Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #12 God Himself masters His Own Word

In the previous chapters we have seen that there have been lots of different translations which all have something to offer and of which some may be edited with a special purpose and public in mind.

English: The study translation Bible 2009 Česky: Český studijní překlad Bible 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We always should remember for what sort of public the Bible in our hands is translated. Was its purpose to reach teenage kids and as such has avoided too difficult words, or was it more for adolescents, still using a restricted vocabulary or was it for educated people who can bear some more difficult words?

A study Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We also do have to be careful when we speak about a Bible translation that we do not take the additional notes as being part of the real Bible. Too many people forget that it are human words which are added to give the readers some guidance, but mostly are written from denominational points of view.  In this way the so called “Thematic Bibles” and the “Study Bibles” are the most dangerous. They are the easiest sources to have the mind site tracked to human dogma‘s.

Ultimately, we believe the Bible to be inerrant because it comes from God Himself. It is unthinkable to contemplate that God might be capable of error. Therefore, His Word cannot possibly contain errors. This is our faith—we can trust the Bible because we can trust God. {Sproul, R. C. (2009). Can I Trust the Bible? (Vol. 2, p. xii). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.}

For those who say only the King James Version is the only right and true Bible, they should wonder if God then in the previous and following years was not able to protect His Own Word. Do they not trust God that He could take care that those who wanted to translate His word and spent so many hours, days, months and some even years, to make a worthy translation, would make a reasonable good translation which could bring God His Word to the general public?

We should all remember that

God, who is Himself truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order thereby to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God’s witness to Himself. {Sproul, R. C. (2009). Can I Trust the Bible? (Vol. 2, p. xv). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.}

and be aware that though those 66 books may have been written down by different people at different times in the previous history, but have always been God’s Truth and not their own thinking.

Holy Scripture, being God’s own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it affirms; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises. {Sproul, R. C. (2009). Can I Trust the Bible? (Vol. 2, p. xv). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.}

It is that Divine Authority Who still overlooks the work done for Him. even when there may by so many different translators from different denominations, they all when working with the Word of God trying to bring it in the language of their people, may come under the Guidance of the Most High God.

 The Holy Spirit, Scripture’s divine author, both authenticates it to us by His inward witness and opens our minds to understand its meaning. {Sproul, R. C. (2009). Can I Trust the Bible? (Vol. 2, p. xv). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.}

In the  previous chapters we have seen how even of the King James version many totally different versions were created and that several people who say “Only the King James version” may be using themselves a totally different version than the Authorised King James Version of 1611 and each been talking about a different Bible translation.

We also could see that the many versions in many languages all may equip the reader to reach deep into God’s Word and if they are really willing to put all human dogma’s aside that the translation they may use still shall be able to to unlock the riches and majesty of God His Word, and ignite a passion to mentor others in their life to do the same.

If it are published bibles for a specific group, we should carefully check if all the bible books are represented with the full texts. We also have seen that the saying of Stanton who concluded that

‘the Bible in its teachings degrades Women from Genesis to Revelation‘

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her daughter Harriot, 1856 Category:United States history images (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

is not correct and that God even allowed women, like herself, to translate His word. The famous 19th Century feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a “Revising Committee” found much to admire in the Bible, particularly some of the Old Testament women. While many of her views are still controversial, time and advances in womens’ rights have lessened some of the shock value of her book The Woman’s Bible. Stanton doesn’t go as far as some modern feminist theologians and proclaim ‘God is a woman’, but there are several contributions which discuss the gender of the ‘Elohim’ and the female aspects of the Kabbalah.

For those who want to put women on a higher place or give them a nice attention, there may be several Women’s Bibles to give to that special woman in their life, so that she’ll find inspiration with a Bible made just for her. From women’s study Bibles, to Bibles made just for moms, available in popular translations from NIV, NKJV, to ESV, such Bibles for women will help her on her faith journey. So people may find the wisdom, grace, encouragement and guidance that Women’s Bibles can deliver.

Whatever Bible translation you might like to use always remember what the essence of that Book should be. Always remember that the goal of a Bible study should be . . . to study the Bible. Always be careful not to be sidetracked by so many beautiful pictures or lovely stories which are told next to the real Bible text.

Always remember that Bible study is not a social club, a counselling session, or a place to meet “felt needs.” Fellowship, counselling, and meeting needs are often the choice fruits of a good Bible study as women get to know one another and are shaped by the Word. But these fruits should never overcome the goal of studying the Scriptures together. Also Bible Journaling may be great fun for lots of females. Though we notice that lots of girls and ladies let themselves be carried away by their drawings and spent more time to their ‘journaling’ instead of ‘studying’ the Word of God.

Therefore we do ask every person who wants to go for a thematic bible or a special group Study bible to concentrate on the Word of God Itself and to remember always that the additional notes are those of human beings and not part of the Bible itself.

If you keep your goal in mind, you will keep focused on the Scriptures. Tangents will threaten to take you down a rabbit trail, but you will guide them back to the solid ground of the Word. Wrong answers will be offered, but you will arrive at the truth. Real needs will arise, and you’ll be surprised how they are met with Scripture. At the end of an hour or two women will be built up and equipped with the Word. {7 Mistakes We Make in Women’s Bible Study}

Page from the Dutsch Professorenbijbel (“Professors Bible”), a translation of the Latin Vulgate of the Books of the New Testament. This part, covering the Pentateuch, was published in 1904. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let us not forget that it was the KJV translators themselves who stated in their original pref­ace that the very purpose of their translation was to provide God’s Word in a readable and understandable fashion. They too looked at previous versions and recognized and accepted the translation work that had been done before them, not downgrading it.  times and language have evolved, so we should recognise that the 17th century language is not so comprehensible for the contemporary public and that even certain phrases where not so correctly translated because there was not yet such a thorough or good insight in the original language as we have to day.

Dr. John Ankerberg and Dr. John Weldon question

So then how can anyone logically argue that they would object to mod­ern translations being done today for the same purpose? {The Conflict Over Different Bible Versions/Part 6}

and be honest when you look at the old and original Authorised Version. See if the used words are clear enough even in contemporary spelling.

Bible edition of 1611 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now examine this yourself. Here are a few examples of words from the KJV that have passed completely out of use and convey no meaning to readers today:

almug, neesing, chode, tabret, habergeon, cieled, purtenance, aceldama, sackbut, blains, wot, trow, churl, ambassage, crookbackt, “collops of fat”, “wimples,” “hole’s mouth,” “ouches of gold,” “naughty figs,” and “fetched a compass” (which does not mean to go find a compass but “to turn around”).^[2]

These were the words chosen by KJV translators in 1611 to signify the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words. Translators now simply find English words in use today that more accurately convey the meaning. {The Conflict Over Different Bible Versions/Part 6}

Steve Mittelstaedt and Sat Sapienti write

The goal of translating any ancient text ought to be to make the original sense of that text available to a modern reader.  It really doesn’t matter whether that ancient text was written by Aristophanes or the Apostle Paul. {(Lost in) Permanent Translation}

It is more important to have the Bible presented in a language people of the day can understand easily, without doing shortage to the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek writing.

We must be aware of choices made by publishers, like trying to translate as close as possible to the original language (NWT, Ref.B., Aramaic-English B., The Scriptures, HalleluYah B, NASB) putting meaning ahead of clarity (NAS, Ryries, NASB, ESV, and NRSV), putting clarity ahead of meaning sometime translating very freely (CEV, AMP, Liv.B, the Book, MSG, NLT and GNB/GNT) and those aiming at the optimal amount of meaning and clarity simultaneously (Naz.Com., NKVJ, NAB, NET, HCSB, CEB and NIV).

This are all Bible translations which may come on the bookshelf, but the most important thing is that they are read, not only once, but regularly.

May we use the conclusion of Dr. John Ankerberg of the The John Ankerberg Show and of Dr. John Weldon

In conclusion, if you are a Christian who uses the King James Version, if you understand what you read and are comfortable with it, then by all means, continue to use it. The KJV, despite the kinds of minor problems which occur in any translation, is still a fine Bible.
What if you are a Christian who uses a modern translation? You also should feel free to continue reading a good modern translation.
Don’t be deterred or intimidated by those who would tell you that you do not have the Word of God in your hands. {The Conflict Over Different Bible Versions/Part 6}

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Full text of the Women’s Bible

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Title page of The Holy Bible, King James version, 1772. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Preceding articles:

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #1 Pre King James Bible

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #2 King James Bible versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #3 Women and versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #4 Steps to the women’s bibles

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #5 Further steps to women’s bibles

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #6 Revisions of revisions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #7 Jewish versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #8 Selective Bibles and selective people

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #9 Restored names and Sacred Name Bibles

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #10 Journaling Bibles and illustrative women

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #11 Muslim Idiom Translations

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Additional reading

1. Written and translated by different men over thousands of years
2. Challenging claim 4 Inspired by God 3 Self-consistent Word of God
3. Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words
4. Another way looking at a language #4 Ancient times
5. Bible Translating and Concordance Making
6. Word of God presented to people in more than 3200 languages
7. Looking at notes of Samuel Ward and previous Bible translation efforts in English
8. How to Choose a Bible for Preaching
9. Dedication and Preaching Effort 400 years after the first King James Version
10. Breathing to teach
11. Wycliffe Associates supporting underground Bible translators
12. Americans really thinking the Messiah Christ had an English name
13. The NIV and the Name of God
14. Geneva Bible, Source text for our series on the beginning of Jesus

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Further reading

A biblebookshelf by paulthinkingoutloud

1. A New Bible Translation Classification System
2. The Making of a Worthy Bible Translation
3. The Translator’s Dilemma
4. Which Translation of the Bible?
5. How Trustworthy Are Bible Translations?Some Notes on Bible TranslationsMore on English Bible Versions
6. Which is the best English Bible?
7. 7 Bible Translations You Should Look at Regularly
8. Compare translations
9. Reflections on an Old Bible
10. Medieval Manuscripts and Modern Evangelicals: ETS 2016 in San Antonio
11. Bible in more languages than Hamlet and Harry Potter put together
12. Behind the Scenes
13. That’s for others
14. Partnership possibilities to #endbiblepoverty @pciassembly @wycliffeuk
15. Book Review | “How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee
16. Book Review | Translating Truth: The Case for Essentially Literal Bible Translation
17. Book Review | The Complete Guide to Bible Translations: How They Were Developed – Understanding Their Differences – Finding the Right…
18. How I Know The King James Bible is the Word of God
19. Good Book
20. Ryrie’s Bibles and Manuscripts Auctioned off
21. Review: The Bible: Authorised King James Version with the Apocrypha (Oxford World Classics)
22. What Happened to it Being Easy?
23. I and thou
24. The King James Version Controversy
25. Gen 3:16, the ESV, and My תשׁוקה for Folks to Stop Using Hebrew Grammar in the Debate
26. Two challenges to the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures
27. Should You Only Read the King James Bible? — The Parker J Cole Show
28. KJV Only!
29. King James Only–Refuted (part 3)
30. Hitchens KJV-Only?
31. King James Only-ism – invented by Seventh Day Adventist?
32. King James Only? … The Final Word
33. Saved or Being Saved
34. Why’s My NIV So Different From My KJV?
35. NKJV vs. ESV: Thoughts on the Translation Wars
36. Blomberg Gives Clarity in the Translation Wars
37. (Lost in) Permanent Translation
38. Bible Translations in other Country
39. Bible Translation Around the World.
40. Is Modern Really Better?
41. English Bible Translations
42. Common English Bible Translation says we live under a Dome
43. Infographic on English Bible Translations
44. What’s the best English Bible translation?
45. Book Review – William Tyndale: A Biography
46. William Tyndale, Martyr
47. A mysterious torn image of William Tyndale
48. DR. John Wycliffe, Low-Tech Bible Translator
49. Legible or fancy
50. Henry Martyn (1781 – 1812)-19th October
51. 500th Anniversary of the Book that Changed the World
52. Finally, an Awesome Backgrounds Bible!
53. Crossway Reverses Decision to Make ESV Bible Text Permanent
54. The ESV’s Great Reversal
55. The ESV’s Unchangeable Nature?
56. A scroll, a paper footprint and quite a lot of prayer
57. Discover Your Language
58. Literacy… and little pull thingies
59. Celebrating Completed ScripturesRoma Bible Society: Why we do what we doTha Fower GospelsBosnian Bible available online!
60. New Bible Translation Eliminates “Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Messiah” Because It Insults Muslims
61. The “Treasure” is the Word
62. Why are Mark 16:9-20 missing in most modern Bible translations?
63. Why are John 7:53—8:11 doubted in many modern Bible translations?
64. Applying God’s Holy Word
65. Friday Five: The Bible!
66. The Value of a BibleStop Doubting the Origin of the Bible
67. About that Bible!
68. Circle Means Circle – Not Ball/Sphere/Globe!
69. The Wicked Bible
70. Christian Scholars Admit To Corrupting The Bible
71. A Useless Commentary
72. I’m not sure what title to give this post, as I’m totally confounded
73. It’s A Matter Of Life and Death! – Grain of Wheat blog
74. It’s A Matter Of Life and Death! (alloutwarblog)
75. The Word and the words: a sonnet for Lancelot Andrewes
76. The King James Bible and the Restoration
77. Some Thoughts on the NET Bible
78. Gospel or Good News?
79. Jesus, Light of the World
80. Celebrating the Story
81. Bible Translation Day
82. Ulster Rugby and Bible Translation
83. Washington, D.C.: ‘Topping Out’ the Museum of the Bible
84. Search The Bible…
85. The Difference a Sigma Makes
86. Freedom from the Bible Police
87. More Bible Stuff
88. Thou Shouldst Buy This Book

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