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The Forgotten Preface: Surprising Insights on the Translation Philosophy of the King James Translators
No English translation of the Bible has had more influence on the world than the King James Version. But have you read its forgotten preface? The Forgotten Preface aims to bring to light this overlooked historical document written by the King James translators. This book exposits their preface to bring to light what these men actually believed about inspiration, preservation, and translation.
In The Forgotten Preface, Joshua Barzon presents 10 theses based entirely on the King James translators’ words in their preface to the KJV. This book deals with what the King James translators believed (chapter 1), an endorsement of modern Bible translations (chapter 2), an evaluation of a particular modern translation as a case study (chapter 3), and quotes from respected historic Christians who used and endorsed modern Bible translations (chapter 4). A modern English translation of the preface is also included as an appendix at the end of the book.
Review by Dr. John Van Gelderen (Author and Evangelist)
“Since the 1970s, several positions have formed over what has come to be known as the “translation issue.” Much division would be avoided by reading the preface to the King James Version written by the translators themselves. Wherever you find yourself on this debate, honesty should welcome this insight. In The Forgotten Preface, Joshua Barzon provides an exposition of this preface with a kind tone and a desire for historical truth to be understood. Some may be surprisingly freed by simply knowing the position of the translators themselves.”
In The Forgotten Preface, Joshua Barzon presents 10 theses based entirely on the King James translators’ words in their preface to the KJV. This book deals with what the King James translators believed (chapter 1), an endorsement of modern Bible translations (chapter 2), an evaluation of a particular modern translation as a case study (chapter 3), and quotes from respected historic Christians who used and endorsed modern Bible translations (chapter 4). A modern English translation of the preface is also included as an appendix at the end of the book.
Review by Dr. John Van Gelderen (Author and Evangelist)
“Since the 1970s, several positions have formed over what has come to be known as the “translation issue.” Much division would be avoided by reading the preface to the King James Version written by the translators themselves. Wherever you find yourself on this debate, honesty should welcome this insight. In The Forgotten Preface, Joshua Barzon provides an exposition of this preface with a kind tone and a desire for historical truth to be understood. Some may be surprisingly freed by simply knowing the position of the translators themselves.”
- GenresReligionNonfiction
106 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 21, 2022
The Forgotten Preface by Josh Barzon is exactly what I wanted it to be: a concise exposition of the letter the KJV translators wrote to the reader.
The exposition is well laid out, given with lots of notes and references of study. To boot, you can read the letter for yourself as it is included in the back. 10/10 recommend.
The exposition is well laid out, given with lots of notes and references of study. To boot, you can read the letter for yourself as it is included in the back. 10/10 recommend.
June 8, 2022
Stated plainly, if they hadn't stopped including the Translator's Preface with the KJV Bible there would be no KJV Only controversy today. Not only were the translators NOT KJV Onlyists they would have been appalled to see the irrational, legalism that their best effort of a translation using the best manuscripts of the time has become today.
Doubt me?
(and if you are a KJV-Onlyist I WANT you to doubt me - please, please, please doubt me!)
Great! Just read it, it's all there.
I am not a KJV-Onlyist and I use a number of today's most reputable English translations that are derived from the best manuscripts available to us today in my Religious Studies work and personal study. Why? Because I follow the clear admonitions given in the KJV Foreward by the translators.
I had already read it before buying this book (there are several good original and modernized online editions of it on the Internet) but this book does a great job of analysis and even provides probably the best, modernized version of the 1611 KJV forward that I have seen to date (it's an appendix at the end of the book).
Whether you are KJV-Only or not, I recommend this book. And if you are KJV-Only, I recommend it to you even more.
Doubt me?
(and if you are a KJV-Onlyist I WANT you to doubt me - please, please, please doubt me!)
Great! Just read it, it's all there.
I am not a KJV-Onlyist and I use a number of today's most reputable English translations that are derived from the best manuscripts available to us today in my Religious Studies work and personal study. Why? Because I follow the clear admonitions given in the KJV Foreward by the translators.
I had already read it before buying this book (there are several good original and modernized online editions of it on the Internet) but this book does a great job of analysis and even provides probably the best, modernized version of the 1611 KJV forward that I have seen to date (it's an appendix at the end of the book).
Whether you are KJV-Only or not, I recommend this book. And if you are KJV-Only, I recommend it to you even more.
June 25, 2022
This is a helpful little book regarding the forgotten preface to the King James Version of the Bible. I'd recommend reading it along with Mark L. Ward Jr.'s Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible
The preface really ought to be added back in, just so people can know the translation philosophy of the translators. And yes, I would recommend it to both KJVos and non-KJVos.
The preface really ought to be added back in, just so people can know the translation philosophy of the translators. And yes, I would recommend it to both KJVos and non-KJVos.
June 1, 2022
Lots of good information and really gives an understanding of what the translators believed about the work they were doing.
July 20, 2022
A little difficult to read language wise for a non-scholar I would think. Overall I appreciate the viewpoint and the knowledge it gave.
February 8, 2025
History the Christian Should Know
At one time I was a King James only advocate, but as I did my own study and through the HOLY SPIRIT came to understand that the King James was only a translation demanded by an ungodly King, who only wanted to appease the masses and leave a legacy for himself. After this I realized that we have several excellent translations and that the ONE TRUE GOD is capable of keeping HIS WORD understandable and pure as HE intended. Are there translations that Satan tried to penetrate and destroy the actual message from being revealed, you can be sure for he is the enemy of YAHWEH, but today we have several excellent translations. In fact Satan through the Roman Catholic hierarchy tried to keep the average person from having a copy of the HOLY SCRIPTURES in their languages. They distorted the message and tried to make it where it was only in Latin to deceive the masses. In fact even to this day they add works to grace distorting GOD’s Holy Bible, they pray to Mary, they mock the crucifixion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST by saying that Holy Communion is the actual body and blood of CHRIST, when CHRIST said “do this in memory of ME”. They also teach other false doctrine that is nowhere in the Bible. This book will help you to see that the translators of the King James translation never intended for people to accept it as the actual manuscripts from the TRUE and LIVING GOD!!
At one time I was a King James only advocate, but as I did my own study and through the HOLY SPIRIT came to understand that the King James was only a translation demanded by an ungodly King, who only wanted to appease the masses and leave a legacy for himself. After this I realized that we have several excellent translations and that the ONE TRUE GOD is capable of keeping HIS WORD understandable and pure as HE intended. Are there translations that Satan tried to penetrate and destroy the actual message from being revealed, you can be sure for he is the enemy of YAHWEH, but today we have several excellent translations. In fact Satan through the Roman Catholic hierarchy tried to keep the average person from having a copy of the HOLY SCRIPTURES in their languages. They distorted the message and tried to make it where it was only in Latin to deceive the masses. In fact even to this day they add works to grace distorting GOD’s Holy Bible, they pray to Mary, they mock the crucifixion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST by saying that Holy Communion is the actual body and blood of CHRIST, when CHRIST said “do this in memory of ME”. They also teach other false doctrine that is nowhere in the Bible. This book will help you to see that the translators of the King James translation never intended for people to accept it as the actual manuscripts from the TRUE and LIVING GOD!!
December 7, 2022
I received this book as a prize in a free giveaway contest on Twitter. Overall, I thought the book was well written and in the right spirit, which given the nature of the material could have easily swung in another direction.
His thesis had to do with how the translators of the KJV viewed their translation and citing from an updated letter to the reader shows their position on translations in general with particular emphasis on the Authorized Version.
Being KJV myself, surprisingly, I have yet to read the Translators to the Reader. While I don't need an endorsement from these or any other men or scholars for what I believe concerning the word of God, after reading this book I will definitely take the time to read it through.
What was a pleasant surprise though, was that the author went beyond just the thesis of the book and covered his convictions and endorsement for the NKJV, he also included endorsements by historic Christians and their views on modern translations.
The appendixes included his testimony along with a historical backdrop to various texts including the Septuagint and Latin translations. While I cannot at this time answer some of the technical aspects of this book it will make a handy reference along with my other books and certainly serve as a reference work in future studies on the word of God.
His thesis had to do with how the translators of the KJV viewed their translation and citing from an updated letter to the reader shows their position on translations in general with particular emphasis on the Authorized Version.
Being KJV myself, surprisingly, I have yet to read the Translators to the Reader. While I don't need an endorsement from these or any other men or scholars for what I believe concerning the word of God, after reading this book I will definitely take the time to read it through.
What was a pleasant surprise though, was that the author went beyond just the thesis of the book and covered his convictions and endorsement for the NKJV, he also included endorsements by historic Christians and their views on modern translations.
The appendixes included his testimony along with a historical backdrop to various texts including the Septuagint and Latin translations. While I cannot at this time answer some of the technical aspects of this book it will make a handy reference along with my other books and certainly serve as a reference work in future studies on the word of God.
April 18, 2024
A worthy addition to the conversation surrounding the King James Bible, I think this book emphasizes a perspective that is often overlooked in that discussion namely that of the translators themselves. I quite enjoyed it and intend to recommend it to friends.
I would suggest reading this book in tandem with Mark Ward’s “authorized”, reading the one will help the other.
Perhaps I’m unfair in deducting a star, for the strength of the book may also be its weakness. It is short (having previously read the original preface several times I skipped that appendix in the interest of time, that appendix being perhaps a third of the bulk of the book). I found myself longing for more pointed content on the preface. Perhaps the author will circle back to this subject and give us a 300 pager on the preface and matters surrounding it. If it was me, I would have made appendix 1 (the authors story) chapter 1, but to each his own.
I’m thankful for this book and glad to see it written, would recommend.
I would suggest reading this book in tandem with Mark Ward’s “authorized”, reading the one will help the other.
Perhaps I’m unfair in deducting a star, for the strength of the book may also be its weakness. It is short (having previously read the original preface several times I skipped that appendix in the interest of time, that appendix being perhaps a third of the bulk of the book). I found myself longing for more pointed content on the preface. Perhaps the author will circle back to this subject and give us a 300 pager on the preface and matters surrounding it. If it was me, I would have made appendix 1 (the authors story) chapter 1, but to each his own.
I’m thankful for this book and glad to see it written, would recommend.
February 7, 2024
The author is a former King James Version Only (KJVO) advocate. He gradually became more open to other people using translations but stuck with the King James until he read the preface to the original edition. The King James translators would have rejected KJVO 100% and did not have any problem with other translations.
Barzon begins the book by going through noteworthy sections of their preface and then, in the spirit of the translators themselves, argues for a modern translation, namely the New King James Version (NKJV) translation.
2 Stars for the main text. I give it 3 though because the book includes the full preface in modern English. I was struck by how much the translators referenced Augustine and Jerome; they clearly had great respect for them.
Barzon begins the book by going through noteworthy sections of their preface and then, in the spirit of the translators themselves, argues for a modern translation, namely the New King James Version (NKJV) translation.
2 Stars for the main text. I give it 3 though because the book includes the full preface in modern English. I was struck by how much the translators referenced Augustine and Jerome; they clearly had great respect for them.
June 16, 2023
Most of the value in this book is in Appendix B and having a modern update of the preface to the KJV. Some helpful insights and implications that can be drawn from the preface. I had a couple quibbles about historical statements, e.g. the KJV does not stand on a foundation of anything from Bede or Wycliffe; Tyndale is the true fountainhead of the KJV translation tradition. I felt that the title really only applied to chapter 1 and the appendices; I was not expecting so much on an advocacy for the KJV.
February 7, 2025
This short read is an amazing eye opener on the mentality and beliefs of the translators of the King James translation. Specifically targeted for those questioning King James Onlyism, this book will help the reader understand that even the translators of the KJV would not be on the KJV only bandwagon. They wanted their work to be continued and the translation of Gods Word to be ongoing.
October 29, 2022
The author's analysis and personal journey was helpful. But what blew me away was the masterpiece of writing and a survey of the history of Bible translation that the original KJV preface was. Wow! So encouraging.
August 24, 2023
Quick read, invaluable wisdom
This short little book that Joshua Barzon has gifted the people of God is a treasure, showing the timeless wisdom of the KJV translators and why Christians ought to respect all translations of God's word and idolize none.
This short little book that Joshua Barzon has gifted the people of God is a treasure, showing the timeless wisdom of the KJV translators and why Christians ought to respect all translations of God's word and idolize none.
December 1, 2023
Excellent.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews