Bible Printer's Errors: The Pilate's Tile Bible

These Bible Printers Errors are all in the English language.  They are from printed editions of the King James Version of the Bible created during the time when the printed text had to be hand set using individual letter keys. There are probably just as many variant printed texts in other languages created during the same time period.  Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word, or even one letter, changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID:  

“And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

WHAT IT SAID:

“And Pilate wrote a tile, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS."

This is from the 1612 “Pilate’s tile” Bible. The text is from John 19:19.

Bible Printer's Errors: The Placemakers Bible

The second edition of the Geneva Bible which was published in 1562 is sometimes known as The Placemaker's Bible because of an error in Matthew 5:9. Instead of "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God" (KJV) the text reads as "Blessed are the placemakers for they shall be called the children of God." The proofreader failed to catch the misspelled word.

Bible Printer's Errors; The Child Killer Bible

These Bible Printers Errors are all in the English language.  There are probably just as many in other languages.  Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.

The Child Killer Bible, published in 1795, contains this one error in the verse, Mark 7:27.  The archaic English phrase “it is not meet” is equivalent to “it is not good.”

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID:

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”

WHAT IT SAID:

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be killed: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” 

Bible Printer's Errors: The Cannibals Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following, from the 1682 King James version edition known to collectors as "The Cannibals Bible," is an example to prove the point.

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID: 

"And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;" Deuteronomy 24:3 

WHAT IT SAID:

"And if the latter husband ate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;" Deuteronomy 24:3

Bible Printer's Errors: The Lions Bible

The Lions Bible (1804) is a King James Version which was either not proofread at all or the errors were ignored because they would be expensive to correct.  There were multiple variant readings, including the three below. 

What it said:

“Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put together.” Numbers 35:18

What it should have said:

“Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.” Numbers 35:18

What it said:

“For the flesh lusteth after the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  Galatians 5:17

What it should have said:

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

And the error for which this Bible edition is named.

What it said:

“Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy lions, he shall build the house unto my name.” 1Kings 8:19

What it should have said:

“Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.” 1Kings 8:19

Bible Printer's Errors: The Placemaker's Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.



The Geneva Bible (1557) is a Protestant Bible produced fifty-one years before the King James Bible.  It was mechanically printed; mass-produced; filled with maps, footnotes, illustrations, tables, and indices; and was intentionally made available to the general public.   It is considered to be the first study Bible.


The errors shown below occur in the second edition (1562).

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID: 

"Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

WHAT IT SAID:

"Blessed [are] the placemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

In its chapter heading for Luke 21:

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID: 

“Christ commendeth the poor widow.”

WHAT IT SAID:

“Christ condemneth the poor widow.”

Bible Printer's Errors: The Judas Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.  The following is an example to prove the point.  The Judas Bible (1611) has the wrong person talking. 

WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE SAID:  

“Then cometh Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.” Matthew 26:36

 WHAT IT SAID:

“Then cometh Judas with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.” Matthew 26:36

Bible Printer's Errors: The Fools Bible

The 1763 King James version Bible is called "The Fool's Bible" because of one word substitution.  The printers were fined 3000 pounds and all copies of the edition were ordered to be destroyed.

What it said:

¹ "The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1

What it should have said:

¹ "The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1 

²

Bible Printer's Errors: The He Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.    The following is an example to prove the point.  

The He Bible was a King James version printing which was pulled and destroyed because one word was incorrect.

What it should have said:

“Also he said, Bring the vail that [thou hast] upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid [it] on her: and she went into the city. “ Ruth 3:15

What it said:

“Also he said, Bring the vail that [thou hast] upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [measures] of barley, and laid [it] on her: and he went into the city. “ Ruth 3:15

Bible Printer's Errors: Denial Bible

In the 1792 publication now known as the Denial Bible, Luke 22:34 names Philip rather than Peter as the one who would deny Jesus.

What it says:
"And he said, I tell thee, Philip, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."

What it should have said:
"And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."

Bible Printer's Errors: The Wicked Bible

Proofreading is very important.  Sometimes one word changes the entire meaning of a passage.    The following is an example to prove the point.  The incorrectly printed Bibles were pulled from sale and destroyed so any that survived are extremely rare and are expensive collector's item's.

The Wicked Bible (1631) is also called The Adulterous Bible or The Sinner's Bible.  It was a King James version printed by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas.  They were fined 300 Pounds Sterling and all available copies were burned.  Somehow, eleven Wicked Bibles still exist.

What it should have said:

“Thou shalt not commit adultery. “ Exodus 20:14

What it said:

“Thou shalt  commit adultery. “ Exodus 20:14