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The History of the English Version.
(1)
The Paraphrase of Caedmon, written in Anglo-Saxon, 670A.D.
(2)
The Psalter of Aldhelm, 700. The first true translation in English.
(3)
Bede, 674-735.
(4)
The Gospels of the Tenth Century. The oldest MSS written by Aelfric of
Bath about 1000.
(5)
The Old Testament of Aelfric, 990.
(6)
Wycliffe's Translation, 1324-1384.
(7)
Tyndale's Bible, 1525.
(8)
Coverdale's Bible, 1535.
(9)
Matthew's Bible, 1537.
(10)
The Great Bible, Time of Thomas Cromwell, 1539.
(11)
The Geneva Bible, 1557-1560.
(12)
The Bishop's Bible, 1568.
(13)
The Authorized Version, 1611.
(14)
The Revised Version, 1885.
Such is the simple outline of our inheritance, its marvelous preservation and its
widespread translation. Also its unanimity in all matters of faith and practice.
No.7.
The Apocrypha.
pp. 94 - 96
The word Apocrypha is probably derived from apokrupto "to hide", although another
derivation is suggestive, apo tes kruptes "away from the crypt, chest or ark" in which
were deposited the sacred books of Israel. All writers use the term "to denote some kind
of inferiority to the canonical Scriptures" (Churton).
(1) With the exception of Esdras, Judith, Todit and 1st Maccabees, the Apocryphal
books were written by Alexandrian Jews in Greek:
"It is an historical fact that the Greek language was not known to the Jews until long
after inspiration had ceased, and the canon of the O.T. was closed" (Home).
Mal. 4: 4-6 intimates that no prophet would arise until the forerunner of the Messiah,
and the Jews called Malachi, "The seal of the prophets" in consequence. In order that the
Apocryphal book of "Wisdom" should gain acceptance, the author adopted the name of
Solomon. He betrays himself by quoting Isaiah, by revealing that Israel was subject to
their enemies, and by borrowing expressions from the Grecian games.
(2) In marked contrast with the canonical Scriptures, no writer of the Apocrypha
claims inspiration. The Son of Sirach in his prologue to Ecclesiasticus asks pardon for