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Bible Study Is there any significant difference in bible translations?

W

Winnie

I started with the niv, then read the nasb for about 4 or 5 years, now I am reading the niv again because I no longer have the nasb at this time. And it seems to be interesting again.
Except reading the old testament right now in Samuel. I really dont care for the way it reads in many areas. Choppy.
I was wondering since I am no greek or hebrew scholar, at all, if there is any significant difference that is actually important between various versions. ?
 
Winnie said:
I started with the niv, then read the nasb for about 4 or 5 years, now I am reading the niv again because I no longer have the nasb at this time. And it seems to be interesting again.
Except reading the old testament right now in Samuel. I really dont care for the way it reads in many areas. Choppy.
I was wondering since I am no greek or hebrew scholar, at all, if there is any significant difference that is actually important between various versions. ?
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difference is a loaded question i carry the kjv its what i cut my teeth on not a big fan of niv but it is ok to use . i like the chrisian standard Bible what ever translation you feel comfortably with use it https://www.biblegateway.com/
 
Winnie said:
I started with the niv, then read the nasb for about 4 or 5 years, now I am reading the niv again because I no longer have the nasb at this time. And it seems to be interesting again.
Except reading the old testament right now in Samuel. I really dont care for the way it reads in many areas. Choppy.
I was wondering since I am no greek or hebrew scholar, at all, if there is any significant difference that is actually important between various versions. ?
Click to expand...
Yes and no.
NIV is more thought for thought translation. But many of the nuances are lost.
NASB is more word for word translation...but again the same thing with losing nuances.

English is the absolute worst receptor language of any translation.

The best thing that I can recommend is to understand the nuances of how your translation is done. Read the forward in the front and the notations and understand what they mean.

The most annotated bible is the Holman Christian Standard. But the translation is kinda questionable in spots. And that's what's odd about it. The notations reverse or change the translation.

Most all modern translations use the Biblia Hebraica Studengartsia and the United Bible Society V4 for manuscript collaborations.

Both of the translations you are currently using rely upon the above manuscripts and are the most non-denominational. All other translations are denomination specific with bents towards particular theological positions. The HCSB is SBC bent. The ESV is bent towards Calvinism. I like one by Messianic Jews in South Africa. (It's unique)

The NKJV is my wife's favorite.
The common KJV is the last of three translation attempts. The updates after that were by another name as the first three spanned over 125 years. King James had long since died before the common one we use today was completed.
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/ this link has every Bible translation there is as far as i know use it to compare just a note many feel kjv is God version that is wrong .God did not authorize versions study study is your best bet with what you feel comfortable with and can understand
 
I try to refer to multiple translations. I've referenced KJV, NKJV, NIV, and ESV. Each brings its own unique qualities. Some of the newer ones take into consideration the new source references found over the years. Some of the newer revisions also use language that accounts for changes in word meanings over the years. For example, we no longer speak in Elizabethan English and some of the words had different meanings 500 years ago than they do today.
 
Winnie said:
I started with the niv, then read the nasb for about 4 or 5 years, now I am reading the niv again because I no longer have the nasb at this time. And it seems to be interesting again.
Except reading the old testament right now in Samuel. I really dont care for the way it reads in many areas. Choppy.
I was wondering since I am no greek or hebrew scholar, at all, if there is any significant difference that is actually important between various versions. ?
Click to expand...
The different Bibles do not deviate from the basic message of scripture but they do have to choose between nuances.
You might consider an Amplified Bible because it gives the various meanings of Greek and Hebrew words so that you get a better understanding of what is meant to be conveyed.
I like the NIV for it's readability but I currently read a bible which uses the NKJ version for the NT and a translation of the Septuagint for the OT.


iakov the fool
 
I find the ESV best suits my Bible studies when the English language is important. Otherwise I use a translation called "Halleluyah Scriptures" which uses Paleo Hebrew Script for it's translation.

You can get a copy of this Bible, Halleluyah Scripture, by going to their web site, halleluyahscriptures.com. The Bibles are free, just a donation is all that's required.
 
Like Chopper, I use two versions most of the time and on occasion I use the KJV. The Hallelujah Scriptures and then I go to my previoujs favoritgde, the NASB. I cut my Spiritual Teeth on the idea for idea, KJV. There is a single version I strongly disapprove of and will never use, the NWT (New World Translation). I read the fly leaf of an older printing and it was clearly stated the translators choose one meaning for each word and they never deviated, no matter the flow of the text. I spent better than four years, living in other Countries. Niow, if I straight across tell a European or a South East Asian that it was raining cats and puppy dogs outside, in Europe I would at best get strange looks. Contextual flow has everything to do with the definition of any word used and English, as I've learned is the most specific language in use on our planet and every one of us should realize this one word = one definition is absurd.

Lther than that I promote reading the version yo are most comfortable with.
 
Lots of good stuff! I strongly recommend online sources for various versions: blueletterbible.org doesn't have as many versions but their search function is better in their "classic" (blbclassic.org)
Biblegateway.com does have more versions, including GW (God's Word) which is widely heralded by translators as being really good.
Most differences between versions don't really change the meaning. When you're stuck on a meaning, consulting many different versions is a great tool!
After KJV I went Amplified.
 
Truth7t7 said:
A translation from the Alexandrian Text type.
Matthew 17:21, 18:11, Acts 8:34 are missing verses?
Standard proof text for the Alexandrian Egyptian Greek Text Type.
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From: https://www.laridian.com/content/tsfaq.asp?RecordID=149&resultsFormat=categories

NKJV: What does NU-Text and M-Text mean in the footnotes?
For example, see Matthew 1:7.
Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa[1]. [1] NU-Text reads Asaph.​
The following is quoted from the front matter of the New King James Version.
New King James Footnotes Important textual variants in the Old Testament are identified in a standard form. The textual notes in the present edition of the New Testament make no evaluation of readings, but do clearly indicate the manuscript sources of readings. They objectively present the facts without such tendentious remarks as "the best manuscripts omit" or "the most reliable manuscripts read." Such notes are value judgments that differ according to varying viewpoints on the text. By giving a clearly defined set of variants the New King James Version benefits readers of all textual persuasions. Where significant variations occur in the New Testament Greek manuscripts, textual notes are classified as follows:
  1. NU-Text These variations from the traditional text generally represent the Alexandrian or Egyptian type of text described previously in "The New Testament Text." They are found in the Critical Text published in the twenty-seventh edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (N) and in the United Bible Societies’ fourth edition (U), hence the acronym, "NU-Text."
 
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