Bible Study

2004-11-16 05:02:00

Arit writes:

"Does anyone know any good translators who can translate the bible from its original language so that once and for all Christians and non-Christians alike could understand and know how to apply what is written? This will assist in enlightening the masses."

JJ:

A number of the more modern versions are more accurate than the old King James, but then some of them take more license and concentrate on style rather than accuracy. One of the difficulties in obtaining an accurate translation through a version of the Bible is that sometimes there is no exact English word that conveys the full meaning of the ancient Hebrew or Greek. Even so there are several versions that will be helpful in your studies.

Overall, I have found the Concordant version to be the most accurate and unbiased of all translations. You can buy the complete New Testament from them, but they do not have all the Old Testament. However, they have the most important books that can be purchased individually such as Genesis, Isaiah, Daniel, and others.

The only trouble with the Concordant Version is that so much effort was taken to make it literally accurate that it is fairly dry and difficult reading--even more so than the King James.

Here is the best way I have found to read the Bible. Have before you three translations and Strongs Concordance as you read.

First, find a Bible that is fairly accurate but also is easy reading in English. For me this is the New English Version. I bought this in England in 1964. I haven't seen this for sale in America, but just checked with Amazon.com and they do have it. It has since been updated in another version called The Revised English Bible which I have not yet purchased.

A fairly accurate easy reading version will convey the basic information for about 70-80 percent of the Bible. Where the basic idea is easy to convey there is not as lot of need for a deeper look into a better translation. Then there are the more mysterious passages that you want to check out. This is where you go to the second step. When this happens pull out your Concordant version and study the questionable verses.

You can read the Concordant version of the New Testament at: http://www.concordant.org/version/, or check out the home page at: http://www.concordant.org

I do not believe they have any of the Old Testament online, but you can buy part in hard copy.

Next, if you feel you still have not gotten the full meaning pull out the old King James and read the verse there. Look for key words that will clarify the meaning. Then open your Strong's Concordance and look up the Greek or Hebrew meaning of the words.

In addition to this use the Concordance to find how the word is used in context in 6 locations, if that many are available.

This takes some time, but can be very rewarding and enlightening. If you do this right you will be able to grasp the original meaning as well as many scholars.

If you do nor have a Strong's you can go to Blue Letter Bible at www.blueletterbible.org

This has the basic Strong's material and many other reference helps.

If you wish to read a good commentary on the New Testament the best I have found is the Daily Study Guide by William Barclay. I haven't found one I liked that much for the Old Testament.

Hope this helps.

  

"Two and two continue to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five."
  -- James McNeill Whistler