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Why Are There Different Bible Translations?
The Bible was originally written in a couple of ancient languages.
- Hebrew primarily for the Old Testament
- Greek primarily for the New Testament.
- Aramaic in a couple of places.
Since the Bible was not written originally in English, what we read in our English Bible is a translation from the original languages.
These different works are called a translation, or a version.
There are two primary schools of thought for Bible translation which differs depending on the objective.
- A version most accurate to the original language (word-for-word)
- A version to convey the intent of the original language (thought-for-thought)
Previous Scripture Spy blog posts on Bible Versions:
Lost in Translation? The Best Translation for Inductive Study
Anyone can study the Bible on their own by prayer, using solid study methods and incorporating good Bible tools like a concordance, topical Bible, etc.
When it is useful to compare Bible versions:
When comparison is useful
When it is useful to compare Bible versions:
- Deeper personal study
- Preparation to teach others more about a passage
- Hard to understand verses. Some original words are hard to translate between languages.
- Clarifying historical and/or cultural wording like metaphors, archaic terminology, etc.
Three good sources for comparing versions
- Bible Gateway: 1 verse with 58 English versions.
- Youversion app: Mobile app with several versions, you choose.
- Bible Hub: 1 verse with 24+ versions.
Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway gives you the most comprehensive look at other verses.
I usually scan it for differences. Sometimes I highlight the same region of the verse with variables as in this example.
Youversion app
This is a Bible version comparison you can use quickly with just an app, even on your phone. After you highlight a verse (dotted underline), go to the compare button at the bottom.
Next this will open a window with the translation you are using first. You can then add as many versions as you wish (one at a time), for comparison. They will open every time you try to compare other verses too, unless you go to the edit in the upper right hand corner and delete a translation or reorder them.
Bible Hub
Bible Hub is a powerful website for Bible study. To look at various versions of the Bible, put in your reference and go the the link, "Parallel."
Once to open the Parallel page, you will find over 20 common versions, and also more literal versions after that, and Catholic Bibles.
There is also a menu with "Audio, Cross, Study, Comm and Heb/Greek" These stand for Audio Bible, Cross References, Study Bible, Commentaries and the original language.
Searching the Scriptures
With the internet today we have so many tools at our fingertips for studying the Word of God directly. You do not need to rely on devotionals or preachers only for your spiritual food. Get into the Word of God yourself today!
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Lamentations 3:40 ESV
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Previous post: The Eyes Have It
Upcoming post: New Series
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Reflect:
Do you have a favorite Bible version? Why?
Do you use a couple different ones for different purposes?
Do you struggle with some Bible versions? Dtermine to prayerfully entrust God’s Word to the Lord Himself and faithfully study the Bible version you prefer with joy!
