Why did the King James translators add the word unknown in 1 Corinthians 14?
The King James translators added the italicized word 'unknown' because they did not know how to handle the singular 'tongue,' which denoted a sound with no phonetics, could not be reduced to writing, and was just a guttural sound with no pronunciation.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 14:2 the word 'unknown' is italicized because it was added by the translators. Even back at the time of the King James translators, they really did not know how to handle the word 'tongue' in the singular. As Les taught earlier, this singular tongue denoted a sound that had no phonetics, could not be reduced to writing, and was just a guttural sound with no pronunciation. So the translators inserted 'unknown' to try to convey that meaning.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
More Questions
Why is the word 'unknown' italicized in 1 Corinthians 14:2 in the King James Bible?
In 1 Corinthians 14:2 the word 'unknown' is italicized because it was added by the translators and is not in the original text.
Is the word 'unknown' in 1 Corinthians 14:2 part of the original text?
In 1 Corinthians 14:2, the word 'unknown' is added by translators, and Les prefers to leave it out.