Biblical Manuscripts,
Translations, and Genres
SCTR 19: Religions of the Book
by Molly Leaverton
Why are there Different Versions
of the Bible Today?
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Manuscripts = ancient (or modern) texts "written by hand“
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We have no original manuscripts, only “copies of copies”
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often copies of copies of copies, with significant differences
Original manuscripts written 100’s of years after events
Existing copies even later, up until invention of printing (16th Cent.)
Oldest HB texts (prior to 1945): "Masoretic text" (9th -10th CE)
Copies we DO have contain numerous textual variations:
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Many small differences
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Spelling, grammar, word choice
Some larger differences
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Book placement
Omission of books altogether
No “Perfect” Translation Exists
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Important recent discoveries of older manuscripts
- Dead Sea Scrolls (written before 100 CE, found 1947-1956
- Codex Sinaiticus (written 350-400 BCE, found 1859)
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Meanings of some biblical texts remain unknown/uncertain
Ancient languages are different from modern languages
Every "translation" is an "interpretation"
All living languages change and develop
Cultural developments require new sensitivities in language
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Sensitivity to racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, other forms of discrimination
slanted or biased language
"inclusive" language alternatives
What is the Difference between
a Translation and an Edition?
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Translation of the Bible
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Interpretation of the meaning of the Bible from original
languages into another (modern) language
Ex: King James Bible, Authorized Version, New English
Bible, Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, etc.
Edition of the Bible
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Publication of an already published translation
Adds introductions, study helps, commentary, or references
to existing translation
Ex: “Study Edition”; “Children’s Edition”; “Catholic Study
Bible”; “Oxford Study Bible”
English Biblical Translations
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Over 500 different English translations of Bible
Modern Translations are More Accurate
Changes in English over the centuries
 New discoveries in past 50-150 years
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Two Types of Translations
Used in Modern Bibles
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“Formal Correspondence Translations”
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Preserve original wording & word-order of Hebrew &
Greek
Require explanations (footnotes) to avoid misinterpretations
Good for in-depth academic study of the Bible
Difficult to understand when heard or read aloud
Ex: Douay-Rheims, KJV/NKJV, RSV/NRSV, NAB, NIV
“Dynamic Equivalence Translations”
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Focus on meaning & ideas, not “word for word” translation
better for public proclamation or liturgical use
Ex: NEB/REB, TEV/CEV, JB/NJB
Alternative Translations
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“Biblical Paraphrases”
Not (don’t even claim to be) accurate translations
 Often intended for children or teenagers
 Condense and/or omit much of the material
 Freely change the wording of the original texts
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“Amplified Bible”
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"amplifies" text, adding many extra words & phrases
What is a Genre?
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"GENRE”- category or type of literature (or of
art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form,
style, or content.
Ways of Distinguishing
Verbal vs. nonverbal
 Poetry vs. prose
 Place/Form published
 Smaller genres or subgroups
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Literary Genre
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Genres & Sub-genres:
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Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
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Biographies, histories, technical manuals, textbooks, poetic
anthologies, legal codes, etc.
Some publications contain multiple genres
Newspapers have news articles, editorials, comics,
sports results, financial reports, classified ads,
obituaries, movie reviews, etc.
 Bible similarly contains many different genres
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Hebrew Bible Genres
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Foundational Myths & Legends (Genesis, parts of
Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
Legal Codes (Leviticus, parts of Exod, Numb, Deut)
Genealogies (parts of Genesis, much of Numbers)
Annals (Josh, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc.)
Prophetic Books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.)
Psalms/Odes/Songs (Psalms)
Prayers/Laments (Lamentations)
Proverbs (Proverbs)
Wisdom Literature (Job, Wisdom, etc.)
Apocalypse (Daniel)
New Testament Genres
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Gospels (Mark, Matt, Luke, John)
Acts (Acts)
Letters (esp. Paul's)
Church Orders (1 Timothy, Titus)
Testament (2 Timothy & 2 Peter)
Homily/Sermon (Hebrews)
Wisdom Collection (James)
Epistles/Encyclicals (1 & 2 Peter)
Apocalypse (Revelation)
Summary
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Bible is not one book, but a library
Bible contains many different literary genres
No “perfect” translation of the Bible exists
Different translations dramatically affect our
understanding of the Bible’s meaning
Recent discoveries & developments make
modern translations more accurate