This series is designed to help people better understand the Bible and how it speaks to us. Read the series Introduction post to learn how this series is designed to help you.

It’s time to start focusing a bit more on the Bible we have in front of us as opposed to broad concepts and definitions about the Bible.

We’ll begin with talking about translations.

Translation 101

I have encountered many people over the years who ask about Bible translations. There seems to be two reasons for this:

1. People are somewhat interested in why there are so many English translations.

2. People are concerned if there is a “better” or “more correct” version than what they currently use.

Therefore, I want to briefly discuss translations so you have a better idea of what they are, what to expect from them, and how to understand and use them.

What are Translations?

Translations are the rendering of communication from one language to another. In the case of the Bible, we mean the rendering of the original Hebrew and Greek texts into a different language.

In this case, Hebrew and Greek are called the original languages, and the language being translated into is the recipient or target language. Knowing these terms will help you track with the rest of the post.

The Goal of Translation

The goal of translation is to present content from an original language into the target/recipient language. It seems obvious enough, but no two languages are the same. It is impossible to perfectly translate word for word from one language to another. As a language develops over centuries, it develops structures and nuances particular to that language.¹ Translations must take that into account. In the case of the Bible, both Hebrew and Greek have verb tenses that English doesn’t have. Thus translators must “play the dance” of accurately presenting the content of the original language through the parameters of grammar and syntax of the target language. 

What to Expect from Translations

As it is impossible to perfectly translate word for word from one language to any other, we are faced with challenges. The goal of translators is to communicate the meaning of the text in the original language into the target language. This process is a scientific art, not a mathematical equation. Our expectation, therefore, should be to take the ancient text, which has been faithfully translated into our native language, and seek its meaning as we read, study, and meditate through it. What was the original Biblical writer’s intended meaning when he wrote this? As someone who can read the Bible in its original languages and English, I have complete faith that our English translations are accurate and faithful, and they will be reliable in your pursuit of meaning.

How This Helps You

I believe better understanding your Bible helps you better understand God. Learning this has helped me, and I am confident that it will help you.

Zero percent of the Biblical writers spoke, wrote, or thought in English. English is a target/recipient language, not the original. That does not render our English Bibles as flawed or useless. It simply means that we have to approach the Bible diligently and with an understanding that the original writers did not think exactly the way we do today. But God’s Special Revelation is still available for us to grasp, and relationship with the King of all the universe is accessible.

Footnotes

1. An individual thinks in a language before they speak in that language. This accounts for many differences between languages. You and I don’t think in the same language that the Biblical writers thought in. Thus, there are differences and nuances to the thoughts of the Bible that we might struggle to naturally pick up. ↩︎