And what is the oldest version of the Bible you used to verify that the current one is correct?

Question

After all, it's about 1900 years old.

Answer 1

What is the oldest Bible version?

"What is the oldest Bible version?" becomes a logical question today if you're trying to purchase a Bible. The choices of Bibles confronting today's reader are overwhelming. So what exactly distinguishes one version from another? Primarily, the difference lies in the language in which the text was written.

The Bible in one form or another can be found in scores of languages, including ancient languages. In fact, the Bible was originally written and preserved in two ancient texts. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the New Testament written entirely in Greek. The oldest printed translation of the Bible into the English language dates back nearly five hundred years, when in 1524 William Tyndale first printed the New Testament.

So, what is the oldest Bible version? Centuries before Tyndale's English translation of the Bible, two versions existed in Latin. The Latin Vulgate is a translation into 'common' (vulgar, thereby vulgate) Latin completed by Jerome in 383 CE. Jerome did the translation himself directly from the Hebrew, and today it is commonly known as The Vulgate.

However, there is a much older Latin version of the Bible, used for centuries by Christendom. This version, called The Old Latin Vulgate (or Itala), is known to have been in existence by AD 157. Church father Turtullian, in his own writings dated around 200 C.E, cited various Latin quotations directly from The Old Latin Vulgate. This "original" vulgate (Latin) version continued to be used for nearly a millennium, until Latin basically ceased being a common language.

What is the oldest Bible version? Consider the original recipients of Scripture. God, in communicating His love for man and His desire for a loving relationship with them, set apart an individual through whom He would communicate and illustrate that love. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants became that vehicle. And the very first portions of Scripture (God's message to man) were written in their language, which was Hebrew. Portions of the Old Testament in Hebrew date back several hundred years further than either the Greek or Latin versions. With the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, manuscripts now exist from as early as 168 B.C., and confirm that Hebrew was still the language used by Jews during the time of Christ. In fact, their discovery has helped establish the preciseness and integrity of Hebrew scribes in accurately reproducing manuscripts throughout the ages.

The oldest Bible versions available to us today are millennia old. The Masoretic Text, written in Hebrew, became the standard authorized Hebrew text around 100 AD. It existed prior to the writings of the New Testament, confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls as early as 168 B.C., and was used as the official Hebrew Old Testament at the time the biblical canon was established.

So what is the significance of all this, you ask? The significance lies in love. God's love for you! His story is a love story, a story which began millennia ago. Across the centuries, His love has guarded it and protected it. Today, it lies within your own hands. Don't let it slip through your fingers. God's love cherished you. Open His gift today and discover your love story written across its pages.

Answer 2

I read the original Greek from Byzantine-text type manuscripts (Majority Text) and the Hebrew Masoretic Text, as well as the Septuagint version. The modern Bible translations of today are accurate. Feel free to debate me on the topic, my e-mail is [e-mail]

The Word of God stands forever!

Answer 3

The Latin Vulgate is the oldest available Bible manuscript, dating I believe 400 AD or so. It is the one used by the Catholic Churches.

Answer 4

The Greek Septuagint is a common starting point, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Answer 5

Quam'ram collection; Vulgate, Septuigant, Mazzertic collection and all the other regulars. Straight old school boyeeee

Answer 6

What you're suggesting is that every ancient piece of paper with writing on it is falsified.

To be realistic, the only method of copying anything at the time was hand writing it as many times as you could. Conspiracy theories rarely have much basis.

Answer 7

Jews rely on one from about 1000 years ago.

Answer 8

Aren't some of the books as recent as the 3rd century AD (i.e. 2nd Peter)?

Answer 9

Man, you obviously know nothing about studying the bible!! Besides all of the concordances with original text and stuff, we also have a little known thing, it's called the internet!

Answer 10

You can view the full text of all of the ancient Bibles online, free of charge, at:
WWW.BIBLES-ONLINE.NET

If you then wish to purchase a copy of any of these ancient Bibles, they are offered at:
WWW.GREATSITE.COM

Genuine Originals start around $3,000.... and affordable copied start under $200.