I ask this because, with translation, there is a certain amount of creativity practiced on the part of the translators when searching for equivalent words and meanings. Surely a work such as the bible which to some people is more than just a nonsensical collection of ancient stories, is far too important to let the translation of it be at the very least unguided by a god?
2007-12-08 19:19:14 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe that you are speaking of *divine* inspiration, the kind the results in an inerrant product. I would have to say "no", because (as is evident in most modern, scholarly translations) ambiguity and uncertainty are present. Some passages contain words with unknown meanings. Others are of questionable authority (i.e., which source text is original). Some are simply ambiguous and can be translated in ways which can result in significantly different meanings.
So, although it *is* possible that one or more specific translators are inspired by God and, therefore, have produced entirely accurate translations of the section of scripture to which they have been assigned, it seems unlikely in the extreme that all, or even most, translators are so inspired. Even more problematic: how could you tell the translation of an inspired translator from that of someone who is *not* inspired?
Finally, it seems unlikely that any "inspired" translator would be entrusted with any modern, scholarly translation. Consider the regard a translator would receive from his peers if he made the claim "I know my translation is correct because God told me it was, and all the other translations are off." This is not an attitude that is approved of by modern scholarship, and it is unlikely that such a person would gain the approval or regard needed from his peers to gain a position as translator for a major bible version.
I think that, at best, the most we can hope for is translators who are thoroughly educated and who seek the guidance of God. True "inerrant" inspiration of God is not something the average person can easily accept (nor should he).
Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/
2007-12-09 10:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Accurate knowledge comes from a diligent study of God's word. John 17:3 So what you personally need to do is study God's word. Regardless of the translation and see if it measures up to the theme of the bible which is God's Kingdom. A side by side study of some bibles might surprise you. The NWT is a very accurate bible. If people claim that it is not then you need for them to prove to you where the suppose changes the JW"s made are false. Many time the points or scriptures they use the ones who oppose the NWT are found in their bible to prove what the witnesses have said all along. For instance why have bible translators removed God's name? In Psalms 83:18 for instance it was forever in the KJV of the bible and recently it was removed. Why? The bottom line is this if they believe the ones who think the NWT is not accurate let them prove it to you. We live at the greatest time in human history. Yet we also live at the most critical time in human history. God will act soon. He knows who is doing his will. 1 John 2:15-17 Daniel 2:44 So if you are using this bible keep doing so. And the JW will be happy to use any other translation and explain the verses that so many claim to be added to their version. Best wishes Numbers 6:24-26
2016-04-08 03:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the problems that exists is that the meaning of words changes. If I use a bible translated into English in 1500, I must go back to the meaning of those words in 1500, It is like reading Shakespear. The same problem exixts with the translations to German, French, Chaldean, Armenian, Japanese, Syrian,etc. Also consider that the language of the Hebrews changed over the 2,000 years from the time of Abraham to the Christian era. What language did Abraham speak? He was from Ur. When and where did Hebrew come from? The old testament was written over 2,000 years as Hebrew changed into Aramaic. Before a language is written it changes very fast, from generation to generation. It is now believed that the bible was put into writing sometime between the entry into the Promised Land and the time of David. The first written texts used no vowels or punctuation, no spacing between words.
There are over 2,300 hand written ancient texts over the world in various ancient languages. There are few variations that can not be explained. Examples of variations include the repetition on a line, the omission of a line, a copyist footnote becoming part of the succeeding text, etc. There are words and phrases that can not be translated from one language to anouther. There is no equivalent.
Are they inspired? It would seem so.
2007-12-08 20:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by Bibs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not necessary that they be inspired.
It is entirely necessary that they not only be educated in the language but in the history, as well. I've found that our best translations have erred in history because they considered only the context of the paragraphs, and not the context of the times when the text was written.
Example:
Most Bibles say that the flood covered the planet, but the writer of the story couldn't possibly have known this because before the invention of the airplane, few people even realized there was a world, much less knew about the geography beyond their own country.
So how can a writer tell a story he can't verify? (In other words, how did Noah travel to South America and China to verify that the world was indeed covered with water? And if he didn't KNOW it, he likely didn't intend this meaning.)
2007-12-08 19:25:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I would certainly hope so. Translation is a difficult task at best. Some words simply do not translate into other languages. Take "cross" for example. There is no Greek word for cross. So they used two words meaning wood and stake.
2007-12-08 19:26:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Latin, Greek and other languages used at that time were hard to translate, the translators did the best they could. I feel God inspires everyone.
2007-12-08 19:29:59 · answer #6 · answered by lonetraveler 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If they are trying to be accurate than yes as the work was inpired...and they were inspired to tranlsate it.
2007-12-08 19:33:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
More likely fortified by wine which was pretty strong in those days .
2007-12-08 19:26:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
they were only inspired By their own beliefs and what they wanted to believe
2007-12-08 19:32:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
that is why i only read the aramaic version.
2007-12-09 05:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by joe c 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋