There were two printings or issues of the first edition of the King James Version Bible, both made in 1611. Other sources suggest it is not quite that rare.Īmerican scholar Donald Blake has documented 169 known first editions but believes as many as 680 could still exist. 'This copy is known to be the best and well preserved.' The first edition King James Bible is a gift to the government and people of PNG. 'It is one of only five copies that are believed to be in existence in the world today,' said parliamentary speaker Theodore Zurenuoc, who led the PNG delegation to the United States. There have been conflicting accounts of the rarity of the Bible. Just days after handing over the Bible, Dr Hood died at the age of 77.

The book was donated by Dr Gene Hood, who sent more than a million Bibles to Russia and funded Christian radio stations and missionary work in Papua New Guinea. 'Receiving this Bible today adds to the sense of significance as we define our nation,' Mr O'Neill said, referring to Papua New Guinea's 40th anniversary of independence from Australia later this year. PNG's prime minister Peter O'Neill described the historical book as a national treasure. original King James word of God that is coming from Indiana to Papua New Guinea,' Ms Ilaita said. 'We are very proud to receive the word of God.

Geua Ilaita was among the crowd with a group of children from Vanagi settlement who took the day off school to witness the Bible's arrival. When the large calf-skin bound volume arrived at Jackson airport in Port Moresby, the crowd of approximately 20,000 people cheered and a preacher leading the event yelled 'Hallelujah, let the drums roar'. First edition King James Bible donated to Papua New Guinea (Liam Cochrane)

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