VERSIONS, BIBLE
Some ancient versions are noteworthy. The Septuagint (represented by the Roman numeral LXX) is a Greek translation of the Old Testament dating from the third century before Christ. Jews produced it in Alexandria. It contains significant variations from the Hebrew text. For example, Esther is much longer in the Septuagint, while Job is about one-fourth shorter. The Septuagint also contains apocryphal books that God did not inspire. The LXX, however, was the standard Bible for the general public in the days of Christ, and it was used by Jesus and the apostles in their teaching.
Syriac was a dialect of Aramaic into which the Bible was translated. The Old Testament Syriac version dates from the mid-second to early third century A.D. and omits the apocryphal books. The Syriac version of the New Testament dates from the mid-to-late fifth century A.D. and contributed to the widespread distribution of the Scriptures.
The Ethiopic version (fourth century) facilitated the spread of the Scriptures in Africa. The Gothic version (fourth century) was used in Germany. The Latin Vulgate (fourth century) became the official version of the Roman Catholic Church. In the ninth century, Arabic versions were produced to counter the spread of Islam.
Modern English versions date back to the time of the King James Version (1611). The English Revised Version was published in 1881, and its American counterpart, the American Standard Version, in 1901. Each was a faithful attempt to reproduce the original texts as accurately as possible.
The Revised Standard Version (1946/52) was also a fairly literal translation. Still, its translators were theologically liberal, and that inclination shows at times (cf. Isa. 7:14). The New English Bible (1970) charted new territory. It was a "looser" rendition of the original text, attempting to bring "thoughts" across, rather than "words."
The New International Version (1973/78) admitted that it did not attempt a word-for-word rendition. It adopted the "Dynamic Equivalence" procedure.
Both the New American Standard Bible (1963/70/97) and the New King James Version (1979/82) aim for a literal translation and are reliable, though the NASB has a stronger textual base. The English Standard Version (2001) appears to be a strong translation, with a literal rendering in most instances. See TRANSLATION.
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