Life giving resources. Faithfully delivered.
FREE delivery on orders over £10
Serving over 2 million Christians in the UK
with Bibles, Books and Church Supplies
Our Buy-Now-Pay-Later accounts used
by over 4,000 UK Churches & Schools
Aaron Lewendon - Bibles & Bible Study Specialist
The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is one of the most famous Bible translations in history. First published in 1611, it has been read by millions of people over the centuries. However, did you know that the version of the KJV most people read today is actually from 1769? Many people wonder what the differences are between these two versions.
In this post, we will explain the key differences between the 1611 and 1769 versions of the KJV in a simple and easy way.
The original King James Bible, printed in 1611, was a big achievement at the time. It was meant to be a new English Bible that everyone could read. However, over time, people noticed some things that could be improved. For example:
Because of these reasons, the 1769 update was made to fix errors and make the Bible easier to read for people at that time.
One of the biggest differences between the 1611 and 1769 KJV is the spelling. In 1611, English spelling was not the same as it is today. For example, in the 1611 version, "son" was spelt as "sonne" and "love" was spelt as "loueth." By 1769, English spelling had changed to look much more like the way we spell words today.
Here are some examples of spelling changes between the two versions:
These spelling updates make the 1769 KJV easier for modern readers to understand.
In the 1611 KJV, the use of punctuation was not as consistent as it is today. For example, there might be too many commas or not enough periods, making some sentences hard to read. The 1769 version corrected this by adding clearer punctuation, making the sentences flow better.
Here’s an example:
The changes in punctuation help readers understand the meaning more easily.
Back in 1611, printing was done by hand, and mistakes could easily happen. For example, words could be spelt wrong, or entire lines might be missing from the text. By 1769, printing had improved, and the new version fixed many of these printing errors.
For example, in the 1611 version, some copies had verses with missing words or letters. The 1769 revision corrected those mistakes to make the text more accurate.
Even though there were many spelling, punctuation, and printing corrections, the meaning of the Bible did not change between the 1611 and 1769 versions. The updates were made to make the text easier to read and more accurate, but the message of the Bible stayed the same.
The 1611 KJV and the 1769 KJV are both important versions of the King James Bible. The 1611 version was the original, but the 1769 update fixed spelling, punctuation, and printing mistakes to make it easier for readers to understand. Even though these changes were made, the meaning of the Bible stayed the same.
If you want to explore different versions of the King James Bible, check out our full range of KJV Bibles at Eden.
Bibles
Learn the differences between study Bibles and devotional Bibles to help you choose the perfect Bible gift, whether for in-depth study or daily inspiration.
Bibles
Is the KJV Bible good for study? Learn how the KJV is a great choice for deep Bible study with its accurate translation and rich history, with study tools available at Eden.
Bibles
Explore why you should choose the KJV Bible over other translations, with its majestic language, deep connection to Christian tradition, and word-for-word accuracy."
Bibles
Discover the differences between the 1611 and 1769 versions of the KJV Bible, including spelling and punctuation updates that make it easier to read today.
Bibles
Explore three new NIV Bibles for Christmas 2024, perfect for gifting, including the NIV Clothbound Classic Bible, NIV Pocket Bible, and NIV Larger Print Velvet Bible.
Bibles
Discover the best affordable leather-bound Bibles under £50, from NIV and KJV to NLT and ESV, and find the perfect budget-friendly gift this Christmas.