ALL CAPS in the King James Bible

Q. Why does the King James Bible print certain things in block all capital letters, such as “I AM THAT I AM” and “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”?

A. As far as I know, the translators did not leave a direct explanation of their reason for using ALL CAPS. Therefore, we must learn and discern by research and comparison. I have found that there are about 25 places that have a section or word that is printed in ALL CAPS (Exodus 3:14; 6:3; 28:36; 39:30; Deuteronomy 28:58; Psalm 68:4; 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4; Jeremiah 23:6; Daniel 5:25-28; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12; 14:20; Matthew 1:21; 1:25; 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 1:31; 2:21; 23:38; John 19:19; Acts 17:23; Revelation 17:5; 19:16). This counting excludes all the places in the Old Testament where LORD translates JHVH [יהוה] (LORD – Small Caps or ALL CAPS, a printer’s style choice – translates the name Jehovah or the shortened form Jah).

Comparing all these cases, we find that this print style is used for emphasis, in two categories: (1) the name of God; (2) something written or engraved on something. It could be said that sometimes the categories overlap, with the “name written.”

Emphasis on the name of God.

• Exodus 3:14 I AM THAT I AM
• Exodus 3:14 I AM 
• Exodus 6:3 JEHOVAH
• Deuteronomy 28:58 THE LORD THY GOD
• Psalm 68:4 JAH
• Psalm 83:18 JEHOVAH
• Isaiah 12:2 JEHOVAH
• Isaiah 26:4 JEHOVAH
• Jeremiah 23:6 THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
• Zechariah 3:8 BRANCH
• Zechariah 6:12 BRANCH
• Matthew 1:21 JESUS
• Matthew 1:25 JESUS
• Luke 1:31 JESUS
• Luke 2:21 JESUS

Emphasis on an inscription, something written.

• Exodus 28:36 HOLINESS TO THE LORD
• Exodus 39:30 HOLINESS TO THE LORD
• Daniel 5:25 MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
• Daniel 5:26-28 MENE | TEKEL | PERES
• Zechariah 14:20 HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD
• Matthew 27:37 THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS
• Mark 15:26 THE KING OF THE JEWS
• Luke 23:38 THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
• John 19:19 JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS
• Acts 17:23 TO THE UNKNOWN GOD
• Revelation 17:5 MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
• Revelation 19:16 KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

You should be able to select the above photo and enlarge it.

Note 1: I write “about 25” considering some Bible publishers may have varied in the use of ALL CAPS (and some may possibly use Small Caps where others use ALL CAPS).

Note 2: When JEHOVAH or JAH is translated specifically in reference to God’s name, it is capitalized. When Jehovah or Jah is included in some other name (a person or place), it is not capitalized.

Note 3: Exodus 17:15 was initially an exception to this, with what can be considered a printer’s error capitalizing JEHOVAH in Jehovah-nissi. That was later corrected to correspond with the other uses (Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-shalom).

Note 4: Jesus was not initially capitalized in Matthew 1:21-25 and Luke 1:31, 2:31. This was standardized in ALL CAPS at least by the 1682 Cambridge printing.

If you notice any errors or have any thoughts on this, please let me know.