📖 Biblical Definition
English Reformer and Bible translator (c. 1494-1536) and the principal architect of the English Bible. Born probably in Gloucestershire; trained at Magdalen Hall, Oxford (BA 1512, MA 1515); studied Greek (probably at Cambridge after 1515); ordained as a Catholic priest. Tyndale became convinced of the Reformation principle that Scripture must be available to all believers in their own language; rebuffed by the Bishop of London (Cuthbert Tunstall) when he sought authorization to translate the Bible into English; left England for Germany (1524) where he completed his English translation of the New Testament from the Greek (printed first at Cologne 1525, with the complete edition printed at Worms 1526). The Tyndale New Testament was smuggled into England in bales of cloth and other goods; rapidly distributed; vigorously suppressed by ecclesiastical and royal authorities. Tyndale continued his work in exile (Antwerp from 1528), translating substantial portions of the Old Testament from the Hebrew (the Pentateuch published 1530, Jonah 1531, the historical books circulated in manuscript), refining his New Testament through multiple editions, and producing substantial theological writings (The Obedience of a Christian Man, 1528; The Practice of Prelates, 1530). Betrayed to imperial authorities at Antwerp by Henry Phillips (1535); imprisoned at Vilvoorde Castle near Brussels; tried and convicted of heresy; strangled and burned at the stake October 6, 1536. His reported last words: Lord, open the King of England's eyes. Within a year of his death the Coverdale Bible (1535, largely Tyndale's work for the Pentateuch and NT) and Matthew's Bible (1537, even more Tyndale) were authorized for English use under Henry VIII. The Tyndale English forms the substantial foundation of the Great Bible (1539), the Geneva Bible (1560), the Bishops' Bible (1568), and supremely the King James Version (1611); studies estimate that 75-83% of the KJV New Testament comes substantially from Tyndale. The patriarchal-Reformed reader honors Tyndale as the martyr-translator whose labor placed the English Bible in the hands of God's people.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
English Reformer and Bible translator (c. 1494-1536); principal architect of English Bible; translated NT from Greek (1526) and substantial OT from Hebrew; burned at stake 1536; 75-83% of KJV NT substantially from Tyndale.
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WILLIAM TYNDALE, proper n. (c. 1494-1536) English Reformer and Bible translator; principal architect of the English Bible. Probably born in Gloucestershire; trained at Magdalen Hall, Oxford (BA 1512, MA 1515); studied Greek probably at Cambridge after 1515; ordained Catholic priest. Convinced that Scripture must be available in English; rebuffed by Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall; left England 1524. Translated NT from Greek (printed Cologne 1525, complete edition Worms 1526). Smuggled into England in cloth bales; vigorously suppressed. Continued at Antwerp from 1528: Pentateuch from Hebrew (1530); Jonah 1531; historical books in manuscript; refined NT editions; theological writings (The Obedience of a Christian Man, 1528). Betrayed by Henry Phillips 1535; imprisoned Vilvoorde Castle near Brussels; strangled and burned October 6, 1536. Last words: Lord, open the King of England's eyes. 75-83% of KJV NT substantially from Tyndale.
📖 Key Scripture
John 1:1 — "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Romans 1:16-17 — "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth... For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
John 8:31-32 — "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. Tyndale is universally honored as the martyr-translator of the English Bible; the principal contemporary mishandling is the popular ignorance of the extent of his contribution to the KJV.
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William Tyndale as a proper name does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal contemporary mishandling is the popular ignorance of the extent of Tyndale's contribution to the English Bible. The KJV (1611) is widely credited with shaping English literary and religious language for four centuries; less widely appreciated is that 75-83% of the KJV New Testament text is substantially Tyndale's, with much of the Pentateuch and historical books also drawing heavily on his work. The KJV translators (1604-1611) were not creating an English Bible ex nihilo; they were refining and adjusting a textual tradition that Tyndale had established a generation earlier. The patriarchal-Reformed reader honors Tyndale as the martyr-translator whose labor placed the English Bible in the hands of God's people, at the cost of his own life by strangulation and burning at Vilvoorde.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
English Reformer; NT from Greek 1526; Pentateuch from Hebrew 1530; martyred at Vilvoorde 1536; foundation of KJV.
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['English', '—', 'Tyndale', 'Gloucestershire surname']
['German', '—', 'Worms', 'city where complete NT was printed 1526']
['Dutch', '—', 'Antwerp', "Tyndale's labor-and-arrest city"]
Usage
"Tyndale translated the NT from Greek into English (1526)."
"Tyndale translated the Pentateuch from Hebrew (1530); other OT portions in manuscript."
"75-83% of KJV NT is substantially Tyndale's; the English Bible's principal architect."