Posted on 01/23/2012 3:27:12 PM PST by count-your-change
Why Does My Bible Read that Way?
This question may have come to mind while you were reading and particularly so if you read and compare different translations of the Bible.
The differences can be quite minor, word order and choice of words that carry much the same the thought or of a rather substantial nature that will affect our understanding of the Scriptures as a whole.
John 1:18 serves as a good example since much has been written about it with experts offering quite opposite opinions.
Here The New American Standard Version reads' "No one has seen God at any time, the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, he has explained him".
The American Standard Version reads,
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."
The New World Translation reads,
"No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god who is in the bosom [position] with the Father is the one that has explained him."
The New American Bible;
"No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him."
The New Revised Standard Version,
"No one has ever seen God. It is God, the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known."
Some of the above have foot notes explaining that the most ancient manuscripts available , p66 and p75, from about 200 A.D. or before, support the reading, 'only begotten god/God.'
Part of the controversy that goes with translating John 1:18 arises from how one thinks of the Greek word, "monogenes" or only born, sole child.
However it's evident that other translators see a meaning in "monogenes" of "unique, one of a kind". The NIV reads,
"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. "
Clearly the text used by the translators and the manuscripts it is based upon will determine or influence how your translation of the Bible reads.
Does it matter? "Only begotten God" or "only begotten Son"?
Certainly it should to a translator who is attempting to produce as accurate a translation as possible.
And reasonably it would to the student of the Scriptures who believes his studies will lead to a better understanding of his Creator, gaining that 'accurate knowledge and full discernment' that marks the spiritually mature.
While I disagree with the Jehovah’s Witness point of view, what you say about the “The differences can be quite minor, word order and choice of words that carry much the same the thought or of a rather substantial nature that will affect our understanding of the Scriptures as a whole.” is quite true.
There are 3 versions that I prefer, King James Version, New International Version, and the Amplified King James Version for studying.
and, cyc, good thread — a chance to discuss and debate without pointing fingers.
It really is possible to have a thread without the invective and eye gouging so typical and I thank all for that....well almost all but I’ll call it square.
I myself, pick according to what usage I have in mind. And often according to the print font used.
Monogenes
single of its kind, only used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God
Theon (accusative)
Theos (nominative)
a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities the Godhead, trinity God the Father, the first person in the trinity Christ, the second person of the trinity Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity spoken of the only and true God refers to the things of God his counsels, interests, things due to him whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way God's representative or viceregent of magistrates and judges
Simply put. No one has seen God ever yet the only begotten God in the bosom of the Father declared Him.
It seems to me that the interpretation should be “the only begotten God”.
My favorite online Bible source.
You can bring up parallel translations of any one verse and then go to the Greek or Hebrew which is connected to a Strong’s to find the meanings of the words.
It’s very easy to use.
In the p66, John 1:18, the only begotten “theos” is written as a theta plus an s with a line over both. No upper or lower case.
So whether it should appear as “God” or “god” depends upon the view of the translator of the context and even his own bias.
“Monogenes
single of its kind, only used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God”
“Single of its kind” being the only, uniquely generated son
(mono + genes) fitting of Christ.
Thanks. I think I’ve used that site before and likewise found it quite useful. Here’s another to add to your favorites list,
Online Greek Interlinear Biblewww.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htmCached - Similar
A very good translation of the bible is the net bible.
What is it you like about this particular translation?
Very cool, thanks for posting that link. I spent a good hour investigating that earliest of Biblical manuscripts, the Peshitta.
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