HOLY BIBLE - KING JAMES VERSION

Discover one of the most influential and respected translations of the Bible with the King James Version. First published in 1611, this Bible is renowned for its literary beauty and faithfulness to the original texts. It contains both the Old and New Testaments, offering a timeless spiritual and theological wealth. Perfect for readers looking for a traditional Bible reading, it is ideal for study, meditation and prayer. This carefully formatted edition guarantees a smooth reading experience, while preserving the authenticity of the text. A must-have for all those who want to deepen their faith or simply appreciate a major work of religious literature.

Historical background: The King James Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I of England with the aim of unifying the various Christian denominations in the kingdom under a single version of the Bible. Completed in 1611, this translation was produced by a group of 47 English scholars, based on Hebrew, Greek and Latin manuscripts. The KJV is known not only for its faithfulness to the original texts, but also for the beauty of its language, which left its mark on English literature for centuries to come.

Theological Commentary: In John 1:1, the famous phrase ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ reflects the central doctrine of the Trinity in Christian theology. The ‘Word’ (in Greek ‘Logos’) is interpreted as a direct reference to Jesus Christ, affirming his divinity and his eternal role in the creation of the world.

Literary analysis: Psalm 23, with its opening ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want’, is a perfect example of the use of Hebrew poetic parallelism. This style, in which an idea is repeated or developed in several successive phrases, is a distinctive feature of the poetic writings of the Bible, and gives this psalm its memorable and soothing structure.

Reference Notes: Genesis 1:27 - ‘So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.’ This statement resonates in the New Testament, particularly in Ephesians 4:24, where Paul exhorts believers to ‘put on the new nature, created according to God in righteousness and holiness which truth produces.’

Glossary of Ancient Terms: The word ‘charity’ used in 1 Corinthians 13:13 in the KJV corresponds to the Greek word ‘agape’, often translated as ‘love’ in modern versions. In the context of the time, ‘charity’ was not limited to simple benevolence, but encompassed a form of selfless and unconditional love, reflecting the divine nature.

Cultural Impact: The KJV has had a profound influence on English and American culture, with its verses often quoted in political speeches, literature and the arts. For example, the phrase ‘a house divided against itself cannot stand’, although derived from the Gospel of Mark 3:25, became famous in the United States through its use by Abraham Lincoln in a speech in 1858.