Bible Question:
Thank you, Makarios, for the response. When you say "more 'dynamic equivalent'" and "faithful to the original Greek", to which translations are you referring? Is it better (whatever that means) than the NIV or NLT, or would you consider it yet another study tool. I was aware of the website and the 'advertised' translation approach. It seemed similar to that of the NIV to me. Thanks again. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Mitelt, The ISV is a translation that seeks "precision" above anything else.. Case in point #1.. Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you." [ISV] The ISV, like the Holman Christian Standard Bible (which claims a translation philosophy of "optimal equivalence"), translates Luke 11:9 as "keep asking", "keep searching", and "keep knocking"... John 3:16 "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life." [ISV] We can plainly see in these two passages (Luke 11:9 and John 3:16) that the ISV is pretty close to the HCSB and NIV when it comes to Bible translation, making it a more "dynamically equivalent" translation. Even so, the ISV is more literal than the NIV (see and compare Romans 1:17, 1 Cor. 13:10), even though it is still clearly a 'dynamic equivalent' translation (for instance, see 1 Cor. 13:7). Which is more literal, dynamic, or 'better': the NIV, ISV or NLT?? I believe that that question is a matter of personal preference. I would say that I prefer the ISV to the NLT, and could find myself using the ISV side by side with the NIV or the HCSB.. I would most likely use the ISV as more of a tool than as my 'most used' translation, but that is just my personal preference. Blessings to you, Makarios |