Which Bible is translated most accuratly from Greek and Hebrew texts ?

Question

I don't care if its difficult to read I am not looking for watered down words but the most accurate translation.

Answer 1

Well, there were quite a few knee-jerk answers here, but some with excellent insight as well.

First and foremost:  be aware that a translation that is more word-for-word literal does *not* mean that it is a more accurate translation.  Quite the contrary:  it is expected in language translation that a more word-for-word literal translation will *tend* to convey the meaning of the original text less well.

Here are some (not quite finished) pages discussing this topic in a way that you should find helpful

General discussion of bible version accuracy

http://www.bible-reviews.com/accuracy.ht...

Some indicators that a layman can use to evaluate the accuracy of a translation

http://www.bible-reviews.com/accuracyind...

A side-by-side comparison of several popular versions using the tetragrammaton as an indicator of accuracy

http://www.bible-reviews.com/accuracytet...

In my opinion, the New Jerusalem Bible is the superior English translation available, its primary shortcoming being that several scriptures of the "Apocrypha" and Eastern Orthodox canon have been omitted for sectarian reasons.  Read my review here.

http://www.jimpettis.com/bibles/njb.htm

Jim

Answer 2

All the ones that have zippers.

Answer 3

The KJV is absolute WORST translation there has ever been.  It astounds me that people continue to use it.  The American Standard is by far the most accurate translation I have heard of.  I'm atheist, but I enjoy studying these texts and the histories of the various translations out there.  Without a doubt, the ASV is the most accurate.  

Answer 4

What do you mean greek texts?  the gosples were spoken at first at our masses by rote simialr to the recitation of native american legends.  They were later written down, but htey were spoken in aramiac.  In fac the earliest known written version of a Gosple was written in aramiac.

So, when you say Hbrew and Greek tanslations you leave out hte most importan part "the Good News" or Gaople of our lord, and all you are left iwht is the old testament and epsitles.

If you want to know about the bible ask a catholic, we wrote.  They may not be able to quote cahpter and vese but we know it.

Answer 5

I would have to say that the King James Version is the sharpest sword that you can buy.  The American Standard of 1901 is just a revision of the KJV and the New American Standard is a revision of the American Standard.  All others are watered down translations or paraphrases that I would not bother with at all.  A prime example is the NIV who leaves out important verses and is only on par with a third grade reading level.

Answer 6

Try this one...

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Jewish-Bi...

Answer 7

The King James Version

Answer 8

The Brick Testament.

Answer 9

I don't think any of the translations (except the originals) are 100% accurate. The is especially true of the KJV.

Answer 10

I heard once that German was a good translation.......

Answer 11

Hands down it is the literal translation by Green. It is called "The Interlinear Bible." by Jay P. Green, Sr.

Answer 12

Sorry, but MYTHOS is entirely wrong, at least in terms of a good translation of the Jewish Tanakh. The King James is full of mistakes.

Remember, the 'old testament' is NOT the Jewish bible. It is a Church-edited, REorganised and often MIStranslated version of the Tanakh.

Now, for a good and accurate translation of the Tanakh, you want the STONE edition. There is also the STONE edition of the Torah, or 'Chumash'.

http://www.ajewwithaview.com

SCHNEB - you utter LIAR.

The so called 'complete jewish bible' that you link to is the NEW TESTAMENT - it's about as Jewish as a bacon roll!!!

Does your G-d not view it a sin for you to BEAR FALSE WITNESS?

Answer 13

King James 1611 is the best translation hands down..  

Answer 14

Hello,  bonzaibb:

First of all, you will not like my answer, but Greek was not the language of Israel.  Josephus wrote in Aramaic, and says very few Jews have learned to master the language.  

Yet many thingk Greek was the language of Palestine and the Greek Septuagint their Bible.  It may be noted that Paul was highly educated, and the Roman was astounded when Paul spoke that language in Jerusalem.

Aramaic is the language spoken by commoners there and used by Jesus and the disciples. It is known for a fact that Matthew was written in Aramaic. Paul probably wrote in Greek to other countries, and tradition tells us that Hebrews was translated to Greek by Luke.

The Syriac is the oldest Aramaic Bible and when the Greece and Rome united, they made them alter that manuscript.

However, there remained an unadulterated translation hidden in Muslim Kurdishia until WW I. British soldiers discovered a people who spoke that forgotten language and quickly encouraged a young shepherd boy with a photographic mind to attend their schools.  George Lamsa was propelled through religious academies and later lived in the U.S. where he translated the New Testament into English.

You can buy the Lamsa Bible from e-bay.  I would not buy the complete OT/NT Bible as the publishers made alterations to suit their doctrinal beliefs the year Lamsa died, but the original N.T. if unadulterated.

Next to that, well, I've read 10 different translations and have made the NKJV my most used Bible as it fits well into worship service.

And you can discover why bibles were burned and millions killed in the name of God when you break the Bible code at http://abiblecode.com

Shalom, peace in Jesus, Ben Yeshua

Answer 15

The American Standard is the most literal translation.

Answer 16

Probably the JW's New World Translation.

Answer 17

The KJV is 100% accurate.  :)

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/161...

Answer 18

For Hebrew to English, try the ArtScroll Stone edition Tanakh and this web site:

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/

Answer 19

Believe it or not, the KJV is the most accurate version translated from the original tongues.

Answer 20

They all have their shortcomings, but generally the New American Standard Bible is mostly true to the original languages.

http://biblos.com/

Answer 21

The Oxford Bible. It's translated from original, primary texts. The King James Version may be accurate, but it's not modern english. It's Shakespearan English, and that kind of language is in general not easily understood. I highly recommend the Oxford bibles.

Answer 22

Greek and Hebrew are too different linguistically to have accurate translation and transliteration, If you want to engage in true philology then you must learn Ancient Greek and Ancient Hebrew and read the original texts

Answer 23

none

Answer 24

I like the ESV, English Standard Version. You are looking for an English translation, aren't you?

Answer 25

even if you study the original greek , you still have to believe in Jesus to be saved. the best translation will not help you bellieving in Christ. you have to humble yourself and accept Jesus Christ as your savior. and to do that any old translation is ok

Answer 26

Which way do you mean most accurate?  Closest word for word or closest in getting to the intended concepts?  remember words and their meaning change over time.

For the latter, an NIV is a good choice.

NASB for word for word.

KJV is a poor choice on either front although I enjoy the language.