Translation, in the context of the Bible, refers to the process of rendering the Scriptures from their original languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—into other languages. This endeavor is crucial for making the Word of God accessible to people across different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The task of translation is both a scholarly and spiritual undertaking, requiring a deep understanding of the original languages, historical context, and theological nuances.

Biblical Basis for Translation

The concept of translation is implicitly supported in Scripture. In the Old Testament, we see instances where Hebrew texts were explained in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the time, to ensure understanding. For example, Nehemiah 8:8 states, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read."

In the New Testament, the Great Commission underscores the importance of spreading the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This mandate necessitates the translation of Scripture into various languages to fulfill the call to evangelize the world.

Historical Development

The history of Bible translation is rich and varied. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was one of the earliest and most significant translations, completed between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. It played a crucial role in the spread of Judaism and later Christianity in the Hellenistic world.

The Latin Vulgate, translated by Jerome in the late 4th century AD, became the standard Bible for the Western Church for over a millennium. Jerome's work was pivotal in shaping the theological and liturgical life of the Church.

The Reformation era marked a significant turning point in Bible translation. Reformers like Martin Luther and William Tyndale emphasized the importance of Scripture in the vernacular, leading to translations in German, English, and other European languages. Tyndale's translation work laid the foundation for the King James Version, completed in 1611, which has had a profound influence on English-speaking Christianity.

Modern Translations

Today, there are numerous translations of the Bible, each with its own approach to rendering the original texts. Some translations, like the Berean Standard Bible , aim for a balance between word-for-word accuracy and readability. Others, such as the New International Version (NIV), prioritize thought-for-thought translation to convey the meaning of the text in contemporary language.

The proliferation of translations reflects the ongoing effort to make Scripture accessible and understandable to people of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Translation committees often consist of scholars from various denominations, ensuring a broad and balanced approach to the text.

Challenges and Considerations

Translating the Bible involves several challenges. Linguistic differences can make it difficult to find exact equivalents for certain words or phrases. Cultural and historical contexts must be carefully considered to preserve the original meaning and intent of the text. Additionally, theological biases can influence translation choices, necessitating a commitment to fidelity to the original manuscripts.

Despite these challenges, the work of translation is a testament to the enduring power and relevance of the Bible. It is a reflection of the belief that God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and that it speaks to every generation and culture.1. (n.) The act of translating, removing, or transferring; removal; also, the state of being translated or removed; as, the translation of Enoch; the translation of a bishop.

2. (n.) The act of rendering into another language; interpretation; as, the translation of idioms is difficult.

3. (n.) That which is obtained by translating something a version; as, a translation of the Scriptures.

4. (n.) A transfer of meaning in a word or phrase, a metaphor; a translation.

5. (n.) Transfer of meaning by association; association of ideas.

6. (n.) Motion in which all the points of the moving body have at any instant the same velocity and direction of motion; -- opposed to rotation.

TRANSLATION

trans-la'-shun: The verb "translate" is found once in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 3:10 the King James Version, in the sense of "to transfer") and 3 times in the New Testament (Colossians 1:13, methistemi, where it means "to transfer"; twice in Hebrews 11:5, where it has the quasi-technical sense of removing one from the earthly to the heavenly state without the intervening experience of death).

The noun "translation" occurs only in Hebrews 11:5, metathesis, where it refers to the transition, the general nature of which has just been described in connection with the verb. With their customary reserve in regard to such matters, the Scriptures simply record the fact of Enoch's translation without commenting either upon the attendant circumstances, or upon the nature of the change involved in his experience. Doubtless what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 applied in the case of Enoch and also in that of Elijah (2 Kings 2:11).

W. M. McPheeters

2058. hermeneia -- interpretation
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hermeneia Phonetic Spelling:
(her-may-ni'-ah) Short Definition: translation, interpretation Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2058.htm - 6k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... The most frequent meaning (translation) of 4151 () in the NT is "" ("" ... "" ("spirit")
is by far the most common translation (application) of 4151 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

3331. metathesis -- a change, removal
... change, removing, translation. From metatithemi; transposition, ie Transferral
(to heaven), disestablishment (of a law) -- change, removing, translation. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3331.htm - 6k

2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot
... See 2205 (). [2204 () is "formed from the participle of the Latin , 'or ' is an
exact translation of this word, which means 'or ' and is therefore used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2204.htm - 7k

3793. ochlos -- a crowd, multitude, the common people
... frequently than the (""). The singular and plural be distinguished in
translation because they each express distinct nuances. [Of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3793.htm - 8k

2059. hermeneuo -- to interpret
... the meaning of. Word Origin from Hermes Definition to interpret NASB Word
Usage translated (2), translation (1). interpret. From a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2059.htm - 6k

623. Apolluon -- "a destroyer," Apollyon, the angel of the abyss
... Apolluon Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-loo'-ohn) Short Definition: Apollyon, Destroyer
Definition: Apollyon, The Destroying One, a Greek translation of the Hebrew ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/623.htm - 6k

3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... very ".". 3844 () an "from," means "from beside" ("alongside"). It stresses
(closeness) which is often not conveyed in translation. 3844 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3844.htm - 8k

3772. ouranos -- heaven
... "The singular and plural have overtones and therefore should be distinguished in
translation (though unfortunately they rarely are)" (G. Archer). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3772.htm - 7k

1063. gar -- for, indeed (a conjunc. used to express cause ...
... While "" is usually the best translation of 1063 (), its sense is shaped by the
statement -- the "A" statement which precedes the 1063 () statement in the "AB ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1063.htm - 7k

376. ish -- man
... as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term
(and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation) -- also, another ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

The Present Translation.
... 6. The Present Translation. 1. Text. It was proposed at first to make
the translation from the text of Herding. This, and all ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /6 the present translation.htm

Translation from the Greek.
... Book III. Translation from the Greek. Chapter I.--- On the Freedom of the
Will, [2383] With an Explanation and Interpretation of ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translation from the greek.htm

Excursus on the Translation of Bishops.
... Excursus on the Translation of Bishops. There are few points ... of promotion. Besides
this objection to translation, St. Athanasius mentions ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the translation of.htm

The Translation of Elijah and the Ascension of Christ
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS THE TRANSLATION OF ELIJAH AND THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.
'And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the translation of elijah and.htm

The Translation of Living Believers.
... Chapter Eight The Churchward Results of the Redeemer's Return 3. The Translation
of living believers. ... Translation to Heaven and not the grave is our goal. ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/3 the translation of living.htm

A Translation of the Legenda in the Office Prepared for the ...
... A TRANSLATION OF THE LEGENDA IN THE OFFICE PREPARED FOR THE BLESSED HERMIT
RICHARD. The office of Saint Richard, hermit, after he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/a translation of the legenda.htm

Preface to the French Translation. By the Abbe De Cazales.
... PREFACE TO THE FRENCH TRANSLATION. BY THE ABBE DE CAZALES. The writer of
this Preface was travelling in Germany, when he chanced ...
/.../preface to the french translation.htm

Translation of a Memorial to his Excellence the Count D'Ofalia
... Translation of a Memorial to his Excellence the Count D'Ofalia. (Endorsed: Memorial
of Mr. G. Borrow to Count Ofalia, Madrid, recd. March 28,1838.) ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/translation of a memorial to.htm

Translation of a Paraphrase of Part of Chap. xxxi. Of Jeremiah, by ...
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXXV. Translation of a paraphrase of part of chap. xxxi. ...
10.10.10.10 James Montgomery. Translation of a paraphrase of part of chap. xxxi. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxxv translation of a.htm

Translation of Enoch.
... Book IV. Chapter XII."Translation of Enoch. "But [731] that He might show
that these things were done on account of the ungrateful ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xii translation of enoch.htm

Translation (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of translating, removing, or transferring; removal; also, the state
of being translated or removed; as, the translation of Enoch; the ...
/t/translation.htm - 9k

Slavonic
... A well-supported tradition makes the first translation of the Bible almost
contemporaneous with this conversion and refers it to Mesrop (died 441; see ARMENIAN ...
/s/slavonic.htm - 13k

Georgian
... A well-supported tradition makes the first translation of the Bible almost
contemporaneous with this conversion and refers it to Mesrop (died 441; see ARMENIAN ...
/g/georgian.htm - 13k

Gothic
... A well-supported tradition makes the first translation of the Bible almost
contemporaneous with this conversion and refers it to Mesrop (died 441; see ARMENIAN ...
/g/gothic.htm - 13k

Paraclete
... English. The translation of the word in English Versions of the Bible is
"Comforter" in the Gospel, and "Advocate" in the Epistle. ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Grounded (5 Occurrences)
... ground, ground'-ed ('adhamah, 'erets; ge): (1) "Ground" is in the King James Version
the translation of 'adhamah, "the soil," the ground so called from its red ...
/g/grounded.htm - 12k

Fare (13 Occurrences)
... far: Occurs twice in the Old Testament as the translation of two Hebrew words, shalom,
"peace," "prosperity," "completeness" (1 Samuel 17:18), found in the ...
/f/fare.htm - 15k

Evidently (4 Occurrences)
... evidence" (of the purchase of the field in Anathoth), the Revised Version (British
and American) "deed"; "evidence" is also the translation of elegchos ...
/e/evidently.htm - 10k

Evidence (41 Occurrences)
... evidence" (of the purchase of the field in Anathoth), the Revised Version (British
and American) "deed"; "evidence" is also the translation of elegchos ...
/e/evidence.htm - 21k

Evident (26 Occurrences)
... evidence" (of the purchase of the field in Anathoth), the Revised Version (British
and American) "deed"; "evidence" is also the translation of elegchos ...
/e/evident.htm - 16k

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