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Translating the Bible into English. CAN WE COUNT ON THE BIBLE WE HAVE? (8). In our Study We Have Examined:. Inspiration Canonization Transmission Today, Translation. Translating the Bible. Definitions: Manuscript – a handwritten document, original or copy
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Translating the Bible into English CAN WE COUNT ON THE BIBLE WE HAVE? (8)
In our Study We Have Examined: • Inspiration • Canonization • Transmission • Today, Translation
Translating the Bible Definitions: • Manuscript – a handwritten document, original or copy • Translation – rendering a given composition into a different language.
Translating the Bible Definitions: • Version – a translation from the original language of a literary text • Revision – the systematic reviewing and examination of a text within a language for the purpose or correcting errors and updating it.
Translating the Bible Early Translations • Septuagint (LXX) – Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (ca. 250-100 BC) • New Testament – early translations were in Syriac, Coptic, Latin, etc. • Latin Vulgate – Jerome, 4th & 5th century
Translating the Bible Early Translations • AD 200 – Portions in 7 languages • AD 500 – 13 languages • AD 1400 – 28 languages • AD 1800 – 57 languages • AD 1900 - 537 languages • AD 1980 – 1100 languages • AD 2006 – 2426 languages
Translating the Bible into English The history of English translation begins with spread of “Christianity” to Britain in 3rd century AD • AD 700 – Aldhelm, PsalmsAD 700 – Egbert, Synoptics AD 735 – Venerable Bede, John
Translating the Bible into English Wycliffe Translation • 1320-1384, Bible translated from 1382-1395 (finished after his death by followers)Translated from Latin Vulgate
Wycliffe Bible Beginning of John, Public Domain
Translating the Bible into English Tyndale Bible • 1492-1536, Father of the English BibleTranslated NT from Greek Language, part of OT from Hebrew.Persecuted & executed
Tyndale Bible Matt. 26:75-27:2 Public Domain
Translating the Bible into English Coverdale Bible • 1535, 1stcomplete printed Bible. Based on the Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible 1 Kings 21:18-22:16 http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/
Translating the Bible into English The Great Bible • 1539, “Great” due to its size. Chained to pulpits. Accepted and rejected
Translating the Bible into English The Geneva Bible • 1557, 1560, Began in England and completed in Switzerland due to persecutions of Mary Tudor
Geneva Bible Rev. 18:16-19:16 http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/
Translating the Bible into English Bishop’s Bible • 1568, So named because translated by Bishops. Milder notes than Geneva Bible.
Translating the Bible into English Rheims – Douay Bible • 1582, 1609From Latin Vulgate, a Catholic Version
The King James Version, 1611 Commissioned in 1604 A committee of 54 men divided into 6 companies in 3 cities
The King James Version, 1611 Rules for this version Bishop’s Bible was primary text Revisions to take place only as original called for it. Very limited notes in margins Old Ecclesiastical words retained Greek texts 1516, 1522 (TexusReceptus) (They used what was available to them)
The King James Version, 1611 It had its flaws, like any translation, but these were corrected in later editions When completed, it was the best English Bible produced up to that point. Respected by most parties NOTE: The KJV used today is the 1769 version by Dr. Blayney.
King James Bible, 16112 Thess. 1:1ff http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/
Various English Translations • Since production of KJV, many discoveries of mss, advancements in textual criticism, and availability of much earlier mss have occurred. ALSO, the English language has continued to develop. • This has prompted various English versions.
Various English Translations • Different types of translations • Literal translations – Young’s Literal, Darby, etc. • Word for Word – KJV, ASV, NKJV, NASU, RSV, ESV,… • Thought for thought – Good News, New Century Version. NOT Recommended
Various English Translations • Different types of translations • Balanced – NIV, God’s Word, TNIV. NOT recommended • Paraphrase – The Message, the Living Bible STRONGLY DISCOURAGED
Various English Translations • Example of a paraphrase: • KJV – Acts 22:16, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” • The Message, Acts 22:16, “So what are you waiting for? Get up and get yourself baptized, scrubbed clean of those sins and personally acquainted with God.”
Various English Translations • Difference in word for word translations • Why needed? English language evolving; Some versions have an agenda (NAB, NJB, NWT);Responses to textual Criticism.
Various English Translations • English Revised Version (ERV) • 1881-85, Based on discovery of more complete mss and earlier mss, a group of 65 advisors updated the English Bible. Placed more weight on earlier translations (Alexandrian text, the three codics)
Various English Translations • American Standard Version (ASV) • 1901, The American version of the ERV. 30 advisors that were involved in ERV. Used American English instead of British English.
Various English Translations • Revised Standard Version (RSV) • 1952, 32 translators, upgraded language of the ASV. They now had access to DSS.
Various English Translations • New International Version (NIV) • 1978, 115 translators that went back to original languages. NIV is a balanced text whose purpose was to be acceptable among many denominations.It has CALVINISTIC tendenciesCf. Col. 2:11, “sinful nature” some 23 times in place of flesh.
Various English Translations • New King James Version (NKJV) • 1981, 119 scholars updated the language and accuracy of the KJV. Added notes in margin based upon the NA/UB mss.
Various English Translations • New American Standard Version (NASV, NASU) • 1971, 1995, With some 54 translators, updated the language of the ASV. Used the Nestle-Aland ms (NA) and the United Bible Society ms (UBS)
Various English Translations • Concerning the updating of versions. • Recall that the New Testament was written in the COMMON language. Also, Jesus quoted from the LXX instead of the Hebrew. It was understood by the masses.BUT, RESPECT for the original language MUST remain intact!
Various English Translations • Final note: • In most reliable word for word versions & translations, there is acknowledgment of differences in the margins. So we can make informed decisions as we study the Bible – God’s word!
Will you accept it? We have available to us god’s word!