How is the Bible translated? Why does it have to be? What all goes into doing it well? If you'd like to support the Ten Minute Bible Hour you can do that at patreon.com/tmbh
You are incredibly gifted from God. It is so amazing to see someone using their gifts exactly the way that God intended. Not that you are a one trick pony, but you were created to make these videos. You have a beautiful balance. Please keep going. You are clearly furthering The Kingdom without alienating anyone.
I live in China and have seen all of the translation error examples that you gave. They all make perfect sense in their origin language but the meaning got flipped in translation. Great example!
Thank you so much for this series 😭 I have been spiralling for days worried that my faith has been in vain all my life and I cannot tell you how relieved I am that we’re able to stand on the shoulders of saints who have gone long before us and have wrestled w all these questions and issues 🙏🏽 AMDG 🙌🏽
You know, the more I study this sort of thing the more convinced I am in the validity of the Bible. Not because one translation has all the answers, but because it has been so carefully analyzed by some of the greatest scholars in the history of the world for millennia, and still holds up in its claims with only small deviations between interpretations. Whereas if it was one magical book perfectly preserved in an infinite case in ultimate knowable linguistical literacy, it would be so perfect and precise as to be merely a magical artifact that would be worshiped. No detective would base his entire investigation on one witness who had full knowledge of the event. By questioning several witnesses individually and getting all of their story, he will compare the similarities to determine the truth. Should everybody's story match up too perfectly, he would know that there is previous plotting on the witnesses' part to tell a story, thus he would know that they are lying to create propaganda. By diverse conclusions and interpretations by many large groups of individual people that all tell a very similar story with slight irrelevant variations, we can know the truth.
I am a big fan of Study Bibles for this reason: We can still maintain the Word for Word by using the NASB, ESV, NKJV, etc. and have the context that the NIV and NLT try to do.
I've been protestant for 30 years was raised Catholic and just now seeing how I was predisposed to all the revelation I've received from the moment my faith came to life. And now I see why. And decided to verify the basis for their doctrines. As I have I've seen the kingdom like I've not seen it before. And I hey a lot of revelations.
This is a great video talking about the implications of why we have translations and how to approach them. I'm looking forward to hear what else you have to say on the topic in upcoming videos. I appreciate that you listen to the questions and feedback of your viewers as your try to make more videos.
Matt. This is definitely one of the best videos I have seen on the difficulties of translation. I have an in-law who insists on NKJV only, even though more recently translations are more accurate because they are based on a much wider choice and selection of source documents and several hundred years more research and knowledge and literally hundreds of specialist professional experts involved. In this sense, it has never been so good. The in-law is fixated on what is a more literal translation because he does not understand that literal/word for word does not equal accuracy, never mind the lack of coherence. When you have studied languages, it very quickly becomes clear that word for word often equals incoherent nonsense.
Great post! I speak 7 languages (all modern) and have been involved in a number of translation projects. You give a very good insight into the process of translation, but I also believe, at times, there is a certain degree of "divine inspiration" involved, which can help the translator get it "right", or as close to right as possible (taking the cultural differences into account.)
Yes! Every so often, someone comes along and says that only the original writings are God-inspired, or just the KJV above all else is God-inspired & purified to perfection. It's not too much to think that both were God-inspired/guided, and the same for other versions and translations into other languages.
My friend lived in Haiti for several years. One day in Port, some well meaning Americans were handing out cards with a Bible verse on them, and they gave him a stack. He later looked at them and realized the verse translated meant "Jesus loves you fat" in creole. Oops. Probably not what they thought they were saying.
Dude this is such a great series! Important stuff that I (a pastors kid) haven't heard addressed much in church settings. PS Love how creative your attention-getters are
Great video! Never realized how many people would work together on a single translation. That's really comforting for us non-1st century-Greek speakers. I'd love to hear more about the different translations, just like which are word-for-word and which are idea-for-idea, and maybe some ways that changes some passages. Also, I was thinking today about the verse and chapter numberings. Could you make a video on those? Maybe just one of your short bonus videos, but I've always been curious of the history there, especially with the weird occasional inconsistencies where my English Bible has a footnote saying "Chapter X in Hebrew." Keep up the good work! Love your stuff and your style. Always helpful and fun.
I agree, that would make for an interesting video. For what it's worth, I do know that the use of numbered chapters and verses was not introduced until the mid 1500's by Robert Estienne, a printer who was also known as Stephanus.
So, I found your channel from The Messed Up Church's channel, saw the Nuts And Bolts, looked at the playlist, saw this title, and did a double take and just cracked up. And now that I am here, yes! So important, and people are actually a bit shocked at how sarcastic Paul was and the sort of language he and other people used back then.
I am Greek and i read the NT in my native language.I read once an English translations of NT and i understand why we have different beliefs.For ex. In the beginning it was the Logos in Greek witch means Divine Logik .In the beginning was the Word in English.To my opinion this means nothing. Greetings from Greece.
Anyone know any really good Greek to English translation study bibles? Or at least a study Bible that notates the difference in words used. I.e. ‘bireth’ and ‘diatheke’ in Hebrew both being translated to “covenant” in English.
Ah that makes sense, Divine Logik. Later on, the trinity was introduced and with that in mind some translators used alternative phrases/words. Greetings to you from South Africa
So by the end of the video we can all agree that, in the words of the Chinglish that my late pupil used to quote for amusement from one of his Airsoft suppliers, "PROGRESS HAS BEEN OCCURRED!"
@3:51 Ahhhh! I bought that album wayyy way back. wow I'm old. ps: great vid, Matt. I think you did a great job laying out how translation affects all of us. Never heard the handkerchief one! :-)
Almost choked on ‘only puke.’ Great video as usual! Also, just finished your Acts series by podcast. It was an awesome series, and made windshield time fly by for a few months. The only problem I had was that near the end of it, you started saying to pause and look at the verse onscreen or look it up, which obviously wasn’t an option for drivers. I was just wondering if you do another series like it, maybe you could read out the passage for podcasts? Anyway, this was a great video, loved the Acts series, and I hope you have a good day!
Title Clever! Also I understand an other language, and I know well the necessity for to order well the words and find the words correct for to be more easy to translate. FYI, above is as if what I wanted to say was in Spanish, and I translated word for word. Those who know Spanish know the word order can be different -- which is what I recognize as highlighted by your title.
"I, for one, am more than comfortable with that and think that it follows the entire incarnational pattern of God stepping into the world, taking on forms we are used to and can relate to, in order to make Himself known to people." I liked this part, so I transcribed it for you...
I actually know something about the handkerchief thing. When you tuck a handkerchief into your pocket, its corners come together. It's a symbolic reference to the corners of the Earth coming together. I've always been interested in colloquialism. For example, "cool beans" refers to the days of the wild west. If two people were having an argument over dinner (where beans were typically involved) they might spend a lot of time debating and not so much time actually eating, and by the end of it the beans are cold. Whether they come to some agreement or "agree to disagree," it's cool beans haha
In regards to the vegetable translation, you said in the video you assume it's from Korea but it's not. The language written on the sign is actually Chinese! There was actully no Korean there in those examples haha 😅 Anyway loved the video! just catching up your series of awesome videos!
Thanks again Matt. Totally agree about God working in the lives of the original authors to produce the manuscripts. I would agree the translations are not the original incarnate Word, there is a way that God preserves and sustains the process of bringing the Word into people's lives that makes this somewhat special.
I believe that the bible was written by man under the guidance of the holy spirit, the eye witness to the events that were written down. I believe the holy spirit would not allow translations to go awry to the extent that incorrect translation would turn people away from salvation. I believe that if you in turn read the bible under the guidance of the holy spirit you will get the correct and intended message, and all you have to do is ask. A simplistic view perhaps, but we do live in faith, so why not have some.
There's a verse in the English bible that makes it sound like Mary wasn't a perpetual virgin, completely undermining what the original text says about Mary. Humans are fallible, and we have to accept that the Bible was translated, written, and compiled by humans. It was definitely inspired by God, but it is not what most people think it is.
I am loving this series! Question: how much translation is based only off of the original Greek, and how much is based on other, already existing transitions. I suppose that the system of using verses must influence translation a lot, since it has a pretty rigid orginazational structure.
Great job. You might want to look at Ronald Knox's translation of 1945(?). He made the argument that sometimes you must have a type of "dynamic" translation to have a real "formal" translation. Knox's version is choppy, sort of a Catholic NASB. But you have illustrated the difficulties involved..
And this is why I love the Ten Minute Bible Hour so much. I'm not a ussaul at church, but I don't think I have ever been told the culture around the bible. Something you do quite often Matt. But I believe it is essential. Language is ideas. Some ideas come from culture. So how can you understand these language without understanding the ideas behind it. Even with the best translation available. It really kinda makes me wonder, how much does language affect the way we think? Maybe that is a good question. A good question for no dumb questions? LOL ;)
I love how you’re a history nerd, especially when it comes to the Bible! I’m new to all of this and a person with a lot of discernment. I want to be able to read a few translations side by side so I’m getting both “word for word” and “thought for thought”. It’s been difficult trying to find the translations best for what I’m looking for. Anyone do the same thing or have some translations to recommend?
I prefer the NKJV for it's "word for word" accuracy and the NLT for "thought for thought." I switch between them depending on how I'm feeling, or what I'm reading. I find that the literal translations just aren't as good for the poetic books. You can also compare the literal NASB and ESV with the "thought for thought" NIV.
This is why so many rely on the great linguist, St Jerome, who translated the original bible into the common (vulgar) language of the day (the Latin Vulgate 382-400 AD) which is still used today. He lived close to the time period and had the original documents. He was also well respected by Jewish rabbis who sought his help. His bible study is also quite helpful.
I used to be told, at my ultra-conservative fundamental private school, that I was using the wrong translation. I preferred the NTSB because my dad did as well, not to mention that it was easier for a child to understand. It used to frustrate me so much when they would force me to use the original King James version. Version hath translateth in terrible fury of form.
Adam Horton - I hear ya on the understanding/easy reading part but in defense I find the kjv has a poetry to it that is great to read when you get in the groove. Mind you I like shakespeare.... so...
I agree with you Mathieu. I am not a KJV only person, but the KJV has a special place in my heart, because it was my first Bible as a child. (that was a long time ago) It was a little NT given to me at school by one of the members of The Gideons International. Way back then, they were allowed to visit our public schools and offer these little Bibles to whomever wanted them.(The also were the ones that would put Bibles in rooms at the Hotels) I carried it every day in my little purse. I had no idea what it was telling me, but I knew it was special and important.Now with that said. The KJV is so poetic and historical, in its writing. And has a serious coolness factor to it. I mean donkey's are asses in that Bible. We all loved to read out loud any scripture that spoke of a donkey. For the word ass coming out of our mouths at any other time would have got us in serious trouble. ;o) And when I discovered the verses in the OT that spoke of 'pisseth against the wall', I thought I had found a real treasure there. First off. I never knew that the word 'piss' was Biblical. I mean, who knew? No one ever covered those verses in Sunday School or in Church. Then, what other writing could make the word 'piss' sound so classy? You just have to change 'piss' to 'pisseth'. And there you have it. A classy word for a not so classy topic.
I use kjv and adhere to it as inspired based on faith that God has preserved his word, but I am completely on board as far as the logic here. I think we need to be learning the cultural context because there are actions in addition to words that happened in cultural context. I like how kjv has italicized added words. It shows humility. And I think believing this way should cause you to be MUCH MORE contextually considerate when interpreting the passages meaning and avoiding quote mining which is most preaching now days.
What I find fascinating is that Matthew Mark and John written in Greek (by Jewish authors) is already a translation, for the most part of what was said by all (or most) the Characters found in them. eg. The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus which was probably delivered in Aramaic?
In North Carolina we have an expression "went to see a man about a dog" .... I still don't know what that means and I've lived in NC my whole life. 🤣 Anyone want to explain that one to me ? Also it's pronounced : hank-er-chiff 😉👍 lmao this was fun, great stuff ! Keep it up 👍!
For me: NASB for literal meaning, NIV for poetics. I have a nice side-by-side study bible that I find helpful. Also has amplified bible and the KJV (which I could really do without, but I couldn't pick and choose).
d20dave Thank you for the suggestion of NASB. I have been reading NIV for a long time and had never read the NASB version. Fortunately, my YouVersion Bible app makes it easy to compare versions. I find the NASB to be very satisfying.
In a way this is why I enjoy the tradition within the muslim faith of teaching the Quran in Arabic or just one language. But due to different circumstances and how world develope here we are on RU-vid looking for some direction over scripture about the topic of translation
There are people who add to the English translation what is not in the Greek text. One such example is the NIV at Colossians 2:17. The word, were, is not present in the Greek text. The word was put there because the translators wanted it there to buttress their doctrine.
Add the complexity of historical equivalents of modern American English vs modern British English. Torch, boot, chips, jumper, bugger…these are very (very!) different concepts when being translated into a third language. (If you know, you know.)
Do you think that when Paul was writing his letters he has aware that these letters would later go on to be the divine word of God? In an earlier video you talked about books that didn't make the bible because of redundancy or weird personal takes on theology. What did cause the books, particularly the short very specific letters of Paul to be given such high regard? Are there other letters of Paul that have survived that didn't make the cut? Love Mom ps. I don't really expect answers, just some random thoughts I'll go start looking into.
I don't know if it survived, but Paul does make reference to other letters that he had written to other churches that don't show up in the Bible. For instance, Colossians makes reference to a letter to Laodicea (which was a neighboring town to Colosse), and that one's not in our Bibles today.
1 Corinthians 7 seems to imply that Paul knew what was inspired advice in marriage versus his own personal take. Peter also considered Paul’s letters inspired too (2 Peter 3:16).
I am new here but have you heard of Bible answer man? He needs prayer, he was reading a verse that Joyce Meyer said. 'Call those things that are not, as though they were. He said God can only say that not us Christians. I am absolutely shockied! He said she is a new age person and was twisting words.
You mentioned some translators think it should be as literal as possible, and others think it should be meaningfully as literal as possible (more or less). Off the top of your head, where would you categorize specific versions? Which versions would be most extreme on both ends, and which would end up in the middle? (I think you mentioned something like this in a previous video, but this seems like an appropriate place for it)
I tend to be more pedantic when it comes to scripture...for instance when we are taught to repent and be baptized...its in that order If the word is equated with God, as it is in John..well, I reckon God is protecting his chosen way to communicate himself to the world...if the way in which the Lord told his story is allowed to be corrupted..then how could we ever be held accountable Especially when we are taught to check everything against scripture..my Hebrew is worse than my Greek!! I agree with everything you said...but I think God keeps his word in tact through his means, because I trust him
How about to get a good translation we get 70 or 72 scribes and give them about ten weeks in different monastic cells and check that all their work matches at the end?
+Trevor Leach It seems to be where most people have questions, so for now I'm headed in that direction, but I'll probably make a single video were ideal with all of these topics in regards to the Old Testament down the road.
That illustration of translation being inspired was oddly caricatured. A bible skeptic could use the exact same illustration for the inspired authors of original texts.
The problem with translating languages from the orient into English is that the oriental languages are not alphabetic but rather pictographic. The symbols are chosen because when they are spoken they resemble the sounds made by western alphabets. So the symbols chosen resemble the word 'Coca Cola' yet the symbols themselves are words, so the symbols sounding like 'Coca Cola' might translate into something bizarre and/or offensive. I used to know what 'Coca Cola' translated to in one of the Chinese languages, either Cantonese or Mandarine, but that was 40 years ago and I don't recall but it was hysterical because Coca Cola fought hard to fight those symbols being used to be changed into different symbols. Didn't sound as close to Coke but it was far less offensive. Maybe my ex remembers. I will have to ask him. Keep up the good work!
Literal translations are really bad in that they may give you the word, but leaves you looking for the message. So the best translations are the ones that translate the idea's and message of the writers.
How much does translation accuracy matter? Wait, don't freak out. Let me explain. If I am making a part, I have tolerances. Say, a part is 5" long. I can't make it exactly 5" long. It is impossible. So I have a tolerance for error. Say, it can be 5" long +0-0.01". That would mean that, as long as I am between 5" and 4.99", I am good. I wonder the same thing about a translated bible. Being as precise as possible is good. But are we currently at a point, where we are within tolerance? Where we understand the big ideas of the bible and the stuff were unsure about is just the minutia.
Depends on who you ask. You're always going to have people that think literally none of it is minutia, and you'll always have people with a very simplified belief, that the Big Ideas are no more and no less than X, Y and Z and that if you understand those the rest is extra credit.
True. I feel like there has to be some common sense. Like, yeah, we're not positive he meant metal as in steel in this sentence. But given the context, we're %92 sure that he didn't mean meltdown the music genre. :) But you are right. One man's tolerance is another man's intolerance. :)
what does Christ say? I believe it's "we shall live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." I believe we need to be hungry and thirsty about what is right concerning his word and I believe only blessings can come from it.
The KJV is the document which did the most to stabilize the English language, so our language is rooted in the Bible. For this reason, translating from Greek to English is actually rather straightforward. Hebrew on the other hand, English will never express all the depth that is in the Hebrew.
They should make a bible with BOTH the literal translation and the translation of thought/culture. Then every individual person could do their own research and study....
So interesting! In reading the KJV, I compared some verses with the Greek and found such gross mistranslation as could make you laugh out loud (i.e. - John the Baptist ate 'locusts and wild honey" when, in point of fact, according to the Greek, his sweet tooth wasn't toward juicy and crunchy bugs, but beans from the Locust Tree, which we know as carob), to the infuriating. from 1 Timothy 2:9 - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety." I looked up the word "shamefacedness" and it is an old English word reserved for prostitutes - to hide one's face in shame, to cover one's face in guilt, as a hooker would, to be red faced with guilt. Well! I then looked it up in the Textus Receptus ms. of the same book and, quite miraculously, Paul only said to Timothy that "In the same way, women should adorn themselves in modesty and WISDOM." Nothing at all about hiding one's face in shame, or shamefacedness - or even being sober. Some of the transliterations read that a woman should be adorned with "modesty and sanity." But the word sanity is not used. Only the word Wisdom. Those who say that the Bible translations have no errors in it and that all should be obeyed without question, and would be willing to die for it, would be burned at the stake for a mistranslation - or someone's bias against women, as is evident in many KJV verse translations. Another nice one: When Christ walked on the water and frightened His disciples, we read in the KJV that Christ said, "It is I. Be not afraid." Modern paraphrased versions basically read, "It's only Me. Don't be afraid." When, in point of fact, Christ said, "I AM that I AM. Do not be in fear." Christ was identifying God's Name for Himself and right there claimed, without question, to be the Living God. The transliterations will read, "I AM. Don't be afraid." But - if He wanted to say "I AM," He would have said, "ειμαι." And if He wanted to say, "It's Me," He would have said, " ειμαι εγω." But He reverse the order of those two simple words, which makes for a double" I AM." By saying "εγω ειμαι" He was claiming to be the Living God and using God's own name for Himself, thus identifying with the One who created all. My father was born and raised in Greece, and Greek was my first language - so this really interests me. Language is so vitally important.
How very interesting... God bless and thank you so much, from the Oklahoma Grandma (p.s. I always took shamefacedness as modesty, so I really wasn't that far off, huh?
@@sharonbyers3982 That is what it means. Artemis is the only person I know who thinks that. aidōs ahee-doce' Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492 (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, that is, (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: - reverence, shamefacedness. Total KJV occurrences: 2
I do enjoy RU-vid commenters who think themselves wiser and more learned than those whose efforts created the single greatest work of scripture translation
Yeah.....that second icon on the hook, will give you a clue as to what that hook is typically used for; its not what you think, and its not family friendly. Dats a booty.
What do you think about the fact that the TETRAGRAMMATON appears nearly 7,000 times in old documents / papyri and yet doesn’t appear in most Bible translations today?
