MidnightCall Magazine
News From Israel MagazineBible Translations
The Bible is the most widely translated book in the entire world. Each year it tops the bestseller list. The Bible is unique in its field because it is the only book that documents history, records details about our present time and contains a wealth of information concerning the future.
No one has ever proven wrong such facts as dates, names and places recorded in Scripture. Each one is accurate and can be confirmed scientifically and archeologically. Much is written in the Bible regarding our present age. For example, Ezekiel wrote this about the return of the Jews to Israel: “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country” (Ezekiel 34:13). The Jews have and are returning even today to the land of their fathers. Countless tourists have traveled to Israel and can attest to the truth recorded in Ezekiel 36:35: “And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.”
The Bible also contains information about the nations of the world. The Holy Spirit inspired the prophet Joel to write these words approximately 800 years before Christ was even born: “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2). What a remarkably accurate description! No nation agrees with the borders God has established for Israel: From the Euphrates River to the river of Egypt. And since all nations disagree, they are actually fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 3:2, which states they have parted the land, His land.
Also important to mention is Revelation 13:8: “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.” Obviously this couldn’t possibly have been fulfilled several centuries ago, but today religious unity is becoming a reality and we can be sure that regardless of differences, all people will worship the image of the beast in the end. Therefore, we can state with assurance that the Bible has proven itself to be reliable in accurately recording past history, it is confirming the truth regarding prophecy today, thus we can be sure that the future will be fulfilled precisely as documented in Scripture.
ORIGINAL TEXTS
Unfortunately, we no longer have the original Bible manuscripts. However, we do have more than 25,000 fragments of Scripture that have been copied by hand. Some skeptics have argued that the original message has been lost due to errors in copying, rendering the Bible an unreliable source. But in 1947, handwritten scrolls were discovered in Israel near the Dead Sea. Those 2,000–year old copies were virtually identical to the Bible we have today.
Unger’s Bible Dictionary provides this explanation under “Dead Sea Scrolls”:
The Dead Sea Scrolls: The last nine years (1947–1956) have witnessed phenomenal archaeological discoveries in Palestine,which are of tremendous importance to Biblical studies, and which are revolutionizing the approach to the text of the Old Testa ment as well as the background of the New Testament. In addition, the new manuscript material is shedding a flood of light on the tertestamental period from Malachi to John the Baptist.
The Date of the Scrolls: Despite the fact that a series of fantastic attacks was made against the antiquity and even the authenticity of the original group of these documents, three lines of evidence demonstrate that they have been correctly dated well before A.D. 70 by W. F. Allbright and other competent paleographers (W. F. Albright, “The Bible After Twenty Years of Archeology,” 1932– 1952, in Religion in Life XXI, 4, 1952, p.540).The first line of evidence is that of radiocarbon count, which dates the linen in which the scrolls were wrapped to a general era about 175 B.C. to 225 A.D. (Cf. O.R. Sellers, “Radiocarbon Dating of Cloth from the “Ain Feshka Cave,” Bull. Of the Am. Schs.Of Or. Res., 123,October, 1951, p. 24f.).More precise is the paleographic evidence. The forms of the letters employed by the various scribes in the recovered scrolls represent a period of more than a century.The letters themselves are intermediate between the known script of the third century B.C. and the middle of the first century A.D.
The Contents of the Scrolls: The contents of the new manuscripts from the Dead Sea caves are partly Biblical and partly intertestamental. The Biblical material includes two scrolls of Isaiah, one of which is complete, and most of the first two chapters of Habakkuk, beside fragments of all of the Old Testament books except Esther. Of the fragmentary manuscripts, the majority is from the Pentateuchal books, Isaiah or Psalms.However, fragments of Jeremiah and Daniel are numerous. To date some 100 Biblical manuscripts have been found. The Isaiah Scroll found in 1947, in the initial manuscript discovery, has remained the most famous of the finds. This complete document of Isaiah quite understandably created a sensation since it was the first major Biblical manuscript of great antiquity ever to be recovered. Interest in it was especially keen since it antedates by more than a thousand years the oldest Hebrew texts preserved in the Massoretic tradition, which is the basis of all recent Biblical translations and which does not go back earlier than 900 A.D. It is this fact that makes the Dead Sea Scrolls, containing the Hebrew text of the entire book of Isaiah and dating as early as 125–100 B.C., not only “the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times,” (W.F. Albright, Bib. Archeologist Vol XI, 3, Sept., 1948, p.55) but constitutes the documents themselves “the oldest existing manuscripts of the Bible in any language” (John C. Trever, Bull. Am. Schs. Or Res. 113, Feb. 1949, p.23). Copyright 1957 by Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 12th printing — 1965 — pgs. 252–253.
NOT IN ENGLISH
These scrolls were written in Hebrew. In order for a person to understand what has been written in these scrolls, he would first have to master the Hebrew language or rely on scholars who have. Of course, that is easier said than done because of the various ways of translating a paragraph, a sentence or even a word.
Obviously if a person is not fluent in at least two languages he cannot possibly comprehend the difficulties that arise in the areas of translation. For example, look up the word “organic” in a dictionary and you will find at least eight definitions. So if you were attempting to translate a passage that included the word “organic,” you would have to choose the word that best fits the context. Choosing the right one is a challenge.
TRANSLATORS
A tremendous amount of work is involved in translating Scripture into different languages. Finding the appropriate combination of words and phrases is not a job for the layman. To further complicate the translation process, a number of different manuscripts are available today so scholars debate which ones are most accurate. In any event, we praise God that He has called scholars who possess the gift, knowledge and courage necessary to undertake the immense task of translating the Bible into different languages.
MARTIN LUTHER
Dr. Martin Luther is credited as being the leader of the Reformation, but he was also a very famous translator. His translation of the Bible into the German language is considered a masterpiece and became a model for many more translations in several languages. Luther’s translation was printed with the 1440 invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg and became public property.
WHICH TRANSLATION?
All translations are relatively new and since all translations are the product of human effort, it is impossible to have one that is perfect. Just this morning I read Mark 14:3, which states in the King James English translation: “and she brake the box and poured it on his head.” Martin Luther’s German translation of the same verse states: “she broke the glass and poured it on his head.” Both translations are considered excellent, so how can they include such different words? Strong’s Hebrew/Greek Dictionary lists the definition of this word in the Greek as being of “Uncertain derivation. The name of a stone: properly an ‘alabaster’ box, that is [by extension] a perfume vase.” The translator used the word with the most comprehensive definition used in that context.
A modern example is the Hebrew word shalom, which means peace. In Israel, people use the word shalom to greet each other and when they depart each other’s company. Therefore, to properly translate this word, we would say “Good Morning” if it were before noon and “Good Afternoon” if it was after 12:00. But we never actually used the equivalent word “peace” (shalom) in our translation.
Another problem we run into is the claim by many Hebrew Christians who seem to have plenty of evidence indicating the New Testament was written in Hebrew and not Greek. Furthermore, translations vary in accordance with cultures and customs. For example, until recently a “farthing” was considered the smallest coin in British currency. Four “farthings” equaled one penny, 12 pennies
made up one shilling and 20 shilling was called a pound. In the meantime, virtually all nations, including the UK have altered their currency to the European decimal system. A common English word was used in order for English-speaking readers to understand the smallest of currency denominations.
The same is true with words such as “thee,” “thou” and “thine,” which are not found in the original Hebrew. It was customary and considered proper etiquette at the time of translation for English-speaking people to address royalty or members of high society in that way. It was also customary to address God in like manner.
Let’s look at a simple example of the Greek and English in the following computer translation of John 3:16:
John 3:16 AV (English)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Greek Literal:( From the Original)
outwv gar {FOR SO} hgaphsen o {LOVED} yeov {GOD} ton {THE} kosmon {WORLD} wste ton {THAT} uion autou {HIS SON} ton {THE} monogenh {ONLY BEGOTTEN} edwken {HE GAVE,} ina {THAT} pav {EVERYONE} o {WHO} pisteuwn {BELIEVES} eiv {ON} auton mh {HIM} apolhtai {MAY NOT PERISH,} all {BUT} ech {MAY HAVE} zwhn {LIFE} aiwnion {ETERNAL.}Greek Transliterated (From Greek to English)
{FOR SO} houto gar {LOVED} agapao {GOD} {THE} ho theos {THE WORLD} ton kosmos {THAT} hoste {HIS SON} huios autos {THE} ton {ONLY BEGOTTEN} monogenes {HE GAVE,}didomi {THAT} hina pas {EVERYONE} to {WHO} {BELIEVES} pisteuon {ON} eis {HIM} autov {MAY NOT PERISH,} me apollumi {BUT} alla {MAY HAVE} echo {LIFE} zoe {ETERNAL.}aionios
Notice the many words that were not translated in English because they simply do not exist in our language. Therefore, we must research the meaning of those words and translate them into our own language so they become understandable to us. In that process, words will be added and deleted, but a good translation must present the full meaning of the message it intends to convey.
WHICH BIBLE?
Midnight Call founder, Dr. Wim Malgo, wrote the following in an article in 1975, which we published in the September issue. Here is an excerpt:
We believe in the divine inspiration of the whole Bible in its original text,and therewith the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures.
The translation of the Bible in the first place has nothing to do with a particular form of expression. Where the translation of books is concerned the following points must be kept in mind: every book, in order to express itself, has a body, which is the words; it has a soul, which is the meaning, expressed through the words; it also has a spirit,which is the style or character of the author. Whoever changes the words, the meaning and the spirit of the author, from one language into another, translates. This means that a translation must have three aspects as follows:
1. A verbal aspect,which means finding other words to express the author’s words.
2. A practical aspect, which expresses the meaning of the book in another language.
3. An ideal aspect, which reproduces the spirit, the individual character or style of the author.A translation is only perfect when it manages to present the body, soul and spirit of a book in another language. In the same way a translation is only then complete when there is a true representation of the body, soul and spirit of a book. We are not yet speaking of Bible translation here, but of the translation of any book or brochure. A translation is only then good when the translator has not merely understood the words and the meaning of the book but has also penetrated deeply into the spirit of the writing and then by means of words and conception translates the spirit of the book from one language into the other. With this we come to the subject of Bible translation, which so many venture with great enthusiasm today, simply because they have learned Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Whoever looks only at the words however, that is the body of the writing will replace the Hebrew, Greek and Latin letters with English ones and then will call this “exchange of signs” a “translation.” This mere verbal, grammatical and mechanical exchange of words is no more a translation than if, for instance, the Pope were to have exchanged clothes with the Dalai Lama. Their attitude would be unchanged; they would not be changed into one another. As is obvious, a change of clothes does not change the person, but is merely an outward change, which in no way changes the inner man. What then is a perfect translation? Answer: The truest. It is true to the word, the meaning and the spirit of the author.That is:
- True to the spirit, in as far as it is graspable
- True to the meaning, in as far as it is intelligible
- True to the word, in as far as it is translatable into another language.
While we strongly object to Bible criticism — because it attacks the historical and spiritual contents of the Bible — we do support textual criticism. This textual criticism deals with the following questions: Is this a good translation or a bad one? Who is the translator? Whose spirit is inherent in it, that of the translator or that of the author? A good translation excludes all arbitrariness, which aims at making acceptable that which is objectionable, or perverting biblical teachings, adjusting the spirit of the Scriptures to the spirit of the translator or that of his times. Therefore, the Bible cannot be modernized because it has its origin in the unchangeable and eternal God. Now, what do we find in the Bible?
- Words
- A high meaning
- A divine Spirit
- In every doctrine, the meaning of the Scriptures is so high and lofty that it is the most sublime. The Spirit in the Holy Scriptures in general and in particular is divine; that is, from God.And the words, the expression is “true from the beginning” (Psalm 119:160), because nowhere does it attempt to make what is naturally objectionable acceptable and there is no artificiality. With this we come to the absolute pointlessness — to the “sin of translation,” which is rampant in our times — of intellectuals who have not been born again,and who have no idea about the Spirit of the Holy Scriptures, offering us translations in modern speech, because they find the language of the Holy Spirit “double-Dutch.” It is not surprising though, because the Bible says,“the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit for they are foolishness to him” (1 Corinthians 2:14 and 1:18).
- Today, when "Bible translators" thrust aside the Spirit and the meaning of the lofty divine revelation, substituting their own spirit and thoughts, it is not regarded as false, but as an improvement, even though God’s Word is watered down and put up for sale and is therefore a fake. How can a man produce a good Bible translation when he himself has not grasped the high meaning and the divine Spirit of the Bible? As in all other cases the Spirit is at the root of the meaning and the meaning is at the root of the words. The meaning and Spirit of the Holy Scriptures have two qualities, which make the Bible the Book of all books. These are its holy simplicity and its holy anointing. This holy simplicity is timeless and the holy anointing declares to us its higher source.
WHICH TRANSLATION IS BEST?
So which translation is best? You will have to decide for yourself. But remember, you can’t compare one translation with another; to get an accurate understanding of a translation you must compare the one you are using to the oldest available original manuscript. This is relatively useless to the majority of people because we do not understand Hebrew or Greek. But we do have a number of translations available to us in our own language. I have gained wonderful insights by reading several different translations in their entirety. When we search the Scriptures prayerfully, the Holy Spirit will guide and direct us to discover new truths and often, inadequate translations. While my personal preference in the English language is the King James Version, I have detected such errors as the plural use of the word “devil” of which there is only one, or Holy Ghost instead of Holy Spirit because a ghost is a non-entity, the Holy Spirit, however, is God. There are numerous other technical discrepancies, particularly when compared with Luther’s translation; however, my overall judgment is that the King James Version is an excellent English translation of the Holy Scriptures. Although contrary to Martin Luther’s work, the King James is a government product initiated by political authority King James. The result is a remarkable document in the English language that is without equal in modern history.
HOW CAN WE TRUST OUR TRANSLATIONS?
John 16:3 says: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” In other words, the bottom line is that we must be born again in order to receive what God has inspired to be recorded in the Bible. Of course that doesn’t solve the discrepancy of whether a “box” or a “glass” was used in the Mark passage, but we can easily understand the simple message that Jesus is conveying regardless of what language or translation we use.
THE MIRACLE OF TRANSLATION
Not surprising, there are theologians who have not been born again of the Spirit of God who are manufacturing a great many heresies because they do not know what to do with words they have read. Those people fall into the category described in 1 Corinthians 2:14–15: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”
FALSE TRANSLATORS
In spite of the so-called inconsistencies and contradictions contained in all translations, our gracious God has seen fit to have His message translated and read in many different languages. He has used these man-made translations to call millions to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the great miracle of translation.
THE GREAT DANGER
The point I want to convey in this article is the great danger of condemning the Church of Jesus Christ because of Bible translations. I have read the King James translation many times since my 1967 conversion. I have also read the Luther translation in German and the NIV in English. Although there are many discrepancies between these translations the fundamental message is the same: God created man in His image, man disobeyed God and was separated from Him spiritually, physically and condemned to die. But because of His great love, God provided a way to be reconciled to Him and that was through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. The shedding of His blood satisfied God’s wrath and provides pardon for those who receive His forgiveness.
THE GREAT SIN
I have received an abundance of literature over the years from various sources that condemn all translations other than the King James Version. Some have even gone so far as to say all translations except the King James Version are the work of the devil. Such a statement is blasphemy against the Body of Christ. Jesus said He would build His Church and He is blessing and confirming the work of thousands of translators throughout the centuries. He will continue to build His Church, which consists of people from all nations, languages, and tribes by using numerous translations of His Word.
Furthermore, I have found the work of those who write off all other translations as being “New-Age Bible versions” to be unreliable and often extremely dishonest. One pamphlet I received compared KJV words with words used in other translations. The writer asserted that if the other translation does not match the KJV, then it is of the devil. As stated earlier, the only proper way to check the accuracy of a translation is to compare it with the oldest available manuscript. To do so requires fluency in Hebrew and Greek, but even a Ph.D. in those languages cannot completely prepare a person for the tedious work of translation because a language must be lived to be fully understood.
The best translation is one that you are able to read and understand. I praise our heavenly Father for seeing fit to call servants into the ministry of translation to present His immense riches in all languages so that each servant of the Lord can continue to proclaim the glorious message that Jesus saves and He is coming again! “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).