The King James Bible, also known as the Authorized Version, wasn't translated by one person. It was the work of a large committee of scholars organized into six groups, each responsible for a specific section of the Bible. They met at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster.
Here's a breakdown of the general groups:
* Oxford Company: Took on portions of the Old Testament.
* Cambridge Company: Took on portions of the Apocrypha.
* Westminster Company: Took on portions of the New Testament.
While we don't have precise records of every single individual involved, historians have identified many of the leading scholars within these groups. Some notable figures included:
* Lancelot Andrewes: A prominent clergyman and scholar, he led the First Westminster Company, which worked on Genesis through 2 Kings.
* John Rainolds: A Puritan scholar who proposed the new translation, he led the Oxford group.
* Richard Bancroft: The Archbishop of Canterbury, who oversaw the entire project.
It's important to understand that the King James Version was a revision of earlier English translations, such as the Tyndale Bible, the Coverdale Bible, the Great Bible, and the Bishop's Bible. The translators were instructed to consult these earlier versions and to prioritize accuracy and clarity while maintaining a dignified style.