What Is the King James Version of the Bible?

The King James Version (KJV), first published in 1611, is one of the most widely printed and quoted English translations of the Bible in history.

Where it came from

Commissioned by King James I of England, the translation was produced by a large committee of scholars working from Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic source texts over several years.

Why its language feels distinctive

Its formal, poetic 17th-century English — "thee," "thou," "hath" — gives it a recognizable, classical tone that later, more modern translations deliberately move away from for everyday readability.

Its lasting influence

Beyond religious use, KJV phrasing has shaped English literature and everyday speech for centuries — many common English idioms and phrases trace directly back to it.