I got a strong response to a post mentioning Shakespeare recently, so I thought I’d bring this up. People tend to get a kick out of it.
Shakespeare is mentioned in the Bible. Sort of.
In Psalm 46 of the King James Version, the 46th word is “shake,” and the 46th from last word is “spear,” (if you skip the term “selah” at the very end). In 1610, when that text was translated by the King James committee and prepared for publication, how old was Shakespeare? That’s right–46.
So, what accounts for this? Was Shakespeare secretly a part of the translating committee? Not likely at all. Did the translators, perhaps, throw in a wording to acknowledge their friend the playwright? (After all, the poetic arrangement and choice of words in a translation is always open–no other English translation makes this work.) More possible, but still very unlikely.
The best explanation is that it’s just a coincidence–the words are common, and the Bible is so large and complex that things like this are bound to pop up sometimes.
Still, it’s a fun little thing to notice, eh?
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Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Gently Hew Stone 