Why are there so many different translations of the Bible within the English language?

Answer 1

Well the most prevalent reason is because English has dramatically changed. Old English, for instance, is a lot different than, say, modern English that in a teenager's version. Thus "went he up to ye temple" in 1600 today is better understood "he went up to the temple". In the Greek (which I learned this year) the word arrangement does not matter; Greek is very precise so there is a definite subject, verb, predicate, etc, but it doesn't matter if you say "the man knows the law" or "the law, the man knows" or "know the law, man must". Its all the same in Greek so it doesn't really matter how its translated into English so long as the meaning is translated.

You see there was an original author and original reader, and the original author formed his words to the way he wanted his reader to understand. However there is also the translator, and the translator's reader, so the translator has to translate the original meaning for the original reading into a form that the modern reader understands.

For instance the Greek says word for word, "Wept the Jesus" but we simply translate it "Jesus wept".

Greek rules.

Answer 2

There aren't as many as you may think. The KJV has been the standard for a few centuries, but language changes meaning and so updated version have been made to make it more understandable. There are really only two types of Bible translations, literal which is word for word translations and paraphrase which is thought for thought translations. There's not a whole lot of differences between the versions, and you can easily find the "truth" in any one of them. There are some Bible that have had the words changed by religions to suit their purposes and I think these should be avioded. The JW's have written their own version, as have the Mormons. The Muslims have rewritten our Bible to replace Ishmael the father of the Arabs with Isaac the father of the Israelites.

Answer 3

Dear What It Is,
Thank you very much for asking this question because I just learned a whole lot from Shaolt. Please give him the 10 points!

Since I'm here I will point out that the Bible is God's love letter to mankind. He wants us to know Him and we cannot know Him without His help.

The King James Version is beautiful but I have a hard time understanding it. In fact when I was a teenager I remember praying and telling God that someday I wanted to read the whole Bible but I badly needed help to tell who the players were. It was tough to figure out who was God and who was LORD and which one the "he" and "him" referred to.

I'm so thankful that we have several modern day translations to provide the help that I prayed for.

I have a copy of the Precise Parallel Bible which gives 8 versions of the New Testament. I can't read the Greek but the other 7 versions say essentially the same thing.

I would imagine that there will soon be a Text or txt version. I'm not so sure I will be reading it but I very likely will buy it for my grandchildren. Did you hear about the Klingon version of the Bible. There was no word for "love" so the closest they could come to the same idea was to say "I don't don't don't (13 times) hate you".

One word of caution is that I've read the NWT provided by the jws and that definitely is an inferior uninspired translation.

The important thing is to read God's love letter to mankind.

Answer 4

Some translations have been done by well meaning people just trying to make the Bible easier to understand in modern times. Others are trying to make the Bible say what they want it to say, a very dangerous thing to do. I personally stick with KJV. It isnt perfect , nothing is.

Answer 5

almost the majority of Christians don't even know where the original manuscripts are located at. None of the Christian Churches have, in their possession, a copy in either Hebrew or Greek that is based on the original manuscripts. Christians have translations, translations, translations and as for the original Bible, it's buried somewhere overseas collecting dust.

The Bible (OT & NT) has endured many severe predicaments because of the language barrier. The original manuscripts (ancient Hebrew and Aramaic scriptures) were translated to Greek and Latin. In fact, from the year 800 AD to 1539 AD, Latin was the only language of the Bible. Because of the continuous waves of translations; Aramaic, to Greek, to Latin, to English; Christians most definitely and seriously handicapped any attempts to faithfully translate the original author's intended meanings. This problem, all thanks be to the Almighty (swt), has been completely avoided in the Qur'an, since it has remained from the time of its inspiration to the present day in the same language it was originally revealed in, the Arabic Language. The Arabic Language has remained a living language from that day to this, and the book itself has always been in the hands of the people and not "the elite."

The original Quranic manuscript is written in Arabic Language. Every single Muslim have an identical Arabic copy based on the original Quranic manuscript written in Arabic. When Muslims perform their 5 daily prayers, they recite the Quran in its original language, the Arabic Language. Many Muslims memorize the Quran by heart at young age. The English, Spanish or French Quranic translations are nothing but interpretation to the meanings of the words of the Quran, and they are only used as a reference for those Muslims who don't speak Arabic

Answer 6

In general, this is because a certain segment of the Christian church was not satisfied with the reading of a particular translation, so someone within that segment re-translated the Bible to make it fit what they believed. The King James Version, for example, is very weak in its accuracy in a number of places. The NRSV is translated by people who want to make it "gender-neutral." And so on. . .

Answer 7

Because apologists are dishonest... I've read some of the NIV compared to the actual Greek and Hebrew translations... and the verses that are modified are done so disingenuously. For instance, "Thou shalt not kill" is re-translated into "Thou shalt not murder"... when the Hebrew actually uses the word "kill" that is used in specific context across the rest of the Pentateuch.

Guess they didn't read that verse at the end of Revelation about changing the words in the Bible.

Answer 8

tis my opinion that it is changed to fit different ways of life. if you do not want to follow this part of the bible you just change it to sound the way you want it. oh what a minute, that's different religions or sects or cults! oh sheeeet! now I am confused. will anyone re-write a bible for me? I need a translator or guidance or something.

Answer 9

So that lots of people can get a new Copyright and make money.

Also lots of people don't like existing translations.

Some people have adjendas and can use syntax and grammar to a means.

Some people want a pure and better translation.

Answer 10

as with all things in this tiny insignificant spec of cosmic dust there are so many translations due to individual points of referance and basis of comparisons, to suit each individuals ideals and demensional choices, as well as to make it suit and or support their individual beliefs and choices as to make or give them a legitamate sounding basis in fact ! a better question is why the catholic church has deemed itself as the keeper of the faith and has hidden several books and scrolls of the original text from the public !