The Bible in Basic English (BBE) — Annotated History & Bibliography

The Bible in Basic English adapts Scripture into **Basic English**—a limited vocabulary designed for clarity and global readability. Led by **Samuel Henry Hooke** with the Orthological Institute, the project aimed to communicate the biblical text simply while translating from Hebrew and Greek.

NT: 1941 OT: 1949 Revision/printing: 1965 ~1,000-word vocabulary Public Domain (U.S.)
Read the Bible (BBE)

At-a-Glance Timeline

  • 1941 — New Testament released in Basic English.
  • 1949 — Complete **Basic Bible** printed by Cambridge University Press; vocabulary limited to Ogden’s 850 Basic words + 150 additional (“Bible” + poetic) terms.
  • 1965 — Cambridge printing (often cited as a revision/printing); U.S. public-domain status stems from publication without a copyright notice and distribution in America.

Key Features & Translation Approach

  • Basic English framework (C. K. Ogden): 850 core words + ~150 additional terms → ~1,000-word working vocab.
  • Made from Hebrew & Greek, with committee oversight (Orthological Institute and Cambridge University Press Syndics).
  • Straightforward, simple style favoring clarity for learners and general readers.
  • Reader helps include signs/markings for textual clarity (per BBE introduction conventions).
  • Use cases: effective for EFL/ESL contexts and for readers with limited formal education.
  • Public-domain availability (U.S.) facilitates broad, low-friction distribution online.
Why “Basic”? The limited, controlled vocabulary forces precise rendering while keeping sentences approachable—a deliberate trade-off to prioritize accessibility.

Primary Sources & Facsimiles (Annotated)

  • S. H. Hooke (ed.), The Basic Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments in Basic English (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1949).
    Foundational printing that reflects the project’s vocabulary plan and editorial method.
  • 1965 Cambridge printing (public-domain basis in the U.S.).
    Later printing commonly referenced in digital editions; key for PD status statements.
  • Wikisource: Basic English Bible (hosted text).
    Convenient online reference confirming dates and scope.

Secondary Studies & Overviews (Annotated)

  • “The Bible in Basic English” — Bible Researcher.
    Reprints the BBE’s 1965 introduction; details the 850 + 150 vocabulary plan, committee process, and Hebrew/Greek basis.
  • “Bible in Basic English” — Wikipedia overview.
    Concise history (NT 1941, OT 1949; 1965 printing), vocabulary summary, and public-domain note with references.
  • eBible.org — BBE details & copyright.
    PD statement and translator attribution (S. H. Hooke); practical source for hosting metadata.
  • Olive Tree / Accordance product notes.
    Retail module pages that summarize dates (1941/1949) and the Basic English rationale.

Citation (suggested)

“Bible in Basic English (BBE): Annotated History & Bibliography,” Living Word Bibles, accessed .