Are Some Bible Translations Mistranslated? Which Translations Are Most Accurate?
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Over the years, some have questioned the accuracy and potential manipulation of Bible translations. While most translations strive for faithfulness to the original texts, there have been various factors that have sometimes affected translation choices. Some estimates state there are close to 900 translations of the Bible just into English alone. With this many translations, how can you determine which ones you can trust?
Why Do We Have So Many Bible Translations?
The need for Bible translations is straightforward. Since most people cannot read Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic—the original languages of the Bible—they rely on translations in their native languages. According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, the full Bible has been translated into 756 languages, with parts of it available in over 3,000 more. However, translators do not use the same method for all translations and there are three primary methods that exist for Bible translation.
- Formal Equivalence, or literal translation, focuses on rendering each word from the original language as closely as possible in the target language, prioritizing accuracy over readability. While this approach provides a word-for-word translation, it may create texts that are more challenging to read.
- Dynamic Equivalence focuses on thought-for-thought translation and focuses on the meaning of each text. This method emphasizes readability and accessibility while trying to stay true to what the original writers were trying to say. While this approach makes the text easier to understand, it can pose a challenge in maintaining the original meaning and losing accuracy if translators deviate too far.
- Paraphrasing is not a formal translation. It is not always done by teams, but often by individuals, making it more interpretive and less structured. While it is typically the easiest to read, it lacks the depth and accuracy of other translations. These “translations” are also the easiest to be mistranslated.
What Does It Mean for a Bible Translation to Be Accurate?
For a Bible translation to be accurate, you can define that in one of two ways. The first is to make sure the translation aligns with the wording of the original text. This is what word-for-word translations attempt to do. The second way is to ensure that the translation aligns with the messaging or meaning of the original text, which is what thought-for-thought translations attempt to do.
Regardless of which method you use, there is always a challenge whenever you translate from one language to another. The difficulty that arises is there is not always one word in one language that translates easily into another. For example, the English language has one word for love, while Greek has four.
Challenges and Dangers of Mistranslation and Manipulation
Although most Bible translations aim to stay true to the original text, there have been instances of mistranslation or manipulation for ulterior motives. People made these changes to support theological, political, or ideological positions lacking scriptural backing, prioritizing the agenda over accuracy. Let me give you two examples.
The New World Translation, which is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, has intentionally misinterpreted parts of the text so that the text can fit their doctrinal position. Here is one glaring instance.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" - John 1:1 (NIV).
Most legitimate translations of Scripture will translate this verse similarly. However, notice how this verse reads in the New World Translation.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god."
As you can see they added one word, literally the letter a, and it changed the entire meaning of the verse. They did not do this to adhere to the original text but to support their doctrine because they don’t believe in the deity of Christ.
Perhaps one of the most egregious examples of manipulation of the Scriptures was the Slave Bible that was created in 1807. One of the major catalysts in creating this was a successful revolt of Haitian slaves that overthrew their masters in 1804. Slave masters were not always interested in the souls of their slaves, but when they became interested, they wanted to give slaves “the gospel” and at the same time keep slaves beholden to their masters.
To accomplish this, they gave slaves a Bible that left out any parts of Scripture that talked about the Messiah coming to free the nations, the equality of all believers, freedom, oppression, or justice. After all, if slaves are equal brothers and sisters in Christ, then they could not justify enslaving them. Historians estimate that ninety percent of the Old Testament and fifty percent of the New Testament are missing from this Bible. They removed anything that might give slaves justification for their freedom or any sense of hope.
However, they emphasized verses like the one below because it fit their slave narrative.
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart" - Ephesians 6:5-6.
The twisting and manipulation of Scripture did not stop in the 1800s. It still happens today and the consequences of it are just as bad. That’s why it is critical that you become a student of the Bible and learn to read the Bible in context regardless of which Bible translation you use.
Are Modern Bible Translations Trustworthy?
Most modern translations are trustworthy. Yet, when you choose a translation, take time to examine the process that was used to create that translation. Understanding that process will give you confidence to know it is trustworthy.
Most translations are not the work of one individual but are the work of scholarly committees, often consisting of large teams of people committed to the work of providing an accurate translation of scripture regardless of the translation method they are using.
However, when reading the Bible, you may come across verses that may use different words in translation and some can cause debate. Here is another example.
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14
While many translations use the word virgin, some use young woman instead. When you see these things, it helps to go back to the original words in Greek or Hebrew to see how they align with the choice of words that were used.
That is one reason I recommend you compare translations when you are reading scripture, because no one translation captures all the richness of the original texts completely. My other recommendation would be to study Hebrew or Greek, but I think my first suggestion is more realistic for most people.
Which Bible Translation is Best/Most Accurate?
While some people will declare one Bible translation the best or most accurate, I tend not to do that. If you are seeking accuracy, I would stick with the word-for-word or thought-for-thought translations. Paraphrase translations leave too much room to incorporate doctrinal biases which can create problems when compared to the original texts. What can be helpful is using a parallel Bible or the Bible Study Tools app which give you access to multiple translations easily and quickly. Your goal in doing this is not to declare that one translation is better than the other. Your goal should be to gain a better understanding of the passage, and comparing different translations can help you accomplish that goal.
When viewed correctly, translation differences should not affect your faith at all. What does impact your faith is when you fail to look at verses in their full context. Sometimes people will take one verse or thought and run with it and not consider the full context of the verse, that passage, and how it aligns with the rest of Scripture. This has the greatest potential to severely damage your faith regardless of which Bible translation you use.
Why Can You Trust the Bible?
With the various Bible translations that exist, why can you still have confidence in the Bible? The thing people may point to as a weakness, having multiple translations, is actually a strength. When you consider the meticulous work that has been done in translating and when you compare the various translations with the original texts, it reveals a remarkably consistent and reliable Word of God. This does not deny the minor differences that exist between translations. However, the essential truths of Scripture remain intact across every reputable version. Since the overwhelming majority of Bible translations are not mistranslated or manipulated you can feel confident using multiple translations in study. You will most likely discover that this can become a tremendous aid in helping you understand what God is telling us through Scripture.
Additional Resources
Compare Bible Verses in Different Translations
Why Are There So Many Different Versions of the Bible?
Are There Bible Translations Christians Should Avoid?
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