Do you beleive that the Bible is interpreted?

Question

Is it interpreted by the translators or even religious officials, or is it strictly taked word for word?

Answer 1

Absolutely. It was first written by sheltered men (women weren't allowed to be educated back then). Since then it has been translated and rewritten many many times. If you need proof, the commandment "Thou shall not kill" is actually supposed to read as "thou shall not commit murder". Quite different if you take them literally.

Answer 2

I assume you're talking about the translations from the original writings to, say the King James or NIV today.

There is a version called "Young's Literal Translation" which is a word for word translation of the Bible. Because of the nature of the two languages involved this is a very very difficult to understand version and is only useful as a reference for study.

Most translations involve some interpretation to render what was written in modern language. They tend to strive to be true to the original meaning, though. It tends to be a linguistic interpretation rather than a theological one. The New American Standard, for example, is a pretty literal translation.

There are some translations out there which are theological interpretations. For example, "The Message" takes huge liberties with the text. It treads the line between translation and commentary.

Then there are translations such as the Jehova's Witnesses' "New World Translations" which aren't really true to the original meaning of the text at all. They add their own doctrine as if it were there to begin with.

Answer 3

The translations are as accurate as the translators can make them. However, different groups use various techniques for interpretation. Literalists maintain that everything in the Bible is true, word-for-word. Contexualists, on the other hand, hold that various questions must be asked before an interpretation is attempted. Some of these questions are: Who wrote it? What was his purpose in writing it. What kind of literature is it? Was it written in a time of peace or war? Who were the enemies? When was it written? Was this an original piece of work, or was it a revision of earlier, similar stories? These two, main techniques have caused much dissension in various branches of Christianity.

Answer 4

I stick with the KJV1611 that many people died to bring forth ! It took more then 50 theologians that knew more then 5 languages each to translate the Word of God. The Bible states that the Holy Spirit will lead you to truth. So you need to first be a believer and then God will open your eyes to understand the word. No interpretation needed. it is what it is! God sais what he means and means what He sais. No ways around it! I pay attention to the verses where the Prophets say"Thus sais the Lord, or where the Bible said And Jesus said, answered or spoke: That is where I know I am on the right track!

Answer 5

The bible has been interpreted and reinterpreted only about 1000 times over the last few thousand years--yes I mean old testament too. Considering most of it is written in metaphor and hyperbole how could it be anything else besides an interpretation by whomever is using it at the time?

Answer 6

It has allways had been interpreted and if u see now is more interpreted than any time..humans try to find different things that then they were untold.U can see as example The Da Vinci Code witch made several incidents in different cowntries with a conservatorism thinking

Answer 7

its should never be taken word for word

just look at Judaism

they have something called the written Torah and the oral Torah. The written is what you call the OT the oral is a much larger explanation and understanding of what the Bible is saying.

for example if you read the Bible litterly then if I accidentally blind your eye I should have my eye blinded out as well.

but the oral Torah insted says that you must pay the person the value of his eye in money. and then goes on describe how to value a persons eye.

Answer 8

It is common knowledge , there are many translation, I think its like the whisper in your ear game , when handed down the line it tends to change.
So I like going back to the oldest writings in ancient Greek and translating my self even then there is room for err but the Holy Spirit that inspired the book is still teaching today.

Answer 9

It was translated not interpreted. Translated means word for word, interpreted means they took their understanding and recorded that. But it was translated.

Answer 10

The Bible is constantly interpreted and re-interpreted. There are several versions of it. That should provide a clue.