How can the bible be the truth when it is so badly translated?

Question

Here is an example of the translation of 3 simple words with a simple message into 4 languages and english. I am using the McDonalds Slogan:

English : I'm lovin' it.

German: Ich Liebe es,
i love it, in english

French: C'est tout ce que j'aime,
it is all that i like, in english

Spanish: Me Encanta,
it enchants me, in english

Portugeuse: Amo muito tudo isso,
I love that a lot, in english

if this short message can mean 5 completely different things in 5 different languages. Think how many words are in the bible, and how 'complex' the 'message' of the bible supposedly is.

Just an example.

my point is, this 'god' character didn't write one copy of the bible in each language with the meanings the same. Man wrote it in hebrew (mostly) for the original. It was then translated by man into different languages. The point I'm highlighting is that in a short 3 word phrase in 5 languages we get 5 different meanings. The bible contains thousands of words, am I to assume that each translation of the bible means a different thing, or do we have 'perfect' translators translating it, because I highly doubt that.

and before you say 'read the bible and you will see, you will find god'

I have read the bible.

Answer 1

If you add to the problem by starting at the begining it gets even worse.

The original manuscripts of the old testament were in hebrew, translated into greek and then translated into latin.

The new testament is a little different. It was originally a hebrew collection of notes and sayings. Rewriten and deliberatly changed into greek. This was then translated into latin and changed to be politically correct for the times.

Everything other than the little bits of hebrew that we have, should be disgarded as only hearsay and conjecture..!!

Answer 2

The translator is responsible for any defects, not the bible or God. Truth is not dependant on translation it is absolute. Truth in the relative world of matter is subject to change but in the spiritual realm of God, truth is absolute, eternal, not subject to change.
Also, there is no higher religion than truth! That's a quote from Edmund Bordeaux Szeckely who did a direct translation from aramaic to english of one of the dead sea scrolls in 1937 at Oxford university. The book is called "The Gospel of Peace"(I think that's the title). Anyway the book as well as containing some beautiful stuff does contradict some bits of the other gospels. Jesus condems meat eating "thou shall not make thy bodies into tombs for dead animals". There are other examples.

Answer 3

Is there anything to be gained by knocking the bible? Would a wise man, perhaps, look to ALL sources to see whether they increase his knowledge or enrich his life. There is much in the bible to prompt thought. At the same time, there is much I do not relate to in any way.
I do not dispute that it is the word of man, edited by man and translated by man but it doesn't bother me that others attach deeper meaning to it. We all need to get through life as best we can. If belief helps ... then let those who have it enjoy it provided it remains lawful and does not impinge on the lives of those who do not share that belief. Reason will not shake belief ... and why should we want it to unless that belief has become a threat to our quiet enjoyment of life and property?
What I am thinking is "Loosen up, my friend, and remember that a wise man can learn more from a fool than a fool can learn from a wise man". It is only with hindsight that we know which we were ....

Answer 4

I have never thought the bible was the absolute truth, even though I would love to believe that God exists, it all just sounds to good to be true to me, archaeologists have known for a very long time the translations in the bible have different meanings, but since Jesus' language is a dead language it's hard to understand and translate properly............. how convenient.

Answer 5

You limit God to speak to people in one language?

The Bible is the most popular book ever written, most published and most translated…Do you think all people read and speak the same language?

EDIT: I understand what you are saying...I read the KJ...but, I've been reading it for almost 30 years.

Some people would never pick up a Bible and read it if all they had was the KJ...they don't understand the formal language. I agree the NIV has a lot of problems...the name Lucifer is not even in the NIV...if you didn't know Jesus was the Bright Morning Star...you would miss the point that Satan is only called a morning star...

Languages are different you can't compare them...I believe God can make the language work to his needs...It is his Word.

Answer 6

I wouldn't say it's badly translated. It's impossible to translate the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek writings, even if they were available, into most modern languages.

For example, in John1:1 the English translation says "The word was God", while if you translate the Greek into English as it is written it reads "God the word was".

It has to be translated in such a way as to make it understandable for those reading it. That doesn't mean it's been translated badly, just differrently.

Answer 7

As far that I'm aware, the bible consists of two testaments, spelling it out would seem self indulgent.

The message is far more important than the language, for example the bible is translated into umpteen languages.

If you take issue with the sentiment, fair enough, however please remember that people will kill and die for it (unfortunately).

Answer 8

Any word can be translated literally even if it takes a 1000 definition words to do so.
when translating you have 2 options: either translate literally what you say or make an adaptation in order to express what you want to express.
Example translated in my language:
Literally: "Eu iubesc mereu asta."
Adapted: "O ador" or "O iubesc"

It's OK to use both expressions, we will understand the same thing but if you talk literally, you sound like a robot.

Answer 9

Simply because a handful of Christians say its true; doesn't make it so!
Translations aside it was written by man so certainly not infallible as each writer puts their own unique take on it!
Ask a referee, Man U and Man City supporter to describe the game they've just watched.
Their answers will be totally different yet they all watched te same game, just from different perspectives!

Answer 10

God is perfectly capable of protecting His Word. The Bible has survived thousands of years of attacks and many translations. You should become more knowledgeable about it before you make such judgments.