In this post I would like to innumerate some benefits of modified-literal
translations of the Bible. Examples of these types of translations are: the
King James Version, American Standard Version, New American
Standard Version, New King James Version, and to a lesser extent
the Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard Version.
The most recent modified-literal translation of note is the English Standard
Version. It stands between the Revised Standard and the New American
Standard Versions in literal quality.
There are several things about modified-literal translations that make them
very useful, but I will briefly discuss only a few points that are representative
of the whole.
(1.) Modified-literal translations of the sacred scriptures are generally closer
in form to the original texts, and therefore make better study bibles. They
attempt to show the student what is going on in the Hebrew and Greek texts.
(2.) Modified-literal translations are generally built on the actual words of the
Hebrew and Greek texts. This is important to the person who believes the
words in the original texts were breathed out by God. ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17;
1 Cor. 2:10-13)
(3.) Modified-literal translations do not take as many "liberties" with the text
as other kinds of versions. As a result they allow the student to determine
what the text teaches based on the actual words that are used.
(4.) Modified-literal translations are generally not as "wordy" as those that are
more idiomatic. They try to avoid supplying "unnecessary" words to the text.
They often attempt "word for word" equivalency, though such is not possible
one hundred percent of the time.
(5.) Nothing replaces a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, but not everyone
will or can learn the original languages of scripture. Therefore, the modified-
literal translations give the non linguist the best access to the form of the original.
RD
Copyright 2011
translations of the Bible. Examples of these types of translations are: the
King James Version, American Standard Version, New American
Standard Version, New King James Version, and to a lesser extent
the Revised Standard Version and the New Revised Standard Version.
The most recent modified-literal translation of note is the English Standard
Version. It stands between the Revised Standard and the New American
Standard Versions in literal quality.
There are several things about modified-literal translations that make them
very useful, but I will briefly discuss only a few points that are representative
of the whole.
(1.) Modified-literal translations of the sacred scriptures are generally closer
in form to the original texts, and therefore make better study bibles. They
attempt to show the student what is going on in the Hebrew and Greek texts.
(2.) Modified-literal translations are generally built on the actual words of the
Hebrew and Greek texts. This is important to the person who believes the
words in the original texts were breathed out by God. ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17;
1 Cor. 2:10-13)
(3.) Modified-literal translations do not take as many "liberties" with the text
as other kinds of versions. As a result they allow the student to determine
what the text teaches based on the actual words that are used.
(4.) Modified-literal translations are generally not as "wordy" as those that are
more idiomatic. They try to avoid supplying "unnecessary" words to the text.
They often attempt "word for word" equivalency, though such is not possible
one hundred percent of the time.
(5.) Nothing replaces a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, but not everyone
will or can learn the original languages of scripture. Therefore, the modified-
literal translations give the non linguist the best access to the form of the original.
RD
Copyright 2011
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