English Standard Version (ESV) — Annotated History & Bibliography

A concise background to the ESV translation, its updates, textual base, and key resources.

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About the ESV. The English Standard Version is an essentially literal (“word-for-word”) English Bible translation first published in 2001 by Crossway. It aims for precision to the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek text while retaining clear, literary English suitable for reading, study, and memorization.

Key Facts

First Publication
2001 (Crossway)
Translation Philosophy
“Essentially literal” / formal equivalence
Textual Basis
Masoretic Text (BHS), UBS5 / NA28 for the NT; DSS, LXX, Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, Vulgate considered in difficult cases
Oversight
Translation Oversight Committee (14 members) with 100+ scholars contributing through reviews and advisory roles
Recent Update
2025 text edition with limited wording changes (see timeline)

Translation History — Timeline (Highlights)

2001

ESV first edition. Crossway publishes the ESV, carrying forward the classic Tyndale-KJV-RSV legacy with fresh translation from the original languages.

2007

Text Edition: 2007. Minor textual refinements to the 2001 text (documented examples include Gen 2:19; 24:60, etc.).

2011

Text Edition: 2011. Additional limited revisions for clarity, consistency, and precision across selected verses.

2016

Text Edition: 2016. Updates in 29 verses (e.g., Gen 3:16; 4:7). Crossway briefly announced a “Permanent Text Edition,” then reversed that decision to allow ongoing periodic updates.

2018

ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE). A Catholic edition including the Deuterocanonical books, reviewed in accord with Catholic norms, released internationally.

2025

Text Edition: 2025. Very limited changes approved by the Oversight Committee (36 passages / 42 verses; 68 word changes), plus select footnote and punctuation updates. Crossway provides a public PDF of verse-by-verse differences from the 2016 text.

Textual Basis & Notes

Hebrew & Greek sources. Old Testament translation follows the Masoretic Text as published in Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS); New Testament translation follows the UBS Greek New Testament (5th corrected ed.) and Novum Testamentum Graece (NA28). In difficult cases the team consulted the Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, Vulgate, and other witnesses.

For details, see the ESV Preface under “Textual Basis and Resources.”

Usage & Licensing (Summary)

The ESV text may be quoted up to 500 verses (with additional limits) without a formal license, with proper attribution. “ESV” and “English Standard Version” are registered trademarks of Crossway.

Always review Crossway’s current permissions before publication and include the required attribution language.

Annotated Bibliography

  • Preface to the English Standard Version — the authoritative overview of translation legacy, philosophy, textual basis, and team structure. Read the ESV Preface Primary
  • ESV Translation Oversight Committee — membership and role of the committee responsible for stewarding the text. Oversight Committee Primary
  • Crossway Statement on the ESV Bible Text (2016) — explains the brief “permanent text” announcement and subsequent reversal to allow future updates. Crossway statement Primary
  • ESV Bible Translation Update (2025) — summary of the 2025 changes (36 passages / 42 verses; 68 words). Article and the Complete Changes PDF Primary
  • ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) — background and scope of the Catholic edition with the Deuterocanon. Overview or Augustine Institute
  • 2007 & 2011 Text Changes (documented examples) — curated lists of representative revisions. 2007 list and site overview Secondary
  • Permissions & Trademark Guidance — quotation limits, required attributions, and trademark notes. Crossway permissions Primary