In defense of backwards language in the ESV, NKJV, and KJV 

This is one of the reasons why I love the ESV. In a time where translations are ever seeking to be more readable the ESV continues to stand out in elegance

The Bible-love it you do,read it you must!!!

The problem with the "elegant" argument (esp w/ Isa 41:10) is that the Hebrew readers/hearers wouldn't have heard elegant phrasing as we do. The ESV, while arguably more memorable (which I think is a matter of taste & debatable), actually obscures the directness of the Hebrew

After taking two semesters of German in college, I now understand Yoda is truly German. The German language speaks this way; and English is actually an offshoot or inspirations of the German language.

Frisch, almost thou persuadest me to go ESV. 😉 Great video. I agree with you that there is much to be said for beautiful and poetic (and therefore memorable) English in our Bibles. Thanks for the reminder.

I read "Good the ESV is" in the voice of Yoda! 😂😂😂

Love I the ESV! Was planning to get an NASB but after watching this, I think not that I will.

Thanks! I agree with you re "Fear Not." I've been enjoying your various videos on Bible translations. I used the NKJV for 21 years, then switched to the ESV in 2017. I still highly regard the NKJV. At a previous church I preached for 7 years from the NIV, then changed to the ESV at our present church & am much happier preaching from it.

I agree with you, the ESV is worded beautifully in some ways. I will say your love of the CSB has rubbed off on me and I'm finding it hard to read any of my other bibles here lately 🤯. Very much appreciate your videos Sir! God bless.

I appreciate the way you look at this. It's very eye opening for me. That's one of the reasons I left the ESV because of the way it reads. I've got some reading and comprehension issues and I've gone to the CSB. The NLT is my favorite but it's just not correct in sooo many spots, so I've gone to the CSB and it's a good middle ground for someone like me. Thx again!

Great video. No joke whether it's "yoda speech" or other...more formal English rendering makes it very difficult for this challenged-reader to comprehend. For a translation in this line-up that has greatly improved in readability...it's the NASB 2020. Blessings!

I love this verse in the KJV: Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

It is a great point and you get it absolutely right with a great explanation and example. I thought youre gonna use the Beatitutes, but almost all versions use that rhetorical syntax there, even NIV. It is the point where some great scholarly bible fails such as NABRE. Unless these versions start following the way of the ESV they are never gonna follow the lead of such popularity.

After reading the ESV for awhile now, I think the so-called "backwards" speech is as overblown as the supposed "woodenness" of the pre-2020 NASBs.

Thanx, Pastor 🌹🌹🌹

Hi Tim I agree with everything you said. God Bless!!

Esv is my best bible version of all time. God bless you pastor.

Good video this is. In all seriousness I read the ESV and problem I have not.

fantastic observations!

Mr. Frisch, how about some review of literal translation bibles, like Young's Literal Translation, Literal Standard Version, Jay P Green's Literal Translation (KJ3), Berean Literal Bible (NT), Disciples Literal New Testament, Modern Literal Version, etc? Appreciate very much if you do.

Excellent topic! The Yoda syntax does carry more weight and is more memorable.

I definitely prefer the language style of the ESV, NKJV, and KJV. Good video.

It may very well be because certain words get more emphasis & attention in a Yoda-like verse. “Fear not…” is a perfect example of this.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Or perhaps we could really jazz it up and say instead of "fear not" maybe "don't get your knickers in a twist" since people seem to have trouble understanding anything beyond a 3rd grade level anymore. Maybe "knickers" is too obscure as well...

I guessed it!👍 And I agree with yiu..Yidaspeak is so memorable...and definitely have an impact in the listener, or the reader.. It’s beautiful.. We memorize it so easily.. BTW... I remember the original Kennedy speech. Maybe thst’s why I prefer the NKJV, RSV, rhe NADB, etc. I grew up with the KJV.. so Yodaspeakmis natural for me..and so many others.

To be honest, that sort of word order sounds more Biblical to me. I guess maybe that's how some folks feel about the KJV. I didn't grow up using either the ESV or the KJV, mind you. We used the 1984 NIV.

Hey, hey! Back in the old filming location. Love it

I like rhetorical language too. But, the text should be translated as close to the original as possible. The NKJ translates Isaiah 41.10 as “fear not”, but it translates Deu 31.6 as “do not fear”. I don’t know if the underlying language is the same for both. If it is, then the rendering of the English should be the same.

I like that you discussed this, what other channel would bring this up?!! I actually much prefer the Nasb's rendering of Isaiah 41:10 which you mentioned, and this very issue is why I've had a hard time leaving the Nasb behind and embracing the esv in its place. To each his own!

I have a relative for whom I would like to buy a study bible. He is a non-believer, has read the KJV, and had a lot of questions. I have answered a lot of them, but feel like having a resource at hand in the Word would help lead him where he should go. I have a study bible picked out which comes with the options for ESV, NASB, and NKJV. My relative is a lawyer and very intelligent. Keeping in mind he has already read the KJV, which do you think would be best? (I'm leaning ESV or NKJV). Thanks.

I love all of these translations but i do use the NASB95 the most by far because of the layout and because its the easiest to understand I prioritize knowing exactly what’s being said. Look up psalm 18 in the NASB95 and tell me as a whole its not far more poetic than the ESV and NKJV its just my opinion but i think there’s a lot of Psalms 17 and 18 are two that are better poetry in the NASB95 when i study i compare the NASB ESV KNJV and the KJV

Ah, yes! The Rhetorical Force--good it is!

Both the NKJ and the ESV are to be avoided. The notes of mss differences in the NKJ, CSV, and NET are brilliant! The most accurate is the NASB 1977 although it can in very very rare instances be hard to understand.

I think the English language is eroding all the time. Worse here even in England! Let’s keep it punchy like English can be.

This is such a terrible example. Word order is an important rhetorical device (in most languages, but particularly in English and Hebrew), and conveying the nuance contained in the word order of the original text is where literal translations shine. Dynamic translations simply cannot do this, because they often mess up the word order for readability. Unfortunately, your example has nothing to do with word order in the original language. If word order in the original language is to be followed, then not should precede the verb. In fact, in Biblical Hebrew, that is required by the grammar. So all of your talk only makes a point about what translation sounds more literarily elegant. It has nothing to do with conveying little nuances of the original text. If only you research this topic a bit more, and make use of interlinears, you will find real and compelling examples where the ESV (or other literal translations) succeeds in bringing out some nuance made by the original author through the deliberate choice of word order, while more dynamic translations fail to do so.

The King James Bible is THE HOLY BIBLE for all English speaking people.