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    the English reader knows which English words were not in the original, but had to be added to form proper English sentences.

    Newer translations use a wider and freer form of translation, known as the "dynamic equivalence theory." This theory believes that not only the words but also the form or manner of explaining something differs from one language to another; therefore, the Bible should not only be translated word for word, but it should be re-told or re-explained according to the English way of reasoning. This theory has produced newer versions which are supposedly "easier for the English mind to understand," but in doing this, they depart from a word-for-word translation method.

    Believing that each word of Scripture is very important, because each word was inspired and chosen by God, a strictly word-for-word translation of the Bible is crucial. The newer translations all reflect a further departure from the original words and message forms than found in the King James Version.

Read the highlight box below entitled "A Good Translator Must Understand His Subject." In addition to an excellent knowledge of both languages, what "knowledge" must a good translator of the Bible possess? Why?


A Good Translator Must Understand His Subject

To effectively translate from one language to another, the translator must not only have a good knowledge of both languages, but he must also understand the material he is translating. For instance, if two people were asked to translate a book on truck engine repair from German into English and both were fluent in both languages, but one was an experienced diesel mechanic and the other person knew little or nothing about truck engines, which translator's work would convey the true meaning of the German author more clearly in English? Why?

G.S. Paine in his book, The Men Behind the KJV, has researched the lives of the translators of the KJV. Not only were they fluent in the required languages, but the majority were also devout, God-fearing people who knew, loved, and served God in spirit and truth. They upheld the core doctrines of Scripture both in their talk and walk. They knew from experience the matters they were translating.

Their deep awareness of and high regard for the Bible's being profoundly sacred and each word's being divinely inspired can be seen in their use of italicized words. Every time additional words were required in English to convey the original meaning, these words were printed in italics.

This deep love for God - evidenced by love for scriptural truths, leading of God-fearing lives, and deep reverence for God's Word - is a necessary characteristic of translators of God's Word.

Why would deep love and reverence for God and His Word be very important requirements for a translator of the Bible?



Besides an excellent knowledge of both needed languages, what other "knowledge" must a translator possess? Why?



Some people believe that it does not matter which English translation of the Bible a person uses. Why is this not true?










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