Why Are There So Many Translations?
Oct 21Tue,2008 / Category: Answering The Challenge /
Recently, while preparing for our upcoming bible conference, I received a series of questions concerning why there are so many different bible translations. Even now as I write this blog I can look over at my book shelf and finding upwards of seven different translations. As a collector of bibles I own a number of translations ranging from the Interlinear Greek/English New Testament (3rd edition) to the Jerusalem Study Bible to the old faithful King James Version. Each one is beautiful from a literary perspective and a valuable study tool for my teaching ministry. All of the translations I have mentioned are considered, by most conservative bible scholars, as trustworthy. This is not to say that every translation is reliable or should be trusted as a credible account of God’s word. Bibles like the New World Translations (used by Jehovah’s Witnesses) or The Book of Mormon (used by the Latter Day Saints) should be totally avoided because of their heretical nature. But in order to answer the question more directly let me give 2 simple reasons for the number of different translations:
1. Updates In Language: One of the major reasons for newer translations is the need to update our bibles to reflect modern day language. Many people love and swear by the King James Version of the Bible, however many more find it difficult to read. Words like, thou, smote, whatsoever are simply not used in our modern vernacular and act as impediments to understanding the message of scripture. Therefore many bible scholars work diligently to make sure there are translations available on the market which use and reflect words that are still in existence, thereby making it easier for the reader to understand the text.
2. Differences In Approach: Without being overly technical I think that it is important for us to understand what a translation is. A translation is an attempt to convert the bible from its original language (Hebrew/Greek) to another user language (i.e. english, german, russian or swahili) in order to make it possible for people to get God’s word in their own language. Now certain translations attempt to translate the bible word for word from the original language to the user language such as is the case for the King James Version or the New American Standard Bible. While other translations seek to convey the original message, thought for thought, without doing any harm to the text such as is the case for the New International Version. Both approaches have their pluses and minuses. Word for word translations are focused solely on staying true to the original text in a didactic way, but are often times awkward in certain passages and difficult to read. Thought for thought translations are more focused on the reader being able to understand the message being taught in scripture and although easy to read, they have an added layer of interpretation built into the text because the translator had to make some assumptions about the original meaning of the text in order to update the wording. Neither is wrong they are just different. It is important for you to know what you are getting when you read different translations. Again word for word like a KJV is focused on maintaining the word order of the original text even if it makes it harder on the reader and NIV is focused on the readers understanding even if it means adjusting certain word order, as long as the heart of the text is not compromised.
All of this can be somewhat challenging to understand, but here is the bottom line. Most translations are reliable and will give you a pretty accurate reflection of what was in the original. But my recommendation is to try your best to seek to conservative translations like KJV, NKJV, NASB or NIV. Another tip that I recommend is to read from multiple versions when you are studying. I often will refer to KJV, NASB and NIV when I am preparing for a sermon. Different translations are extremely helpful for getting a full picture of the text.
�
One Comment :Leave A Comment |
Blake Henderson
November 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Pastor, how does the theological message of Genesis Chapter One address concepts such as Atheism, Polytheism, Materialism (philosophical) and Evolution?