King James Bible Old 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 shows the language in closer association with its Latin roots. Spelling was in Jacobean style which was not standardized, but could be read phonetically. The original typeface was in Gothic style. Although both the typestyle and the old language may be considered difficult to read by some 21st Century English readers, the King James Version is recognized and respected 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):
(2) A 1833 copy of a 1617 version (with Roman folio letters):
(3) A 1900-1970 Pure Cambridge Edition of King James Bible (based on 1769 version):
English spelling differences in John 3:16
-
U = V (Example: loued = loved; gauve = gave)
- y (Used as 'the')
- nn (Sonne = Son [an example of phoenetic spelling])
Other spelling differences
-
V = U (Example: vnto = unto | See John 1:11)
- 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)
- Lowercase "s" letters look similar to "f" letters (Notice the 'Old Testament' type example on the right)
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