Part of the issue is a desire to make this important document understandable. Some translations are done with a very limited vocabulary. They set an educational level and try to make it understandable to that demographic. Thus a children’s Bible would have simpler language than a Bible for adults.
Sometimes the goal is to update the language. English is constantly evolving. Words change their meaning. A good example is
(Mark 10:14 KJV) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.A modern translation puts it differently.
(Mark 10:14 NAS77) But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.“Suffer” used to mean to allow something. We study the Women’s Suffrage movement in history. It was an attempt to allow women to vote.
Another reason to have a different translation is to push your own opinions or beliefs. The most example of this is the New World Translation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. In it they have deliberately translated portions to show their view of truth. No Christian scholars agree with how they translate those sections. They do it to make it say what they want. While they consider it necessary the rest of us consider it dishonest.
To be continued...
homo unius libri
There are two technical terms for how a person reads the Bible, one to learn God's thoughts, the other to prove the reader's point. I've long forgotten those terms, though.
ReplyDeleteTerms come to mind but I don't think they are the right ones. Until they show up we can go with yours.
DeleteGrace and peace.