So this morning I heard a missionary refer to the verse that says you shall "know the truth and the truth shall set you free." and explained that the Greek "know" is to have an experience and the greek word for "truth" is Jesus Christ. That makes sense, but it got me thinking, if we have this knowledge of Greek language, why hasn't someone come up with a version that is modern-day translation, literal translation, that refers to the interpretations of Greek we always have? I feel like this would make the Bible so much easier to understand (to a degree, I understand sometimes things are very hard to comprehend even in their literal form, but this one was just one example where I think we could use modern day words).
Why don't we have a direct Greek-to-English translation?
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S
In John 8:32, the word for truth is aletheia - its literal translation is just plain old truth. It's the same word used in John 1:17, where it says truth through Jesus Christ. If the word literally meant Jesus Christ, the it would say:
"grace and Jesus Christ came through Jesus Christ"
But it doesn't. It just means plain old truth, if you interpret it literally.
"grace and Jesus Christ came through Jesus Christ"
But it doesn't. It just means plain old truth, if you interpret it literally.
Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? (aramaic)
that is to say,
My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?
So the original letters written by the disciples were in aramaic and the aramaic scrolls are much younger than the translated greek scrolls
saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? (aramaic)
that is to say,
My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?
So the original letters written by the disciples were in aramaic and the aramaic scrolls are much younger than the translated greek scrolls
Jesus is a greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua, like James is the greek name for Jacob. The Israelites were under the control of Rome, which eventually they all had spoken greek but a few like the pharisees and scribes were the only ones that knew how to read the ancient scrolls; but Jesus since He was the king of the jews, He had to know the language and His bloodline must be the bloodline of Abraham and God only, because they were the only ones there that was under the covenant. When He was on the cross, the people had thought that Jesus was calling out for Elijah which that prove that they didn't know the ancient language. And I believe that Luke was a scribe that can translate the language that Jesus has spoken.
N
Just use a Strong's concordance. It has a Greek dictionary. Its not hard to use. If you want a copy of the manuscripts themselves, then they are available for anyone to read, with English right under each word. Hebrew or Greek. Its really not as difficult as your making it appear in your text.
If you need some help finding the books let me know.
While the Greek manuscript is helpful, what I was really pointing out is that the vast majority of preachers refer to the "Greek" origin of a word, as I mentioned. What I was aiming for was a solid actualy modern translation of the Gospel, translating the words, as in the case of "know the truth," why would we not create a translation that says "have a personal experience with Jesus." I am not saying it is hard to find a Greek manuscript or even a concordance, not at all. What I am wondering is why did we translate it into a translation, that we have to re-translate to get it's true meaning? Why not have a translation where the words don't need a second translation? Thats what I'm getting at.
N
You mean like names and places ? The Bible is translated. Not everything is transliterated.
If it was just transliterated ; everything in there , then no bible would even make much sense. I'm pretty sure, that the Bible is not all transliterations . Its the word of biblical lingist and scholars of those languages, and textual critics to make sure something is translated properly. The Bible is probably the most scrutinized and meticulously studied & translated documents of all time
There are so many more Greek words for one English word, that the subject shows how something is translated. If it was just transliterated in all places then it would be unreadable .
Some times the English translations didn't always convey the Greek meaning of the words, because in those rare instances, there was a misunderstanding of the subject.
For the most part we already have a pretty solid English translation, the good old Kings James ( my personal favorite study bible )
And for the times we need to study into some Greek or Hebrew words to get that clearer meaning, then a Strong's concordance gives all the Greek words a word can be translated to in the English, and even the Hebrew.
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You can get an interlinear bible from any Christian bookstore and here's an interlinear bible software Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew interlinear Bible software
You may be interested in this thread.
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/83092-unvarnished-gospels-translation.html
I actually want to create a petition to get the old texts revised by fresh-headed scholars that aren't stuck in dogma, preferably, pure linguistic scholars that are very familiar with the base languages. Simply because, the KJV was overseen and authorized by King James, and King James tortured women accused of being witches, among other anti-moral things to do.
His translators said 'the harshest form of God's word is still God's word' (as they has translated it), and I quote a statement upon commission of the bible; 'It is to be a masterwork of Jacobean prose'. Almost like a piece of art - not a morally rich book of wisdom.
His translators said 'the harshest form of God's word is still God's word' (as they has translated it), and I quote a statement upon commission of the bible; 'It is to be a masterwork of Jacobean prose'. Almost like a piece of art - not a morally rich book of wisdom.
N
Okay, i think your in conspiracy mode. Whatever man he was I don't know. But I know the scholars did a good job.
You can use a Strong's and see it was translated right. You can get a great copy of the manuscripts yourself, and read the Greek & Hebrew done by other scholars and compare. Rest assured, the King James was translated well when you study; you can see that.
And no translation, however well dotting of the I's and crossing of the t's are, won't mean much to some one who dose not have an appetite to study their Heavenly Father's Word.
The only thing you would have to contend with is the old style language in some places, and any faulty translation of a word, that dose not follow the subject , you can through the leading of the Holy Spirit, will bring your eyes to see those and make the necessary corrections in your studies.
Remember it is written , study to show thyself approved before God, rightly dividing the word of Truth.
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Think what you like. I don't use a translation that was overseen by a man with utter power to do with it as he wishes, a few hundred years after a holy war, who burns women and tortures people.
He doesn't have the authority to oversee a translation, he couldn't even understand that he wasn't meant to torture innocent women.
He doesn't have the authority to oversee a translation, he couldn't even understand that he wasn't meant to torture innocent women.
