English Translations of The Holy Bible

This list provides an overview of the most significant English Bible translations, arranged chronologically from the earliest to the latest. Each entry includes basic information such as the date of first publication, country of publication, and key characteristics.

Wycliffe Bible

• Date First Published: Late 14th Century (1382-1395)
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: The Wycliffe Bible is the first complete translation of the Bible into English. It was translated from the Latin Vulgate by John Wycliffe and his followers. It was hand-copied and widely circulated despite being condemned by the Church.

Tyndale Bible

• Date First Published: 1525-1536
• Country of Publication: England/Germany
• Description: The Tyndale Bible was the first English translation to be made directly from Hebrew and Greek texts. William Tyndale's New Testament was first published in 1525, and parts of the Old Testament followed before his execution in 1536.

Coverdale Bible

• Date First Published: 1535
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: The Coverdale Bible, translated by Miles Coverdale, was the first complete printed Bible in English. It was based on the Latin Vulgate, Tyndale?s work, and Luther?s German Bible.

Matthew's Bible

• Date First Published: 1537
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: Compiled by John Rogers under the pseudonym "Thomas Matthew," the Matthew's Bible combined Tyndale's and Coverdale's translations. It was authorized by King Henry VIII for use in England.

Great Bible

• Date First Published: 1539
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: The Great Bible was the first English Bible authorized for public use in churches. It was edited by Miles Coverdale and was known as the "Chained Bible" because it was often chained to church pulpits.

Geneva Bible

• Date First Published: 1560
• Country of Publication: Switzerland (Geneva)
• Description: The Geneva Bible was produced by English Protestant exiles in Geneva. It was the first Bible to use verse numbers and included extensive marginal notes that reflected Calvinist theology. It was popular among Puritans and was the Bible of Shakespeare and the Pilgrims.

Bishop's Bible

• Date First Published: 1568
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: The Bishop's Bible was commissioned by the Church of England to replace the Geneva Bible. Although it was the official Bible of the Church of England, it was less popular than the Geneva Bible.

Rheims-Douay Bible

• Date First Published: New Testament in 1582, Old Testament in 1609-1610
• Country of Publication: France (Rheims and Douay)
• Description: The Rheims-Douay Bible was the first Catholic English translation, based on the Latin Vulgate. It became the standard Bible for English-speaking Catholics and influenced later translations, including the King James Version.

King James Version (KJV)

• Date First Published: 1611
• Country of Publication: England
• Description: The King James Version, also known as the Authorized Version, was commissioned by King James I of England. It was produced by a committee of scholars and has been one of the most influential English translations of the Bible. It is renowned for its literary beauty and accuracy.

Revised Version (RV)

• Date First Published: New Testament in 1881, Old Testament in 1885
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Description: The Revised Version was the first major revision of the King James Version. It aimed to improve accuracy based on better manuscripts and was the first English Bible to use the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament.

American Standard Version (ASV)

• Date First Published: 1901
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The American Standard Version is a revision of the Revised Version, produced by American scholars. It is known for its literal translation and accuracy and served as the basis for several later translations.

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

• Date First Published: New Testament in 1946, Old Testament in 1952
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The Revised Standard Version was a revision of the American Standard Version. It aimed to modernize the language while maintaining accuracy and became widely used in both Protestant and Catholic circles.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

• Date First Published: 1971 (updated in 1995 and 2020)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The New American Standard Bible is known for its strict adherence to a word-for-word translation philosophy. It is highly regarded for its accuracy and is often used for study by those seeking a close translation to the original texts.

New International Version (NIV)

• Date First Published: 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The New International Version is one of the most popular modern English translations. It uses a dynamic equivalence approach, balancing accuracy with readability. It has undergone several revisions to keep its language contemporary.

New King James Version (NKJV)

• Date First Published: 1982
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The New King James Version is a modern update of the King James Version. It retains much of the original KJV's literary style while updating archaic language for modern readers.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

• Date First Published: 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The New Revised Standard Version is a revision of the RSV. It is widely used in academic and liturgical settings and is known for its inclusive language and accuracy. It is the preferred translation of many mainline Protestant denominations.

English Standard Version (ESV)

• Date First Published: 2001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The English Standard Version is an essentially literal translation that seeks to combine word-for-word accuracy with literary excellence. It has become popular in evangelical circles and is often used in study and worship.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

• Date First Published: 2004
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The Holman Christian Standard Bible is a modern translation that uses a balance between formal and dynamic equivalence. It was later revised as the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) in 2017.

New Living Translation (NLT)

• Date First Published: 1996 (revised in 2004 and 2015)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The New Living Translation is a dynamic equivalence translation that aims to make the text clear and accessible to modern readers. It is popular for personal reading and devotional use.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

• Date First Published: 2017
• Country of Publication: United States
• Description: The Christian Standard Bible is a revision of the Holman Christian Standard Bible. It seeks to be both highly accurate and highly readable, striking a balance between formal and dynamic equivalence.