In 1610 when the translation of the Authorized Version was complete (i.e. the KJV) early commentators immediately recognized and mentioned the influence of the Bard (i.e. Shakespeare) on the diction of this translation, which was also heavily influenced by Tyndale’s translation as well.
Just how big a fan the translators were of Shakespeare seems to be in evidence in Psalm 46. In 1610, Shakespeare celebrated his 46th birthday, and in the 46th Psalm the 46th word from the beginning (not counting the prescript) is ‘shakes’ and the 46th word from the end (not counting the postscript Selah) is ‘spear’. Imagine having a birthday tribute to you right in the Bible! (I owe this info to my friend Mark Allan Powell).
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In