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Why are there so many versions of the Bible?

The major reason …

Over time, the English language has transformed. Old English, new English, modern English, slang English, ½ English and ½ another language, Creole English. Now just think how that looks in other languages with different dialects. Whoa!

Bit of History…

• Originally, they scribed the Old Testament in Hebrew and Aramaic and the New Testament in Greek.

• Latin was the only language allowed for the Bible back in 600 AD.

• The early roots of English Language was in 995 AD

• The Oxford Professor, Scholar, and Theologian Wycliffe, who opposed the teaching of the organized Church, which he believed to be contrary to the Bible, wrote the first hand-written English Language manuscript. He translated it out of the Old Latin Bible called the Latin Vulgate.

• Gutenberg Invented the Printing Press which started the mass production of books. The Gutenberg’s Bible was the first book ever printed in mass production and written in Latin.

• William Tyndale printed the first New Testament in the English Language in 1526 AD.

• With the invention of the Printing Press, I believe Professor Wycliffe’s vision that everyone should have a Bible became a reality. This sparked the beginning of several translations (Latin to English) and revisions (for different English dialects and generations) of the Bible.

Think of it like this…

• The originals (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) translated into English in the 1380s from Latin.
• The English translated, again, but for the general population.
• Then that translation revised for the next generation. And so on.

Let’s be clear… no translation can ever be exactly the same as the source material it attempts to represent. It’s like giving a person living in 2020 a styli (stylus) from the 1200s. Both are writing instruments but we’d probably use it as a broach in our hair.

With so many versions, how do I choose?

First, ask the Holy Spirit for help. The Bible should be an investment. Purchase one with wide margins that will allow you to add notes or doddle. Just a suggestion, because it’s OK to write in your study Bible. Now a dress Bible is another story. 

Regardless of the version, Jesus Christ, Yeshua, is REAL!

If you are interested in Bibles that I’ve used or am familiar than drop me a comment. Send in a review to let me know if this information was of use to you. Then check out Psalm 91 Challenge where we pray through several versions of that scripture. It may help in giving a sense of which version speaks more to you. Also, Hanging Out With Jesus Podcast, gives you practice time for communing with God. Check It Out!

Shalom!