I understand that the original biblical text was in Hebrew. Why do so many people read a man's translation? KJ

Question

Of course, I certainly understand that most do not understand the original languages, but wouldn't the devout make the effort to learn the language so they could be a little closer to Him?

Answer 1

No, the original biblical text was in several different languages, including Hebrew and those mentioned by the first responder. It was translated several times until King James ordered a more or less standardised version to be written in the high English that was spoken in his day in an effort to gain better control over the members of the Church of England. It has been modernized & updated numerous times since then by people who are uncomfortable with the formal language of King James' version.

And every time the content, context, interpretation, and meaning has been changed to suit the point of view of the latest Pope, King, Queen, or whoever happened to be in charge of the project.

Answer 2

OT was originally Hebrew but translated into Greek in Alexandria before Jesus was born. Jesus quotes the Septuagint, the Greek translation. The NT was never in anything but Greek. Modern translations are much more accuratre than the KJV which was based on a small number of not very ancient copies. Today we have thousands of copies and fragments made much closer to the original date of writing, and in checking each against the other we can easily detect editing errors and intentional tampering. The "lost in translation" argument is false. That doesn't make anything in the Bible true, but we have closer to an orginal today than most of the church has had available at any time prior. So it's the canon of scripture alright, warts and all.

Answer 3

Even if you could learn Hebrew and Greek, you still would not have the benefit that a translation society has. Very few translations have been done by one man, but most have been done by a translation society or committee that includes hundreds of Greek, and Hebrew scholars that will take textual criticism, cultural significances, as well as various contexts into consideration.

Jesus said that His burden was light, not heavy. If one has to become a scholar in Greek and Hebrew just to be saved, that is certainly not a light burden!

P.S. Reading the quotes that Jesus uses of the Old Testament, it seems that Jesus almost always quoted the Septuagent, and Greek translation of the Hebrew text. If a translation was good enough for Jesus, I don't know why we would say it isn't good enough for us now.

Answer 4

Well, just to be clear...

The 39 books of the Old Testement were written in Hebrew. The 37 books of the New Testement were written in Greek. (And Jesus spoke Aramaic and Hebrew)

Why do we need translations? It's an old question and certainly some men have died over the answer. (Such as Wycliffe) The prevailing thought in churches today is that people need the Bible in their vernacular language to understand it best. Teaching everyone Greek and Hebrew is a good idea... just not something most people are interested in.

Answer 5

Much of it was in Hebrew, but much was also in ancient Greek. The Bible has been VERY carefully translated so that we can read and understand it-- and it is STILL being translated into other languages today. Want to learn more? Log on to Wycliff Bible Translators.

Answer 6

not many people can read Hebrew. and actually the Bible was in Greek and Aramaic. its like translating a book you cant understand from one language to another. but you do have to be care full of books that are translated. remember what god as written no man must change. also remember that the good book was translated threw god but written by men.

Answer 7

Just a point to clarify: The NT wasn't always in Greek. It was translated into Latin after the Roman Empire was decreed the Holy Roman Empire, and this Latin text--referred to as the Vulgate--was what the KJV was translated from.

Answer 8

It wasn't written by one man. Scholars did the translation and it's a good translation, only it's in old English.

Why do people read the translation? Because they don't know Hebrew.

Answer 9

if i could speak and understand hebrew and greek i would read the hebrew and greek texts. I don't prefer the kjv myself i prefer the new american bible. its not in old english.

Answer 10

Most of us cant read nor understand Hebrew