Is it better to try to translate the bible yourself, or just accept what the translators tell us?

Question

I know that it is a little tricky, but with the aid of a concordance it can be done.

Answer 1

god will help you interpret it yourself if you ask him to

Answer 2

We are told that the scriptures are of no private interpretation. So for you to safely translate the scriptures on your own first you would need to be fluent in several forms of Greek (Koine Greek), Hebrew, and also Aramaic.

After that you would have to have in front of you the manuscripts that you plan on translating FROM. That would require you to know which ones are the ones you want to use.

If you get that far then the next step would be for you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you in your translation because there are many ways to translate a scripture into English.

I am a little familiar with Korean and in the Korean language the word

TAH DEE (like tardy without the R sound) could mean LEG or it could mean BRIDGE. So you now have a huge task of studying context to make sure you get the right meaning.

But then after all of that has been accomplished you should still have 30 or 40 other people go over your translation just to make sure you didn't mess anything up. One mistake in a published translation can change people's lives forever. KJV, NIV, and many others all had many translators not just one.

I think that if you are young and intelligent you could very well be a translator but you have to learn, learn, learn first. You must spend years heading down that road of becoming a Bible scholar.

Answer 3

You need someone who can interpret as much as someone who can translate better if you can find one. I guess the translation to many languages from Hebrew or Aramaic have already been put to near perfect work. It is in the interpretations that comes the danger; more so, if you try to do it yourself. It is not just a little tricky in doing it yourself. The book of concordance will always be biased to the religion that holds it.

The way to do it is listen and ask. Express every doubt you have no matter what consequence it may take, Make research outside if it is necessary. While there is blessing in believing through faith, there is also wisdom in doubting, do not be afraid to ask and listen. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well, if you are an accredited expert in ancient Hebrew, ancient Aramaic and ancient Greek - all 3 - then it is conceivable that you *could* produce a viable translation. If you did not consider conciseness a priority, you might even produce a translation that has one (and only one) significant advantage over any current translation.



If you are, in addition, an expert in the translation of manuscripts from all the periods in which these bible Scriptures were originally written, AND an expert in the translation of certain other ancient languages (namely 4th century Latin and Syriac), you actually have the capability to produce a translation that might be on par with modern scholarly translations in accuracy.



If, finally, you are also a Professor of the English language, you may be able to produce a translation that is actually on par in all ways with a modern, scholarly translation.



With one exception.



Most of the best modern translations are performed by committee. Several individuals determine, by vote, which translation is best. This reduces individual bias and preference. An individual translation cannot take advantage of such an anti-biasing method.





Let me know when you've earned all the credentials required to produce a bible translation that exceeds that of the many, many accredited scholars involved in a modern scholarly translation.



Jim, http://www.christianwebprogramming.com/br/

Answer 5

That is not called translating the Bible yourself. It is called studying the Word of God by breaking down each word in a scripture.



You will also need a Strongs Concordance and several other concordance's, Thesaurus, Webster' Dictionary, W.E. Vine's Bible Dictionary, and several different translations of the Bible.

Online you can find all of these things for a successful Bible study: www.Biblegateway.com

Answer 6

The best translation can't be any better than the source material. How much do you trust the Hebrew & Greek manuscripts? The earliest manuscripts we have of any part of the bible are only about 1000 years old -- they're copies of copies of copies of stuff that was supposedly written 2000-4000 years ago. And even if you had the original writings that doesn't mean they're true.



Bible scholars tell us that the New Testament gospels were written from oral tradition by people who never knew Jesus and in a language Jesus didn't speak. How likely is it that they're accurate? You can quibble about translations forever but the material you're translating is some pretty dodgy stuff.



I think Mark Twain said it best:



The Bible: "It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies."

-- from "Letters from the Earth" by Mark Twain

Answer 7

well always be sure to pray about it through the guidance of the Holy Spirit- although concordances- study bibles and websites like blue letter bible (www.blueletterbible.org) we can study scripture, and also we need to meditate on it day and night----one I got that is good I am using is a McArthur Study Bible which you can find on www.christianbooks.com

for a reasonable price---I am using the NASB-----------



I have heard of people learning greek and hebrew to try and attempt to grasp the original manuscripts---but they are both difficult languages unless of course you have an interest in doing so------but otherwise I have heard that NASB is the most literal translation----there are many good translatations out there----its just what suits your taste--there are many who like the original King James--which is good if you like old english, and if you can't handle old english go to the New King James-- also the ESV is a another good one

Answer 8

A person can gain much insight by searching the Greek text along side the English, etc.with the help of a concordance, like Strong's, or Young's... and a Greek English Dictionary of the New Test.

Answer 9

absolutely translate it yourself. there are so many different translations out in the world. whatever makes sense to you and makes you a better person is how you should translate it. that is what the bible is for: to teach people lessons about life and make living a better enjoyment for you and everyone around you.



people have translated the bible so it discrimates against gays, adultary, blacks, etc. you might not see that in the bible's pages but it all depends on the person, just make sure that you translate it in a way that will benefit you and others, not discriminate.

Answer 10

You should always be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit and have revelation by Him, otherwise you will get into false doctrine; Always ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth like He said He would

2 Peter 1:19-21 (King James Version)

19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Answer 11

You can translate the Bible using a concordance?? In Protestantism every denomination has its "Bible scholars", who can't agree with one another on a single point of doctrinal truth, so what chance do you suppose an amateur would have?

Answer 12

Always read the Bible for yourself. In God's Word is one of the places where He speaks to you.

Answer 13

Revelations 1, verse 3, says Blessed is he who reads this prophesy and takes these words to heart.........



Pray for guidance by the Holy Spirit and for understanding of His Word and for it's application to your own life. Amen. Blessings.



If you can read the languages of the original scrolls, help yourself. I think it's wonderful.

Answer 14

Well, there's few of us who can get down into the complexities of the ancient Hebrew..... so you're stuck with scholars for the most part.



And what is the meaning of the word Hebrew?

Answer 15

I use a little bit of both! I have a NKJV study bible and between the study guides and my own interpretation, I think I do pretty good!

Answer 16

If you become acquainted with the original languages (and this would take many years of intense study) I think you would begin to appreciate the marvelous work of translation that we see in MOST English translations. Even if you did this, you would be depending upon the scholarship and integrity of the persons writing the textbooks and concordances and lexicons and dictionaries.



Fact is, if you are uncomfortable with one group of scholars and their translation, you can compare them with the works of at least a dozen other groups of competent scholars.



Bottom line is, you must rely upon God the Holy Spirit to bring you into a right understanding of what is written. Ultimately you are either going to rely upon yourself or God. This is the crux of the issue. I assure you God is much more reliable than you are.



" Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;



in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.'

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV



"Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight. "

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB



"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6 Amplified Bible



" Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT



"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. "

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Answer 17

The Hebrew Bible is the true bible, all the other ones are translated wrong

Answer 18

It's always best to ask the holy spirit for guidance before you read the bible. God Bless

Answer 19

You will just come up with the same thing that scholars have already done. It is a waste of time except for the linguistic practice you would develop. Thanks for asking though.

Answer 20

It's always best to do it yourself, and ask God to translate it to be your own personal application.

Answer 21

The last time people let the pope interperate the bible, million got sucked into the indulgences scam

Answer 22

i'd say ask Holy Spirit to give you understanding and insight into the word of God --that way-either way you have the understanding of what you're reading

Answer 23

sure, if you don't trust the translators



it's a lot of work but it may help you in trusting the translations

Answer 24

Well Christians tend to decipher their own meanings from it no matter what.



"No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says; he is always convinced that it says what he means."

Answer 25

I am a catholic and I follow the interpretation of the magisterium of the catholic church based in Rome.

Answer 26

buy one in english, you don't need a translator

Answer 27

It's better to ignore it and make your own choices. Trust me life will run much smoother

Answer 28

or dont bother its just a STORY book like everything else. read harry potter instead - much better