Translation The Making of the Language Versions of the Biblical Writings.

TranslationTranslation

The Making of the Language The Making of the Language Versions of the Biblical Versions of the Biblical

WritingsWritings

Some Great Biblical Some Great Biblical VersesVerses

•`rs")x.a, al{å y[iªro÷ hw"ïhy>`rs")x.a, al{å y[iªro÷ hw"ïhy>

ou[twj ga.r hvga,phsen o` qeo.j ou[twj ga.r hvga,phsen o` qeo.j to.n ko,smon( w[ste to.n ui`o.n to.n ko,smon( w[ste to.n ui`o.n to.n monogenh/ e;dwken( i[na to.n monogenh/ e;dwken( i[na pa/j o` pisteu,wn eivj auvto.n pa/j o` pisteu,wn eivj auvto.n mh. avpo,lhtai avllV e;ch| zwh.n mh. avpo,lhtai avllV e;ch| zwh.n aivw,nionÅaivw,nionÅ


`rs")x.a, al{å y[iªro÷ hw"ïhy`rs")x.a, al{å y[iªro÷ hw"ïhy

The LORD is my The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not shepherd, I shall not be in want.be in want.

Psalm 23:1Psalm 23:1


ou[twj ga.r hvga,phsen o` qeo.j ou[twj ga.r hvga,phsen o` qeo.j to.n ko,smon( w[ste to.n ui`o.n to.n ko,smon( w[ste to.n ui`o.n to.n monogenh/ e;dwken( i[na pa/j to.n monogenh/ e;dwken( i[na pa/j o` pisteu,wn eivj auvto.n mh. o` pisteu,wn eivj auvto.n mh. avpo,lhtai avllV e;ch| zwh.n avpo,lhtai avllV e;ch| zwh.n aivw,nionÅaivw,nionÅ

For God so loved the world that he For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16John 3:16

The Biblical The Biblical LanguagesLanguages

Hebrew – almost the Hebrew – almost the entire Old Testamententire Old Testament

Aramaic – portions of Aramaic – portions of Daniel and EzraDaniel and Ezra

Greek – the entire Greek – the entire New TestamentNew Testament

Key QuestionsKey Questions

How did Bible translation How did Bible translation begin?begin?

How does Bible translation How does Bible translation work?work?

Can I trust my English Can I trust my English translations?translations?

Which translations should Which translations should I use?I use?

A Brief History of Bible A Brief History of Bible TranslationTranslation

Some Early Bible Some Early Bible TranslationsTranslations

• The Septuagint The Septuagint (LXX)(LXX)

• Aramaic targumsAramaic targums• Syriac, including Syriac, including the Peshittathe Peshitta

• CopticCoptic• Latin, including Latin, including the Vulgate the Vulgate

A Major Change A Major Change for the Worsefor the Worse

• Changes produced by Latin Changes produced by Latin and Islamand Islam

• In the East missions began In the East missions began to cease, while in the West to cease, while in the West Latin became the only Latin became the only allowed versionallowed version

• A few translations were A few translations were made (Wycliffe) but these made (Wycliffe) but these were generally opposed by were generally opposed by the Churchthe Church

• Greek and Hebrew were Greek and Hebrew were virtually lost to the virtually lost to the Church in the West Church in the West

The Rebirth of The Rebirth of Bible TranslationBible Translation

• Constantinople and Constantinople and the Renaissancethe Renaissance

• The printing pressThe printing press

• The Reformation and The Reformation and Bible translationBible translation

The Modern Explosion The Modern Explosion in Bible Translationin Bible Translation

• Luther and the Luther and the ReformationReformation

• Wycliffe Bible Wycliffe Bible Translators and Translators and current Bible current Bible translation translation agenciesagencies

How Bible How Bible Translation WorksTranslation Works

Important Steps In Important Steps In TranslationTranslation

• Which books will be Which books will be translated? (Canonization)translated? (Canonization)

• Which manuscripts will be Which manuscripts will be consulted? (Textual consulted? (Textual criticism)criticism)

• What theory of translation What theory of translation will be followed?will be followed?

Which Books Will Which Books Will be Translated?be Translated?

Which Books Will Be Which Books Will Be Translated?Translated?

•Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox versions will contain the Deutero-versions will contain the Deutero-canonical bookscanonical books

•Protestant versions will usually not Protestant versions will usually not include the Deutero-canonical booksinclude the Deutero-canonical books

•Some Protestant versions have included Some Protestant versions have included the Deutero-canonical books separately the Deutero-canonical books separately (KJV, RSV)(KJV, RSV)

Which Manuscripts Which Manuscripts Will be Consulted?Will be Consulted?

Which Manuscripts Which Manuscripts will be consulted?will be consulted?

•Virtually all modern translations Virtually all modern translations base the OT primarily on the base the OT primarily on the Masoretic textMasoretic text

•Virtually all modern translations Virtually all modern translations consult other ancient versions (LXX, consult other ancient versions (LXX, Samaritan Pentateuch, etc) and will Samaritan Pentateuch, etc) and will occasionally follow them against the occasionally follow them against the Masoretic TextMasoretic Text


•Most modern translations use Most modern translations use an eclectic NT text, choosing an eclectic NT text, choosing the manuscripts that seem the manuscripts that seem best to the translatorsbest to the translators

•In general, most modern In general, most modern translations give priority to translations give priority to the Alexandrian text over the the Alexandrian text over the Byzantine/Majority textByzantine/Majority text


•The key exception to this rule The key exception to this rule is the New King James Version is the New King James Version which gives priority to the which gives priority to the Majority textMajority text

•Most modern translations will Most modern translations will footnote any major differences footnote any major differences between the manuscriptsbetween the manuscripts

Which Translation Which Translation Theory Will Be Theory Will Be

Used?Used?

Major Translation Major Translation TheoriesTheories

• Essentially literalEssentially literal

• Dynamic equivalenceDynamic equivalence

• ParaphraseParaphrase

Essentially Literal TranslationsEssentially Literal Translations

An essentially literal translation translates An essentially literal translation translates the meaning of every word in the original the meaning of every word in the original language, understood correctly in context, into language, understood correctly in context, into its nearest English equivalent, and attempts to its nearest English equivalent, and attempts to express the result with ordinary English word express the result with ordinary English word order and style, as far as that is possible order and style, as far as that is possible without distorting the meaning of the original…without distorting the meaning of the original…The main point is that essentially literal The main point is that essentially literal translations attempt to represent the meaning translations attempt to represent the meaning of every word in the original in some way or of every word in the original in some way or other in the resulting translation. other in the resulting translation.

Wayne Grudem, Wayne Grudem, Translating TruthTranslating Truth, 20, 20

Some Essentially Some Essentially Literal TranslationsLiteral Translations

•King James VersionKing James Version•New King James VersionNew King James Version•Revised Standard VersionRevised Standard Version•New Revised Standard New Revised Standard VersionVersion•New American Standard BibleNew American Standard Bible•English Standard VersionEnglish Standard Version

Advantages of Advantages of Essentially Literal Essentially Literal


•Keeps full meaning of text Keeps full meaning of text – even secondary nuances– even secondary nuances

•More consistent More consistent translations of Greek and translations of Greek and Hebrew words – more Hebrew words – more helpful for word studieshelpful for word studies

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Essentially Literal Essentially Literal


•More difficult to read – in many More difficult to read – in many versions the English is not as versions the English is not as smooth, and unfamiliar words and smooth, and unfamiliar words and metaphors are often usedmetaphors are often used

•Misunderstanding can occur if Misunderstanding can occur if people do not understand the people do not understand the words and metaphors being usedwords and metaphors being used

Dynamic Equivalence TranslationDynamic Equivalence Translation

A dynamic-equivalence translation can A dynamic-equivalence translation can also be called a thought-for-thought also be called a thought-for-thought translation…In making a thought-for-translation…In making a thought-for-thought translation, the translators must thought translation, the translators must do their best to enter into the thought do their best to enter into the thought patterns of the ancient authors and to patterns of the ancient authors and to present the same ideas, connotations, and present the same ideas, connotations, and effects in the receptor language.effects in the receptor language.

From the Introduction to the New Living Translation.From the Introduction to the New Living Translation.

Dynamic Equivalence TranslationDynamic Equivalence Translation

Dynamic equivalence translations Dynamic equivalence translations do not attempt to translate do not attempt to translate every word, but rather give the every word, but rather give the meaning of every thought (though meaning of every thought (though most words will be translated).most words will be translated).

Some Dynamic Some Dynamic Equivalence Equivalence TranslationsTranslations

•New International VersionNew International Version•Today’s New International Today’s New International VersionVersion•New Living Translation (but New Living Translation (but not the Living Bible)not the Living Bible)•Contemporary English VersionContemporary English Version•Good News BibleGood News Bible

Advantages of Advantages of Dynamic Equivalence Dynamic Equivalence


•The translations produced by The translations produced by this method are easier to read this method are easier to read and understand, and generally and understand, and generally are written in smoother Englishare written in smoother English

•These translations make it easy These translations make it easy to understand the central to understand the central meaning of a versemeaning of a verse

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Dynamic Equivalence Dynamic Equivalence

TranslationTranslation•Nuances and secondary meanings of Nuances and secondary meanings of the verse are often lost, the verse are often lost, especially when comparing with especially when comparing with other verses having the same other verses having the same underlying words or phrases in underlying words or phrases in the original languagesthe original languages

•This method requires more This method requires more interpretation by the translator interpretation by the translator than an essentially literal than an essentially literal translationtranslation

Paraphrase or Free TranslationParaphrase or Free Translation

A paraphrase or free A paraphrase or free translation is a loose translation is a loose rendering, usually from the rendering, usually from the same language, which intends same language, which intends to convey the meaning of the to convey the meaning of the original document in an easier original document in an easier to understand version to understand version

Paraphrase or Free TranslationParaphrase or Free Translation

Paraphrases or free translations Paraphrases or free translations are most concerned with a fresh are most concerned with a fresh way to express the meaning of way to express the meaning of the passage, and are generally the passage, and are generally not concerned to translate each not concerned to translate each underlying word or even phrase underlying word or even phrase from the original languagefrom the original language

Some Paraphrases/ Some Paraphrases/ Free TranslationsFree Translations

•Living BibleLiving Bible•The MessageThe Message

Advantages of Advantages of Paraphrase or Free Paraphrase or Free

TranslationTranslation•Translations produced by Translations produced by this method will usually this method will usually be very original and may be very original and may cause the reader to take cause the reader to take more notice of the passagemore notice of the passage

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Paraphrase or Free Paraphrase or Free

TranslationTranslation•These translations are These translations are highly interpretivehighly interpretive

•These translations have no These translations have no concern for translating concern for translating each underlying word or each underlying word or phrase and so are not good phrase and so are not good for study purposesfor study purposes

Comparison of Bible TranslationsComparison of Bible Translations2 Corinthians 5:142 Corinthians 5:14

NASB - For the love of Christ controls us, having NASB - For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;died;

NIV - For Christ's love compels us, because we are NIV - For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

NLT - Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we NLT - Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.we have all died to our old life.

Message - Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. Message - Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we His love has the first and last word in everything we do.do.

Our firm decision is to work from this focused Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. the same boat.

Comparison of Bible TranslationsComparison of Bible Translations1 Corinthians 7:271 Corinthians 7:27

• NASB - Are you bound to a wife? Do NASB - Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.a wife.

• NIV - Are you married? Do not seek NIV - Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife.not look for a wife.

• NLT - If you have a wife, do not NLT - If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.get married.

• Message - Are you married? Stay Message - Are you married? Stay married. Are you unmarried? Don't married. Are you unmarried? Don't get married.get married.

How To Choose and How To Choose and Effectively Use Bible Effectively Use Bible Translations TodayTranslations Today

Some Introductory Some Introductory CommentsComments

•There is no such thing as a There is no such thing as a perfect translation – language perfect translation – language is simply too complexis simply too complex

•Due to the fact that languages Due to the fact that languages change, all translations will change, all translations will have to be updated over timehave to be updated over time

Some Introductory Some Introductory CommentsComments

•All translations involve some All translations involve some amount interpretation by the amount interpretation by the translator, although there is much translator, although there is much less of this in essentially less of this in essentially literal translationsliteral translations

•No translation is perfectly “word No translation is perfectly “word for word”, nor is any translation for word”, nor is any translation perfectly “thought for thought” or perfectly “thought for thought” or a complete free rendering. All a complete free rendering. All exist on a spectrum. exist on a spectrum.

The Continuum of Bible The Continuum of Bible TranslationsTranslations

Choosing the Right Choosing the Right TranslationsTranslations

•If you can not read Greek and If you can not read Greek and Hebrew, you should use several Hebrew, you should use several different English translationsdifferent English translations

•You should choose translations You should choose translations which use different translation which use different translation methods. Note the graphic methods. Note the graphic below, and choose translations below, and choose translations from different parts of the from different parts of the continuum.continuum.

Comparison Chart for Bible Comparison Chart for Bible TranslationsTranslations

Essentially literal

Dynamic Equivalence

Paraphrase

Message

Living Bible

CEV

NLT

NIV

NRSV

NKJV

ESV

NASB

Interlinear

Bible


•Your main Bible should be one Your main Bible should be one of the translations on the of the translations on the left half of the graphic. I left half of the graphic. I would not recommend anything would not recommend anything less essentially literal than less essentially literal than the NIV for your regular the NIV for your regular Bible.Bible.


•You should have at least one You should have at least one translation that is based on a translation that is based on a different set of manuscripts (if different set of manuscripts (if you main Bible is the NIV, have you main Bible is the NIV, have either the King James or New either the King James or New King James as well), or at the King James as well), or at the minimum pay careful attention to minimum pay careful attention to the translation notes given in the translation notes given in the margins/footnotes. the margins/footnotes.


•Use or consult essentially Use or consult essentially literal translations for literal translations for serious studyserious study

•It is helpful to sometimes It is helpful to sometimes use a paraphrase to “shock” use a paraphrase to “shock” you into paying attention to you into paying attention to the passage.the passage.

Getting the Most Getting the Most out of Your out of Your

BibleBible•Read the introduction – most Read the introduction – most of them are quite informative of them are quite informative on how the translation was on how the translation was created – which manuscripts created – which manuscripts were used, what translation were used, what translation theory was followed, how theory was followed, how footnotes/marginal notes work footnotes/marginal notes work in the Bible, how the Divine in the Bible, how the Divine Name YHWH is printed, etc.Name YHWH is printed, etc.


BibleBible•Although you will have one Although you will have one version that is your favorite, version that is your favorite, use several versions in your use several versions in your study, and occasionally use a study, and occasionally use a different version for reading. different version for reading. This will ensure that you are This will ensure that you are not missing anything and will not missing anything and will help you to see the Scripture help you to see the Scripture more accurately.more accurately.


BibleBible•Use good Bible helps – Use good Bible helps – commentaries, introductions, commentaries, introductions, Bible encyclopedias, Bible Bible encyclopedias, Bible dictionaries, etc.dictionaries, etc.

•Read and study the Scripture Read and study the Scripture prayerfully, and with your whole prayerfully, and with your whole heart AND mind. God deserves no heart AND mind. God deserves no less!less!

Translation The Making of the Language Versions of the Biblical Writings.

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