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NKJV

NKJV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Zondervan

First published 1982

TranslationNKJV
PublisherZondervan
First Published1982
Canon Proximity10.0 / 10 — Exceptional
NKJV

NKJV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Editors Craig Keener and John Walton illuminate the ancient cultural context of every passage in the NKJV, drawing on archaeology, history, and ancient literature.

History & Background

The New King James Version was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson, representing a seven-year project involving 130 scholars. The NKJV preserves the classic text of the KJV—including its Textus Receptus and Masoretic text base—while updating archaic pronouns (thee, thou) and Early Modern English forms to contemporary language. Footnotes indicate differences from the critical text and the Majority Text, making it useful for textual comparison.

Canon Proximity Rating

Canon Proximity10.0 / 10 — Exceptional

Strictly 66 books using the same Textus Receptus/Masoretic Text base as the KJV with formal equivalence. Full canonical alignment with the Protestant Bible.

Rating Scale

9–10: Formally equivalent, 66 books
7–8: Dynamic equiv., 66 books
5–6: Includes Apocrypha
1–4: Major departures / additions