When Was the Bible First Translated into English?
Quick Summary
The Bible was first translated into English in portions during the late seventh and early eighth centuries, but the first complete English Bible appeared in the late fourteenth century. Early translations were handwritten and often limited in circulation, while later translations became more widely available through printing. These efforts reflect a long desire to make Scripture accessible in the language of ordinary people.
Introduction
The question of when the Bible was first translated into English touches on issues of language, power, worship, and access to Scripture. For much of Christian history in England, the Bible was read publicly in Latin, even though most people did not understand the language. Translating Scripture into English was not simply a technical task but a theological and cultural decision.
Understanding the history of English Bible translation helps explain why later translations mattered so deeply and why access to Scripture in one’s own language was often contested. The English Bible did not appear all at once. It emerged gradually, through courage, scholarship, and persistence.
Early English Translations of the Bible
The earliest known translations of biblical material into English date back to the Old English period. Portions of Scripture, including the Psalms and parts of the Gospels, were translated into Old English as early as the late seventh century. These translations were often paraphrased or interwoven with commentary and were intended for teaching rather than wide distribution.
One of the most significant early figures is Bede, an English monk and scholar of the eighth century. According to later accounts, Bede completed a translation of the Gospel of John into Old English shortly before his death. While this work has not survived, it reflects an early impulse to render Scripture into the language of the people.
These early translations were limited in scope and circulation. Manuscripts were copied by hand, and access to Scripture in English was largely confined to monasteries and educated elites.
The First Complete English Bible
The first complete translation of the Bible into English is associated with John Wycliffe and his followers in the late fourteenth century. Wycliffe believed that Scripture should be available to all Christians, not only clergy trained in Latin. His movement produced English translations of both the Old and New Testaments.
The Wycliffe Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate rather than from Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Because it predated the printing press, copies were made by hand, making them expensive and relatively rare. Even so, the translation spread widely enough to attract opposition from church authorities, who feared loss of control over biblical interpretation.
Although Wycliffe did not personally translate the entire Bible, his leadership and theological vision shaped the project. The Wycliffe Bible marks a turning point in the history of Scripture in English.
English Bible Translation and Controversy
Translating the Bible into English was not universally welcomed. Church authorities often viewed vernacular translations with suspicion, concerned that Scripture in the hands of untrained readers could lead to misunderstanding or dissent. As a result, English Bible translation was at times restricted or condemned.
Despite opposition, the desire for Scripture in English continued to grow. The invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century would eventually transform this landscape, making books cheaper, faster to produce, and more widely available.
From Manuscript to Print
The transition from handwritten manuscripts to printed books marked a major shift in Bible translation. Printed English Bibles could reach far more readers and could be standardized in ways that manuscripts could not.
Later translators, working in the sixteenth century, returned to Hebrew and Greek sources rather than relying solely on Latin. These translations built on earlier efforts while also reflecting advances in scholarship and access to ancient texts.
Although these later translations are often more familiar today, they stand on the foundation laid by earlier English translators who insisted that Scripture should be heard and read in the language of the people.
Scholarly Perspectives on English Bible Translation
John J. Collins emphasizes that translation is always an act of interpretation shaped by historical context. Early English translations reflect both theological conviction and practical limitation, including reliance on the Latin Vulgate and the constraints of manuscript culture.
Tremper Longman III notes that vernacular translations played a key role in shaping Christian faith and practice. Making Scripture accessible in English changed how people engaged the Bible, encouraging personal reading and communal discussion alongside public worship.
Together, these perspectives highlight that English Bible translation was not merely a linguistic achievement but a formative moment in the life of the church.
Why English Translation Matters
The history of the English Bible shows that access to Scripture has always been a matter of concern and conviction. Translating the Bible into English allowed Scripture to shape faith beyond the walls of the church and the language of clergy.
This history also reminds readers that the Bible has been passed on through human effort and courage. The availability of Scripture in English today reflects centuries of work by translators who believed that God’s word should be heard and understood by all.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first English Bible written?
Portions of the Bible were translated into Old English as early as the seventh century, but the first complete English Bible appeared in the late fourteenth century.
Was the first English Bible translated from Hebrew and Greek?
No. The Wycliffe Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate. Later English translations returned to Hebrew and Greek sources.
Why was translating the Bible into English controversial?
Church authorities feared that vernacular translations could lead to misunderstanding or challenge established authority.
Does translation affect the authority of Scripture?
For most Christians, translation does not diminish authority. Scripture has always been transmitted and received through translation.
Sources and Further Reading
Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 3rd ed. Fortress Press, 2018, pp. 41–48.
Longman III, Tremper. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Zondervan, 2006, pp. 53–60.
