The Bible Explored - A Brief History

Summary

This video explores the fascinating history of the Bible, tracing its journey from ancient Hebrew scriptures to becoming the best-selling book in history. It covers the translation of sacred texts into Greek and Latin, the impact of figures like Jerome, John Wycliffe, and William Tyndale, and the rise of English translations like the King James Version. Despite persecution, the Bible's influence grew globally, now translated into over 2,000 languages. It continues to inspire millions, though in some regions, its distribution remains restricted or banned.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Bible is the best-selling book of all time, with over five billion copies sold and translations in more than two thousand languages.
• 📜 The Hebrew Bible's origins date back to antiquity, with writings by Hebrew scribes, priests, prophets, and poets.
• 🌐 The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was created in the 3rd century BCE to accommodate the common language of the time.
• 💼 The New Testament was written in Greek and included the Apostle Paul's letters and the Gospels, eventually forming the Christian canon by the 4th century.
• 👑 Emperor Constantine ordered the creation of fifty copies of the complete Scriptures, combining the Old and New Testaments.
• 📖 The Vulgate, a Latin translation by Jerome, became the official text of Western Christianity.
• 🏰 The fall of the Roman Empire led to monasteries preserving and copying biblical texts, including the Vulgate.
• 🇬🇧 John Wycliffe's translation of the Bible into English in the 14th century was a significant step towards making the Bible accessible to the common people.
• 🔒 Despite suppression, the desire for the Bible in local languages persisted, leading to the invention of the printing press and its first use to print the Bible.
• 🔗 William Tyndale's English New Testament translation was a precursor to the King James Version, which continues to be read today.
• 🌟 The Bible's enduring popularity is attributed to its perceived divine nature and the belief that it provides spiritual guidance and nourishment.

Q & A

What is the bestselling book of all time?

The Bible is the bestselling book of all time, with over five billion copies sold and translated into more than two thousand languages.

How did the Hebrew Scriptures come together?

The Hebrew Scriptures were written by scribes, priests, prophets, and poets of the Hebrew people. These writings were collected into three sections known as 'the Law,' 'the Prophets,' and 'the Writings,' which eventually became the Hebrew Bible.

What was the Septuagint, and why was it important?

The Septuagint was a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, created in the 3rd century B.C.E. for Jews living outside of Palestine. It included seven extra books called the Apocrypha and was widely used by Jesus and the early church.

How was the New Testament formed?

The New Testament was formed by early Christians who wrote about Jesus' life and teachings in Greek. These writings, including Paul's letters and the Gospels, were circulated among believers. By the 4th century, church councils agreed on a collection that became the official New Testament canon.

What role did Emperor Constantine play in the history of the Bible?

Emperor Constantine authorized the creation of fifty complete copies of the Scriptures in the 4th century, which helped bring together the Old and New Testaments into one book for the first time.

Who was responsible for the first Latin translation of the Bible?

Jerome, a scholar, spent over twenty years translating the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures into Latin. His translation, known as the Vulgate, became the official text of western Christianity.

Why was it once illegal to own a Bible in the common language?

Church leaders and rulers feared that having the Bible in the common language of the people would challenge the Church’s authority. Latin had ceased to be widely understood, but non-Latin translations were banned, and people were persecuted for owning or reading them.

Who was William Tyndale, and what was his contribution to the Bible?

William Tyndale was an English scholar who translated the New Testament from Greek into English. His translation became the first printed English New Testament. Despite facing persecution and execution, Tyndale’s work laid the foundation for future English translations.

What was the significance of the printing press in Bible history?

Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in the 15th century made it possible to mass-produce books, including the Bible. This greatly increased access to the Scriptures, which were previously hand-copied and very expensive.

Why do some people face persecution for owning or distributing the Bible today?

In some parts of the world, the Bible is viewed as a revolutionary and dangerous book. Its distribution is banned or heavily monitored, and people can face imprisonment or even death for owning or teaching from it.