TRANSLATION

"Translation" is the process of bringing the message of the Scriptures from the original languages -- Hebrew, Aramaic (O.T.), and Greek (N.T.) -- into the various languages and dialects of the nations of the world. Translations vary in quality. Producing a translation from one language to another is not an easy task. The ideal is to render the message of the Bible in the most accurate and understandable way possible. This involves several things. (a) The best textual base possible. See TEXT. Though the King James Version (1611) is still a wonderful translation, its textual base was exceedingly limited compared to later versions (e.g., the American Standard Version - 1901). (b) The translator who believes he is dealing with God's words will be more likely to produce a better rendition than the liberal scholar who believes that the biblical documents are mere human productions with flaws common to man. (c) All translations will include, to some degree, the translators' bias with reference to difficult passages, the rendition of which is subject to some controversy. The KJV reflects some Calvinistic influence (cf. Eph. 2:3 -- "by nature children of wrath"). The RSV's "young woman" (Isa. 7:14) hints of liberal bias. The New World Translation (published by the Watchtower society) is rank with the theological flavor of that cult. (d) The "translation philosophy" of the translator will be a factor in how close the version remains to the original text. While it is not always possible to yield a translation that corresponds to the original text, word-for-word, the closer one is able to stay to the original, the richer the yield will be. The more modern approach, called Dynamic Equivalence (as seen in the NIV and numerous other modern versions) allows more latitude to the translator, hence surrenders itself to a looser version. (e) While not all versions are of equal merit, one could learn how to become a Christian, and arrive in heaven at last, from most any of the modern versions. It must be noted that Jesus and the apostles frequently quoted from the Septuagint, which was considerably inferior to the Hebrew Scriptures. This was because it was the more common Bible of that day. In the modern world of many translations (some of which can be helpful tools), the student today should strive for the utmost accuracy in a day-to-day study Bible. The use of a more conservative version would facilitate this goal.