Geneva Bible (1599) (GNV)

Overview, history, and usage notes for this Bible translation in Know The Bible.

First Published 1599

Language Early Modern English

Tradition Reformed / Calvinist

Editors / Translators English Protestant exiles in Geneva

Reading Level Difficult

Philosophy Formal equivalence with extensive Reformation notes

Overview

Provides a study-rich Bible with detailed marginal notes.

The Geneva Bible was the primary Bible of English Protestants before the KJV and contains extensive Reformation-era commentary.

Historical Background

Created by English scholars who fled Marian persecution and completed the translation in Geneva, a center of Reformed theology.

Origin: Geneva, Switzerland
Translators / Editors: English Reformed scholars, influenced by Calvin & Beza
Revisions: Multiple editions from 1560-1599

Textual Basis & Features

Below are some distinctives of the Geneva Bible (1599) textual basis and translation style:

Extensive marginal notes
Verse numbers first widely introduced
Strongly Reformed theological perspective

Further Reading & Resources

Public domain facsimiles (1599 edition)
Geneva Bible historical archives

Other KTB translations:

ACV ASV BBE DARBY GNV KJV NHE ROT TYN WBT WEB WYC YLT