Is Your Bible Translation Accurate?

[Daisy]

Are the Bible translations you rely on truly faithful to the original Greek texts? In this video, we dive deep into "Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament" by renowned scholar Jason BeDuhn. This groundbreaking book exposes how theological bias has shaped key verses in popular translations, influencing beliefs about Jesus, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.

Jason BeDuhn’s meticulous analysis of nine major Bible translations—including the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and New World Translation (NWT)—reveals surprising truths about their accuracy. Which translation did he find to be the most faithful to the original text? And what are the implications for those seeking an unbiased understanding of scripture?

Join us as we explore BeDuhn’s conclusions, including his praise for the New World Translation (NWT) for its literal adherence to the Greek, the restoration of God’s personal name, and the debate over the cross versus the torture stake.



If you’ve ever questioned how translations impact your understanding of the Bible, this video will give you the tools to discern the truth. Don’t miss this thought-provoking journey into the heart of scripture and the complexities of translation.

 

[Sven Karma]

Leaving aside the thorny issue of his particular interpretation of others' particular interpretations, my humble experience of working as a translator is that even translating the instructions for assembling a wardrobe (we lived in a furniture factory town) from Catalan/Spanish to English can be an absolute minefield of words and things you never knew existed.

 

[Daisy]

Jason BeDuhn’s conclusion on New World Translation


Jason BeDuhn, an associate professor of religious studies, in his book "Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament", compared the New World Translation (published by Jehovah's Witnesses) with eight other popular English translations of the New Testament
. Based on his analysis of specific passages where he believed translational bias was likely, BeDuhn made the following conclusions:

Most Accurate: He concluded that the New World Translation (NWT) emerged as the most accurate of the translations he compared.

Literal and Conservative: He attributed the differences in the NWT to its greater accuracy as a literal and conservative translation of the original expressions used by the New Testament writers.

Not Bias-Free, but Less Biased: While acknowledging that no translation is completely free of bias, BeDuhn suggests that the NWT is less biased than many other widely used translations, which he argued sometimes paraphrase or expand on the text to align with modern readers' expectations or theological views.

Jehovah's Name in the New Testament: BeDuhn did, however, express concern about the NWT's introduction of the name "Jehovah" into the New Testament 237 times, calling it a violation of basic principles of accuracy in favor of denominationally preferred expressions for God.

It's important to note that while BeDuhn's work has been praised by some for its scholarly approach, it has also been criticized by others who disagree with his conclusions about the NWT's accuracy and his interpretations of certain Greek grammatical rules. For instance, one review of BeDuhn's work argued that he might be operating from a theological liberal viewpoint and that his selection of passages might reveal a bias focused primarily on the deity of Christ. Another critique pointed out that he may have misrepresented or misunderstood Granville Sharp's rule regarding the Greek article.

Google

 

[Somerville]

Jason BeDuhn’s conclusion on New World Translation


Jason BeDuhn, an associate professor of religious studies, in his book "Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament", compared the New World Translation (published by Jehovah's Witnesses) with eight other popular English translations of the New Testament
[. . .]

It's important to note that while BeDuhn's work has been praised by some for its scholarly approach, it has also been criticized by others who disagree with his conclusions about the NWT's accuracy and his interpretations of certain Greek grammatical rules. For instance, one review of BeDuhn's work argued that he might be operating from a theological liberal viewpoint and that his selection of passages might reveal a bias focused primarily on the deity of Christ. Another critique pointed out that he may have misrepresented or misunderstood Granville Sharp's rule regarding the Greek article.

Google

A link to one scholar who disagrees with Dr BeDuhn's statement about the validity of the New World Translation

A review of Dr Jason BeDuhn’s “Truth in Translation”
Dr Trevor R Allin graduated from the University of Leeds with a 1st Class Honours degree in Phonetics, French, Spanish and Philosophy and History of Religion.
[. . .]
He has taught New Testament (Koiné) Greek to Spanish-speaking adult students in Spain and has delivered lectures in various places in Spain and England on the important early Greek manuscript of the Bible, Codex Sinaiticus and on other manuscripts of the Bible.
[. . .]
Questions that need to be answered Given this background, and the claims that are made by the author concerning himself, we must not only look at Dr BeDuhn’s book; we are also justified in looking at his own qualifications and experience, and indeed we must do so. Is he the leading, independent academic that the Watchtower Society claims him to be? Is he a Bible translator and an expert in the field of Biblical languages, recognised as such by scholars throughout the world as an authority in this field?
As far as possible, I ignore the “theological” arguments, choosing to focus on the Greek text and BeDuhn’s statements about it. However, when a translation is wrong (or even when it is right), comment on it is likely to have theological implications, especially given the narrow spectrum of texts dealt with by Dr BeDuhn. Likewise, when a phrase is translated in such a way that it contradicts the rest of the New Testament – or even other writings by the same New Testament author (for instance, the Apostle Paul) – then unavoidably one must look at those other texts for evidence or for an indication of the consistency or otherwise of the translators.
[. . .]
He thus presents no evidence of being an expert in the field of Biblical languages.

The linked document is 80 pages long. Take a 'few' minutes to read it before replying

 

[Somerville]

Other Christians have other opinions about the accuracy of the many translations available to the English reader

What Are the Most Accurate Bible Translations?What Are the Most Accurate Bible Translations?​

Which Bible Translation Is Closest to the Original?​

Based on what we now know of how difficult translation is, this is also a difficult question to answer, and it leads to comparing two different translation philosophies. The first is formal equivalence, also called literal or “word-for-word” equivalence. Formal equivalence strives to stay as close as possible to the actual wording of the original language, striving to translate each Greek or Hebrew word to the closest possible word in English. Think of this when reading Shakespeare, as Shakespeare wrote it.

The second is dynamic equivalence, or “thought-for-thought” equivalence. This approach attempts to stay as close to the thought the original writer was trying to convey. Think of this as Shakespeare rendered as an easier-to-understand language for modern English speakers.

Each approach has strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately most translations are a true combination of the two. The versions below are generally considered to be very close to the original.

My top 5 (in alphabetical order) are:
1. CSB – Christian Standard Bible

2. ESV – English Standard Version ​

3. KJV/NKJV - The New King James Version​

4. NASB – New American Standard Bible​

5. NIV – New International Version​

 

[Daisy]

Other Christians have other opinions about the accuracy of the many translations available to the English reader

Sure they do because they believe in hellfire/eternal torment, the immortal soul, and the trinity...most translations twist God's Word so it will coincide with those beliefs...leaving out the words Hades/Sheol/Gehenna/Tartarus and replacing them all with the word hell...by leaving out God's personal name/Jehovah, thus confusing Him with His Son...they believe this...

 

[Girlpower]

Are the Bible translations you rely on truly faithful to the original Greek texts? In this video, we dive deep into "Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament" by renowned scholar Jason BeDuhn. This groundbreaking book exposes how theological bias has shaped key verses in popular translations, influencing beliefs about Jesus, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.

Jason BeDuhn’s meticulous analysis of nine major Bible translations—including the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and New World Translation (NWT)—reveals surprising truths about their accuracy. Which translation did he find to be the most faithful to the original text? And what are the implications for those seeking an unbiased understanding of scripture?

Join us as we explore BeDuhn’s conclusions, including his praise for the New World Translation (NWT) for its literal adherence to the Greek, the restoration of God’s personal name, and the debate over the cross versus the torture stake.



If you’ve ever questioned how translations impact your understanding of the Bible, this video will give you the tools to discern the truth. Don’t miss this thought-provoking journey into the heart of scripture and the complexities of translation.

It doesn't really matter as long as you can understand the point God is trying to get across.

I don't think that there are any translations that completely alter the story of the Bible.

 

[Daisy]

It doesn't really matter as long as you can understand the point God is trying to get across.

I don't think that there are any translations that completely alter the story of the Bible.

Many do, in order to support the trinity and hellfire doctrines...

 

[Girlpower]

Many do, in order to support the trinity and hellfire doctrines...

The Bible is pretty clear about the Trinity but if people choose to ignore it that is up to them.

I can jump in a lake and say I'm not wet but that doesn't mean I'm not wet.

 

[Daisy]

The Bible is pretty clear about the Trinity but if people choose to ignore it that is up to them.

I can jump in a lake and say I'm not wet but that doesn't mean I'm not wet.

Yes, it is...the word is never mentioned, Jesus did not teach it and the 1st century Christians did not believe it...

The same can be said about hellfire...

 

[Girlpower]

Yes, it is...the word is never mentioned, Jesus did not teach it and the 1st century Christians did not believe it...

The same can be said about hellfire...

I tell you what.

If you can walk on water I will believe Jesus isn't God.

 

[Daisy]

I tell you what.

If you can walk on water I will believe Jesus isn't God.

Ignore the truth...your choice...

 

[Careyap87]

My NAB (New American Bible) is very accurate.

 

[T25]

Are the Bible translations you rely on truly faithful to the original Greek texts? In this video, we dive deep into "Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament" by renowned scholar Jason BeDuhn. This groundbreaking book exposes how theological bias has shaped key verses in popular translations, influencing beliefs about Jesus, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.

Jason BeDuhn’s meticulous analysis of nine major Bible translations—including the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and New World Translation (NWT)—reveals surprising truths about their accuracy. Which translation did he find to be the most faithful to the original text? And what are the implications for those seeking an unbiased understanding of scripture?

Join us as we explore BeDuhn’s conclusions, including his praise for the New World Translation (NWT) for its literal adherence to the Greek, the restoration of God’s personal name, and the debate over the cross versus the torture stake.



If you’ve ever questioned how translations impact your understanding of the Bible, this video will give you the tools to discern the truth. Don’t miss this thought-provoking journey into the heart of scripture and the complexities of translation.

Most English translations have significant MISTRANSLATIONS of the ORIGINAL scriptures.

 

[T25]

Most Accurate: He concluded that the New World Translation (NWT) emerged as the most accurate of the translations he compared.

It's NOT a good translation.

 

[T25]

My NAB (New American Bible) is very accurate.

Nope.

 

[LittleNipper]

Psalm 88:1-7, 11-15

O YHWH, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry!

For my soul has had enough troubles, and my life has drawn near to Sheol [li-sh’ohl לִשְׁא֥וֹל]. I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength, forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, and they are cut off from Your hand.

You have put me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths. Your wrath has rested upon me, and You have afflicted me with all Your waves…

…Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O YHWH, have cried out to You for help, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.

O YHWH, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.



Psalm 6:2-5

Be gracious to me, O YHWH, for I am pining away; heal me, O YHWH, for my bones are dismayed. And my soul is greatly dismayed; but You, O YHWH—how long? Return, O YHWH, rescue my soul; save me because of Your lovingkindness.

For there is no mention of You in death; in Sheol [bi-sh’ohl בִּ֝שְׁא֗וֹל] who will give You thanks?



Psalm 139:7-8

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol [sh’ohl שְּׁא֣וֹל], behold, You are there.


Isaiah 38:9-11, 17-19a

A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: I said, “In the middle of my life I am to enter the gates of Sheol [sh’ohl שְׁא֑וֹל]; I am to be deprived of the rest of my years.” I said, “I will not see YHWH, YHWH in the land of the living; I will look on man no more among the inhabitants of the world…

…Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; it is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. For Sheol [sh’ohl שְׁא֛וֹל] cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today…”


Jonah 2:1-4

Then Jonah prayed to YHWH his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, “I called out of my distress to YHWH, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol [sh’ohl שְׁא֛וֹל]; You heard my voice. For You had cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’”

​

Isaiah 7:10-14

Then YHWH spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from YHWH your God; make it deep as Sheol [sh’alah שְׁאָ֔לָה] or high as heaven.”

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test YHWH!”

Then He said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

​

​

 

[LittleNipper]

Matthew 16:13-18, 21

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”… From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.


After Yeshua’s death and resurrection, Peter delivered a poignant message. In the sermon he quoted a Psalm of David (Psalm 16:8-11) which included the word Sheol. Luke, the author of Acts, used the Greek word Hades, in its place.

Acts 2:22-32

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him,

‘I saw YHWH always in my presence; for He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; moreover my flesh will also live in hope; because You will not abandon my soul to Hades [Sheol], nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your Presence.’

Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on His throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah that He was neither to abandon to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”

Yeshua, the Messiah, would go to Sheol but He would not be abandoned there to rot. God raised Him up, He conquered death and left Sheol behind.

 

[Careyap87]

It's NOT a good translation.

Same with KJV. New American Bible is the best that I use.

 

[Daisy]

As more Evangelical bible translations get closer and closer to the New World Translation the ESV Translation update is no exception.