The Wicked Bible is a 1631 edition of the King James Bible made infamous for a critical printing error that changed "Thou shalt not commit adultery" to "Thou shalt commit adultery." This mistake, caused by the accidental omission of the word "not," turned a sacred commandment into its exact opposite, catching the attention of both authorities and the public.

Soon after its discovery, this edition was recalled and most copies were destroyed, but a handful survived, becoming rare and sought-after items among collectors. The story of the Wicked Bible highlights how a simple typo in a major religious text led to scandal, legal consequences, and a lasting legacy in the history of publishing.

Collectors today often refer to it as a "cursed" book, not for any supernatural reason, but because its infamy and rarity have driven up its value and made it a curious, controversial piece of history.

The Origin of the Wicked Bible

A single missing word in a 17th-century English Bible transformed a standard work of literature into a notorious rarity. Specific people, printing decisions, and historical Bibles all played a part in this infamous slip.

Printing of the 1631 King James Version

The Wicked Bible was produced in 1631 as part of a standard run of the King James Version, which was the official English Bible by royal decree. This edition came only twenty years after the initial 1611 publication.

Printed in London by royal printers Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, the 1631 edition aimed to be a faithful reproduction. However, a critical error in Exodus 20:14 omitted the word “not” from the commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” instead rendering it “Thou shalt commit adultery.”

Only about 1,000 copies were originally printed. The error was quickly discovered by authorities, and most copies were ordered to be destroyed, making surviving versions extremely rare.

Key Figures Involved

The oversight happened under Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, who were both official royal printers for King Charles I. These men previously had experience with English Bible printings, including earlier King James editions.

Barker, in particular, was known for his involvement in many significant works of English literature. The mistake led to a heavy fine for both printers, and the scandal affected their careers.

King Charles I and the Archbishop of Canterbury became directly involved, showing the gravity of the incident. The printing house's reputation never fully recovered, and Barker eventually died in debtor’s prison.

Comparing the Wicked Bible to the Geneva Bible

The Wicked Bible was based on the King James Version, an English Bible differing from the earlier Geneva Bible in scholarship, tone, and intent. While the Geneva Bible, first printed in 1560, included extensive marginal notes and Calvinist leanings, the King James Version was designed to be more formal and neutral in its language.

Key Differences in Approach:

Feature Geneva Bible King James Version Annotations Extensive commentary Minimal notes Language More accessible English Literary, elevated style Use in England Popular with reformers Authorized, state-endorsed

The Wicked Bible’s error came in a work intended to standardize the reading of scripture across England. By contrast, the Geneva Bible was never officially sanctioned, yet it remained influential.

Unlike the Geneva Bible, the Wicked Bible stands out not for its literary merit, but for the way a single mistake marked it as a historical curiosity among English Bibles.

The Infamous Printing Error

The Wicked Bible is remembered for a significant typesetting mistake that had theological and social repercussions. This error centered on one of the Ten Commandments and sparked immediate controversy among church leaders and readers alike.

The Missing ‘Not’ Commandment

The error appeared in the 1631 edition of the King James Bible, printed by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas. In Exodus 20:14, the Seventh Commandment was meant to read: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." However, the word “not” was accidentally omitted.

This small omission drastically altered the meaning. The verse, now rendered as “Thou shalt commit adultery,” directly contradicted Biblical doctrine.

Parishioners reading from this edition would have seen a command encouraging, rather than forbidding, adulterous behavior. The lapse was an example of how even minor mistakes in scripture could cause profound confusion among the faithful.

Impact on The Seventh Commandment

The Seventh Commandment's intent is to prohibit adultery, reinforcing the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of sin against one’s spouse.

By omitting “not,” the printing error turned a prohibition into an apparent endorsement. This mistake undermined the church's teachings about sin and the requirements for a faithful life.

Priests and scholars recognized that such an error risked misleading believers about doctrine. The confusion risked encouraging sinful actions instead of promoting confession and repentance. The commandment, foundational for clergy teaching about marital fidelity, now conveyed the reverse message.

Reception by Clergy and Congregation

Clergy immediately criticized the Wicked Bible once the mistake was discovered. Many church authorities insisted the edition be recalled and destroyed to prevent doctrinal error from spreading.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and King Charles I both responded with concern. The printers faced heavy fines and the loss of their printing license. This response underscored the seriousness with which the church treated scriptural accuracy.

Congregations that encountered the Wicked Bible were sometimes confused or scandalized by its contents. Some reported the mistake to local priests, who then urged their communities to use official versions and to confess any misunderstandings or sinful actions prompted by the error.

Immediate Fallout and Public Outcry

The printing error caused an immediate stir throughout England. Authorities and clergy were quick to notice the blunder, prompting swift intervention and legal responses.

Royal and Ecclesiastical Response

King Charles I and Archbishop George Abbot were alerted soon after the “Wicked Bible” began to circulate. The King was notably displeased, as the omission of “not” from the Seventh Commandment completely changed its meaning: “Thou shalt commit adultery.”

Clergy and priests raised concerns about the insult to Christian doctrine and the authority of scripture. Some viewed the error as a justification for more stringent oversight of printed religious materials. The blunder even led to public sermons emphasizing the sanctity of biblical text and the importance of vigilance in religious publishing.

God and amen were terms invoked by both sides during the initial outrage. Supporters of strict quality control in printing argued that mistakes undermined not just church authority, but reverence for God’s word itself.

Punishments and Legal Repercussions

The printers, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, were summoned before the Star Chamber, an English court that handled royal and ecclesiastical cases. They were found guilty of the error.

Their punishment included a heavy fine of £300 and the loss of their printer’s license. All known copies of the “Wicked Bible” were ordered to be collected and burned, though a few survived and later became rare collectibles.

The incident set a precedent for future legal actions concerning the printing of religious texts. It reinforced the need for careful priest oversight and proper justification in producing sacred materials. The harsh penalties highlighted how seriously authorities regarded errors in scripture.

Collector’s Curse: Rarity and Value Over Time

The Wicked Bible’s infamous misprint has driven interest among collectors for centuries. Surviving copies are few, and their documented history gives insight into both rarity and value shifts.

Surviving Copies and Their Fate

Roughly a dozen complete Wicked Bibles are known to exist worldwide. Institutions like the British Library and the Cambridge University Library each hold a copy. A handful remain in private hands, often transferred through inheritance.

Many missing or incomplete editions were destroyed after the scandal. Royal authorities ordered most copies to be recalled and burned. This aggressive purge heightened the rarity and made surviving books far more valuable.

Most existing copies are carefully preserved and rarely found outside of museums or private collections. Due to their age and controversial history, heirs who inherit these Bibles often either safeguard them or consign them to auction. No authorized ebook edition exists, partly because of the book’s notorious reputation and extreme scarcity.

Market Value and Auctions

Auctions featuring a Wicked Bible attract international attention. Prices typically range from $30,000 to $100,000 USD depending on condition, provenance, and completeness. In 2015, a copy sold for £31,250 at Bonhams.

Highly sought after by rare book dealers and collectors, these Bibles have a reputation for increasing in value, especially when their provenance is well-documented. Copies with historical annotations or ties to notable owners tend to fetch even higher prices.

When an heir inherits a Wicked Bible, professional appraisal is recommended to determine authenticity and value. Legal issues surrounding export and sale can also arise due to its status as a national treasure in some countries.

Cultural Significance and Legacy

The Wicked Bible, printed in 1631, became famous not for its intended message but for a single notorious error. This misprint highlighted the weight that even minor textual changes can have on religious understanding and tradition.

Role in the History of Christianity

The Wicked Bible altered the commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery" by omitting "not," dramatically changing its meaning. This error struck at the heart of Christian teachings, questioning ideals of morality, covenant, and faithfulness.

Church authorities responded with immediate outrage. King Charles I ordered the destruction of most copies, and the printers were heavily fined. The incident emphasized the importance of accuracy in transmitting scriptures, especially regarding essential teachings about Jesus Christ, redemption, and the plan of salvation.

Scholars note that this episode increased awareness about the need for careful oversight in religious publishing. It also sparked discussions on how the faithful should interpret potentially flawed texts and uphold the integrity of their beliefs.

Influence on Modern English Bibles

The scandal of the Wicked Bible led to stricter quality controls for future Bible printings. Publishers implemented more rigorous proofreading processes, aiming to avoid similar mistakes in passages vital to Christian doctrine, such as teachings about eternal life and the covenant with God.

Collectors today value the surviving Wicked Bibles as rare artifacts. These copies serve as reminders of the ongoing challenges in preserving sacred texts and reinforce the community's responsibility toward maintaining their faith’s foundations.

The error continues to be referenced in discussions about translation reliability and textual fidelity in modern English Bibles, underlining the necessity for precision when dealing with scripture central to millions of Christians worldwide.

Historical Context of 17th Century Bible Printing

The early 1600s marked a transformative period for English Bible production, with the introduction of large-scale print shops and stricter oversight by crown-appointed printers. Religious life at the time emphasized daily reading, communal prayer, and fellowship, making the accuracy of printed texts especially significant.

Technical Challenges in Printing

Seventeenth-century printing involved manual typesetting, where each letter had to be placed by hand. This time-consuming process was prone to errors, especially in long texts like the King James Bible. A misplaced word or omitted passage could fundamentally alter the meaning, putting both printers and future readers at risk of misunderstanding doctrine.

The complexity increased with religious texts due to their length and the diversity of content, including instructions for worship, reading, and prayer. Quality control was difficult. Multiple printers and apprentices often worked on the same Bible, leading to inconsistencies between copies. The lack of modern proofreading or spell-checking tools meant that human error was almost inevitable.

Censorship and Religious Sensitivity

Bible printers operated under close regulation from both the monarchy and church authorities. Only royal-appointed printers—such as Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, involved in the "Wicked Bible"—were permitted to print the King James Bible. This exclusivity was partly to prevent unauthorized changes and partly to maintain theological uniformity for acts like communion and public adoption of scripture.

Any mistake, intentional or otherwise, was a serious offense. Authorities feared even minor alterations could challenge orthodoxy or disrupt fellowship within the church. The printing of religious texts carried immense responsibility, as these works guided spiritual practices and public readings, which reinforced faith and the collective sense of being "adopted" into a religious community. Penalties for errors ranged from hefty fines to loss of printing licenses, underlining the critical nature of accuracy in this period.

Moral, Religious, and Societal Implications

Clerical reaction to the Wicked Bible was immediate and forceful. The misprinting of one of Christianity's central commandments sparked questions about personal conduct, community responsibility, and views on human error.

Attitudes Towards Sin and Forgiveness

The omission of "not" from "Thou shalt not commit adultery" fundamentally altered the prohibition against a widely regarded sin. Church authorities condemned the error, expressing disgust and labeling the edition abominable for its potential to mislead believers.

Some leaders saw the mistake as a test for repentance. They emphasized the need for public acknowledgment of faults, and repeatedly cited forgiveness as a principle for moving past clerical errors once there was evidence of repentance.
Clergy taught that the church should support those who recognized and corrected their moral failings.

Passive acceptance of the error was rare. The quick recall and destruction of copies hinted at broader discomfort with acknowledging sin in religious texts without swift corrective action.

Perspectives on Charity and Pride

The printing error stoked debate about pride, particularly among publishers and religious leaders. Critics argued that the printers' pride and inattention caused the mistake, and several pointed to the lack of sufficient charity in their handling of quality control and proofreading.

Lists of responses included:

Calls for humility and accountability.
Warnings against prioritizing profit over reverence for scripture.
Emphasis on self-reflection and seeking forgiveness even for accidental misdeeds.

Charity, in its original sense of generosity and goodwill, was considered abominable to neglect, especially when addressing errors that affected the broader community. Leading figures promoted a charitable approach to those affected by the blunder, while urging humility to prevent similar incidents.

Broader Impact on Literature and Culture

The Wicked Bible’s notorious printing error had significant ripple effects, shaping perspectives in literature, religion, and even cultural identity. By omitting a single word, the misprint shifted interpretations of texts and fueled commentary on moral, historical, and linguistic issues.

References in Popular Culture

The Wicked Bible has appeared in novels, documentaries, and television shows as a symbol of unintended consequences in the written word. Museums and rare book collectors often highlight the infamous “thou shalt commit adultery” edition as a cautionary example of editorial oversight.

Authors and screenwriters reference the incident to explore the fragile balance between sacred text and human error. In history-themed exhibitions and media, the Wicked Bible sometimes stands beside famous misprints of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, underlining the importance of accuracy in transmitting religious ideals.

Notably, the event is used in classroom discussions to encourage skepticism towards absolute textual authority. The physical artifact often appears in lists of history’s greatest book-related mishaps, reinforcing its reputation as a cultural curiosity rather than solely a religious blunder.

Interfaith and Comparative Views

Religious scholars frequently discuss the Wicked Bible in interfaith dialogues as a prompt for comparing scriptural transmission methods across Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. In Islamic tradition, the preservation of the Qur’an is seen as more strictly regulated, contrasting sharply with the Christian printing error.

Jewish authorities emphasize meticulous care with Hebrew manuscripts, citing examples from Egyptian, Greek, and even Native interpretations around slavery and freedom, which have been affected by translation variances. The incident feeds into broader conversations about spirit and agreement in textual integrity.

Certain groups view the misprint’s legacy through the lenses of race, social status, or moral blackness, referencing historical cases where text errors influenced perceptions of slavery or societal roles. Each tradition uses the Wicked Bible to highlight strengths or perceived weaknesses in their scriptural practices and preservation.

The Wicked Bible: How a Printing Error Became a Collector’s Curse and Changed Publishing History