This is from our book Bible Translations, Question 30. It's available for a free download on our website educatingourworld under the category of the Bible.

There are a number of people who believe that the King James Version is the only English translation that a person should use. Others don’t go quite this far. They claim that the KJV is still the best available English translation that exists today, but others may be used as long as the KJV get preference.

What do the facts say? Is the Authorized Version, as it’s known in the UK, the best translation for

English speaking people to use in our modern era?

The Merits Of The King James Version

There are many. The KJV has had unparalleled response in the English speaking world for two centuries as "the" Bible that people used. In addition, the translators did an excellent job given the tools they had at the time

However, the KJV is not the best English translation to use today for the following reasons.

Fact 1 Our Knowledge Has Increased Over The Last Four Centuries

Fact 2 The King James

Translators Understood Their Work Was Not The Last Word

Fact 3 It Is Not The Best

English Translation Today

We can make the following observations as to why this is the case.

Observation 1 The Understanding Of Hebrew Has Greatly Increased

Many words and phrases were not understandable to the translators in 1611. This has now changed.

Observation 2 There Were No Known Similar (Cognate) Languages To Hebrew in 1611. Today There Are At Least 12.

These languages help us understand many of the words and phrases used in the Scripture that the translators did not have access to at their time.

Observation 3 Advances Have Also Been Made In Our Understanding Of Greek

The common Greek of Jesus' day was not understood by scholars until the 19th century.

Observation 4 The Need For Change Has Been Recognized For Some Time Noah Webster, in 1831, found 150 English words that were used in the KJV that had changed their meaning in his day.

Observation 5 There Are Three Categories Of Problem Words Found In KJV

1. Words That Are Presently Going Out Of Use

Many words in the KJV are only somewhat understandable to modern English speakers.

2. There Are A Number Of Obsolete Words In The King James Version

In addition, there are many English words in the KJV that are totally obsolete in the English language. In

other words, we have no idea as to what they mean.

3. The Biggest Problem:

Hundreds Of English Words Have Changed In Their Meaning

There are so many English words used in the KJV that have changed their meaning in the last 400 years. In fact many of them, have just the opposite meaning today!

This fact alone should cause us not to the KJV as our primary translation. Instead other translations should be read and studied first.

We are not saying to ignore the KJV. However, for the above reasons, just do not make it the first Bible

translation that you read and study.