Tyndale Bible facts for kids
The Tyndale Bible refers to the Bible translations made by William Tyndale. This collection of translations is very important because it was the first English Bible translated directly from the original Hebrew and Greek languages. Even though we call it the "Tyndale Bible," Tyndale actually never finished translating the entire Bible. Before he died, he had translated all of the New Testament and about half of the Old Testament.
Contents
Why William Tyndale Translated the Bible
William Tyndale wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible in their own language. In his time, most Bibles were in Latin, which only educated people could understand. He believed that even a young boy working on a farm should be able to read the Bible.
How Tyndale Started His Translation Work
Tyndale began his journey to translate the Bible in 1522. He got a copy of Martin Luther's German New Testament, which inspired him greatly. Tyndale decided he wanted to do the same thing for English speakers. He wanted to create a new, easy-to-understand English Bible.
Seeking Approval and Facing Rejection
Tyndale first tried to get permission from the Bishop of London, Cuthbert Tunstall. He offered to translate the Bible into modern English. However, the Bishop said no to his idea. Because of this rejection, Tyndale had to leave England. He moved to a city called Hamburg in Europe, where he finished his New Testament translation in 1524.
When Tyndale's New Testament Was Published
The first full edition of Tyndale's New Testament was printed in 1526. He later made two updated versions himself, one in 1534 and another in 1536. After Tyndale's death in 1536, his translations were printed many more times and continued to be very popular.
How the Church Reacted to Tyndale's Bible
Tyndale's translations were not liked by the church and government in England. At that time, England was slower to accept new religious ideas. Tyndale had to leave England to find safety in places that supported the new ideas of the Reformation. The authorities in England strongly opposed his work. They banned his 1526 New Testament from England. Any copies found in England were ordered to be burned.
The Lasting Impact of Tyndale's Bible
The Tyndale Bible had a huge and lasting impact. His translations created the foundation for many English Bibles that came after his. A large part of his work was used in the Matthew Bible. This was the first English Bible officially allowed to be read. Tyndale's Bible also played a very important role in spreading new religious ideas, called the Reformation, to England. England had been slow to accept these changes, but Tyndale's work helped them spread.
Images for kids
-
The Tyndale Bible on display at the Bodleian Library, Oxford
