William Shakespeare’s Potential Contribution to the 1611 King James Version of the English Bible

Throughout history, many have speculated about the involvement of the renowned author William Shakespeare in the 1611 King James Bible (KJV). Despite the near-consensus view that Shakespeare did not contribute, significant evidence points to the possibility that he played a role in its creation. This article explores the pros and cons of Shakespeare's involvement, focusing particularly on his alleged encoding of his identity in Psalm 46.

Pros of Shakespeare's Involvement

The reasons for Shakespeare's possible involvement in the KJV include:

Brief but Invaluable Expertise: As the world's near-consensus greatest writer, Shakespeare's assistance would have significantly enriched the world's best-selling book. The purest poems of the Bible, the Psalms, would have benefited from his poetic touch. Timing and Availability: At the age of 46, Shakespeare was retired in Stratford-on-Avon and available at the exact time the KJV was published, making it plausible that he could have contributed in some capacity.

Supporting this theory is the argument that Shakespeare encoded his identity in Psalm 46. Here's how:

The "Signature" in Psalm 46

According to the theory, Shakespeare cleverly encoded his identity into Psalm 46 not once but three times. Understanding these encryptions requires a careful examination of the text:

The Forward and Backward Approach: Reading forward, the 46th word is "shake," and reading backward, the 46th word is "spear," excluding the aside "Selah." Shakespeare's First Name: Reading forward, the 14th word is "Will," and reading backward, the 32nd word begins "I am," which together equal 46 when combined as "Will that I am." Reconstruction of His Name: Rearranging the letters of "William Shakespeare" can produce the phrase "Here I was like a Psalm," which is peculiar given the context of his involvement in Psalm 46.

Cons of Shakespeare's Involvement

Despite these intriguing encryptions, strong counterarguments exist:

The Timing: Much of the KJV’s poetry originates from William Tyndale's translations, published between 1526 and 1534. With Shakespeare born in 1564 and dying in 1616, the timeline is problematic. The Source of Poetry: Tyndale did not translate the Psalms, which were pivotal in the KJV. The KJV editors were likely unable to match Tyndale's poetic touch on the Bible’s purest poems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while no one can definitively say whether Shakespeare contributed to the King James Bible, the idea makes perfect sense. Shakespeare, renowned for his wit and poetic genius, would have been a valuable asset to the KJV project. Leading candidates for involvement include his sister Mary Sidney, the poet Sir Philip Sidney, and of course, the greatest poet and playwright of them all, Shakespeare.

References:

Burch, M. R. (2023). Did Shakespeare contribute to the 1611 King James translation of the English Bible? Quill and Parchment, 12(3), 45-51.