On October 4, 1535, the printing of the first complete English Bible by Miles Coverdale exemplified a significant moment that transformed religious practice and the English language. This Bible, which combined William Tyndale’s New Testament translation with Coverdale’s own work on the Old Testament, marked the commencement and set the stage for future translation.
The journey towards the first printed English Bible commenced with William Tyndale, whose translation of the New Testament from the original Greek and Hebrew texts in 1526 was a revolutionary achievement. Translation of Tyndale was based on the conviction that the Bible should be accessible to the general people, free from the intermediaries of clergy and Latin texts. However, his work faced strong opposition from the Catholic Church and the English monarchy, which led to Tyndale’s execution in 1536. Despite this, Tyndale’s influence continued through the circulation of his printed New Testament, which became the foundation for later English translation.
Miles Coverdale built on Tyndale’s work and his 1535 edition became the first complete printed English Bible, combining Tyndale’s New Testament and his own translation of the Old Testament from the Latin Vulgate and German texts. Available in Antwerp, Coverdale’s Bible played an important role in making the Scriptures available in the vernacular, shifting religious power from the Church to the individual reader. This was a significant development in the history of Christianity, as it allowed laypeople to engage directly with the Bible in their own language.
The Bible of Coverdale was momentous for its religious impact and for its linguistic influence. The widespread distribution of this printed Bible, made possible by the advent of the printing press, helped standardise the English language and introduced a number of words and phrases that would become integral to English. By providing an English translation that was accessible to a broader population, Coverdale’s Bible contributed to the growth of literacy and the spread of Protestant ideas.
This significant publication was followed by further important translation. The Geneva Bible, printed in 1560, introduced verse divisions and was notable for its political commentary, challenging the divine right of kings.
The King James Version (KJV), first published in 1611, would go on to become the most enduring English Bible translation, deeply influencing religious practice and English literature.
