King James Bible English Spelling
Does the King James Bible contain spelling errors?
The 1611 King James Bible was writen more than four hundred years ago when the English language was different. The original 1611 A.D. text, written in Early Modern English, shows the language with its Latin influence. Spelling was in Jacobean style which was not entirely standardized, but could be read phonetically. The original typeface was in Gothic style. Although both the typestyle and the older language of the 1611 version may be considered difficult to read by some 21st Century English readers, the translators produced an accurate translation known for its beauty, cadence, and poetic feel.
1611 English Language Differences for John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(1) The 1611 original (with Gothic type): (see entire chapter)
(2) A 1833 copy of a 1617 version (with Roman folio letters):
(3) A 1900-1970 Cambridge Edition of King James Bible (based on 1769 version):
English spelling differences in John 3:16
-
U = V (Example: loued = loved; gaue = gave)
- y with 'e' above it was used as represent the 'thorn' character, which means 'the') [learn more]
- nn (Sonne = Son)
Other spelling differences
-
V = U (Example: vnto = unto | See John 1:11. As a variation of the same letter, 'V' was used at the beginning of a word and 'U' within. )
- VV = W (Example: svvord = sword) [The V was called a 'U', this is why we still call a W a 'double U']
- I = J (Example: Iesus = Jesus | See John 1:17)
- Long "s" letters look similar to "f" letters (Notice the 'Old Testament' type example on the right) [learn more]
Read the entire original 1611 King James Bible online...