“Translation...Openeth The Window”: Lessons From The Preface To The Authorized Version

By Gerald M. Bilkes

The original 1611 edition of the King James or Authorized Version included a “Preface to the Reader,” which for a variety of reasons is not usually included in contemporary reprints. [1] This eleven-page preface was composed by Dr. Miles Smith (1554-1624), a noted linguist and theologian, who wrote it on behalf of the translators. He had worked at all levels of production of the King James Version translation. First, he was a member of one of the six companies doing initial work; his company worked specifically on the books of Isaiah to Malachi. He was then one of the twelve people selected to revise the work. Finally, he and Bishop Bilson took the work through its final stage of examination, including adding the summaries at the beginning of each chapter and running heads at the top of each page. [2] One scholar suggests that “his contribution to the King James Version is perhaps greater than any other from among the translation teams.” [3]

After his work on the King James Version, Smith would be appointed by the king as Bishop of Gloucester. [4] It is interesting that Smith is noted for (and sometimes faulted for) being a “strict Calvinist.” Some have believed that the Scripture quotations he chose to use in the preface “reflect his Puritan tendencies.” David Allen writes: “Smith’s heart was ever with the Puritan party, even though he wrote in his Preface, ‘We have on the one side avoided the scrupulosity of the Puritans, as on the other we have shunned the obscurity of the Papists.’” [5]

The Preface provides us with valuable information about the beliefs and goals of the translators. Clearly, Smith was concerned to defend the work against the considerable opposition to a new translation. But besides a defense of the work, Smith also gives a brief history of previous translations of the Word of God, including theological material that helps us understand how those translators regarded Scripture and the work of translating it. No reader of the Preface can miss both its modesty and its magnificence: its modesty regarding man’s abilities, and its magnificence regarding the glory of the Word of God. According to one author, this “noble preface...stands as a comely gate to a glorious city.” [6] Given the 400th anniversary of the Authorized Version this past year, it is worth considering what this Preface can teach us about the challenging work of translation. [7]

The Challenge Of Translation

The Preface opens up with a view into the difficulty of translation, including the opposition, suspicion, and detractions translators will face and should prepare for. The opening lines address this challenge directly. Smith writes:

Zeale to promote the common good, whether it be by devising any thing our selves, or revising that which hath bene laboured by others, deserveth certainly much respect and esteeme, but yet findeth but cold intertainment in the world. It is welcommed with suspicion in stead of love, and with emulation in stead of thankes: and if there be any hole left for cavill to enter, (and cavill, if it doe not finde a hole, will make one) it is sure to bee misconstrued, and in danger to be condemned.

Answering opposition already being aimed at this translation of the Word of God, Smith writes, “It is welcommed with suspicion.” Smith has in mind not only those who are content to live purely for this world in sensuality and stupidity, but also those in the Roman Catholic church who persecuted and even killed people devoted to translating the Scriptures and making scriptural doctrine accessible. In fact, Smith notes, “Ciuilitie, holesome Lawes, learning and eloquence, Synods, and Church-maintenance” will always face opposition. Smith adduces biblical instances such as when David tried to bring the ark to Jerusalem and faced the disdain of his own wife, Michal; or when the people complained to Rehoboam about the heavy taxation burden Solomon had placed on them in his effort to build the Lord’s temple.

Against this backdrop Smith urges courage and resoluteness, and quotes 1 Samuel 2:30: “Them that honor me, I will honor.”

The translators of the AV showed such courage against many odds, through grace; the God they sought to honor has honored them through the longevity of this version and its profound usefulness the world over throughout the ages. Let this be a monument for us. David found this to be true in Psalm 120: “My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” Why are we surprised that things worth doing are difficult to do, and are often opposed? It should be no surprise that worthy works will constantly have charges cast in their teeth. May God give each of us grace to live to His honor.

Humility Required Of Translators

One of the most striking aspects of the Preface is the modesty and humility of the translators. We are used to speaking of their labors in glowing terms, and this is certainly appropriate, especially in light of the longevity and legacy of the AV translation. We would certainly not have appreciated their work had the translators pompously imagined that their work would endure as it has.

A spirit of modesty is fitting when you think of what a good translation aims to be. Smith gives insight into what translation, rightly done, should accomplish:

Translation it is that openeth the window, to let in the light; that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel; that putteth aside the curtaine, that we may looke into the most Holy place; that remooveth the cover of the well, that wee may come by the water, even as Jacob rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, by which meanes the flockes of Laban were watered. Indeede without translation into the vulgar tongue, the unlearned are but like children at Jacobs well (which was deepe) without a bucket or some thing to draw with....

Translation, then, has high aims—and yet, as Smith is aware, the history of translation is checkered and spotted. Smith does not hesitate to admit this; in fact, he gives a very detailed history of the work of translation throughout the centuries, from the first translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek through to his own time. As he does so, he points out the challenges of the process and the importance of being modest and humble about the results. He takes issue with those who say that, since absolute perfection in translation is not attainable, we might as well not even attempt it. He gives an illuminating example from the Old Testament to reinforce this point. When the second temple was built in the days of Zerubbabel, the people knew that it wasn’t as glorious as the temple of Solomon; yet, says, Smith, that didn’t mean it should be forsaken or rejected. We are to think in the same way about this translation: its imperfections are no reason to reject it.

Smith proceeds with another helpful analogy. He makes the comparison between the imperfect work of translators and a child of God, who though converted, still has many faults.

A man may be counted a vertuous man, though hee have made many slips in his life, (else, there were none vertuous, for in many things we offend all) also a comely man and lovely, though hee have some warts upon his hand, yea, not onely freckles upon his face, but all skarres. No cause therefore why the word translated should bee denied to be the word, or forbidden to be currant, notwithstanding that some imperfections and blemishes may be noted in the setting foorth of it. [8]

Thus we see how modestly the translators of the AV thought of themselves. The work of translating the Scriptures is not for those who think themselves so able and equipped, but is rather for those who, though furnished with certain necessary skills, remain modest and humble students of Scripture.

The Proper Regard For Scripture

One of the most helpful insights of the Preface is its comprehensive view of the Scriptures being translated. A magnificent section in which Smith shows the excellency of the Scriptures includes the following:

It is not onely an armour, but also a whole armorie of weapons, both offensive, and defensive; whereby we may save our selves and put the enemie to flight. It is not an herbe, but a tree, or rather a whole paradise of trees of life, which bring foorth fruit every moneth, and the fruit thereof is for meate, and the leaves for medicine. It is not a pot of Manna, or a cruse of oyle, which were for memorie only, or for a meales meate or two, but as it were a showre of heavenly bread sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great; and as it were a whole cellar full of oyle vessels; whereby all our necessities may be provided for, and our debts discharged. In a word, it is a Panary of holesome foode; a Physions-shop...of preservatives against poisoned heresies; a Pandect of profitable lawes, against rebellious spirits; a treasurie of most costly jewels, against beggarly rudiments; finally a fountaine of most pure water springing up unto everlasting life.

This flood of images indicates how highly Smith and the translators esteemed the book they were translating. To them the Scriptures were not simply a repository of information for the mind. They had a full-orbed view of the Scriptures as well as of man and what he needs. We can learn from this that we ought to treasure this book more than we are apt to do.

In addition, Smith proceeds to speak more explicitly about the source, authority, and attributes of Scripture:

The originall thereof being from heaven, not from earth; the authour being God, not man; the enditer, the holy spirit, not the wit of the Apostles or Prophets; the Pen-men such as were sanctified from the wombe, and endewed with a principall portion of Gods spirit; the matter, veritie, pietie, puritie, uprightnesse; the forme, Gods word, Gods testimonie, Gods oracles, the word of trueth, the word of salvation, &c.

Smith proceeds to set forth the following array of effects of Scriptures. He mentions

the light of understanding, stablenesse of persuasion, repentance from dead workes, newnesse of life, holinesse, peace, joy in the holy Ghost; lastly, the end and reward of the studie thereof, fellowship with the Saints, participation of the heavenly nature, fruition of an inheritance immortall, undefiled, and that never shall fade away.

It is abundantly clear from these quotes that the translators had the highest regard for the Scriptures. Their doctrine is not simply orthodox; it is also beautifully experiential. In line with this, quoting many Scripture passages, Smith shows that the Scriptures must be studied and cherished.

The Scriptures we are commanded to search. Joh. 5.39. Esa. 8.20. They are commended that searched & studied them. Act. 17.11. and 8.28, 29. They are reproved that were unskilful in them, or slow to beleeve them. Mat. Luk. They can make us wise unto salvation. 2. Tim. 3.15. If we be ignorant, they will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of order, they will reforme us, if in heavines, comfort us; if dull, quicken us; if colde, inflame us.

He also warns against the neglect of the Scriptures: “The Scriptures then being acknowledged to bee so full and so perfect, how can wee excuse our selves of negligence, if we doe not studie them....” It would be a happy day if the church today would have such an exquisite and majestic view of the Scriptures. Undoubtedly, a translation of the Scripture that taps into such a well-rounded view of Scripture will be sublimely fruitful among God’s people.

The Indispensability Of The Spirit Of God

The AV translators are clear that in order for us to profit from Scripture, we need the powerful work of the Holy Spirit to illumine our minds, change our hearts, and correct our desires. Smith concludes his Preface with these telling and appropriate words:

It remaineth, that we commend thee to God, and to the Spirit of his grace, which is able to build further then we can aske or thinke. Hee removeth the scales from our eyes, the vaile from our hearts, opening our wits that wee may understand his word, enlarging our hearts, yea correcting our affections, that we may love it above gold and silver, yea that we may love it to the end.

This is not unlike what the celebrated Geneva Bible impressed upon the reader in its forematter:

Read not this book in any case
but with a single eye.
Read not, but first desire Gods grace
to understand thereby.

How true that we need grace to understand the Word of God and truly profit from it. We are so sinful, stubborn, and selfish, and our spirits are so blind that we do not profit from the Word on our own. It is no wonder, then, that Smith goes on to end this Preface with an appropriate warning, applicable now as much as four hundred years ago:

Ye are brought unto fountaines of living water which yee digged not; doe not cast earth into them with the Philistines.... Others have laboured, and you may enter into their labours; O receive not so great things in vaine, O despise not so great salvation! Be not like swine to treade under foote so precious things, neither yet like dogs to teare and abuse holy things. Say not to our Saviour with the Gergesites, Depart out of our coasts; neither yet with Esau sell your birthright for a messe of potage. If light be come into the world, love not darknesse more then light; if foode, if clothing be offered, goe not naked, starve not your selves. [9] ... It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the living God; but a blessed thing it is, and will bring us to everlasting blessednes in the end, when God speaketh unto us, to hearken; when he setteth his word before us, to reade it; when hee stretcheth out his hand and calleth, to answere, Here am I; here wee are to doe thy will, O God. The Lord worke a care and conscience in us to know him and serve him, that we may be acknowledged of him at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the holy Ghost, be all prayse and thankesgiving.

Notes

1. This is different from “The Epistle Dedicatory,” which is more regularly included in modern reprints. This Epistle was probably written by Thomas Bilson, and focuses on giving tribute to King James I as the patron, sponsor, and commissioner of the Authorized Version. For a text of the Preface, see Alfred W. Pollard, ed., Records of the English Bible: The Documents Relating to the Translation and Publication of the Bible in English, 1525-1611 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1911), 340-77; compare also John Read Dore, Old Bibles: An Account of the Early Version of the English Bible (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1888); A. S. Herbert, Historical Catalogue of Printed Editions of the English Bible, 1525-1961 (London: British and Foreign Bible Society, 1968), 132.
2. Adam Nicolson: God’s Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible (New York: Perennial, 2003), 216. Nicolson comments: “Its atmosphere is generous and majestic and never more sweepingly vigorous—the influence of the pulpit is everywhere here—when describing the part that scripture might play in a man’s life.”
3. Donald L. Brake and Shelley Beach, A Visual History of the King James Bible: The Dramatic Story of the World’s Best-Known Translation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011), 101.
4. Alexander M’Clure and R. E. Rhoades, The Translators Revived: A Biographical Memoir of the Authors of the English Version of the Holy Bible (1858; repr., Mobile, Ala.: R E Publications, 1984), 142-43.
5. David Allen, The Jewel in the King’s Crown: The Story of the King James Bible (Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.: Tentmaker, 2010), 226.
6. McClure, Translators Revived, 143.
7. The last two years have seen the publication of many commemorative volumes, including the following: C. P. Hallihan, The Authorized Version: A Wonderful and Unfinished History (London: Trinitarian Bible Society, 2010); Leland Ryken, The Legacy of the King James Bible: Celebrating 400 Years of the Most Influential English Translation (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2011); Jon M. Sweeney, Verily, Verily, the KJV: 400 Years of Influence and Beauty (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011); Jack Countryman, The Treasure of God’s Word: Celebrating 400 Years of the King James Bible (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2010); Hannibal Hamlin and Norman W. Jones, eds., The King James Bible After Four Hundred Years: Literary, Linguistic, and Cultural Influences (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010); David Norton, The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today (New York: Cambridge University, 2011); Gordon Campbell, Bible: The Story of the King James Version: 1611-2011 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010); David Crystal, Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010); Brake and Beach, A Visual History of the King James Bible; Derek Wilson, The People’s Bible: The Remarkable History of the King James Version (Oxford: Lion, 2010); David Teems, Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2010); Larry Stone, The Story of the Bible: The Fascinating History of Its Writing, Translation and Effect on Civilization (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2010); Robert Alter, Pen of Iron: American Prose and the King James Bible (Princeton: Prince­ton University Press, 2010); Helen Moore, Manifold Greatness: The Making of the King James Bible (New York: University of Oxford, 2011); David Teems, Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible (Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2010); Harold Bloom, The Shadow of a Great Rock: A Literary Appreciation of the King James Bible (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2011); Melvyn Bragg, The Book of Books: The Radical Impact of the King James Bible, 1611-2011 (Berkeley, Calif.: Counterpoint, 2011).
8. "For is the kingdome of God become words or syllables?”
9. Smith quotes the church fathers to provide further warning: “Remember the advise of Nazianzene, It is a grievous thing (or dangerous) to neglect a great faire, and to seeke to make markets afterwards: also the encouragement of S. Chrysostome, It is altogether impossible, that he that is sober (and watchfull) should at any time be neglected: Lastly, the admonition and menacing of S. Augustine, They that despise Gods will inviting them, shal feele Gods will taking vengeance of them.”