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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Translational Difficulties, Living Bible | NT general Archive 1 | Makarios | 69304 | ||
Translational Difficulties in the Living Bible If obscurity and poor English are the failings of a literal translation, freer translations sometimes err by moving too far from the author's cultural context or by adding meaning that was not in the mind of the original author. The popular Living Bible (LB) at times loses the cultural setting in its attempt to use contemporary language. Translating "lamps" as "flashlights" (Ps. 119:105 LB), a "holy kiss" as "handshakes" (1 Peter 5:14 LB), and "kissed" as "embraced him in friendly fashion" (Matt. 26:49 LB) all move away from the historical context and hence away from the author's intended meaning. There is also the danger of adding meaning not present in the original. In 1 Kings 20:11, for example, we find in the Living Bible, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch!" But the Hebrew proverb in this passage is "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off" (NIV). We can be sure that King Ahab did not have chickens in mind when he spoke these words! As the TEV puts it, "A real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it." Even this, however, is not quite accurate. Although it conveys the general truth of the proverb more clearly, it loses the image of taking off armor. Of the dynamic equivalent translations, I prefer the NIV rendering in 1 Kings 20:11 (compare NASB, NKJV, ESV), since proverbs, by their very nature, are meant to be understood through reflecting on the analogy drawn. In any case, the Living Bible translation is inaccurate not because it is idiomatic but because it goes beyond the author's intended meaning. - Makarios |
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2 | Translational Difficulties, Living Bible | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 69858 | ||
Hi, Makarios. The only thing that diminishes the latent humor of some of these ridiculous so-called translations is the stark realization that these people are tinkering with the God-breathed Holy Scriptures. I have a translation of sorts in my library called the New Century Version. I give you this line of exalted poetry taken from their rendition of Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your walking stick comfort me." Leave it to the paraphrasers to let us in on the secret: God uses a walking stick! --Hank | ||||||
3 | Translational Difficulties, Living Bible | NT general Archive 1 | Makarios | 69886 | ||
Hank, What a most convoluted rendering of Psalm 23! :-) I agree, these paraphrasers bring out a lot out of the Bible! Perhaps if these paraphrasers agreed with each other, then we'd have something.. :-) Blessings to you, Makarios |
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