Bible Question: I had a question about different bible translations. Namely, word choice in the KJV and NIV. I do know that the NIV uses the original Hebrew documents for translation, but what about the KJV (and others?)? What do they use? Why is there discrepency in wording? Why is it not consistant? Some of the differences in translations can cause doubt in validity. Can someone shed some light on translation history? |
Bible Answer: bcollier Understand the translators of KVJ and NIV were trying to accomplish two different things. The translators of the KJV were trying as best they could to provide a word for word translation. This is sometimes not possible as some Greek/Hebrew words do not have a direct word for word translation into English. the translators of the NIV were trying to make a more readable Bible therefore they attempted to do a thought for thought translation. In other words they took a verse in Greek/Hebrew and translated it not necessarily word for word but in a way that was easy to read yet retained the meaning of the original. That is why the KJV and NIV read differently. However you can be sure the idea, the thought, the truth contained in the original is accurately conveyed within the translation. EdB |