Gideon’s Bible vs the KJV
The main difference between the Gideon’s Bible and the KJV is that the KJV is an English translation of the Christian Bible, and the Gideon’s Bible is actually the Bible distributed by an organization, Gideons International, which uses the KJV for the distribution purposes in hotels and motels free of cost.
Gideon’s Bible
The Gideon’s Bible is also called Gideons International. Gideons International is an evangelical organization whose main aim is to distribute free copies of the Bible. It distributes Bibles in 194 countries and in 94 different languages. The most important feature of the Gideon’s Bible is that they are placed in motel and hotel rooms.
The Gideons International usually uses the King James Version for their distribution. Along with the KJV they also distribute New King James Bibles and Testaments. These versions are also called MEV or Modern English Version Bibles and Testaments. MEV Bibles are distributed by Gideons International only when the hotel or buyer wants to specifically buy the MEV Bible.
The Gideons International was founded in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1899. The main aim of the organization is to establish the fact that each member should be willing to do God’s work with his own judgment having faith, obedience, and humility. Its chief work started in 1908 when Bibles were distributed for free to be placed in hotel and motel rooms. The first Bible was placed in the rooms of Superior Hotel in a city called Superior, Montana. The headquarters of Gideons International is in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Gideon’s Bible is also distributed free of cost to hospitals, military personnel of various countries, prisons, nursing homes, etc.
KJV
The King James Version is also called the King James Bible, KJV, or Authorized Version. The Church of England authorized and started the English translation of the Christian Bible in 1604 and finished translating it in 1611. It was printed for the first time by the king’s printer baker. This is considered to be the third translation in English; there have been two more translations. The first translation was authorized during the reign of King Henry VIII. There was then another translation of the Great Bible, and another was commissioned in 1568 of the Bishops’ Bible. The New Testament was translated by 47 scholars from Greek, and the Old Testament was translated into English from Hebrew text. The Apocrypha was translated into English from Latin and Greek. The Authorized Version or the KJV became the standard version for scholars who were English speaking.
Summary:
The main difference between the Gideon’s Bible and the KJV is that the KJV or King James Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible, and the Gideon’s Bible is actually the Bible distributed by an evangelical Christian organization, Gideons international, which uses the KJV for distribution purposes in hotels and motels free of cost.