Lesson 3 | Peeling Back the English
Why Bible Versions Differ
In the last step, we noted the different translation philosophies and language styles employed in a sampling of English translations. But that really only tells us why things are phrased slightly differently between different translations. Despite such stylistic differences, the meaning of Luke 6:20 is consistent.
But what about when that is not the case? Why do Bible translations sometimes present two distinct meanings? There are three chief reasons, two of which we have already laid the groundwork to understand.
1. Ambiguity in the Original
We have already discussed the nature of ambiguity in language. Let’s see some examples where ambiguity in the original yields different translations.
Does John 3:16 teach us that God loved the world a whole lot or in a particular way? Of course, the first option is the most familiar one, but both are equally viable from the Greek.
Is Ruth asking Boaz (in Ruth 3:9) to act as a protecting mother bird to her, or to follow God’s law in fulfilling his role as redeemer, symbolized by covering her with the corners of his garment (Numbers 15:38-39)? The Hebrew could go either way.
Finally, note that ambiguity can also be caused by the fact that neither ancient Hebrew nor ancient Greek used punctuation. So there are times when it is debatable where one sentence should end and another begin. You can see this dynamic at the end of verse five in Ephesians 1. Does “in love” go with what came before or what comes after?
2. Ambiguity in the English
One common way that translation to English injects inescapable ambiguity is with the second-person pronoun “you.” In English, “you” can refer to a single person or many, men or women. In both Hebrew and Greek, this is not the case.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. —1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV
These verses have been used to suggest that anyone who commits suicide necessarily goes to Hell. Is that what they say? With the ambiguity of the word “you,” this is certainly possible. Except, the Greek behind these verses uses the plural “you” throughout. The NIV11 translation brings this out.
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. —1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV11
It is the person who works to destroy God’s people who will be destroyed. Did the ESV say differently? No, but its ambiguity leaves it open to other interpretations. In other words, one reason to compare translations is to make sure we are not tripping over the ambiguity of the English and understanding something that the translators never intended.
Note: You will also find that the spelling of names will differ between translations. This is simply the result of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek all using different alphabets than English. There is no great significance to the difference.
3. Alternative Readings
The final reason that translations may differ is that they are working from a different reading of the original. Why would that be?
We do not have the original scroll or parchment (called “autographs”) on which the different books of the Bible were first written. Instead, we have a multitude of copies. It is by comparing these copies that we conclude what was written in the originals. This settles 99% of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek text that Bible translators translate from. Still, there are spots here and there where some doubt remains as to what reading is original. Every once in a while, this can lead to different translations.
The KJV and EMTV both end Mark 9:29 with “prayer and fasting” while the ESV, NET2, NASB, and NIV11 have just “prayer.” The difference, in this case, has to do with a discrepancy between ancient manuscripts. When this happens, one or more of the translations will typically provide a footnote to explain, as is the case here (note the yellow dots). We will learn all about footnotes in the next lesson.
(If this topic causes you to ask questions about the reliability of God’s Word, you might check out this video for encouragement.)