The Science of Translation

The KJV was based on poor, late manuscripts, while more contemporary translations like the NIV are based upon earlier, more reliable manuscripts.

1 Samuel 8:16

KJV "your goodliest young men and your asses"

NIV "the best of your cattle and donkeys"

The NIV is taken from the Septuagint, which was translated about 250 BC. Whereas, the KJV follows a medieval Hebrew text that actually miscopies one word. The difference between "young men" and "cattle" in Hebrew is literally one letter, which was miscopied by a scribe long after the Septuagint.

Mark 1:2

KJV "As it is written in the prophets..."

NIV "It is written in Isaiah the prophet..."

The text of the NIV is found in all of the earliest documents and is the only text known by the Church Fathers.

1 Coritnhians 11:29

KJV "he that eateth and drinketh unworthily"

NIV "anyone who eats and drinks"

The word "unworthily" is not found in any of the early manuscripts.

The KJV is the most widely used translation in the world. It has coined phrases that will be forever embedded in our language. However, for the N.T., the only Greek text available to the 1611 translators was based on late manuscripts, which had accumulated the mistakes of over a thousand years of copying. Few of these mistakes make any difference to us doctrinally, but they do often make a difference in the meaning of certain specific texts.

This is why, for study, you should nuse almost any modern translation rather than the KJV.

Next Post: The Questions of Language

The Basic Tool - A Good Translation

The 66 books of the Protestant Bible were originally written in three different languages: Hebrew (most of the O.T.), Aramaic (half of Daniel and 2 passages in Ezra), and Greek (all of the N.T.). We assume that most of the readers of the Bible do not know these languages. For this reason, the basic tool for reading and studying the Bible is a good English translation, or perhaps several good English translations.

The trouble with using only one translation, be it ever so good, is that you are committed to the exegetical choices of that translation. The translation you are using may be correct; but it also may be wrong.

Let's take, for example, several different translations of 1 Corinthians 7:36:

KJV "If any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin..."

NASB "If a man think that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter..."

NIV "If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to..."

NEB "If a man has a partner in celibacy and feels that he is not behaving properly towards her..."

The KJV is very literal, but not very helpful, since it leaves the term "virgin" and the relationship between the "man" and "his virgin" ambiguous. The Corinthians, of course, would have understood exactly what he meant. In this case, the NIV reflects the best option here.

It is probably a good practice to use mainly one translation, provided it's a really good one. This will aid in memorization, as well as give you consistency. However, for the study of the Bible, you should use several well-chosen translations. This will help to highlight where difficult translations lie.

Next Post: The Science of Translation

Learning To Do Exegesis

At its highest level, exegesis requires knowledge of many things most of us know little, if anything, about: the biblical languages; Jewish, Semitic, and Hellenistic backgrounds. But you can learn to do good exegesis.

The key is to learn to read the text carefully and then to ask the right questions of the text.

There are two basis kinds of questions one should ask of every biblical passage: those that relate to context and those that relate to content. The questions of context are also of two kinds: historical and literary. Let's look at each one.

1. Historical context

The historical context, which will differ from book to book, has to do with several things: the time and culture of the author and his readers, which includes the geographical, topographical, and political factors that are relevant; and the occaision of the book, letter, or psalm, etc.

It makes a difference in understanding to know the personal background of Amos, Hosea, or Isaiah, or that Haggai prophesied after the exile, or to understand the differences between the cities of Corinth and Philippi. One's reading of the parables of Jesus is greatly enhanced by knowing something about the customs of Jesus' day.

To answer most of these kinds of questions, one will need some outside help. A good Bible dictionary will generally supply the need here.

The more important question of historical context has to do with the occaision and purpose of each biblical book.

The answer to this question is usually found within the book itself. But you need to learn to read with your eyes open. You might even consult your Bible dictionary or the Introduction to a good commentary on the book, or a look at Eerdman's Handbook to the Bible. But make your own obervations first.

2. Literary context

Essentially, literary context means that words only have meaning in sentences, and for the most part biblical sentences only have meaning in relation to preceding and succeeding sentences.

The most important contextual question you will ever ask is "What is the point?" We must try to trace the author's train of thought. Remember, the goal of exegesis is to find out what the original author intended.

a. Questions of content

"Content" has to do with the meanings of words and their grammatical relationships in sentences. It also includes "historical context," for example, the meaning of denarius, or a Sabbath day's journey, or "high places," etc.

b. Tools

For the most part, you can do good exegesis with minimal tools. The most important tools are: a good Bible dictionary, a good Bible handbook, a good translation, and good commentaries. For reading or studying the Bible book by book, these are the essentials.

Next Post: "The Second Task: Hermeneutics