Development

It took nearly a generation for the new translation to replace the popular Geneva Bible, which was last printed in 1644 (aside from facsimile editions). Although there are no documents officially authorizing the KJV, it became known as the Authorized Version—the title page states, “Appointed to be read in Churches.” Because of its association with James I, it is now known as the King James Version.

There were many translations by individuals over the next centuries, but it was not until 1881 (New Testament), 1885 (Old Testament), and 1895 (Apocrypha) that an official church translation was published in England, the Revised Version. The American Standard Version of 1901 was its American edition. Both versions were self-conscious revisions of the KJV, as was the more-popular Revised Standard Version of 1946 (New Testament), 1952 (Old Testament), and 1957/77 (Apocrypha). The second half of the 20th century saw an explosion of English Bible translations, but it took until the mid-1980s for the KJV to be surpassed in new Bible sales by the New International Version (NIV).

The KJV of 1611 remains the most widely circulated and influential English translation of all time. It is available in more editions and bindings than any other translation.