Introduction to the Translators' Preface
At a conference with church authorities in 1604, the newly appointed King James I ordered a new, uniform translation of the Bible into English. The translators were allowed to use previous translations at their liking, such as Tyndale's, Matthew's and the Geneva Bible. The Preface contains much information on the considerations the translators had to make to accomplish their task. They also defend the idea of translating the holy text into 'vulgar' English.
There were 47 translators, who worked in 6 teams in Westminster, Cambridge and Oxford. It took 4 years to produce the first, preliminary translation, and nine more months for review and revision. The first edition was published in 1611. In most later editions the preface was not included.
"we do not deny — nay, we affirm and avow — that
the very meanest translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession, (for we have seen none of theirs of the whole Bible as yet)
containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God. As the king's speech, which he uttered in Parliament, being translated into French, Dutch, Italian, and Latin, is still the king's speech,"
Preface to the King James Version 1611, Part 9 of 10