Featured Using more than one version to study from

Hi Joe, I think using a primary study bible (for me it is the NASB95) and then comparing it to other versions is sound. The NKJV is an excellent version, but I would put the WEB into your comparison stack because it too is based on the Majority Text, so it will not differ significantly from your NKJV, except where the TR deviates from the Majority Text.

 

Hi Joe, here is an example where adding the WEB may be useful.

1John 5:7 New King James Version
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

1 John 5:7 NASB
For there are three that testify:

1 John 5:7 HCSB
For there are three that testify:

1 John 5:7 WEB
For there are three who testify:

Because the WEB matches the comparison versions, you know the NKJV is suspect, because it does not reflect either the Critical Text (NASB/HCSB) or the Majority Text (WEB).

On the other hand, often you will find the WEB matches the NKJV and both differ from the other versions, with many scholars thinking the NKJV/WEB text is best.

 

It's not just bad advice, it's ignorant.

 

From the 1611 KJV Introductory Translators to the Readers:

"Therefore as S. Augustine saith, that variety of translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is not so clear, must needs do good; yea, is necessary as we are persuaded... They that are wise had rather have their judgments at liberty in differences of readings, than to be captivated to one, when it may be the other."

 

I don't use other translations... I just use the KJV and have been trying to understand it for over 50 years... Its not a struggle, its a pleasure, to dig out Gods treasures... Do I use other helps in study?.. I glean other points of view and other understanding from Greek and Hebrew and from commentaries and other references... To NKJV for me that started this OP, I bought a NKJV for my wife for Christmas a couple of years back and she loves it... Me?... I stick with old tried and true KJV that has been around for over 400 years and has been maligned since I've been here... Do I need to read other translations?... Why?... To NKJV for me, other brethren and my wife who loves hers and all the other translations they read... I have all I need, its the KJV for me... Brother Glen

 

Whew boy...don't show that to the KJVO crowd.

 

I wouldn't say the KJV is maligned, it's a good translation. But it is an outdated translation. It is outdated in language and it is outdated in the manuscripts it had available at the time.

 

Not exactly - The KJV translators took Augustine's advice in their own day and had several English translations being used in their own day from which they drew data and used for comparison in their translation work : The Bishop's Bible, The Geneva, The Douay-Rheims, The Tyndale Bible (your namesake), The Great Bible, The Wycliffe Bible, The Coverdale Bible...

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Augustine said in the Confessions that he wasn't the best student of Greek, and preferred to work in Latin.

 

I don't know. The point is that its good to have several translations of the bible.

 

Yes, there are a great many ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, & Koine Greek words & phrases that have several meanings in English, & context doesn't always dictate which one is best for a particular passage. Thus, reading various translations gives one a better overview of all Scripture & gives the HOLY SPIRIT more to work with in that individual's mind.

There are still some words or phrases, especially in ancient Hebrew, whose exact meanings have not been deciphered. A famous one is "re'em", which the KJV renders as "unicorn", while newer versions say "wild ox", etc. All we know for sure is that the re'em is a powerful, fierce herbivore.

I don't criticize the AV men for using "unicorn", as this critter is depicted on KJ's coat-of-arms, as is the lion. (It's doubtful if those men ever saw a live lion, either, but they had no reason to not believe both lions & unicorns existed.)

Scripture is not affected by not knowing exactly which birds or animals are mentioned in some passages. Both the AV men & modern translators had to guess at some of their names. The AV men said as much in their preface. For example, it doesn't matter if cormorants or pigeons nested in the ruins of the old city of Babylon.

 

Your friend is laughable. Ask him what "corn" ("seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk") and "study" ("study to show thyself approved") means in the KJV, and if he says "corn" and "study", he's showing how ignorant he is. The answer is grain (certainly wheat) and diligent. Why is a KJV-illiterate refusing to use a modern-language Bible in his Bible studies?

Even for someone raised on the KJV, and knowing the KJV vocabulary, a modern Bible is still a necessary companion for Bible study. The same is true of any translation, if you only use one translation, you're not seriously studying the Bible. Even the best translator has to make costly choices, because a 1:1 translation is impossible, impossible for even a single verse. And, most translators are far from the best.

All great Bible authorities know Greek, and can bypass the limitations of a translation.

 

I believe you mean by James... LOL

 

Maybe he uses the King George Version ! (KGV)

 

I'm teaching Isaiah 40.
I'll be illustrating the usefulness of using many versions tomorrow with two interesting selections.

Isaiah 40:12
Selection #1

ESV
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?​

Compare:

Robert Alter 2019
Who with his hand’s hollow has measured the waters,
the heavens has gauged with a span,
and meted earth’s dust with a measure,
weighed with a scale the mountains
and the hill with a balance?​

l
Interesting how Alter has imitated the Hebrew vocalization in his translation

Finishing up with this selection #2

Isaiah 40:31

English Standard Version
“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”

New International Version
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

Christian Standard Version
“but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.”
​

Neither of these three is wrong... they are all related and each emphasize the intent of the text in their own way.

Using multiple versions helps students of the Bible to understand it better!

Rob