Errors in Sacred Texts: A Historical Perspective

In every piece of writing—even revered texts—errors can find their way in. The fascinating history of typographical blunders in sacred texts sheds light on how these mistakes have lingered in cultural memory. From the peculiar case of Titivillus, a demon responsible for collecting these errors, to infamous printing mistakes, this article explores notable instances that have made their mark on history.

The Origin of Errors

The concept of Titivillus arises in a 15th-century devotional treatise called Myroure of Oure Ladye, where the demon introduces himself as the one who delivers “thousands of bags filled with errors and omissions” to Satan. These mistakes become evidence against individuals at the final judgment, highlighting that while people may forget, Titivillus does not.

The Case of Robert Barker

Consider Robert Barker, an English printer who inherited the title of “Printer to His Majesty” in the early 1600s. This title, not gained through merit but through investment, granted his family exclusive rights to print Bibles in England, a privilege awarded by Queen Elizabeth I. Thus, Barker was responsible for producing a new English translation of the Bible, commissioned by King James VI and I, which would become one of the most distributed and influential English books.

Unfortunately, when the King James Bible was published in 1611, numerous printing errors surfaced. One significant mistake created two versions known as “His” and “Hers” Bibles, originating from a misquoted verse in Ruth 3:15: one edition incorrectly stated “he went into the city,” referring to Boaz, rather than “she went into the city,” referring to Ruth. But it was not this error, nor the others, that would seal Barker’s fate—it would be a grave omission made two decades later.

The 1631 Edition

In 1631, Barker, along with collaborator Martin Lucas, released another edition of the King James Bible. Errors persisted, including one in Deuteronomy 5:24 where the phrase “greatness” was incorrectly printed as “great-asse,” resulting in the line reading “the Lord our God has shown us his glory and his great ass.” The humorous misprint was fortunately caught before it caused too much uproar, but the more infamous blunder occurred in Exodus 20:14, where the omission of the word “not” led to the alarming instruction: “Thou shalt commit adultery.”

The fallout from this error was severe. Peter Heylyn, a cleric of the time, noted the scandal it raised among the royal printers. The outrage led to an official investigation, hefty fines, and the revocation of Barker and Lucas’s printing licenses—an end to their careers and financial ruin for Barker, who would later die in debtors’ prison.

A Legacy of Errors

Though the “Wicked Bible” is one of the most notorious printing errors, it represents just a fraction of a long history filled with biblical missteps. For instance, in the Book of Kells, a Celtic manuscript from around 800 A.D., a misprint altered Jesus’ message from “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” to indicate joy instead of conflict.

Similarly, the 1562 edition of the Geneva Bible mistakenly referred to “placemakers” instead of “peacemakers,” while a 1653 printing, dubbed “The Unjust Bible,” excluded a crucial “not,” leading to a miscommunication of Paul’s message regarding the righteous. Other hilarious blunders followed, such as the “Cannibal Bible” of 1682, in which a line about a second husband mistakenly stated he should “eat” his wife rather than “hate” her.

Modern Misprints

Errors have not been confined to history. In 1966, a misprint in “The Jerusalem Bible” changed “Pray for peace” to “Pay for peace,” while the 1970 “Darkness Bible” incorrectly stated that darkness overcame the light. Even later editions continued to battle with typographical errors, showcasing that Titivillus is far from vanquished even in modern times.

Conclusion

Despite advancements in technology and proofreading, errors in texts—sacred or otherwise—persist. These blunders remind us of the shared human experience of imperfection. Titivillus may be a mythical figure, but the folly of error undoubtedly resides within us all, with mistakes continuing to shape literature and history.

Key Takeaways

• Errors in sacred texts date back centuries, with notable instances affecting interpretations of critical scripture.
• Robert Barker’s printing mistakes with the King James Bible had dire consequences, creating a legend around the “Wicked Bible.”
• Though technology has advanced, typographical errors remain a part of written texts, reminding us of our shared humanity.
• Historical misprints often reflect larger truths about communication and understanding across generations.