Origin of Knox Bible

The Knox Bible, an English translation of the Latin Vulgate by Monsignor Ronald Knox, stands as a testament to his dedication to biblical scholarship and literary craftsmanship. Spanning a period of nine years, from 1936 to 1945, Monsignor Knox painstakingly worked on this translation, consulting the original Greek and Hebrew texts to ensure its accuracy and reverence. His ambition was to produce a translation that not only faithfully conveyed the biblical message but also possessed a timeless and artistic quality in the English language.

Monsignor Ronald Knox, a notable figure in the Catholic Church, was an English Catholic priest, theologian, author, and radio broadcaster. Born into a family with Anglican clerical ties, he received his education at Eton and Oxford. Initially an Anglican priest in 1912, his profound study of the Church’s history and doctrines eventually led him to convert to Catholicism in 1917. In 1919, he was ordained as a Catholic priest and later became a chaplain at Oxford. Besides his translation of the Bible, Knox was a prolific writer, renowned for his books, essays, sermons, detective stories, and other translations. His influence extended deep within the Catholic Church, earning him praise and recognition from popes and bishops. His legacy endured long after his passing in 1957, as evidenced by the thousands who attended his funeral.

The Knox Bible received the official approval of the Catholic Church for liturgical use and gained endorsement from Pope Pius XII and other prominent figures in the Church. It emerged as a significant contribution to the field of biblical translation and English literature.

Background on Latin Vulgate

The Latin Vulgate, the source text for Knox’s translation, is a Latin version of the Bible primarily attributed to St. Jerome, a renowned biblical scholar and saint from the 4th and 5th centuries. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I, Jerome’s task was to revise and correct earlier Latin versions of the Bible, which were plagued by numerous errors and inconsistencies. In his translation, Jerome consulted the original Hebrew for the Old Testament and the Greek for the New Testament. The Latin Vulgate eventually became the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church and remained the standard version for centuries.

Differences between the Latin Vulgate and other Bible translations

Differences between the Latin Vulgate and other Bible translations are notable.

Some key distinctions include:

1. Source Text: The Latin Vulgate relies on the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures created by Jewish scholars in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. This differs from most modern translations, which are based on the Masoretic text, a Hebrew version of the Scriptures finalized by Jewish scholars in the 7th and 10th centuries AD.

2. Order and Number of Books: The Latin Vulgate follows the Septuagint’s order of grouping books by genre rather than chronology. It also includes some books considered apocryphal or deuterocanonical by some Christians, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are absent from the Hebrew Scriptures or the Masoretic text.

3. Names of Books: The Latin Vulgate uses different names for certain books compared to most modern translations. For instance, it calls the book of Psalms “Psalterium,” Ecclesiastes “Qoheleth,” and Lamentations “Threni.”

4. Textual Variations: The Latin Vulgate contains some unique readings not found in most modern translations due to variations in manuscripts, translations, or interpretations of the original languages. Notable examples include differences in Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, and Matthew 16:18.

The Knox Bible aligns with the Latin Vulgate in terms of its books, order, and names, while also incorporating comparisons with the original Greek and Hebrew texts. This approach seeks to capture the essence and style of the original languages in a literary and reverent manner, making it a work of beauty and precision that has earned recognition and approval from the Catholic Church.

How People Use Knox Bible

People use Knox Bible mainly for research and study purposes. There are some discuss below.

1. Research and Information: Many individuals may be looking to learn more about the Knox Bible, its history, the translator (Monsignor Ronald Knox), its literary style, and its significance within the context of biblical translations. They may want historical or scholarly information about the Knox Bible.
2. Biblical Study: Some people may be searching for the Knox Bible to use it as a resource for biblical study and understanding. They may want to read specific passages, compare it with other translations, or explore how certain verses are rendered in the Knox Bible.
3. Religious or Spiritual Use: People of the Catholic faith, in particular, may search for the Knox Bible as it has received approval for liturgical use within the Catholic Church. They may want to find copies for personal or religious purposes, including use in worship, prayer, or religious education.
4. Academic or Educational Purposes: Students, scholars, and educators may seek the Knox Bible for academic research, theological studies, or for use in religious education programs.