Why is the KJV better than other versions?

Question

I cannot think of any logical reasons, other than someone who enjoys readin Shakespeare, might understand the language behind it and even that's not a good reason, considering the source of this version.

Answer 1

Basically I would say that it is better than some translations but not the best. Most people like the King James version because the style is elegant and reads well aloud. The other advantage of the KJV is that it is among the group of bibles that has a more literal translation. Others in this group are the American Standard Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard Version.

Other Bibles, such as the NIV are less literally translated. Some people like this better because they are easier to understand. Others who are more concerned about accuracy opt for one of the translations I listed above.

A third type of translation is the paraphrase, such as the Living Bible, the Message, or the Good News Bible. Paraphrases are versions that are in easy to understand, modernized English (but getting further away from the original).

Bottom line? Chose one that you like to read, or meets the needs that you think are important!

Answer 2

Good question. I have the answer. The KJV is actually the correct version to use - altho if your heart is in the right place, then God will use any of the versions for his glory. Here is why KJV is best. Around 1611, I believe it was, King James had the Bible written so everyone could read it. Well about the same time the Alexandrians, in Egypt, made their own version of the Scriptures to fit their beliefs. Well at the time it wasn't that popular. Years later, some one found one in a dumpster, & cleaned it up, fixed it up - I think there were only a few copies left then, & they started making copies of that bible as well as the original Bible. And that is were you get almost all (if not all) of the other translations from, which explains why they rewrite & leave out some of the Scriptures in the other translations. That is why if you are really seriuos about studying God's word then use His Word, & sturdy the King James. It is the only one that it 100% accurate( or at least as close as you can get from the originals.

Answer 3

The Cambridge edition of the King James Version is supposed to be the most accurate. It too has been compromised over the millennium since it was originally translated from Greek and Hebrew. Many times correct but substituted words were used to change the meaning of a phrase. This is easy to do with the Greek language.

Most of the other translations have been written from transcripts that are considered very inaccurate.

The book, "New Age Bible Versions" takes information from many sources and proves how the NIV, NKJV, NAS, and many more are very mistranslated and inaccurate in their works. It is very interesting reading if you take the time to do so.

I personally use the Cambridge KJV. though some may think it is hard to read, it is actually based on a 5th grade education where as the newer ones are on an 8th grade education. The words used in the KJV are more accurate in their usage. It only takes a little getting used to to read and appreciate it.

Answer 4

Textual critisism is a much debated subject. No way to go into it here. I accept the KJV bedause I believe, from all my reading on the subject, not all of which, I will admit, I understand... but I believe that those who translated into english what we now know as the KJV, gave the best due diligence to using the limited number of english words available to match the texts they had to work from in the Greek....Which were copies of copies of the original texts... none of the original texts remain...There are over 12,000 individual words in the texts existing from which all english translations are taken... There are only about 6,000 individual words in the English. It is not possable to translate all the nuaunces of the old texts language into english. I believe The KJV people did the best to date
not understanding the english of the KJV is mearly lack of instruction and study.. Any one who can read english can get a good dictionary and read with understanding any thing written in the Language of the KJV.

The so-called modern translations rely mostly on work by translators who may not even have been christian. Namely Westcott and Hort. and these used what are refered to as the minority text... There is good reason to doubt the texts used by Westcott and Hort and thus to doubt the reliability of any "translation" based on their work.... As I said, this is a big study... and I aint no expert in textual critisizm for sure...

For my POV on the Bible you may read my thoughts at:

http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/mikesinternetoutreach/id4.html

I do not keep track of who visits nor do I spam visitors

edit note: The NKJV is not just an updated KJV. It is a seperate modern work. It did not use "The original texts" The originals were ost over 1500 yrs ago... it relies on some doubful texts as do most all "modern" translations

Answer 5

Some people feel that the family of manuscripts that the King James version was translated from is closer to the original. Most manuscripts do agree with this tradition. It is felt by some that there was too much reliance on rationalism in settling on the the later editions of the Greek text of the New Testament. These later editions were the basis of most of the new translations. The New King James would be an exception to this.

Answer 6

The KJV and the NKJV (new King James Version) are both translated from the orignial text. If you find the KJV hard to read or understand get a NKJV. The NKJV is written in today's speach patterns instead of the older speach patterns. I use both versions. The KJV I use when I go to church since that is the version my church uses. When I do my Bible study I read from the NKJV.

Answer 7

i have seen other versions of the bible and i will admit that the KJV is perhaps a bit dated in it's language, but this is something that i will put up with considering that i have seen a few versions that are downright awful. the spirit is just lost in them. when you change the wording, you lose some of the complexity and vibrancy of the bible. all the greatest scholars worked on the KJV in 1619 and they produced a great bible. everything else in English is inferior.

Answer 8

Some people think the KJV is the best version because it doesn't contain as much paraphrasing as more modern translations. I prefer the NewKJV because it is close to the original but without the thee's and thou's.

Answer 9

There is difference between version and translation. If you would like a accurate rendering of the bible get a translation. The New World Translation is very easy to understand.

Answer 10

I do not like reading the King James version myself. Just because you may not like, and I may not like reading the King James version does not mean it is singles use out, because most of the population likes to read the King James Version. I don't believe that any version is better then the other.