Weird Bible Translations!

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The 1535 Coverdale Bible could be referred to as the "bugs" translation because it erroneously printed the first part of Psalm 91:5 (using the spelling extant at the time) as, "Thou shalt not need to be afrayd for eny bugges . . ." The word "bugges" should be "terror."

The 1560 Geneva Bible, published in Switzerland, is also known as the "Breeches Bible." Its translation of Genesis 3, verse 7 states that Adam and Eve, after they sinned, sewed "breeches" to wear out of fig leaves in order to hide their nakedness. Interestingly, this version is the first one to have verse divisions within its text.

The 1562 Geneva Bible translation is called by some the "placemakers" version of Scripture for its mistake in Matthew 5:9. The verse is printed as "Blessed are the placemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." The word "placemakers" should be "peacemakers."

Errors in Printing

The first printed edition of the 1611 KJV translation contains several publisher errors, such as Leviticus 13:56 that stated (in the spelling at the time), "And if the Priest looke, and behold, the plaine be . . ." The phrase "the plaine be" should be "the plague be." The second edition in 1611 also had its own unique problems. It erroneously stated, in Matthew 26:36, that Judas Iscariot came with his disciples to Gethsemane instead of Jesus.

The 1611 Bible translation has also been jokingly referred to as the "basketball" version. This is because, when describing what was made and placed on the north side of a court in God's wilderness tabernacle, it states (capitals added), ". . . the hangings were an hundred cubites . . . and their sockets of brasse twentie: the HOOPES of the pillars . . ." (Exodus 38:11). The correct word should be "hooks."

The 1631 KJV Bible has been humorously referred to as the wicked or adulterous translation. The seventh commandment in this version reads, "Thou shalt commit adultery" instead of reading "Thou shalt NOT commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). The 1702 version could be referred to as the "persecuting printers" Scriptures. This is because the first part of Psalm 119:161 erroneously states, "Printers have persecuted me without a cause."

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Series References
1906 Jewish Encyclopedia
Adam Clarke's Commentary
AMG Concise Bible Dictionary
Biblical Basis for Modern Science
Complete Book of Bible Lists
Complete Book of Who's Who in the Bible
Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
Harmony of the Gospels
Hitchcock's Biblical Names Dictionary
Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings
Thayer's Greek Definitions
U.S. Library of Congress
Willmington's Guide to Bible Knowledge