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:I noticed you are fairly new to the Study Bible Forum, and we welcome you. You asked a good question. I see you have had a few answers already. May I add something? (you really have no choice) The NIV is quite reliable and well translated. The NIV is a dynamic equalivenant translation. The idea is to translate the thought into English as accurately as possible. So the NIV does not attempt to makea word for word translation, but rather to get the most accurate thought as it was and able to be put into English wich is not an easy task. Literal translations like the NASB, KJV, and several others, attempt to translate word for word what is in the orignal languages. This is not always possible and it can be done but even at best sometimes equalivenant words must be used. So there is no 100 percent perfectly translated word for word translation. One would have to know Greek and Hebrew to get it exact. However the NASB the KJV and others do an excllent job. I prefer the NASB updated Translation myself. I use the NIV sis by side when studing. The word differences are not critical, as they are convaying the same meaning. An interesting point is the KJV of 1611 took almost a century before it was accepted by clergy and reading people. There are many who use the KJV today. I find the English rather hard to understand as many word meanings have changed over the nearly last 400 years. Gay is altogether different today as back in 1611 just to name one instance. This subject has been one I have enjoyed studying about for more than 40 years, and I learn something new quite often. What are your thoughts about what's been said so far? justme |