3. The ‘Wicked Bible’ Printing Error
In 1631, English royal printers Robert Barker and Martin Lucas published an edition of the King James Bible that became infamous for a significant typographical error. In Exodus 20:14, the word “not” was omitted from the commandment, transforming it from “Thou shalt not commit adultery” to “Thou shalt commit adultery.” This oversight led to the Bible being nicknamed the “Wicked Bible.” Upon discovery, King Charles I ordered the recall and destruction of most copies, and the printers were fined £300 and stripped of their printing licenses. Today, only a few copies of this rare edition remain in existence. (museumofthebible.org).
