Could one of Jehovah's Witnesses help me with this question?

Question

What Bible did your religion use prior to the NWT? Also, wondering why the JW's, felt the need to translate their own Bible when they say that what they believe can be taught from anyones Bible..But, my main question of interest is what Bible did the religion use prior to the NWT..Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

To answer Dane's question above:
The Watchtower Society first printed a New World Translation of the New Testament in 1950, with a complete bible following in 1961 and revisions in 1970 and 1984, long after Charles Taze Russell. The translation committee consisted of Frederick W Franz, Nathan H. Knorr, George D Gangas, Albert D Schroeder, Milton G Henschel, and Karl Klein. Their qualifications:

Frederick W Franz: liberal arts student at University of Cincinatti, took 21 semester hours of classical Greek, with some Latin. Partially completed a 2 hour course in biblical Greek (not the same as classical), and was self-taught in Spanish, Hebrew, and Aramaic. HOWEVER, in a court of law in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1954, while under oath, he failed a simple translation test of Hebrew from Genesis.

George Gangas: No training in biblical languages, but knew modern Greek.

Milton Henschel: No training in biblical languages.

Nathan Knorr: No training in biblical languages.

Karl Klein: No training in biblical languages.

Albert Schroeder: No training in biblical languages. He majored in mechanical engineering but dropped out after 3 years.

These are the men who performed the "translation" of the NWT. The Jehovah Witnesses' New World Translation IS NOT a reliable bible.

As for what the Witnesses used prior to the NWT, I still haven't been able to find out definitively. Russell had Presbyterian roots, then he joined a liberal Congregational Church and eventually found his way to Adventism. The Society teaches that people are incapable of understanding the bible without the interpretations and guidance of the Watchtower Society and at least initially, Russell's interpretations. Anyway, you can check out the links below for more information.

Edit: When I said Adventist, he eventually left that group, too, to found his Society.

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses speak dozens, even hundreds, of languages. Each Jehovah's Witness CONTINUES to use any translation of the bible he prefers.

Jehovah's Witnesses distribute New World Translation because they control the copyrights. They do not have to pay anyone for the privilege, which is an important consideration since they distribute more than four million bibles each year, at no charge to the householder.

More importantly, however, NWT faithful includes a respectful form of the Divine Name (in transliterated Hebrew, "YHWH"; in English, "Jehovah").

Before NWT's completion in the 1960's, English speaking Witnesses generally used either KJV or RSV.

Answer 3

Before the NWT, Jehovah's Witnesses used various translations including the King James Version, The Emphatic Diaglott and the American Standard Version which uses God's name (Jehovah).

There were several reasons why the NWT was printed: 1) Most of the other translations used were made by those who were influenced by the pagan philosophies and unscriptural traditions that their religious systems had passed down from long ago as well as other influences, 2) Older and more reliable Bible manuscripts were becoming available, 3) As a result of archeological discoveries, the Greek language of the first century was becoming more clearly understood, and 4) The languages into which translations are made undergo changes over the years. (For instance, who today really talks like this?: "And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?” Gen. 32:17 KJV) :)

Jehovah’s Witnesses wanted a translation that was of the latest scholarship, one that was without spot by creeds or traditions, a literal translation that faithfully presented what is in the original writings and a translation that would be clear and understandable to modern-day readers.

As for it’s accuracy, the New World Translation has been found to be “one of the most accurate English translations of the New Testament currently available” and is “the most accurate of the [8 major] translations compared.”—Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament by Jason BeDuhn, associate professor of religious studies at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona

Answer 4

From my search for the truth, Jehovah's Witnesses used many different versions of the Bible. They used the KJV, Jerusalem Bible, etc. The NWT is the most accurate translation of the Bible. Alec Trebek said so himself (Jeopardy host).

They put back the name of the Almighty Lord, Jehovah in it's rightful place. LORD (as is) is just a title and not a personal name. (like the title President).

It is so much easier to understand and read. Try it!

Yes, they can teach the word of God using different versions of the Bible. When I study with the Witnesses, I use my KJV and sometimes my Gideon version.

Answer 5

Bibles used were mainly the Authorized King James Version Bible and the American Standard Bible.

There were several reasons for translating a new Bible.

1. Most Bibles have replaced the name Jehovah with "LORD" or "GOD". The New World Translation restores the name Jehovah to all the original places -nearly 7,000 times. (see Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 83:18 in King James Version of 1611)

2. Many translations at the time were in the Old English language which is hard to understand and did not convey accurately the thoughts of the Bible writers. The New World Translation is in modern English and accurately conveys the thought behind the original languages. Take note of Philippians 4:6 for example:

"be careful over nothing" -King James Version

"do not be anxious over anything" -New World Translation


3. Many Bibles were translated in a way that misleads the reader and often in these Bibles words are mistranslated. For example, what the King James Version translates "unicorn" is more accurately translated as "wild bull" in the New World Translation (see Psalm 22:21 King James Version). Also, what many Bibles translate as "cross", the New World Translation accurately translates the Greek word "stau'ros" as "torture stake", as the word "stau'ros" has nothing to do with a cross, but actually means "a single, wooden beam or a tree" (see Acts 5:30 King James Version)

The New World Translation is consistent of its renderings. For example, the King James Version Bible renders the Hebrew word She'ol as hell, pit, and grave. The New World Translation translates She'ol as She'ol in all of its places, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion as to the meaning of this word.

I recommend you request a copy of the New World Translation from one of Jehoah's Witnesses when they visit your house. They offer the Bible at no cost, though any modest contributions are accepted. You can compare and see that this Bible is remarkable in its renderings and clarity. I cited several scriptures above that will help you understand my answer better, please consider reading them. If you do not own a copy of the King James Version Bible of 1611, there are several places you can read it for free on the internet.

Answer 6

Well the identical method that we have got a individual title and could love to be known as through our title as a substitute of Man, Woman, Boy & so forth is the identical method that God feels. Psalms eighty three:18 says "May men and women recognize that you just, whose title is Jehovah,You on my own are the Most High over the entire earth." The proven fact that his title is stated within the Bible indicates God desires his title to be identified & when you consider that we're his witnesses or fans, we're known as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 7

I was a JW and I have been looking about a bit in different places but I am convinced now that you wont find a perfect bible translation but the NWT is the best.

Answer 8

Dane above is completely wrong. The founder of the modern-day organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, CT Russel died in 1916. The NWT was first published in 1950. Before that, Jehovah's Witnesses used a number of other Bibles, including the KJB that they printed on their own printing presses.

Answer 9

I'm not a Witness, but my understanging is that the NWT is an essential part of the foundation of their religion. It was when the founder (don't know his name) was reading a translation and noticed that in the OT every time it said LORD the hebrew said Jehovah (Yaweh). And that was the beginning of their religion. But I could easily be mistaken

Answer 10

My family became Jehovah's Witnesses while using the American Standard Version. Others did so while using the King James Version.

The King James Version, written in archaic English isn't as understandable.