Why do Jehovah's Witnesses not reveal who translated the Bible they publish?

Question

Why do they not publish the credentials of the people that they used to translate their Bible? I am thinking about a Bible study with a Witness and I am wary of using a Bible when the people who translated it cannot be checked out. What if they were wrong in their translations? Who were they? Are they experts in thier field? I am asking this with all due respect. I would like help in finding out this question. Thank you, for any information on this subject because I have asked the person who I am supposed to study with and she does not know.

Answer 1

Just use whatever bible translation you prefer!

The New World Translation team itself requested anonymity. It seems likely that the team is mostly deceased at this point, since NWT was completed about 45 years ago.

Jehovah's Witnesses certainly like NWT, but they are happy to use any translation which an interested person may prefer, and in fact Jehovah's Witnesses themselves distribute other translations besides NWT. Jehovah's Witnesses attach no particular infallibility or inspiration to NWT. Many Witnesses have a half-dozen or more translations in their personal library, and use them in their study and ministry.

Since the same manuscripts used by the NWT translators are still widely available for study, and since there are dozens of alternate translations for comparison, anyone who chooses to use NWT does so informedly.

It seems that the vast majority of the criticism against the New World Translation is actually as a proxy for blind hatred against Jehovah's Witnesses. The hatred must be "blind" since secular experts of biblical Hebrew and Greek have consistently refused to condemn any particular verse or phrase as an unacceptable translation. Instead, it is religionists with preconceived theologies who bigotedly insist upon particular wordings, since these are necessary to prop up the shaky tenets of their false worship.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

It seems significant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/na/
http://watchtower.org/e/20020915/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050715/article_02.htm

Answer 2

You said: "I am thinking about a Bible study with a Witness and I am wary of using a Bible when the people who translated it cannot be checked out."

First of all, in your study, use your own Bible, regardless of which one it is, we do not care what Bible you use, because the Truth is in all Bibles. When I am talking to people at their door, I always carry a "King James Bible" with me, because most people like this Bible. I prefer our "modern translation" because this is the way we speak today.

Who were the translators?

Why does the New World Translation not show, in its preface, the names and scholastic standing of its translators?

Over the years, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has printed many different Bible translations. In doing so we have not ignored the wishes of the translators. For example, in 1972 we published The Bible in Living English in the style and format desired by its translator.

On September 3, 1949, the New World Bible Translation Committee presented us with a completed translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. This manuscript, along with their work on the Hebrew Scriptures that followed, became our legal property. In regard to this, page 258 of the book Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose notes: “The one request of the translation committee was that its members remain anonymous even after their death.” We have kept our agreement and respected their wishes.

But why was this stipulation made? These translators were not seeking prominence; they did not desire to draw attention to themselves.


Over the years other translation committees have taken a similar view. For example, the jacket of the Reference Edition (1971) of the New American Standard Bible states: “We have not used any scholar’s name for reference or recommendations because it is our belief God’s Word should stand on its merits.”

Is it really a scholarly translation?

Since the translators have chosen to remain anonymous, the question cannot here be answered in terms of their educational background. The translation must be appraised on its own merits.

What kind of translation is this? For one thing, it is an accurate, largely literal translation from the original languages. It is not a loose paraphrase, in which the translators leave out details that they consider unimportant and add ideas that they believe will be helpful. As an aid to students, a number of editions provide extensive footnotes showing variant readings where expressions can legitimately be rendered in more than one way, also a listing of the specific ancient manuscripts on which certain renderings are based.

Some verses may not read the same as what a person is accustomed to. Which rendering is right? Readers are invited to examine manuscript support cited in footnotes of the Reference edition of the New World Translation, read explanations given in the appendix, and compare the rendering with a variety of other translations. They will generally find that some other translators have also seen the need to express the matter in a similar manner.

Why is the name Jehovah used in the Christian Greek Scriptures?

It should be noted that the New World Translation is not the only Bible that does this. The divine name appears in translations of the Christian Greek Scriptures into Hebrew, in passages where quotations are made directly from the inspired Hebrew Scriptures. The Emphatic Diaglott (1864) contains the name Jehovah 18 times. Versions of the Christian Greek Scriptures in at least 38 other languages also use a vernacular form of the divine name.

Why are some verses apparently missing?

Those verses, found in some translations, are not in the oldest available Bible manuscripts. Comparison with other modern translations, such as The New English Bible and the Catholic Jerusalem Bible, shows that other translators have also recognized that the verses in question do not belong in the Bible. In some instances, they were taken from another part of the Bible and added to the text being copied by a scribe.

differences between the New World Translation and the King James Version and other old versions. The more striking differences consist of things appearing in the older versions that are not found in the later ones or that are shown only in footnotes. Why is that? Because most copyists’ errors are additions to the text rather than omissions. Thus Bible scholars today agree that the last twelve verses of the Gospel of Mark (16:9-20) and the first eleven verses of the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John were not part of the original writings. And neither were the words “in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth,” which are found at 1 John 5:7, 8 in the Douay and the King James versions.

Just who translated this remarkable Bible? The Watchtower of September 15, 1950, said: “The men who compose the translation committee have indicated their desire . . . to remain anonymous, and specifically do not want their names to be published while they are in life or after death. The purpose of the translation is to exalt the name of the living, true God.” Some critics charged that the work should be summarily dismissed as the product of amateurs, but not all took such an unreasonable stance. Writes Alan S. Duthie: “If we know "WHO" the translators or the publishers of a particular Bible translation are, does it help us to decide whether that translation is good or bad? Not directly. There is no substitute for examining the characteristics of each translation itself.”

So if you study, use your Bible

Answer 3

Hi Bonnie,

Please, do not acknowledge any hater comments from people. The New World Translation of The Holy Scriptures were translated by the new world bible translation committee. Although the members of the committee that translated the NWT wished to remain anonymous, former members of the Governing Body have stated that the translation committee consisted of 6 members:
Frederick William Franz
George Gangas
Milton Henschel
Karl Klein
Nathan Knorr
Albert Schroeder

They chose to remain anonomyous for purpose of controversies. For a while, Witnesses used the King James Version, until many conflicting things came up. Then, they decided to fully and carefully translate the original scriptures. It is said to be the most accurate translation yet, without any bias.

I hope that this factor does not stop you from learning the truth. If you study with them, you will see for yourself how everyhing fits in with the bible.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Use your own Bible during your study! That'll settle that. I did the same thing when I first began to study with them and it's ok. No one will say a word, and if you conrinue to study with Witnesses, you can always change to the NWT if you want to. As for why the name is not released, I don't know for certain. Perhaps because it was not just one person? I really don't know, but I personally have read the entire Bible twice, and I have not seen any changes that would concern me. I can understand the language and therefore the meaning better, and that is what I find helpful. Good luck in your search for the truth!!

Answer 5

The only translator that had any knowledge of Greek was Fred Franz. The others on the team, as listed by Ray Franz in Crisis of Conscience, did not. I imagine they did not release the names as it shows the lack of credibility.

One of the most deceptive changes in the NWT is the addition of the word Jehovah to the New Testament, as it has never appeared there. See http://jwfacts.com/index_files/Jehovah.htm for a full discussion on this. Adding this word significantly changes the meaning of the New Testament.

Before joining any controversial religion cult experts like Steven Hassan recommend researching all aspects of the religion, including talking to ex members. Only then can you make an informed decision. I definitely recommend reading Crisis of Conscience. Also jwfacts.com has a lot of information such as the false predictions that the JWs have made (such as the end coming in 1925) and the incorrect information they release(such as on the cross and earthquakes).

Answer 6

Have the study. The information can found and has probably already been published, just give them a chance to find it. In the mean time, use your own bible if you want. Use a few different translations at the same time if you really would like to get a broader view. It would also probably help you to appreciate our translation more.

Answer 7

It is a translation of the Holy Scriptures made directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into modern-day English by a committee of anointed witnessess of Jehovah. These expressed themselves regarding their work as follows. "The translators of this work, who fear and loved the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, feel toward Him a special responsibility to transmit his thoughts and declaration as accurately as possible. They also feel a responsibility toward the searching readers who depend upon a translation of the inspired Word of the
most High God for their everlasting salvation." This translation was originally released in sections, from 1950 to 1960. Editions in other languages have been based on the English translation.
The bases for the translating the Hebrew Scripture, the text of Rudolf Kittel's Biblia Hebraica. editons pf 1951-1955, was used. The 1984 revision of the New World Translation benefited from updating in harmony with the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia of 1977. Additionally, the Dead Sea Scrolls and numerous early translations into other languages was consulted. For the Christian Greek Scriptures, the master Greek text of 1881 as prepared by Westcott and Hort was used primarily, but several other master texts were consulted as well as numerous early versions in other languages.

When presenting as a gift the publishing rights to their translation, the New World Bible Translation Committee requested that its members remain anonymous, The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has honored their request . The translators were not seeking prominence for themselves but only to honor the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures.
"We have not used any scholar's name for reference or recommendations because it is out belief God's Word should stand on its merits." This is what

Answer 8

Nathan H. Knorr stepped into the position of overseer of the completion of The New World Translation of the Bible in 1961. Of the four members of the translation committee (Frederick Franz, Knorr, Albert Schroeder, and George Gangas), Frederick Franz was the only one with any exposure to the biblical languages, having studied Greek for two years at the University of Cincinnati but being self-taught in Hebrew. Franz, chairman of the committee eventually took the helm of the organization in 1977.
Beware of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is a religious cult.
Go to http://www.carm.org/cults.htm for a list of all the cults.

Answer 9

I am not sure who actually translated their versions, but I would venture to say that they were not proud enough to put forth their names so that true Christians (Catholics) would not come after then or attack them. If you read the Holy Bible and almost any Christian version states that Jesus told Peter that his church (Peters) would be the rock to spead Jesus's faith...Peter being the first Pope of the Catholic church. Many other christians feel that Their versions of the bible are acceptable in Gods eyes. However there is also a verse that states that it is impossible to get tino the kingdom of Heaven if you remove or alter any of the Bible...That is why the Catholic Bible is 4 verses longer than any other Bible, they are the only religion to leave the Holy Bible as God intended. All other religions have altered the bible to their likings and beliefs.

Answer 10

Charles Taze Russell was the founder of the Jehovahs Witness. They do not like to say he was cause he was a liar in court. Look him up on the net.
In 1879 Russell founded The Herald of the Morning which developed into todays The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom.
After Russell was Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford.
That is two names to do some search on to find how it all got started.
I am not a JW'S, but has done some study on them.