2006-08-08 04:44:52 · 12 answers · asked by Its my Duty 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
None really, because they are all translations. If you know Hebrew, Aramaic, and Sumerian and you can find the source scrolls, you might be able to read the most accurate thing. But, that is not likely to happen. The next best thing would be to read a compilation that is entirely in Hebrew. Barring that, maybe a translation that is translated directly from the source, not from some other translation like Greek or Latin (which most translations are).
When translating, meanings get messed up because words can mean many things.
As for the King James Version, only the Old Testament is from the Hebrew. The New Testament is from a Latin version that is translated from a Greek version.
2006-08-08 04:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by Icy U 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hebrew Bible, or the Christian Old Testament, is a collection of stories that were passed down through an oral tradition. They were eventually written down and passed down that way. They were all handwritten, and errors could have occurred with the new editions. When Christianity started, the oldest books in the New Testament were written about 50 years after Jesus died. There wasn’t a set book either. Each congregation probably had a few copies of letters from Paul and some other writings. When the Christians had the Hebrew Bible, they needed it translated into Latin. It wasn’t until Constantine commissioned to have books made for him did the Christians sit down and make a canon. Books went in, and books went out. Not all of the books were written in the same language in the first place. A lot of redacting occurred.
When Christianity spread, the primary language was Latin. People would try and translate it into the popular vernacular, but they were typically burned at the stake. Older translations, like the King James Version, though beautiful and poetic, are not very accurate. Since then, older texts have been found and translated. Modern scholars rely on many sources for translation, and they work together. I would suggest getting The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. If there is any debate over translation, it’s in the footnotes.
2006-08-08 11:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The King James Version is about as popular you can get. But no Bible out on the market is "authentic. Otherwise the "true" bible is is pieces and in hebrew that is forgotten... Historians have try their best to get it to the true translation. But unfortunely they have found that sometimes they have misinterpt the meanings and therefore have re-translate it. When there are people that say that the Bible is a guideline -- it is true. It has great morales to live by. Values to keep. But as for the stories it is a nice piece of fiction to read when you need up lifting. The best way to believe in the Lord is not really his book or his place of worship regardless of your religion, but what you feel in you heart and soul. And that comes with time and age. You have to feel his loving Spirit in you and then you will hear his true words....
2006-08-08 11:55:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible has been modified so many times, that it is very different from the original writings. The authentic version is the scrolls that are put away in museums.
2006-08-08 11:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by shirley_corsini 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is modified to keep up with changing language. In some Bible's words such as thou, thy, and thine (for example) are used in the intent of showing respect. In others these archaic forms are removed for easier reading and understanding.
2006-08-08 11:53:04 · answer #5 · answered by freeze_guy_2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The version spoken by the Holy Spirit to your heart as you read any version is the true one. Reading the scriptures opens the Spiritual channel, but the Word of The Lord is spoken
2006-08-08 11:47:56 · answer #6 · answered by Just David 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic text ... which by the way, we don't have. KJ is flawed, by the way, so don't buy into that nonsense. NIV is easy to read. NASB is fair. TEV is best for just reading, but it is a paraphrase, and therefore the slanted opinion of the person doing the paraphrasing.
2006-08-08 11:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All works of religion are changed with time. Even the KJV is a poor translation of the works it came from. If you are looking for some spiritual wellbeing, then read it, take from it what you are told to and move on. If you realism, stay away from them.
2006-08-08 11:51:09 · answer #8 · answered by Arcturus R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible, like the talmud and the Quran, have been revised, re-writen dozens if not hundreds of times.
It's mythology. Nothing more.
Try not to confuse myth with reality ok?
2006-08-08 11:56:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible is only modified to keep up with the ever changing language to make it easier to understand.
www.biblegateway.com might have more answers for you.
2006-08-08 11:49:00 · answer #10 · answered by DREAK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋