Chronological Timeline of Bible Translations

This list outlines the chronological progression of significant Bible translations from ancient times to the early modern period.

1. Septuagint (LXX): Completed around the 3rd century BCE.

2. Aramaic Targums: Developed during the Second Temple period and early centuries CE.

3. Old Latin: Developed from the 2nd century CE onwards.

4. Latin Vulgate: Translated by St. Jerome in the late 4th century CE.

5. Syriac Peshitta: Translated in the 4th century CE.

6. Coptic Versions: From the 3rd to the 5th centuries CE.

7. Georgian Bible: Translated in the 5th century CE.

8. Gothic Bible: Translated in the 4th century CE by Ulfilas.

9. Ethiopic (Ge'ez) Bible: Translated from the 5th to the 7th centuries CE.

10. Armenian Bible: Translated in the 5th century CE.

11. Slavonic Bible: Translated in the 9th century CE by Cyril and Methodius.

12. Old English Bible: Various translations from the 7th to the 11th centuries CE.

13. Middle English Bible: Various translations from the 12th to the 15th centuries CE.

14. Early Modern English Bibles (including Wycliffe's, Tyndale's, Coverdale's, Matthew's, Great, Geneva, and Bishop's Bibles): Various translations from the 14th to the 16th centuries CE.

15. King James Version (KJV): Published in 1611 CE.

Old Testament Translations:

1. Septuagint (LXX):

   - Language: Greek

   - Date: Completed around the 3rd century BCE

   - Authors: Multiple Jewish scholars, traditionally 72 in number

   - Significance: One of the earliest and most influential translations of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. It was used by Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians and heavily influenced the New Testament writers.

2. Latin Vulgate:

   - Language: Latin

   - Date: Translated by St. Jerome in the late 4th century CE

   - Author: St. Jerome

   - Significance: Became the standard Bible of the Western Church for over a thousand years. Jerome's translation was based on Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

3. Targums:

   - Language: Aramaic

   - Date: Various, but most developed during the Second Temple period and early centuries CE

   - Authors: Various Jewish scholars

   - Significance: Paraphrased translations or interpretations of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic. Used in synagogues to provide explanations and interpretations of the Hebrew text during readings.

4. Masoretic Text:

   - Language: Hebrew

   - Date: Compiled and standardized by Jewish scholars (the Masoretes) between the 7th and 10th centuries CE

   - Authors: Various Masoretic scholars

   - Significance: Became the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible (Old Testament). It includes vowel markings and other annotations to aid in pronunciation and interpretation.

5. Wycliffe's Bible (Middle English):

   - Language: Middle English

   - Date: Translated in the late 14th century CE by John Wycliffe and his associates

   - Author: John Wycliffe and his associates

   - Significance: One of the earliest English translations of the complete Bible. Wycliffe's Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate and circulated widely, contributing to the spread of English literacy and religious reform movements.

New Testament Translations:

1. Early Greek Manuscripts:

   - Language: Greek

   - Date: Various, ranging from the 2nd to the 4th centuries CE

   - Authors: Unknown, but likely scribes and early Christian communities

   - Significance: The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and the earliest manuscripts we have are in this language. They form the basis for most modern translations.

2. Latin Vulgate (Continued from Old Testament):

   - Language: Latin

   - Date: Completed by St. Jerome in the late 4th century CE

   - Author: St. Jerome

   - Significance: Jerome's Vulgate included both Old and New Testaments, becoming the standard Latin translation used in the Western Church.

3. Syriac Peshitta:

   - Language: Syriac

   - Date: Translated in the 4th century CE

   - Authors: Unknown, likely Syriac-speaking Christian scholars

   - Significance: The Peshitta is the standard version of the Bible for Syriac-speaking Christians and includes both Old and New Testaments.

4. Coptic Versions:

   - Language: Coptic (Egyptian)

   - Date: Various, but mainly from the 3rd to the 5th centuries CE

   - Authors: Egyptian Christian communities

   - Significance: Early translations of the New Testament into the Coptic language used by Christians in Egypt.

1. Wycliffe's Bible (Middle English, late 14th century CE)

   - This translation was among the earliest English translations of the complete Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate.

2. Tyndale Bible (Early Modern English, 1525-1536 CE)

   - Translated by William Tyndale, this was the first English translation of the New Testament from Greek. Tyndale's work heavily influenced subsequent English translations.

3. Coverdale Bible (Early Modern English, 1535 CE)

   - Miles Coverdale produced the first complete printed English Bible. It was largely based on the work of Tyndale and included translations from the Latin Vulgate.

4. Matthew's Bible (Early Modern English, 1537 CE)

   - Also known as Thomas Matthew's Bible, it was largely an amalgamation of Tyndale's and Coverdale's translations, with some revisions and annotations.

5. Great Bible (Early Modern English, 1539 CE)

   - Authorized by King Henry VIII of England, this translation was largely a revision of the Matthew's Bible and was used in churches across England.

6. Geneva Bible (Early Modern English, 1560 CE)

   - Produced by English exiles in Geneva, this translation was highly influential, especially among Protestant groups. It included study notes and annotations.

7. Bishop's Bible (Early Modern English, 1568 CE)

   - Commissioned by the Church of England, this was an attempt to provide a more scholarly and authoritative translation. It was largely a revision of the Great Bible.

8. King James Version (KJV) (Early Modern English, 1611 CE)

   - Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation aimed to provide a more formal and standardized English text. It became one of the most widely used and influential English translations.

From this point onwards, numerous translations and revisions have been produced, reflecting changes in language, scholarship, and theological perspectives. Some notable translations after the KJV include:

9. Revised Version (RV) (Late 19th century CE)

   - A revision of the KJV, this translation aimed to incorporate advances in biblical scholarship and textual criticism.

10. American Standard Version (ASV) (Late 19th century CE)

    - An American edition of the Revised Version, it aimed to provide a more Americanized version of the English text.

11. Revised Standard Version (RSV) (Mid-20th century CE)

    - Another significant revision of the KJV, the RSV aimed to provide a more modern and accurate translation while maintaining literary quality.

12. New International Version (NIV) (Late 20th century CE)

    - A dynamic equivalence translation, the NIV aimed to strike a balance between readability and accuracy, making it popular among a wide range of readers.

13. English Standard Version (ESV) (Early 21st century CE)

    - A revision of the Revised Standard Version, the ESV aimed to provide a more literal and formal equivalent translation while maintaining readability and literary quality.

These are just a few examples of the many English translations that have been produced over the centuries, each reflecting the evolving language, culture, and scholarly understanding of the biblical texts.