Below is a draft of a Genealogy of English Bible Versions that I’ve been working on for a few months. The graph is much bigger than I had anticipated when I started this project. Please see the legend near the top left for an explanation of the shapes and colors.
I’m limiting the Bibles to a single source for the Old Testament and a single source for the New Testament.
I didn’t know what results to expect when I started this project, but I now see three categories with little overlap. About one-third of the graph contains versions based on the Latin Vulgate, started by Jerome about A.D. 380; the lines for these nodes are usually in black. About one-third of the graph comes from Bibles based on the Textus Receptus, and many of those are descendants of the King James Version; these lines are also in black. The last third of the graph contains Bibles primarily based on the modern critical texts; these lines are Blue (Hebrew) and Green (Greek)
I’m hoping to get some comments on how it can be improved.
- What data is incorrect?
- Should any Bibles be removed?
- What are some favorite Bibles that should be added?
- Bible name
- Primary sources for Old and/or New Testaments
- Print/publication year
- URL to more information.
- I want to add more of the early versions, particularly pre-KJV versions.
- Any recommended verses to fill up some of the white space?
Please contact me using the contact form, or the Facebook group “Bible Versions Discussion”.
Download full file in JPG format (11541 x 14213 @ 96 DPI; 7.36 MB)
Download full file in PDF format (120.22 inches x 148.05 inches; 7.37 MB)
Resources
- Taliaferro, Bradford B. Encyclopedia of English Language Bible Versions (Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers, 2013)