What do you think?
Rate this book
The History of English Bible Translations: A Simple Guide to the Story and Impact of English Bible Translations from the 14th Century to the 21st Century
From the 14th century to today, this sweeping history traces the people, pressures, and providences that shaped the English Bible. From Wycliffe’s manuscripts to digital editions, you’ll see how each translation arose, who made it, how it was received, and why it matters.
Each chapter follows a simple framework—History, Translation Team and Process, Reception, and Impact and Legacy—making it easy for readers to follow the story of the Bible’s greatest milestones. From Tyndale to the King James Bible, from the RSV to the ESV, and onward to the NASB, CSB, and LSB, you’ll see how God’s Word entered English through centuries of struggle, scholarship, and revival.
With helpful appendices, you’ll also explore manuscript evidence, textual criticism, and the dangers of sectarian Bible versions. Written in everyday language and born out of a popular online series read by millions, this book distills scholarship without jargon. It’s for everyday Christians who want to know where their Bible came from—and to treasure more deeply the one they hold in their hands.
Joshua Barzon is a writer, graphic designer, and church history enthusiast who is passionate about making complex topics clear for everyday readers. His widely read history articles on X (formerly Twitter) about English Bible translations have reached millions, sparking thoughtful conversations about the story behind Scripture. His first book, The Forgotten Preface, explores the Preface to the 1611 King James Bible, reviving attention to one of the most overlooked documents in church history. He also runs barzonDESIGN.com, providing professional and affordable logo and branding services for churches, ministries, and businesses.
Join thousands of readers who follow Josh on X at @JoshuaBarzon for engaging perspectives on the history of the Bible, church life, and theology.
Each chapter follows a simple framework—History, Translation Team and Process, Reception, and Impact and Legacy—making it easy for readers to follow the story of the Bible’s greatest milestones. From Tyndale to the King James Bible, from the RSV to the ESV, and onward to the NASB, CSB, and LSB, you’ll see how God’s Word entered English through centuries of struggle, scholarship, and revival.
With helpful appendices, you’ll also explore manuscript evidence, textual criticism, and the dangers of sectarian Bible versions. Written in everyday language and born out of a popular online series read by millions, this book distills scholarship without jargon. It’s for everyday Christians who want to know where their Bible came from—and to treasure more deeply the one they hold in their hands.
Joshua Barzon is a writer, graphic designer, and church history enthusiast who is passionate about making complex topics clear for everyday readers. His widely read history articles on X (formerly Twitter) about English Bible translations have reached millions, sparking thoughtful conversations about the story behind Scripture. His first book, The Forgotten Preface, explores the Preface to the 1611 King James Bible, reviving attention to one of the most overlooked documents in church history. He also runs barzonDESIGN.com, providing professional and affordable logo and branding services for churches, ministries, and businesses.
Join thousands of readers who follow Josh on X at @JoshuaBarzon for engaging perspectives on the history of the Bible, church life, and theology.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2025
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 21, 2025
This was probably the best book Ive read all year.
It does exactly what it says its going to do and it does in an incredibly accessible way. For pastors, teachers, students, lay Christians, it doesn’t matter. It gives a great overview of how our English translations came to be.
It starts with the first English translations, goes through the important key moments in history, shows us the translation of the King James version, jumps ahead to the late 1800s and the touches on all the major, the important and the influential English translation of the last 130 years.
He shows the pros and cons of each, what the translation philosophy was, what the impact and influence was and what the typical user of that translation is.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone that was or is reading the Bible, or who is potentially interested in reading the Bible.
I knew a friend who would read through a different version of the Bible every year, and I think this would be a great tool to help influence what Bible to read through the next year.
If youa re curious about some of the different versions, if you want to know why your translation is the best (lol) or why someone else’s picked the wrong translation, (in jest) this is a must read and it will be readable for everyone.
Easily 5+ stars.
It does exactly what it says its going to do and it does in an incredibly accessible way. For pastors, teachers, students, lay Christians, it doesn’t matter. It gives a great overview of how our English translations came to be.
It starts with the first English translations, goes through the important key moments in history, shows us the translation of the King James version, jumps ahead to the late 1800s and the touches on all the major, the important and the influential English translation of the last 130 years.
He shows the pros and cons of each, what the translation philosophy was, what the impact and influence was and what the typical user of that translation is.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone that was or is reading the Bible, or who is potentially interested in reading the Bible.
I knew a friend who would read through a different version of the Bible every year, and I think this would be a great tool to help influence what Bible to read through the next year.
If youa re curious about some of the different versions, if you want to know why your translation is the best (lol) or why someone else’s picked the wrong translation, (in jest) this is a must read and it will be readable for everyone.
Easily 5+ stars.
December 10, 2025
This book dives into the background of every major Bible English translation. Very insightful.
December 16, 2025
Perfect length for the purposes it serves. A very quick read. Thoroughly entertaining (through mere facts, no tongue-in-cheek comments), and, most importantly, informative.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews