WYCLIFFE BIBLE Meaning and
Definition
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The Wycliffe Bible refers to the first complete translation of the Bible into Middle English, completed in the 14th century by the English scholar and theologian John Wycliffe. Wycliffe, along with his followers, aimed to bring the Scriptures closer to the common people by translating the sacred text from Latin, which was the language commonly used by the clergy and the educated elite.
The Wycliffe Bible served as a pivotal work in the history of English literature. It contributed significantly to the development of the English language, as it expanded the vocabulary and exerted a profound influence on subsequent translations and adaptations.
The translation work was carried out from the Latin Vulgate, the most common Latin version of the Bible at the time. Wycliffe's translation was primarily based on this Latin text, and it covered both the Old and New Testaments. Wycliffe's scholars meticulously strived to make the text as accurate and accessible as possible, using simpler sentence structure and more commonly understood words.
The Wycliffe Bible ignited strong controversy within the church hierarchy, as it challenged the established authority by promoting the Bible's accessibility to the people outside the clergy. It was condemned as heretical, and its production was banned by the church, leading to the persecution of Wycliffe's followers, the Lollards.
Despite attempts to suppress it, the Wycliffe Bible played a crucial role in setting the stage for the subsequent Reformation, and its legacy endured with the influential translations that followed during the 16th century, such as those by William Tyndale and the King James Version.
Etymology of WYCLIFFE BIBLE
The word "Wycliffe Bible" is derived from the name of the English theologian, John Wycliffe, who is known for producing the first complete translation of the Bible into English during the 14th century. John Wycliffe and his followers, known as the Lollards, believed that the Bible should be accessible to the common people and translated it from Latin into English. The translation was a significant milestone in the history of the English language and played a crucial role in the development of vernacular literature. The term "Wycliffe Bible" thus refers to the particular translation of the Bible attributed to John Wycliffe.
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