The Truth About Shakespeare And The King James Bible

The Language Legacy of Shakespeare

In the world of English language heroes, William Shakespeare stands tall. His words, like “in a pickle” and “wild goose chase,” have become part of our everyday talk. But is there a hidden link between the Bard and the revered King James Bible?

 Debunking a Rumor: Did Shakespeare Write the Bible?

Rumor has it that Shakespeare had a hand in translating the King James Bible. Some even claim to find secret clues in the text. Allegedly, in Psalm 46, the 46th word from the beginning is “shake,” and the 46th word from the end is “spear.” A poetic coincidence, right? Not so fast.

 Separating Fact from Fiction

Contrary to the rumors, Shakespeare was not involved in writing the King James Bible. Scholars highlight the stark differences in writing styles between the two. Even the supposed “46s” are debunked, requiring the omission of a crucial word, “selah,” from Psalm 46.

The Truth Prevails: Shakespeare’s Unrelated Role

According to Britannica, there’s no evidence connecting Shakespeare to the King James Bible. The literary genius behind the works we love had no part in the biblical masterpiece. The supposed link turns out to be a stretch without solid ground.

The Real Translators Behind the King James Bible

If not Shakespeare, then who translated the King James Bible? | While King James himself played a role, the bulk of the work fell on John Rainolds, the president of Corpus Christi College. A committee of 47 clergymen and scholars, under Rainolds’ lead, meticulously worked on the translation to create a unified version for all Christian factions.

King James’ Personal Contribution

King James, highly educated like many nobles of his time, personally translated some of the Psalms. However, the majority of the work was outsourced to expedite the process. The goal was to have one official copy for all churches in his realm, easing tensions between different Christian groups.

Conclusion

the connection between Shakespeare and the King James Bible is nothing more than a myth. The true heroes behind the Bible’s translation were scholars and clergymen led by John Rainolds, with King James contributing his expertise to the Psalms. Shakespeare’s legacy lives on in his plays and phrases, but the Bible’s creation stands as a separate monumental achievement.

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