The Bible has been translated more than any other book in history. Each major translation reflects not just linguistic decisions but historical moments, theological convictions, and political pressures. Here is a chronological journey through the most significant Bible translations and what drove them.
The Septuagint (LXX) — c. 250–132 BCE
The first major translation of the Hebrew Scriptures was into Greek, produced in Alexandria, Egypt. According to the Letter of Aristeas, seventy-two Jewish elders translated the Torah in seventy-two days—hence the name Septuagint (from the Latin for “seventy,” abbreviated LXX). The full translation of all 39 books was completed over the following century. The Septuagint became the Bible of the early church, widely quoted by New Testament authors and essential for spreading the faith across the Greek-speaking Roman world.
The Latin Vulgate — 382–405 CE
As the church’s center of gravity shifted westward and Latin became the dominant language of the Roman Empire, Pope Damasus commissioned Jerome to produce a standard Latin Bible. Jerome, a brilliant linguist who had studied Hebrew from Jewish teachers, translated primarily from the original languages rather than from existing Latin versions. His Vulgate (from editio vulgata, “the common edition”) remained the authoritative Western Bible for over a thousand years and was declared the official Bible of the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent (1546).
Wycliffe Bible — 1382–1395 CE
John Wycliffe believed every Christian should have access to Scripture in their own language. Working with associates, including John Purvey who completed a revised edition after Wycliffe’s death, this first complete English Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate. Because printing had not yet reached England, copies were handwritten and expensive. Wycliffe’s followers—called Lollards—spread the text despite fierce ecclesiastical opposition. The church condemned Wycliffe posthumously, exhuming and burning his bones in 1428.
Tyndale New Testament — 1526 CE
William Tyndale was the first to translate the New Testament into English from the Greek, producing a printed edition that could be distributed widely. His translation was vivid, precise, and shaped the English language profoundly. Forced to work in exile on the continent, Tyndale was eventually betrayed, arrested, and executed in 1536. His dying prayer—“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes”—was answered almost immediately: within two years, an English Bible was licensed by royal authority.
The King James Version (KJV) — 1611 CE
Commissioned by King James I following the Hampton Court Conference of 1604, the KJV was produced by 54 scholars organized into six committees. They were instructed to revise the Bishops’ Bible using the original Greek and Hebrew and consulting earlier translations. The resulting Bible, published in 1611, synthesized the best of Tyndale, Coverdale, and the Geneva Bible. Its prose became the gold standard of English religious language for four centuries, and it remains the best-selling Bible of all time.
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) — 1952 CE
The RSV was the first major scholarly revision of the KJV based on advances in manuscript scholarship and biblical archaeology, including the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947. It retained much of the KJV’s literary beauty while correcting archaic language and incorporating better source texts. It became widely used in mainline Protestant churches and academia.
The New International Version (NIV) — 1978 CE
Driven by a desire for a Bible that was both accurate and readable for modern audiences, the NIV was produced by over 100 scholars over more than a decade. It became the best-selling modern English translation, prioritizing natural English expression while remaining faithful to the original languages. Revised editions in 1984, 2011, and subsequent years have kept it current.
The English Standard Version (ESV) — 2001 CE
A revision of the RSV, the ESV aimed to combine word-for-word accuracy with literary excellence. It quickly became popular among evangelical scholars, preachers, and churches that valued closer adherence to the original texts while maintaining readable prose. It has become a dominant translation in Reformed and evangelical circles.
The Living Tradition
Translation is never finished. New manuscript discoveries, evolving language, and growing understanding of biblical cultures continue to drive new translations and revisions. Today, projects like the UBS (United Bible Societies) and Wycliffe Bible Translators work to complete Scripture in the world’s remaining languages. Every new translation stands on the shoulders of those who came before—scholars, martyrs, and missionaries who believed these words deserved to be understood.