Week 46
Our English version of the Bible has been translated a lot. There are almost 100 versions with copyright. It is my understanding that to get a copyright a version has to be at least 20% different from all the other versions. Why so many?
Translation is more of an art than a science. Ancient texts were written without punctuation, capitals, or spaces. Ancient languages were much like abbreviated text messages. Take urmybfflol as an example. For those fluent in text this might easily be recognized as “You are my best friend forever laugh out loud.” However if you don't it can be meaningless. Ten years from now will it be interpreted the same way. I don't know.
Additionally much like English, some words are the same or nearly the same and the meaning must be figured out by context. As you can imagine, this leads to a lot of debate among scholars. Reading an ancient translation is a little like talking to a two year old. Many of the words are missing or can easily be misunderstood. The only difference is when speaking to a two year old you have a toddler in front of you to tell you whether you are right or wrong.
For example, Psalms 40:30 the words are slightly altered in almost every version although the word choices do not make much difference except that most say “wings of an Eagle,” but some like the Near Eastern Peshitta, (Aramaic to English translated by George Lamsa) says “wings of a dove.” Doves and Eagles are really different symbols.
All of this to say that even when reading the Bible we must each keep our hearts open to receive the right message.
Verse for Today
Proverbs 1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Word for Today
Listen
Today I will go to the silence and trust that the right and perfect message gets through to me.
Our English version of the Bible has been translated a lot. There are almost 100 versions with copyright. It is my understanding that to get a copyright a version has to be at least 20% different from all the other versions. Why so many?
Translation is more of an art than a science. Ancient texts were written without punctuation, capitals, or spaces. Ancient languages were much like abbreviated text messages. Take urmybfflol as an example. For those fluent in text this might easily be recognized as “You are my best friend forever laugh out loud.” However if you don't it can be meaningless. Ten years from now will it be interpreted the same way. I don't know.
Additionally much like English, some words are the same or nearly the same and the meaning must be figured out by context. As you can imagine, this leads to a lot of debate among scholars. Reading an ancient translation is a little like talking to a two year old. Many of the words are missing or can easily be misunderstood. The only difference is when speaking to a two year old you have a toddler in front of you to tell you whether you are right or wrong.
For example, Psalms 40:30 the words are slightly altered in almost every version although the word choices do not make much difference except that most say “wings of an Eagle,” but some like the Near Eastern Peshitta, (Aramaic to English translated by George Lamsa) says “wings of a dove.” Doves and Eagles are really different symbols.
All of this to say that even when reading the Bible we must each keep our hearts open to receive the right message.
Verse for Today
Proverbs 1:33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Word for Today
Listen
Today I will go to the silence and trust that the right and perfect message gets through to me.
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