Written by Peter Rodriguez
Available in other languages: Português
ON THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE
The biblical books were originally writen in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek.
The commonly used translations we have are direct translations from those languages. We rely on original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek manuscripts when doing translation. If we would say the truth, the fact is that every modern translation is a single-step process: from the original language to the modern language.
Original texts are easily accessible, and they are available (even online) for anyone who prefer to read through them.
Those who read the Bible through the originals recognize that our commonly used translations are reliable (they even consult multiple translations in their reading). They speak about what they know and actually studied about. Translating the Bible involves a rigorous process, and nowadays, it is not done by a single person but by teams of scholars.
Now, here are some of the approaches by which the Bible is translated:
- Formal equivalence (more literal) – These translations aim to stay as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, preserving word order and grammar where feasible. Examples: King James Version (KJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), Revised Standard Version (RSV).
- Dynamic equivalence (less literal) – These prioritize conveying the original meaning in natural language, even if it means rephrasing. Examples: New Living Translation (NLT) and Good News Bible (GNT).
- Optimal equivalence (hybrid) – These blend literality and readability, adjusting the method based on what best conveys the original meaning in natural English. Examples: New International Version (NIV).
- Hyper-literal translation – A rigid word-for-word approach that often preserves the original structure and even idioms in their literal meaning. Examples: Young’s Literal Translation (YLT), Literal Standard Version (LSV), and interlinear Bibles.
As an example, let us compare below different translations of the Gospel of Matthew 11:28, originally written in Koine Greek. Note that the message delivered in English is the same in each translation. They simply use different wording and structure to convey the same thing that was written by the biblical author in the original language.
Hyper-literal translation: “Come unto me, all ye labouring and burdened ones, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28 YLT)
Formal equivalence (literal): “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 KJV)
Dynamic equivalence (less literal): “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
Optimal equivalence (hybrid): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)
Did you note that the message delivered in English is the same in each translation?
It is simply a matter of using different words, or sometimes rearranging them, to express the same meaning.
Now, we must also remember that the Bible was written in the language of men—with all its limitations and nuances. We attach different meanings to the same word. There is not one word for each distinct idea. So, because of this, translations may sometimes differ on certain points.
In such cases, how can we know which one of the possible meanings the biblical author was using?
And which translation approach (literal, less literal, etc) should you choose?
The answer to the last question depends on how you spend your time with the Bible, which will also help address the first question. The best way to spend time with the Bible is through study, not mere reading. There is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the Bible through and yet fail to understand its meaning and see its beauty, harmony, and heavenly glory.
The knowledge of God is not gained without effort (Proverbs 2:1-13).
The Bible must be studied, verse by verse dissected, and cherished in the heart. As the Master said, “Examine the Scriptures” (John 5:39). A careful study of the Scriptures will also make you pay attention to the context surrounding a word with double meaning, and context is key to know which one of the possible meanings the biblical author was using for that word.
For study, more literal translations are preferable.
Though they can sound awkward and unnatural, the more literal translations provide higher accuracy, which makes them appropriate for in-depth study and useful for linguistic analysis.
Less literal translations prioritize readability over strict accuracy. They sometimes reflect the translator’s interpretation more than the original wording, which makes them less suitable for study. Additionally, some nuances, poetic devices, wordplay, and subtle connections may be lost in less literal translations. For these reasons, a more literal translation of the biblical text is prioritized in this series (Light in Babylon) whenever possible, even when this approach results in language that sounds unnatural and awkward.
At the same time, a strictly literal approach to translation should not always be used, as it can sometimes actually lead to meanings that differ entirely from what the biblical author intended.
This is true for modern languages as well: the meanings we attach to many words and expressions in our own languages sometimes differ from their literal definitions. Idioms exist, and the different peoples of the earth often have unique ways of expressing ideas. For this reason, it is important not to rely solely on hyper-literal translations but to compare multiple translations in your study. The explanations of linguists and those who have studied the languages in which the Bible was written must be taken into account (as is done in this series, in the main text or in footnotes).
For those who prefer it, an alternative to translations is to study the original languages in which the biblical books were written: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek.
Many of God’s servants study the Bible reading directly in its original languages.
But the translations we have are enough and provide the same access to God’s words.
