How many errors are in the Wicked Bible?

The "Wicked Bible" stands as one of the most infamous printing blunders in history. Published in 1631 by royal printers Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, this edition of the King James Bible earned its notorious nickname not for its content, but for a critical error in one of the Ten Commandments. Over the centuries, this Bible has fascinated historians, collectors, and the curious alike. But just how many errors are found in the Wicked Bible, and what are their stories?

The Most Famous Error: "Thou Shalt Commit Adultery"

The single most notorious mistake in the Wicked Bible appears in Exodus 20:14. Where the seventh commandment should read, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," the Wicked Bible omits the word "not," rendering it instead as, "Thou shalt commit adultery." This seemingly small typographical error dramatically alters the meaning of one of Christianity’s core moral laws, and it was this blunder that gave the edition its scandalous title.

This error was not just embarrassing—it was catastrophic. The omission of "not" turned a prohibition into a command, prompting outrage from church authorities and the monarchy. As a result, most copies were ordered to be destroyed, and the printers were fined heavily.

Other Errors in the Wicked Bible

While the adultery commandment mistake is the headline error, the Wicked Bible contains several other, less famous mistakes. Over the years, bibliographers and collectors have identified a handful of additional errors in this edition. These range from minor typographical slips to more significant textual inconsistencies.

A review of surviving copies and scholarly accounts suggests that the Wicked Bible contains at least ten notable errors. However, the exact number can vary slightly depending on how one counts minor misprints versus more substantial mistakes. Some of the other documented errors include:

• In Deuteronomy 5:24, "greatness" is spelled as "great-asse," an amusing and unfortunate error.
• In Exodus 21:20, the phrase "he shall surely be punished" is printed as "he shall surely be punished punished," repeating the word.
• Various words throughout the text are misspelled or misprinted due to typesetting errors common in early 17th-century printing.

Why Were There So Many Errors?

Printing in the early 1600s was a painstaking, manual process. Each page had to be set by hand using movable type, with individual letters and words arranged in reverse order. This labor-intensive process was susceptible to human error, especially when printing such a lengthy and complex text as the Bible. Even the best printers sometimes made mistakes, but the Wicked Bible’s errors were particularly egregious because of their impact on core scriptural passages.

Moreover, the pressure to produce new editions of the King James Bible quickly—especially after the original 1611 release—meant that proofreaders and printers might have been rushed, leading to more frequent mistakes.

The Fallout: Consequences for the Printers

The error in Exodus 20:14 did not go unnoticed. King Charles I and the Archbishop of Canterbury were furious, viewing the mistake as a grave offense to both state and church. The printers, Barker and Lucas, were summoned to the Star Chamber, fined £300 (a massive sum at the time), and stripped of their printing license. Most copies of the Wicked Bible were seized and destroyed, making surviving copies exceedingly rare and valuable today.

Surviving Copies and Ongoing Curiosity

Despite the order for their destruction, a small number of Wicked Bibles have survived—fewer than 20 are known to exist today. These copies are treasured by collectors and often displayed in libraries and museums. The notoriety of the errors, especially the "adultery" commandment, has ensured the Wicked Bible’s place in the annals of printing history.

Legacy: Lessons from the Wicked Bible

The story of the Wicked Bible is more than a cautionary tale about proofreading; it also underscores the profound influence of the printed word and the importance of accuracy in transmitting sacred texts. In an era when the Bible was central to faith, law, and daily life, such errors could have far-reaching consequences.

Today, the Wicked Bible serves as a reminder of human fallibility and the enduring power of words. Its errors, though embarrassing for the printers, have become a part of history—studied, discussed, and even celebrated for their rarity and unintended humor.