Which English translation of the Bible is the most accurate to the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic?

Question

I've been searching for a translation that will give me the literal meanings of the original languages.

Answer 1

All of the versions have their strengths and weaknesses. From my study I am persuaded the newer versions are based on better manuscript evidence than the KJV. The New American Standard Bible is pretty good, but doesn't read very well. The New International Version is reasonably close to the original, but was kind of dumbed-down to make it easier for less skilled readers. The RSV is a pretty good translation. One newer translation that I have been pretty pleased with is the Modern Language Bible, sometimes called the Berkeley Translation. Your best bet may be to get yourself a Greek Interlinear Bible which includes an original Greek text compiled by texts which were compiled from original manuscripts, like the Nestle Greek Text with a transliteration and also a parallel version in some contemporary translation. I think you can also find something similar for the Old Testament from the original Hebrew.

Answer 2

The Torah (Five Books of Moses) were written in Hebrew. The remainder of the Tanakh (Jewish bible) which is sometimes called the Old Testament, was in Aramaic. Then Gospels and remainder of the New Testament was written in Greek. If you want accuracy, I would look at who is translation and ask yourself two questions. "Who would best understand the original meaning in the original languages?" and "Do they have any motives to translated inaccurately?"

Now, as far as the Torah, that was written in Hebrew and today those who read and understand Hebrew the best are Rabbis. So for those five books, I would seek a Jewish translation. The remainder of the Tanakh (OT) was written in Aramaic and since that is closely related to Hebrew, I again would go with a Jewish translation. The Gospels and New Testament were written in Greek therefore I would expect a translation done by someone who spoke Greek as their primary language as being the most accurate.

Now as to the second question. There are numerous examples of deliberate mistranslation of the OT in order to "support" Jesus as the messiah. There are also issues of translations of the Greek, due to differences of opinions between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox Church. So if you want a translation that is "accurate" to the views of your particular domination, I would ask your own religious leader. If you want a translation that is "accurate" without bias, I would have to say buy several translations and compare them. Get one that is Jewish for the Torah/Tanakh, get one that is approved by the Roman Catholic Church, one that is supported by the various Protestant groups...and one from the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox side of the house.

But by all means, do NOT get the original KING JAMES VERSION....that is without a doubt the poorest translation ever done and unfortunately the most often used.

Answer 3

The most accurate English translation to the original text would be a formal equivalence translation. Based on my research the most accurate would be the Revised Standard Version. Many Bible commentaries use this version. However, I only use it when I want to compare a verse in a semi-formal equivalence translation, e.g. The New American Bible, the NIV, which I use more often. For my private meditation, I use the Good News Bible, which is a dynamic equivalence translation.

Answer 4

I imagine Aramaic, as that is the language that Jesus himself spoke. There are elements of Aramaic in Yiddish, actually, giving some insight into the old language. Many copies were written in Latin and Greek, though. I feel it is less about the language and more about knowing the history and its meaning. I suggest looking into the Naj‘ Ḩammādī.

Answer 5

I've heard a lot of the people who actually are able to translate the original texts reference multiple translations, however many use the new american standard version as their "base" this is the one I decided to go with also. Very different from the KJV.

Answer 6

Try "The New English Bible-With the Apocrypha" translated by the Joint Committee on the New Translation of the Bible.

Answer 7

...I understand that the New American Standard Bible (the NASB) is very good and accurate. I think this is the best or almost best.
...Another Bible that I am appreciating a lot is the Amplified Version - this expands on many words and is fascinating to me.

Answer 8

Google how to choose a bible translation.
Or an interlinear translation?

Answer 9

Any other than the KJV. Try the NEW Jerusalem Bible.or THE Other Bible that has the Gonistic texts in it.

Answer 10

Stick with the good old King James Version......Nobody can prove it's still not the best.........Nobody...........