Translating, in the context of the Bible, refers to the process of rendering the Scriptures from their original languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—into other languages. This endeavor is crucial for making the Word of God accessible to people of diverse linguistic backgrounds, allowing them to engage with the Scriptures in their native tongue.

Biblical Basis for Translation

The concept of translating the Scriptures is rooted in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This mandate implies the necessity of communicating the gospel message across cultural and linguistic barriers. The early church's use of the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, exemplifies the importance of translation in spreading the faith.

Historical Context

The translation of the Bible has a rich history, beginning with the Septuagint in the 3rd century BC, which made the Hebrew Scriptures accessible to Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians. The Latin Vulgate, translated by Jerome in the late 4th century AD, became the standard Bible for the Western Church for over a millennium.

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century marked a significant turning point in Bible translation. Reformers like Martin Luther and William Tyndale emphasized the importance of translating the Bible into vernacular languages, making it accessible to the common people. Tyndale's work laid the foundation for the King James Version, a pivotal English translation completed in 1611.

Principles of Translation

Translators of the Bible strive to balance accuracy, readability, and faithfulness to the original texts. This involves understanding the nuances of ancient languages and the cultural contexts in which the Scriptures were written. Translators must decide between formal equivalence (word-for-word translation) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought translation), each with its own strengths and challenges.

Modern Translations

Today, there are numerous translations of the Bible, each with its own approach and target audience. The Berean Standard Bible , for example, aims to provide a clear and accurate translation that is faithful to the original texts while being accessible to modern readers. It reflects a commitment to both scholarly precision and readability.

Theological Implications

The translation of the Bible is not merely a linguistic exercise but a theological endeavor. It involves interpreting the divine message and ensuring that the core truths of the Christian faith are preserved and communicated effectively. Translators must be guided by a deep reverence for the Scriptures and a commitment to conveying God's Word accurately.

Challenges in Translation

Translating the Bible presents several challenges, including linguistic differences, cultural contexts, and theological nuances. Certain Hebrew and Greek words may not have direct equivalents in other languages, requiring translators to make interpretive decisions. Additionally, cultural idioms and historical references must be carefully considered to convey the intended meaning.

Impact of Translation

The translation of the Bible has had a profound impact on Christianity, enabling the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church worldwide. It has empowered individuals to read and understand the Scriptures for themselves, fostering personal faith and devotion. The availability of the Bible in numerous languages continues to be a testament to the enduring relevance and transformative power of God's Word.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Translate.1656. eleos -- mercy, pity, compassion
... 1656 (translating OT 2617 , "covenant-loyalty, covenant-love" in the OT- over 170
times) -- properly, "mercy" as it is defined by . Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1656.htm - 6k

3510. nephros -- a kidney, fig. the (inmost) mind
... Philo (about ad 50) applied this term to "the emotions driving the conscience,"
ie . [The also used 3510 () this way when translating OT 3629 ("kidneys").]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3510.htm - 7k

6567a. parash -- to make distinct, declare
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to make distinct, declare NASB Word Usage declared
(1), made clear (1), scattered (1), translating (1). 6567, 6567a. ...
/hebrew/6567a.htm - 5k

An Open Letter on Translating
An Open Letter on Translating. <. An Open Letter on Translating Dr. Martin
Luther. Gary Mann Table of Contents. Title Page. Preface. Nuremberg Sept. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/an open letter on translating/

An Open Letter on Translating
An Open Letter on Translating. <. ... Title Page. An Open Letter on
Translating By Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546. Translated ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/an open letter on translating/title page.htm

Letter Lvii. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating.
... The Letters of St. Jerome. Letter LVII. To Pammachius on the Best Method of Translating.
Written to Pammachius (for whom see Letter LXVI.) in ad395. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lvii to pammachius on.htm

Preface
An Open Letter on Translating. <. ... I could not withhold it, as there has been
much discussion about the translating of the Old and New Testaments. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/an open letter on translating/preface.htm

Now Compare the Words of Origen, which I have Translated Word for ...
... I beg you not to consider my translation wearisome because it is longer; for the
object I had in translating the whole passage was to exhibit the purpose which ...
/.../19 now compare the words.htm

A Third Passage with which He Finds Fault is that in which I Gave ...
... following. and whose opinions I was translating into the Latin tongue. ... following.
and whose opinions I was translating into the Latin tongue. ...
/.../24 a third passage with.htm

But There is Danger of Expanding My Treatise Too Far and Becoming ...
... stand convicted. I said that I had followed or imitated you in your system
of translating, in that alone and in nothing else. Yet ...
/.../27 but there is danger.htm

After the Exposition of his Faith, or Rather his Lack of Knowledge ...
... hand. 11 (a). I wish to know who gave you permission to cut out a number
of passages from the work you were translating? You were ...
/.../11 after the exposition of.htm

We Will Now Proceed to Offer Some Remarks as to the Conditions ...
... to enquire) in the reality of the recorded revelation existed, the greatest care
would naturally be taken in making copies from it, and also in translating it. ...
/.../jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 4 we will now.htm

Translation of Pamphilus' Defence of Origen.
... Martyr Pamphilus for Origen; secondly, he wrote a short treatise on the Adulteration
by heretics of the works of Origen; and, thirdly, in translating the Peri ...
/.../translation of pamphilus defence of.htm

Translating (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Translate. Multi-Version
Concordance Translating (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 8:8 They ...
/t/translating.htm - 6k

Translation (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of translating, removing, or transferring; removal; also, the state
of being translated or removed; as, the translation of Enoch; the ...
/t/translation.htm - 9k

Lemuel (3 Occurrences)
... Instead of translating the word after this name as "oracle" some propose to leave
it as a proper name, translating "king of Massa," and referring for his ...
/l/lemuel.htm - 8k

Preparation (28 Occurrences)
... 22:5, where it is used in the ordinary sense "to make preparation," and once in
Nahum 2:3, "in the day of his preparation," both of them translating the same ...
/p/preparation.htm - 19k

Armenian
... He and two of his pupils at Samosata began by translating the Book of Proverbs,
and then the New Testament, from the Greek Meanwhile, being unable to find a ...
/a/armenian.htm - 18k

Version
... every church. This took place in less than a year after Tyndale was martyred
for the crime of translating the Scriptures. In 1539 ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Translated (15 Occurrences)

/t/translated.htm - 10k

Bible
... He and two of his pupils at Samosata began by translating the Book of Proverbs,
and then the New Testament, from the Greek Meanwhile, being unable to find a ...
/b/bible.htm - 101k

Targum
... One very marked feature is the presence of yath, the sign of the accusative translating
the Hebrew 'eth, whereas in ordinary Aramaic, Eastern and Western, this ...
/t/targum.htm - 38k

Vulgate
... is the old corrupted text, but that which is found in the Hexapla, and which we
are translating, is the same one which the version of the translators of the ...
/v/vulgate.htm - 38k

What is The Voice translation of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Saint Jerome? | GotQuestions.org

What is a Bible society? | GotQuestions.org

Translating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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