S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Geneva Bible is an early English translation of the Bible. Its name comes from the fact it was first published in Geneva in 1560. The work of Protestant exiles from England and Scotland, the Ge...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the Geneva Bible?

The Geneva Bible was produced by a group of religious refugees who fled repression and possible execution in England when Mary Tudor came to power in 1553. These scholars were welcomed into Geneva's Protestant community. With a well-established printing industry and an interest in Bible reading, Geneva was a place where Bible translation and production flourished.

The Geneva Bible, translated by William Whittingham and his assistants, appeared in 1560. Soon, people in England were eagerly reading it. Easier to read than earlier Bibles, this was the first Bible in English to contain numbered verse divisions, a system universally used today. Also included were running heads​—a few key words at the top of each page to help readers find specific passages in the text below. In addition, rather than the heavy Gothic typeface modelled on written script, a clear typeface similar to what is still preferred in English Bibles today was generally used.

Earlier Bibles, designed for reading from church lecterns, had been produced in the large and cumbersome folio size. The Geneva Bible was a handy edition about half the size of the folio volumes. This smaller Bible was not only well-suited to personal reading and study but also far more affordable.

The Geneva Bible quickly became established as the official translation in Scotland. It was also widely used in England and is thought to be the translation the Pilgrims took on their famous 1620 voyage to what is now the United States. The Geneva Bible was taken to other British colonies​—including the most distant, New Zealand. There, in 1845, a copy was added to the collection of Governor Sir George Grey.

In 1604, King James authorised a new translation, hoping to rid England of the Geneva Bible forever. For many years, the public preferred the Geneva Bible, and it remained the official Bible in Scotland. New editions continued to appear until 1644.

Although eventually superseded by the Authorised Version, or King James Version, the Geneva Bible occupies an important place in literary history. Not only did it set new standards in translation and presentation, but it remains a vital link in the chain of revision of English Bibles. It promoted Bible reading and study among a wide range of people who otherwise might not have had access to it.

By paving the way for the King James Bible, the Geneva Bible also ensured that certain Bible phrases entered literature and the English language.

Although the Geneva Bible may be forgotten for the most part, it has certainly left its mark on history.

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