I want to know what everyone one thinks on this subjectEveryone knows the KJV to be the best translation in english but why is the NIV and other versions rejected by some christians.Im going to look at the other side of the coin first.if the other bible are bad compared to the KJV then why would people take the time to translate the NIV for example verse by verse and another perspective for those who think the only version worth reading is KJVif other versions are not correct that could mean the devil helped the people who took a painstaking effort to decieve us...and yet I do not believe that because for satan to say good things for the sake of evil would be to contradict himself for he is incapable of doing good things.please replywould be much appreciated
The best version is the Hebrew text, which is the original inspired account. Everything else is a translation. With translation comes redefining of original meanings. English words many times do not convey the meaning's of the Hebrew text. Each time you have a translation the text becomes diluted and even in some cases changed. This is just the nature of translating.
Another matter to consider is that the Bible is still the best selling book in the world which equates to $$$$$. Publishers will print what sells and in many cases what sells overrides accuracy. When a new release is bought out they go to all the popular seminaries etc. to see what is liked or what will sell best not so much on accuracy.
Again the best version is the original Hebrew text. Just like in any other instance. For example if you have an American classic like the writings of Tom Sawyer or something like that, those writings can be translated into multiple languages. The language it is translated into will use a word within their language that "they think represents as closely as possible" the original word of the original writing. No different with the Bible.
Also with the different versions of the Bible syntax plays a big part and how they translate word order in sentences. This is why when you read several different versions of the same sentence or verse the word order can be changed around. Again the nature of translating. I rely as much as possible on the Hebrew text and the Hebrew culture that our Bibles were written in. I use About 10 different versions when I study and give teachings. Those versions must include Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and different versions of the English text with one of them being the "Complete Jewish Bible" as it does a decent job of maintaining matters mentioned above. I also like a literal translation like the "Youngs Literal translation". One needs to understand "the Bible was written for us, but not to us". It was written in a time, language and culture very different from our own. Think on what I just said, this in no way means that it is not relevant, it means many things and meanings are not conveyed in English translations. There is only one original "inspired word of God" everything else is a translation of that inspired word.
Let me give you one example that is very confronting to most people and started me on my journey to the Hebrew. The book of James in the New Testament is not James, it is Jacob or Yakov in Hebrew, this can be seen in the original languages but the translators and others decided to totally change the name of the book. Why? There are other things like this. Another example is the letter J has only been in common use for about 300 years. What was in use before that? These have massive ramifications in light of how a modern mindset reads the text. Because certain words have associations with man made doctrines. A lot to take in, but hopefully it will cause you to question. For more info feel free to private message me.
Shalom
