THE BIBLE THAT SAYS THIU SHALL COMMIT ADULTERY

THE WICKED BIBLE

In the Bible museum, there is a Bible known as the "Wicked Bible."

ORIGIN

This Bible got its name because it made a serious mistake by leaving out important words. In the Book of Exodus, the "Ten Commandments" use "not" to give commands. For example, it should say, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Instead, it incorrectly says, "Thou shalt commit adultery."

The mistake went unnoticed for a year before it was found in the "King James" edition, published in 1631 in London.

Another big mistake was in Deuteronomy 5:24. The correct text was meant to celebrate "the greatness of God." However, the Wicked Bible changed the word to "great-asse.

SCHOLARS' POINT OF VIEW

These two major errors made some scholars think it was sabotage. The printers, Barker and Lucas, were called to the Star Chamber by an angry King James I. They were fined 300 pounds, and their licenses were taken away.

Some scholars also think that Bonham Norton, a competitor of Barker, might have caused the errors to get Barker in trouble and take over his printing business.

King James was very upset and ordered the "Wicked Bible" to be burned. Only a few copies survived, and you can see these in the Bible museum in the United Kingdom.