standard Version in the academic field of biblical scholarship was its pioneering use of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah. Discovered between 1947 and 1956, these ancient manuscripts provided biblical scholars with Hebrew texts significantly older than the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text used for centuries), offering unprecedented insights into the textual history of the Old Testament. The incorporation of readings from these newly discovered scrolls, especially the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa^a), was groundbreaking and contributed to the RSV's reputation as a translation informed by the most current textual scholarship available at the time of its creation. For instance, in Isaiah 7:14, the RSV chose "young woman" instead of "virgin," a choice influenced by scholarly assessment of the Hebrew term *'almah* in its broader ancient Near Eastern context, demonstrating its commitment to scholarly precision.

Publication Chronology and Evolving Editions

The development and release of the RSV occurred in stages. The New Testament was the first part to be published, appearing in 1946. The complete Old Testament followed in 1952, allowing for the unified publication of the full Bible. The Apocrypha, a collection of intertestamental books considered deuterocanonical by some Christian traditions, was subsequently published in 1957. Recognizing areas for refinement, the New Testament underwent a revision, which was released in 1971. In response to the needs of specific Christian communities, the original Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (RSV-CE) was published in 1965–66. This edition included the deuterocanonical books (often referred to as the Apocrypha by Protestants) integrated into the Old Testament sequence, and featured minor textual adjustments to align with Catholic theological preferences. The deuterocanonical books section was further expanded in 1977 to include additional texts recognized by certain Eastern Orthodox traditions. A more recent iteration, the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE), was released in 2006, building upon the RSV-CE with additional textual refinements and updated formatting, and has gained popularity, particularly among younger Catholics.

Lasting Influence and Successor Translations

The scholarly integrity and readability of the Revised Standard Version ensured its enduring legacy in biblical translation. In later years, the RSV served as the direct textual basis and a significant point of reference for two other widely used and highly respected English Bible translations, underscoring its foundational importance:

• The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): Published in 1989, the NRSV sought to update the language of the RSV, making it more inclusive in its gender references while continuing to prioritize scholarly accuracy and fidelity to the original texts. It became widely adopted across various Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions.
• The English Standard Version (ESV): Released in 2001, the ESV aimed to provide a more literal "word-for-word" (formally equivalent) translation than the NRSV, while still retaining much of the RSV's textual scholarship and traditional phrasing, appealing largely to evangelical Protestants.

Frequently Asked Questions About the RSV

What is the primary goal of the Revised Standard Version (RSV)?

The RSV aimed to be a readable and literally accurate modern English translation that preserved the best aspects of earlier English Bibles like the King James Version, while incorporating the latest biblical scholarship of its time.

Why was the RSV's use of the Dead Sea Scrolls considered revolutionary?

It was revolutionary because the RSV was the first major English Bible translation to integrate readings from the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the Isaiah Scroll, which provided older and more complete textual evidence for the Old Testament than previously available, significantly impacting biblical textual criticism.

What is the difference between the RSV and the RSV Catholic Edition (RSV-CE)?

The RSV-CE includes the deuterocanonical books (often called the Apocrypha by Protestants) integrated into the Old Testament canon according to Catholic tradition, and it features minor textual adjustments to align with Catholic theological phrasing.

Which modern Bible translations are based on the RSV?

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the English Standard Version (ESV) are direct revisions or textual descendants of the Revised Standard Version, building upon its scholarly foundation.

The King James Version (KJV): A Pillar of English Culture and Faith

Commissioning and Historical Context

The King James Version (KJV), also widely known as the King James Bible (KJB) or the Authorized Version, stands as arguably the most influential English translation of the Christian Bible ever produced. It was specifically commissioned for the Church of England in 1604 and first published in 1611, under the direct sponsorship of King James VI of Scotland, who also became King James I of England upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603. This dual monarchy position of King James VI and I provided the political will necessary for such a monumental undertaking. The impetus for this new translation arose from the Hampton Court Conference, convened by King James in January 1604. This conference aimed to address the grievances of the Puritan faction within the Church of England, who expressed dissatisfaction with earlier English translations, particularly their marginal notes, which were perceived as sectarian or subversive. King James, wary of challenging Puritan influence but eager to assert royal and episcopal authority, saw a new, officially sanctioned translation as a means to unify the Church and consolidate his rule.

Composition, Style, and Cultural Impact

The 80 books of the original King James Version included the 39 books of the Old Testament, an intertestamental section containing 14 books often referred to by Protestants as the Apocrypha (though considered deuterocanonical by Catholics and some other Christian traditions), and the 27 books of the New Testament. While the Apocrypha were included, they were typically placed between the Old and New Testaments, signaling their distinct status for Protestant readers who did not consider them canonical scripture but valuable for historical or moral instruction. The KJV is particularly renowned for its "majesty of style," a characteristic that imbues its language with a profound sense of dignity, poetic rhythm, and archaic beauty. This unparalleled literary quality has led to the KJV being described not merely as a religious text, but as one of the most important books in English culture, exerting a profound and pervasive influence. Its distinctive phrasing, idioms, and vocabulary have woven themselves deeply into the fabric of the English language, influencing countless literary works, common expressions (e.g., "fight the good fight," "eat, drink, and be merry," "a law unto themselves"), and shaping the very consciousness of the English-speaking world for centuries.

Predecessors and Influential Translations

The KJV was not the first English translation approved by the English Church authorities, but the third. Its predecessors include:

• The Great Bible (1539): Commissioned during the reign of King Henry VIII (1535), it was the first authorized English Bible and was ordered to be placed in every church.
• The Bishops' Bible (1568): Commissioned during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, it was a revision of the Great Bible intended to be more accurate and less controversial, though it never fully displaced the popular Geneva Bible.

Crucially, the KJV's translators were also influenced by the Geneva Bible of 1560. This translation, produced in Geneva, Switzerland, by English Protestant Reformers fleeing persecution, was highly popular among Puritans due to its precise translation from the original Hebrew and Greek scriptures and its extensive marginal notes, which often had a Calvinistic or anti-episcopal bent. King James specifically disliked these notes, which he saw as challenging royal and ecclesiastical authority, and therefore, one of his key instructions to the KJV translators was to avoid such contentious marginalia.

The Rigorous Translation Process and Royal Directives

King James's instructions to the translators were precise and aimed to ensure that the new version would conform to the ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church) and reflect the episcopal structure (governance by bishops) of the Church of England, alongside its belief in an ordained clergy. This meant avoiding Puritan interpretations and promoting the established church's doctrines. The translation was a monumental collaborative effort, undertaken by 47 of England's leading biblical scholars, organized into six panels or "companies." The work was meticulously divided: three panels were assigned the Old Testament, two the New Testament, and one the Apocrypha. In common with most translations of the period, the translators worked from the best available scholarly texts of their time. The New Testament was translated from Greek manuscripts, the Old Testament from Hebrew and Aramaic texts (primarily the Masoretic Text), and the Apocrypha from Greek and Latin sources.

Ascension to Dominance and Enduring Legacy

Despite its royal authorization, the King James Version did not immediately supplant other popular translations like the Geneva Bible. Its widespread acceptance was gradual. A significant step in its ascendancy was its incorporation into the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, where the text of the Authorized Version replaced the Great Bible for Epistle and Gospel readings (though the Psalter largely retained Myles Coverdale's Great Bible version, still familiar to congregations). This parliamentary authorization cemented its place in Anglican worship. By the first half of the 18th century, the Authorized Version had become the effectively unchallenged standard English translation used in Anglican and most other English Protestant churches, except for the Psalms and certain short passages in the Book of Common Prayer. Over the course of the 18th century, the KJV also supplanted the Latin Vulgate as the standard version of scripture for English-speaking scholars, marking a decisive shift towards vernacular scripture even in academic contexts.

Modern Standardization and Printing Milestones

The ubiquity of the King James Version was further propelled by technological advancements. With the development of stereotype printing at the beginning of the 19th century, which allowed for the inexpensive and rapid reproduction of entire pages from a single plate, the KJV became the most widely printed book in history. Almost all such printings presented the standard text of 1769. This definitive version was extensively re-edited by Benjamin Blayney at Oxford, who systematically modernized its spelling and punctuation, corrected numerous printing errors, and standardized its text. This 1769 Oxford standard text became the benchmark for all subsequent KJV editions. Significantly, nearly all these mass-produced printings from the 19th century onwards began to omit the books of the Apocrypha entirely, reflecting changing Protestant attitudes towards these books. Today, when one refers to the "King James Version" without further qualification, it almost invariably indicates this widely disseminated and enduring 1769 Oxford standard text.

Frequently Asked Questions About the KJV

When was the King James Version (KJV) first published and by whom?

The King James Version was commissioned in 1604 and first published in 1611 by the King's Printers, John Norton and Robert Barker, under the sponsorship of King James VI and I.

What made the KJV revolutionary in its cultural impact?

Its "majesty of style" and poetic language profoundly influenced English literature, common phrases, and the English language itself, shaping the linguistic and cultural landscape of the English-speaking world.

How many books are in the King James Version?

The original 1611 King James Version contained 80 books: 39 Old Testament books, 14 books of the Apocrypha (an intertestamental section), and 27 New Testament books. However, modern KJV editions often omit the Apocrypha.

What role did the Hampton Court Conference play in the KJV's creation?

The Hampton Court Conference in 1604, convened by King James, was where the idea for a new, unified English translation was conceived, largely in response to Puritan grievances against earlier translations and the King's desire for a version that supported the Church of England's authority.

Which earlier English Bibles influenced the King James Version?

The KJV was influenced by previous authorized English Bibles like the Great Bible (1539) and the Bishops' Bible (1568), as well as the popular, but Puritan-leaning, Geneva Bible (1560).