The History of the Translation of the Bible

By RicardoFranco13
  • 250 BCE

    Septuagint

    The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are translated into Greek in Alexandria for Greek-speaking Jews.
  • 400

    Latin Vulgate

    St. Jerome translates the Bible into Latin. It becomes the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church for centuries.
  • 1066

    Early Old English translations

    Parts of the Bible (like the Psalms and Gospels) are translated for Anglo-Saxon Christians.
  • 1382

    Wycliffe’s Bible

    John Wycliffe and his followers produce the first complete English translation from the Latin Vulgate.
  • 1522

    Martin Luther’s New Testament

    Luther translates the New Testament into German, supporting the Reformation’s emphasis on direct access to Scripture.
  • 1535

    Coverdale Bible

    First complete printed English Bible, translated mainly from German and Latin sources.

  • King James Version (KJV)

    The Authorized Version of the Bible in English, sponsored by King James I of England, becomes one of the most influential English translations.

  • Missionary translations

    The Bible is translated into hundreds of languages as Christian missions expand globally (e.g., in Africa, Asia, the Pacific).

  • Discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls

    Ancient Hebrew texts provide new insights for modern Bible translations.

  • Revised Standard Version (RSV)

    A modern English revision that updates the KJV in light of new manuscript discoveries.

  • New International Version (NIV)

    A widely used modern English translation aiming for clarity and accuracy.

  • Digital and multilingual Bibles

    The Bible becomes available online and in mobile apps, accessible in over 3,500 languages, including sign languages.