What is the New American Bible (NAB)?

Overview

The New American Bible (NAB) is an English Bible translation originally prepared under the sponsorship of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. It was first published in 1970, reflecting a modern Catholic approach to biblical scholarship. The project brought together numerous biblical scholars to translate the Scriptures from their original languages as accurately as possible. The NAB is well-known among English-speaking Catholics in the United States and beyond, serving as the basis for liturgical readings in many Catholic parishes. While used primarily within Catholic contexts, it has also been referenced more broadly in academic and personal study settings.

Historical Development

Work on the New American Bible began in the mid-20th century, spurred by encouragement for deeper study of the original biblical texts. Papal documents such as Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) urged scholars to return to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek sources. By 1970, a fully translated NAB was published, notable for its then-innovative use of the best available manuscripts, including insights gleaned from the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Subsequent revisions of the NAB focused on updating the text in light of ongoing manuscript discoveries. In 1986, the New Testament portion underwent a thorough review, resulting in revised language. In 1991, the Psalms were also revised to address concerns related to inclusive language, poetic structure, and faithfulness to ancient manuscripts. The most recent major overhaul took shape in the 2011 New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE).

Translation Philosophy and Textual Basis

The translators of the NAB used a combination of formal equivalence (attempting to preserve original wording and structure) and dynamic equivalence (rendering text in a way that communicates meaning in contemporary English). This dual approach aimed to provide a rendition that remains both readable and faithful to the original text.

The team consulted the best-known ancient manuscripts, including the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament, the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), the Dead Sea Scrolls (for additional clarity on certain Hebrew passages), and the standard critical Greek texts for the New Testament. By drawing on multiple streams of manuscript evidence, the NAB translators endeavored to reflect the scriptural accuracy attested by archaeological and textual discoveries, many of which—such as the Isaiah Scroll from Qumran—demonstrate remarkable uniformity with later manuscripts.

It is in line with the biblical affirmation: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), underscoring the reverence owed to the original words while ensuring a coherent presentation of Scripture’s message.

Distinctive Features

Readers often note the extensive footnotes and introductions within the NAB that provide background on historical context, cultural factors, and theological insights. These notes can assist in clarifying challenging passages, discussing linguistic choices, and highlighting connections with the broader biblical narrative.

Additionally, the Old Testament in the NAB includes the Deuterocanonical books (sometimes referred to as the Apocrypha in non-Catholic circles). This feature aligns with many Catholic translations that follow the canon recognized in Catholic tradition. Since the translators were mindful of modern scholarship, the language of the NAB strives to be straightforward, yet it maintains formal elements that preserve the text’s reverential tone.

Usage and Reception

The NAB is commonly used in the Catholic Church’s lectionaries and liturgies in the United States. In many parishes, the Scripture readings during liturgical celebrations come directly from the NAB or a revision of it. This adoption in worship has ensured that a wide swath of the Catholic faithful encounters the translation regularly.

Outside of its liturgical use, the NAB is also read individually for devotional and discipleship purposes, providing explanatory notes that elucidate doctrinal points. Although specifically prepared for a Catholic audience, it can also be referenced by those interested in comparative Bible study alongside other translations such as the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), or Berean Standard Bible.

Relation to Other English Translations

Like many modern translations, the NAB sought to incorporate recent scholarly findings unavailable to translators in earlier generations. For instance, while the King James Version relies on the Textus Receptus tradition for the New Testament, the NAB interacts with a broader set of critical Greek texts, revealing the continuing academic effort to ascertain the most accurate readings of Scripture.

The NAB’s use of inclusive language in sections of the text has at times stood in contrast to more conservative translations that maintain older English forms. This inclusive approach was motivated by shifting scholarly perspectives on gender in language, but care was taken to preserve the integrity of key theological references to God as revealed in Scripture.

Impact on Biblical Studies and Worship

Since its publication, the NAB has helped shape Catholic Biblical scholarship, calling renewed attention to the interplay between historical scholarship and religious devotion. Through its extensive notes, exploration of linguistic nuances, and attention to ancient sources, it bolstered a more text-based and historically informed reading among clergy, students, and laity.

Moreover, archaeological discoveries—such as those at Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls)—demonstrate that Scripture has been passed down with remarkable fidelity. These ancient finds highlight that the editorial changes in modern translations like the NAB are not a departure from the historic text but rather an attempt to capture the fullest truth gleaned from evidence like the Great Isaiah Scroll, which supports core biblical doctrines consistently found across centuries.

Preservation and Consistency of Scripture

Biblical manuscripts share extraordinary coherence, even when separated by geographic and chronological gaps. The NAB’s translators worked with these sources, balancing scholarly rigor with the belief, attested by many conservative and historic positions, that God has safeguarded His Word through generations. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8) finds confirmation in the verifiable history of Scripture’s transmission.

Conclusion

The New American Bible remains a central English Scripture edition for Catholics in the United States and is recognized worldwide. Its emphasis on rigorous scholarly methods, incorporation of new manuscript discoveries, and modern style of language has positioned it as a valuable resource for liturgical reading, private devotion, and deeper academic study.

From the earliest years of its development to its more recent revisions, the NAB’s goal has been to communicate the words of Scripture in a faithful, comprehensible way for contemporary readers. Accompanied by robust footnotes, textual comparisons, and historical insights, it fosters a reverent yet informed approach to the sacred text, ultimately aiding believers in understanding and living out the truths of God’s Word.