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Bible Interlinear Hebrew Greek English
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The Interlinear Bible: Hebrew-Greek-English (English, Hebrew and Greek Edition) List Price: $69.95 Sale Price: $38.95 Used From: $38.77  |
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The only complete interlinear Bible available in English-and it's keyed to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance! Thousands of pastors, students, and laypeople have found The Interlinear Bible to be a time-saving tool for researching the subtle nuances and layers of meaning within the original biblical languages... |
If you study the Bible, do you use a KJV or other English translation or do you use an Interlinear Bible?
I have gained much insight by using an Interlinear Bible that gives the original Greek/Hebrew along with a direct translation and then a fluent translation. What type of Bible do you get the most insight from and are there any types that you recommend?
Thank you all for sharing!
First, a note on interlinear translations. These can be useful if you are exploring alternate *shades* of meaning of original language words. However, you should realize that most translators really are experts in their fields, the average person educated in ancient (biblical) languages is *not* going to be able to extract a superior translation from the original languages than the highly-regarded scholars who have been paid to perform that task.
OK, here's my "what bible should I pick" answer:
1st, I'll assume that you are not a member of a sect that demands using the King James Version (KJV) or any other particular version. (Unfortunately, most of these sects do not actually use the whole KJV.)
At this stage you want to decide what your bible should contain. Do you want a bible that contains 1) all scripture or 2) a selection of scripture? Besides editions that contain all scripture, there are editions that contain only new testament books, others containing only books from the Hebrew bible, and still others (the majority) which exclude several books in a somewhat cavalier fashion.
I will assume that you intend to read the entire bible, or at least wish to have the entire bible at your disposal. In this case, you must obtain a bible that includes the Apocrypha. There are some sects teaching that the apocrypha is not inspired scripture, and if you are a member of one of these sects then simply avoid reading these books. There is no other reason for avoiding the so-called apocrypha and every reason to get a bible which includes them. Here is a more in-depth discussion about this topic: http://www.jimpettis.com/bibles/dc.htm .
In my conclusion I will consider two cases:
1) You want a "complete" bible (Complete)
2) You don't care if the apocrypha is included or not (Open)
The next stage is to decide if you want a bible merely for reading and learning the text of the bible itself, or if you intend to study scripture more deeply and intensely in order to gain a greater understanding and to help you interpret the scriptures accurately. This is the difference between a "standard" edition bible and a (scholarly) study bible. I will refer to this as "purpose" when I make recommendations below.
Finally, you need to decide whether you want a translation that offers 1) ease of reading 2) literalness of translation or 3) accuracy of translation. I separate these even though they are not *necessarily* mutually exclusive. Different versions *do* (must) follow primarily one of these three criteria, however, and so should you when you make a decision. I will refer to this as "style" when I make recommendations below.
A note about the KJV: although excellent for its time, and including nearly the entire body of scripture, as well as marginal notes from the translators providing possible alternate translations (making it a passable study bible), the KJV uses 400-year-old English, 400-year-old scholarship (read: they didn't know as much as scholars today), and texts that lacked the last 400 years of archaeological discoveries. By no means was the KJV the first English version of the bible. It's main advantage today is that most people use some form of the KJV and it is often useful to use the same version as others in discussions of scripture.
Recommendations: you can look at a fairly thorough comparison of technical details of different versions here: http://www.jimpettis.com/bibles/chart.htm , but what follows are my recommendations.
Comparisons of "literalness" of translation can be found here: http://www.preceptaustin.org/tool_commentary.htm#obt and here: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/relg/bible.scale.html and here: http://www.zondervan.com/images/cms/Bibles/bible_transchrt_js.jpg . An important note: "literal" does *not* equate with "accurate". A translation that is more literal does *not* equate to a translation that is more accurate. Indeed, in *any* language translation, literal translation is likely to lead to significant failings in accuracy of translation.
Style: Translated for Ease of Reading
....Purpose: Reading (Ease of Reading is not a relevant style for a study bible purpose)
........Content: Complete
............CEV (Contemporary English Version) - complete version http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoly-Bible-with-Deuterocanonicals-Apocrypha%2Fdp%2F158516173X%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1196142796%26sr%3D11-1&tag=wwwjimpettico-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 , also available as an e-book on CD http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoly-Bible%2Fdp%2F1585160059%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1187556881%26sr%3D11-1&tag=wwwjimpettico-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 . Second choice: NAB (New American Bible) - not as easy to read but still easy, translation accuracy may be slanted slightly by Roman Catholic bias.
Style: Translated for Ease of Reading
....Purpose: Reading
........Content: Open
............NIV (New International Version) - one of the easiest-to-read modern translations with higher marks for accuracy than most easy-to-read bibles
Style: Literalness of Translation
....Purpose: Study
........Content: Complete
............RSV (Revised Standard Version), New Oxford Annotated Bible, Expanded Edition - one of the most literal translations with some of the most scholarly study notes, though somewhat archaic language. 2nd choice: NET (New English Translation) - literalness uncertain but copious translator's notes help the reader achieve this goal. Deutero-canonicals incomplete.
Style: Literalness of Translation
....Purpose: Study
........Content: Open
............NASB (New American Standard Bible), Scofield Study Bible - most literal modern translation, but study notes are for the most part independent of the translation. 2nd choice: RSV New Oxford Annotated Bible - not as literal as the NASB but more comprehensive and scholarly study notes, available without Apocrypha.
Style: Literalness of Translation
....Purpose: Reading
........Content: Complete
............RSV - most literal complete version, but somewhat archaic language. Make certain to get a version that includes the Apocrypha. (All "Catholic" bibles include *most* of these books, and "Expanded Edition" includes them all).
Style: Literalness of Translation
....Purpose: Reading
........Content: Open
............NASB - most literal modern-text bible, high marks for accuracy
Style: Accuracy of Translation
....Purpose: Study
........Content: Complete
............NJB (New Jerusalem Bible), Regular Edition - copious study notes, word use demonstrates great concern for accuracy of translation, my favorite version. 2nd choice: NRSV (New Revised Standard Version), The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Third Edition - includes complete deutero-canonicals, excellent scholarly study notes on par with NJB, but translation suffers slightly from over-zealous use of "inclusive" language
Style: Accuracy of Translation
....Purpose: Study
........Content: Open
............Same as above. New Oxford Annotated available without the Apocrypha.
Style: Accuracy of Translation
....Purpose: Reading
........Content: Complete
............NJB Reader's Edition. 2nd choice: NET - copious translator's notes may make this the most accurate translation, but requires study to absorb the translation; deutero-canonicals incomplete.
Style: Accuracy of Translation
....Purpose: Reading
........Content: Open
............NJB Reader's Edition. 2nd choice: NET. 3rd choice: NIV (New International Version) - highly regarded non-biased translation, not as careful as NJB but easier to read.
Recommendations for the true bible student (who doesn't know Greek or Hebrew):
1) Software including NASB, KJV, NRSV, NJB and NIV - I use Ellis (lacks NIV) but there is at least one other *affordable* (under $100) package providing this selection. Make certain a Strong's Concordance is also included.
2) NJB Regular Edition - get it if you can, don't settle for the Standard Edition. (My review here: http://www.jimpettis.com/bibles/njb.htm )
3) NASB - make certain to get the latest version. Get it in print if your software doesn't have it. Most literal translation.
4) The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Third Edition - NRSV translation demonstrates over-zealous use of inclusive language but the study notes are invaluable, perhaps better and less biased than NJB.
5) Oxford Authorized King James Version with Apocrypha http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBible-Authorized-James-Version-Apocrypha%2Fdp%2F0192835254%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1190233697%26sr%3D11-1&tag=wwwjimpettico-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 - the complete books of the 1611 King James Version with printers errors removed and spelling modernized. No marginal notes.
6) KJV New Cambridge Paragraph Bible with the Apocrypha http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKJV-Cambridge-Paragraph-Bible-Apocrypha%2Fdp%2F0521843863%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1189044700%26sr%3D1-1&tag=wwwjimpettico-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 - the complete 1611 edition, *including* marginal notes, with modernized spelling. Probably more valuable than 5), but it's a tough call.
7) A good bible dictionary, such as HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. There are a few equally good alternatives.
Honorable mentions:
1) Tanakh, 1995 edition, by the Jewish Publication Society - scholarly translation of the Hebrew Bible by Jewish scholars, very highly regarded.
2) NWT (New World Translation), With References - a very literal bible with some
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Interlinear Greek New Testament Bible List Price: $2.99 |
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This Interlinear Greek New Testament comes straight from the Textus Receptus and is formatted for your Kindle in beautiful Unicode Greek. For convenience, Strong's Numbers are included with hyperlinks... |
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Comparative Study Bible, Revised List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $27.49 Used From: $24.68 |
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Four popular translations in one convenient volume• NIV, King James Version, NASB Updated, and Amplified side-by-side• A powerful resource for studying God’s word• Clear, ea |
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The Interlinear Bible: Hebrew-Greek-English (English, Hebrew and Greek Edition) List Price: $69.95 Sale Price: $38.95 Used From: $38.77 |
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The only complete interlinear Bible available in English--and it's keyed to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance! Thousands of pastors, students, and laypeople have found The Interlinear Bible to be a time-saving tool for researching the subtle nuances and layers of meaning within the original biblical languages... |
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Transliterated New Testament - Greek Hebrew English Sale Price: $59.95 |
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Say any Greek or Hebrew word in the New Testament... even if you can't read Greek or Hebrew! Introducing... The Transliterated New Testament On one CD with five different Bibles and Advanced Capabilities The newest Product from Hebrew Heart Media, the New Testament transliterated in Hebrew and English! Now, you can read the New Testament in the ancient tongues, even if you cant read them! Order your copy today! With concise transliteration, broken down syllable by syllable (for Hebrew) for easy reading by English speakers! Never before has a product like this been released with so many capabilities! Compatible with Both Windows and MAC No other comparable product is on the market that is this easy, filled with capabilities, or user-friendly... |
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Interlinear Greek New Testament Bible List Price: $2.99 |
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This Interlinear Greek New Testament comes straight from the Textus Receptus and is formatted for your Kindle in beautiful Unicode Greek. For convenience, Strong's Numbers are included with hyperlinks... |
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Comparative Study Bible, Revised List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $27.49 Used From: $24.68 |
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Four popular translations in one convenient volume• NIV, King James Version, NASB Updated, and Amplified side-by-side• A powerful resource for studying God’s word• Clear, ea |
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