550 Read the Bible for Yourself 17: How to Choose a Bible Translation

This is part 17 of the Read the Bible For Yourself.

After reviewing the resources you can use to learn Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, we delve into the sources that translators use for their work. Next, we'll look at translation philosophies, including formal and dynamic equivalence. Lastly we'll cover the controversial issues of gender accuracy and translation bias. Over all, this episode should give you a nice introduction to a deep answer for what translations you should use and why.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsxuNfkTt-U&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2TrdUEDtAipF3jy4qYspM_&index=18

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—— Notes ——

17 How to Choose a Bible Translation

Translation basics

• Fee & Stuart: “Your Bible, whatever translation you use, which is your beginning point, is in fact the end result of much scholarly work. Translators are regularly called upon to make choices regarding meanings, and their choices are going to affect how you”[1]
• “Every translation is a commentary” -Lee Brice

The Bible is in three languages.

1. Hebrew: Old Testament except the Aramaic part
   1. Nearly 99% of the OT (22,945 of 23,213 verses)
2. Aramaic: half of Daniel and two passages in Ezra
   2. Daniel 2.4b-7.28; Ezra 4.8-6.18; 7.12-26
   3. About 1% of the OT (268 of 23,213 verses)
3. Greek: New Testament (all 7,968 verses)

How to begin learning Hebrew or Greek

• Immersion program in Israel or Greece
  • Whole Word Institute offers a 9-month program.
• In-person college class (usually 2 semesters)
  • Local colleges, RTS offers an 8-week summer program.
• In-person classes at a Jewish synagogue or Greek church or community center
• Online program with live instructor
  • Biblical Language Center, Liberty University, etc.
• Digital program with pre-recordings
  • Aleph with Beth (YouTube), Bill Mounce’s DVD course, etc.

How to improve your existing knowledge of