The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. When translating any language there are words that do not have an exact equivalent, and it is up to the translator to decide which word or phrase best represents the language being translated. One reason for multiple translations is that translators may disagree with the word choices of a previous translation.

Another reason is that languages continue to change and evolve over time. It becomes necessary to update a translation so the modern reader can follow along with understanding.

In short, the best translation is the one you will read.

There are a few approaches to translating. A literal approach seeks to find, as close as possible, a word-for-word translation. Another approach, called a paraphrase, seeks to communicate the overall meaning of the text. There are benefits and drawbacks to both approaches. A literal approach stays true to the original text but the meaning may be difficult to grasp. The paraphrase may be easier to comprehend but is subjected to the interpreter’s understanding. See the chart below to understand how some popular translations relate to each other.

For those just starting out we recommend one of the biographies of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

We would be happy to help you navigate any question you may have while exploring the Scriptures. Feel free to contact us here.