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Summary: Thanx for the explanations of the archaisms but ...
Review: ... why not use a modern version that uses modern terms in the *main text*? It would save a lot of *unnecessary* work, which could be better spent on learning the original Hebrew and Greek.Alas, both authors are known KJV-only advocates, with all the misinformation that this entails. Even if they were right about the Textus Receptus vs. the Alexandrian textual family (which they are *not*), why not produce an updated translation? Jay P. Green Sr., a strong TR advocate, has done just this with the "Modern KJV", and Dr Kouric has done this with the KJV-2000, but apart from this kept the rhythm of the KJV (search on the Internet). Even the NKJV is based on the TR, despite a lot of misinformation to the contrary, e.g. their use of footnotes -- which is exactly what the *real* 1611 KJV did, as opposed to the Blayney revision of 1769 -- which this work is.
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Summary: Where Misguided Zeal Leads
Review: Besides making the false claim that it was "Translated out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's special command" (p. i), this 1998 publication doeth silly things with its bold-type definitions and archaic grammar tutorials. But the most dishonest part is its attempt to prove that the King James Bible is more readable than other Bibles. Nestled into the Order of Bible Books page (p. x) are what are claimed to be the "Flesch-Kincaid grade level" of each book. The Flesch-Kincaid (F-K) scale is generated by a computer applying a mathematical formula on a piece of writing to determine what school grade level is required to be able to read it. The page attempts to "prove" that the KJV and DKJB are quite understandable to modern readers. Grades range from 4.27 for Job and 4.37 for Song of Solomon to 8.25 for Esther and 9.11 for Jude. The average score for KJV is recorded as 5.63, which brings to question the need to define a Bible that any 4th to 9th grader can read anyway. This attempt is further flawed (and the Footnote Author and Editor D.A. Waite, Jr.--to his credit--is the only editor with the modesty to admit to fallibility, which he does on p. vii) on two counts.
First, utter dependence on F-K analysis ignores other scales and criteria. F-K is based on the number of syllables per word coupled with the number of words per sentence to come up with an approximate assessment of readability. Other scales employ different parameters, such as letters per word and sentences per 100 words. There are also computer-powered programs that count for word frequency or flag unfamiliar vocabulary. One 1995 study of style among Bible versions initially contemplated the inclusion of KJV alongside modern Bibles. KJV had to be set aside eventually because its vocabulary, checked under the Unix "spell" command, proved to have too many more "noncore" word forms than modern versions to be of useful comparison. The core words are words that most literate people can read, and the list of words is saved in the computer program to be checked against any piece of writing. More important, however, is to look beyond these number-crunching corpus tools to determine whether and why people find a version more readable than another. Gail Linam's 1993 doctoral study, for example, comparing the readability of KJV, NIV, and the New Century Version (NCV) as applied on older children, shows that KJV emerges least readable, followed by NIV and then NCV. Selected passages were given to the children, who were afterward tested with cloze passages and story retelling. It is not surprising that their reactions contradict the results of the computerized F-K analysis. F-K's two formulaic parameters cannot account for the awkwardness of Jacobean (King James') English grammar and vocabulary, whereas live children will easily sense the difficulty and say so. The second reason the claim of readability fails is that the F-K grading has no relevance to Bible reading. Whether reading by 85-verse diamond markers or by canonical books, the grades are not progressive or sequential. Instead, the scores roller coaster from grades five to six to seven to six to seven to six to eight and so on, from Genesis through Revelation. Children or language learners reading through the Bible could suffer from linguistic motion sickness. Arranging the books in ascending order of F-K grades does not help much either. Learners will have to grapple with the difficult argumentation of Job (grade 4.27), then plunge into the sensuality of Song of Solomon, and wind up with the Esther narrative and the single-chapter Jude (9.11)! Despite its pretensions to readability, this application of F-K grading is ultimately meaningless and worthless.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Bible to Have
Review: I have had the Defined King James Bible for over two years and it is the best that I have found. I have used many differernt versions and something was wrong with some of them, some verses were missing and others didn't sound just right. After getting the Defined King James I found out why. There is a section in the back that tells about several popular versions, they are corrupt! By giving the definitions to hard to understand words at the bottom of each page, this Bible make it easy to read the most accurate translation of the original manuscripts. Get the best, the King James and the best King James is the Defined King James.
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Summary: Best King James Bible in print today.
Review: I have often reached for my dictionary while reading the King James Bible, but no more! Now all I do is look to the bottom of the page and there is the modern definition of all those old words. And even better, at the end of every book is an explanation of the old pronouns "ye," "thee," "thou," etc. Now I can look at them and know if the "you" of modern usage is singular, plural, subjective, or objective! And I really like the "Synopsis of the Books of the Bible!" Every book is explained, chapter by chapter. What a great overview of the entire Bible. And last, but certainly not least, there is a Bible reading schedule in the front, and in the text itself each day's reading is marked off by a diamond in the margin! What a GREAT idea!
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Summary: Extremely well done!
Review: I have spent well over 20 years researching this 'versions' issue, and have come to the conclusion that if you are a Bible believer, walking by faith in the power of God to preserve His very words through time, then the King James is the word of God in English today, as opposed to thousands of changes, ommissions and poison and false footnotes in modern versions. This defined King James is happily used by my elementary children with ease, and despite much debate, the supportive helps are truly excellent and on the mark.
If you have only one Bible, have this one. In Christ, Tim Clifton
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Summary: A great idea!
Review: My needs are changing with age----I've been looking for a large print Bible WITH wider margins for notetaking. Finally found one called The Defined Bible.....a KJV that highlights uncommon words & "defines" them at the bottom of that page for clarification.....versus attempt at translation. Thus, the HS speaks to the reader, making reading of the Bible not only a "teaching tool but a devotional blessing". amen There are NO center-column references, nor commentaries, nor even a concordance. Simply, the Word of God, in large enough print for my "aging eyes" plus 3/4" margins for note taking. :-)
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Summary: I love it...
Review: The Defined King James Bible is an unpretentious work. It does not try to explain Bible doctrine to you. It merely does as advertised, defines. All languages change with the passing of time. Words quite often take on new meanings with the passing of years. The definition of some words have changed drastically. Not every word needs to be defined, for the meaning of every word has been not altered from it's original meaning or intent.
The Defined King James Bible is a quality item, made of quality materials. It's text is clear and ledgible, on fine quality paper. The leather binding is as good as any I've seen. It should last for years.
Criticism of this Bible usually, if not universally, will come only from those who have already criticized the KJ Bible. The real hatred toward this particular Bible stems from articles written in the back of it, such as, 'The Proliferation of Modern Versions.'
The Defined King James Bible is TRULY a 1611 version. One negative review states otherwise because it is not written in Old Engish with all of the original spellings. [URL]
Rating:
Summary: I love it...
Review: The Defined King James Bible is an unpretentious work. It does not try to explain Bible doctrine to you. It merely does as advertised, defines. All languages change with the passing of time. Words quite often take on new meanings with the passing of years. The definition of some words have changed drastically. Not every word needs to be defined, for the meaning of every word has been not altered from it's original meaning or intent.
The Defined King James Bible is a quality item, made of quality materials. It's text is clear and ledgible, on fine quality paper. The leather binding is as good as any I've seen. It should last for years.
Criticism of this Bible usually, if not universally, will come only from those who have already criticized the KJ Bible. The real hatred toward this particular Bible stems from articles written in the back of it, such as, 'The Proliferation of Modern Versions.'
The Defined King James Bible is TRULY a 1611 version. One negative review states otherwise because it is not written in Old Engish with all of the original spellings. [URL]
Rating:
Summary: The Best Bible I Have Ever Owned!
Review: This Bible is absolutely wonderful. I would recommend it to everyone, especially to people who think that the King James Version is hard to understand. It is so easy to read because it has definitions for hard-to-understand words right at the bottom of each page. This is a Bible that you can trust to be the Old King James Version with no changes made.
Rating:
Summary: Best King James Bible Ever!
Review: This is a beautiful Bible. To begin with, the reader is treated to the 1769 Cambridge text of the KJV. The definitions are right on the bottom of the page. No need for a seperate dictionary here! With this Bible, you can get rid of the corrupt modern versions you might have. The text is large and really easy to read. The quality of this Bible is incredible! Strong binding, beautiful, rich leather covers, high quality paper. This one will last for years. This Bible makes a great introduction to someone not familiar to the KJV. The appendix is very informative. Anyone who loves the KJV needs to have this one.
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