"Thomas Nelson commissions 130 scholars, pastors, and lay Christians to create the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, aiming to “retain the purity and stylistic beauty” of the original King James produced in 1611. The New Testament is released in 1979, and the entire Bible follows in 1982. The NKJV becomes one of the top three bestselling Bibles, alongside the NIV and KJV."
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"In the mid-1970s, Bible publisher Thomas Nelson found itself with extra capital and decided to channel these profits into the New King James Version of the Bible.
The new version strove to revise the King James Version (KJV) with updated language. The seven-year project drew on the skills of 130 respected Bible scholars and church leaders. The New Testament was released in 1979, and the entire Bible followed in 1982. The NKJV went on to become one of the top three bestselling Bibles, alongside the NIV and the KJV.
Harper & Row acquired Zondervan and the NIV in 1988, and 23 years later, HarperCollins purchased Thomas Nelson and with it, the NKJV. The move shocked many in the industry because Nelson and Zondervan, the two largest Christian publishers in the world, had long been direct competitors. Despite initial concerns about the viability of the transaction, the two Bible versions continue to flourish as part of what is now HarperCollins Christian Publishing."
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The History of the NKJV Bible
In 1611, the King James Version of the Holy Bible was published in England. No other book has had as much impact on the world as this historic translation. Earlier century scholars maintained the translation by modifying grammar, spelling and word usage to keep the biblical language alive and relevant for each new generation. In 1769, updates to the King James Version ceased, and its words continue to be cherished today. In the last thirty years, more than forty modern translations of the Bible have been published, and the King James Version continues to be the overwhelmingly favorite translation.
In 1975, more than two-hundred years since the King James Version’s last update, the boldest and most extensive revision in the history of modern Bible publishing began. With a 130-person team of Greek, Hebrew, and English scholars, editors, church leaders, and Christian laity Thomas Nelson Publishers sought to preserve the accuracy and poetry of the King James Version, but in a language that the everyday person could understand. In 1979 the NKJV New Testament was finished, releasing only the Book of Psalms in 1980. In 1982, the New King James Version was released in its entirety, seven years after its commission, making it the fifth major revision to the beloved King James Version.
Above - Thomas Nelson, aka TAN, which publishes Roman Catholic polemics
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GJ - King James himself did not want a lot of footnotes, which steadfastly change the message of the Bible. The KJV is stingy with notes. The New KJV employs new edits and footnote$, which help to $how that they own the copyright for the every-changing New KJV. Ditto the NIV and the rest.
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| The Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament, which I own, has no footnotes to explain why they changed the text, erasing such words and phrases as "the Son of God" Mark 1 - and Mark 16:9-20. Didja notice that Presiding ELCA Bishop Liz Eaton said in her Easter 2024 message that Mark's Gospel ended at Mark 16:8 ("for they were afraid")? The Bogus Beck Bible from Christian News does the same. |
