Bible Study Different Version, same verse, different meaning

[mutzrein]

I’ve noticed in my flicking through pages of scripture, apparent differences in meaning applied to verses when different bible versions are compared. Now I haven’t particularly studied this – it is just something that I have noticed over time. The interesting thing is, often one word either added or omitted can say something completely different.

Here’s a couple of examples.

Romans 9:5
KJV - Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
NIV - Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

John 1:18
KJV - No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
NIV - No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Notice the difference? One says Jesus IS God – in this case the NIV. The KJV doesn’t.

In any case at this point I’m not particularly looking to debate what it says but to just identify other passages that have these subtle differences. So if anyone else on the forum knows of more of these I’d sure appreciate your input – and . . . why not . . . comment is appreciated too.

Thanks

 

[Skipdawg]

Yes there can be differences in versions of the Bible and the meaning and context can change completely in some.

If you want to look more into this here are a couple sites that can be helpful with this.

http://www.av1611.org/biblecom.html
http://www.bibletranslation.ws/comp.html

 

[mutzrein]

Yes there can be differences in versions of the Bible and the meaning and context can change completely in some.

If you want to look more into this here are a couple sites that can be helpful with this.

http://www.av1611.org/biblecom.html
http://www.bibletranslation.ws/comp.html

Great. Thanks for that Skipdawg - looks like an excellent resource.

 

[Geo]

Usually KJV is more complete, but sometimes I just don't know what
it's actually about, like last night reading " the 100 pages before the
New Testament" I didn't understand the KJ, where the NIV is very clear.

Habakkuk 5 / KJV

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously:
for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though
it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation,
which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the
dwellingplaces that are not their's. They are terrible and dreadful: their
judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce
than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves,
and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that
hasteth to eat. They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up
as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them:
they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing
this his power unto his god.

---------------------------------------

Habakkuk 5 / NIV

Look at the nations and watch -- and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and
impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize
dwelling-places not their own. They are feared and dreaded people;
they are a law to themselves and promote their own honour.

Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence.

Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand.
They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities;
they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like
the wind and go on -- guilty men, whose own strength is their god.

 

[mutzrein]

Usually KJV is more complete, but sometimes I just don't know what
it's actually about, like last night reading " the 100 pages before the
New Testament" I didn't understand the KJ, where the NIV is very clear.

Habakkuk 5 / KJV

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously:
for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though
it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation,
which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the
dwellingplaces that are not their's. They are terrible and dreadful: their
judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce
than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves,
and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that
hasteth to eat. They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up
as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them:
they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing
this his power unto his god.

---------------------------------------

Habakkuk 5 / NIV

Look at the nations and watch -- and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and
impetuous people, who sweep across the whole earth to seize
dwelling-places not their own. They are feared and dreaded people;
they are a law to themselves and promote their own honour.

Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk.
Their cavalry gallops headlong; their horsemen come from afar.
They fly like a vulture swooping to devour; they all come bent on violence.

Their hordes advance like a desert wind and gather prisoners like sand.
They deride kings and scoff at rulers. They laugh at all fortified cities;
they build earthen ramps and capture them. Then they sweep past like
the wind and go on -- guilty men, whose own strength is their god.

I see what you mean Geo. The NIV is certainly easier to understand in some passages but I actually find a certain beauty in the way the KJV language is constructed as well.

Thanks

 

[Skipdawg]

I found another not so well know version that i like to use now in study.
Known as the KJV 21

Here is the author site. It is not a rewrite as the NKJV or MKJV but an actual update to the KJV Bible. Check it out. Was worth the price to me.

http://www.kj21.com

I also grabbed the TMB while at it http://www.tmbible.com :