How to Read the New King James Bible

There are several versions of the Bible, including the New King James Bible.

The New King James Bible, a variation on the original King James Bible adapted to modernize the language, is one of several Bible translations. The Bible was meant to make reading the King James version of the Bible easier. Unfortunately, the modern usage of words can confuse readers. The original King James Bible used old English, which separated words into singular and plural, while the New King James Bible uses modern English, which does not differentiate words like "you" into singular and plural since the word "you" is both singular and plural. The confusion in wording can make reading the New King James Version challenging.

Things You'll Need

• New King James Bible
• Paper
• Pen
• Original King James Bible
• Greek reference book

Instructions

1. Read Bible verses in the New King James Bible. Write down any words that confuse the text or which are unclear about singular or plural. One of the main problems with the New King James Version is the use of words that can be either singular or plural, which changes the meaning of the text if read incorrectly. Chick Publications points out Exodus 16:28 as an example of this confusion. The New King James Version uses the word "you" and it seems like God is talking solely to Moses, whereas the original King James Bible used the word "ye" which is a plural word for you that shows that God was talking to a group rather than a single person. Write the book, chapter and verse and the words that can be confusing.

2. Read the original King James Bible version of the same book, chapter and verse, then read in the New King James. Write the words that correspond to the confusion in the New King James Bible, such a "ye" or "thou" for you.

3. Look up words from the original Greek that are left untranslated in the New King James Bible. The New King James does not provide translations from Greek, "hell" being a prime example. In the original Greek manuscripts, the words for hell include "hades," "sheol" and "gehenna." The New King James version does not translate these words, and leaves the way open for confusion about the meaning. When reading the New King James Bible, when words that aren't translated, look up the translation in the original Greek to determine the meaning of the word.

References

• Chick Publications: What is Wrong With the New King James Version?
• Bible Gateway: New King James Version
• Bible Researcher: New King James Version

Resources

• European-American Evangelistic Campaign: Bible Versions
• European-American Evangelistic Campaign: Bible Version Comparison