How to Choose a Bible Translation
November 20, 2013 By | 14 Comments
Since the Bible was originally written in ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, it must be translated for most of us to read and understand it. In English, we have several options. But how are they different? How do you decide which version to read? Should you have more than one?
Here’s your guide to choosing a Bible translation.
What’s the difference?
Translating from an ancient language is a balancing act between precision and readability. The more strictly a translation holds to the word order of the original, the harder it is to read, and the smoother the translated language, generally the farther it strays from the original wording. Some translations sacrifice readability in favor of an extremely precise translation (like the NASB). Others play loose with the original word order and achieve a very smooth, highly readable final product (like the NLT). Most fill the space between those extremes.
There are four major translation methods:
- Verbal equivalence—translate with strong preference to use the same word order as the original
- Dynamic equivalence—translate with freedom to rearrange the order of words in the final product to enhance readability
- Hybrid—a combined approach in which a committee of scholars decide which method to use in each situation
- Paraphrase—translate with freedom to rearrange or use different words to express the author’s intent
(Some scholars argue this method is not even a translation, but something different.)
Do I need more than one?
Yes.
While some teach that highly readable translations are better for children and new believers, it’s wise for everyone to pair a precise translation with a highly readable one, especially when dealing with a more complex passage. The readable one may lead to faster understanding, while the precision can clarify that understanding.
The ESV, a balanced translation with a tendency toward precision, pairs well with NIrV, which prefers readability.
While the Faithlife Study Bible comes free with the LEB, there are many other translations available for $10.00 each on Logos.com. Pick your preferred translations today!
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