Cyrus I. Scofield was an American theologian and minister who published the Scofield Reference Bible in 1909, with a revised edition in 1917. It’s not a new translation of the Bible but a study Bible based on the King James Version, with Scofield’s notes and commentary alongside the text. His annotations popularized dispensationalism, a theological framework that interprets history as a series of distinct eras (dispensations) in God’s plan, including a focus on a literal future restoration of Israel as a nation. This has been linked to Christian Zionism, the belief that the return of Jews to Israel fulfills biblical prophecy.

The claim that the Rothschilds funded Scofield to “pervert” the Bible typically suggests they had a hand in shaping his work to manipulate Christians into supporting Zionism, possibly as part of a broader agenda tied to the establishment of modern Israel. Here’s what we can say based on available evidence:

There’s no direct historical documentation—like financial records, letters, or firsthand accounts—showing that the Rothschild family paid Scofield to write his study Bible. Scofield’s funding is generally attributed to Christian businessmen, such as Alwyn Ball and John T. Pirie, who were part of the dispensationalist Plymouth Brethren movement. These individuals shared Scofield’s theological leanings and supported his work. The Bible was published by Oxford University Press, a respected academic publisher, not a Rothschild-owned entity.

The Rothschild connection often stems from speculation and secondary associations. Some point to Samuel Untermeyer, a wealthy Jewish lawyer and Zionist supporter, who reportedly knew Scofield and may have facilitated connections, such as Scofield’s membership in the Lotus Club, a New York literary society. Conspiracy narratives sometimes exaggerate this into Rothschild involvement, given the family’s historical prominence in Jewish and financial circles. Others tie it to broader Zionist milestones—like the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which the Rothschilds supported—but this is circumstantial, not evidence of direct funding or influence on Scofield’s work.

Critics of the theory, including scholars and researchers like Mike Rothschild (no relation to the banking family), argue that claims of Rothschild backing lack primary sources and often trace back to antisemitic or fringe publications, such as those linked to Lyndon LaRouche. Scofield’s notes, while influential in promoting a pro-Israel theology, align with dispensationalist ideas developed earlier by John Nelson Darby, not a sudden Rothschild-inspired invention.

On the flip side, proponents of the claim argue that the timing (early 20th century), the rise of Christian Zionism, and the Rothschilds’ known Zionist sympathies suggest a hidden hand. They often cite Scofield’s questionable past—legal troubles and a lack of formal theological training—as evidence he was a pawn. However, this remains speculative without hard proof.

So, did the Rothschilds pay Scofield to write a “perverted” Bible favoring Jews? There’s no solid evidence they did. The Scofield Reference Bible reflects a specific Christian theology that gained traction among evangelicals, not a Jewish plot. That said, its impact on Christian support for Israel is undeniable, which is why some see it as suspicious. If you’re digging into this, the lack of concrete records leaves it in the realm of theory—plausible to skeptics, but unproven. What’s your take on it?