The Bible Translator: Volume 30, Issue 2

The attempt to create a process to determine the proper translation of the Hebrew word adam. Suggests these steps: (1) textual decisions, (2) the article rule, (3) the plural pronoun rule, (4) the negative rule, (5) the proper name rule, and (6) translation adjustments. View Less

An examination of the occurrences of the verb “believe” (pisteuo) in John categorized by whether the object of belief is given in the text or not. The importance of the translation of the verb lies in the purpose of the gospel of John. View Less

The phrase “Father in Heaven” occurs 20 times in Matthew. Three facts surface about these occurrences: (1) Only Matthew uses this distinctive expression; (2) Jewish custom often avoided direct mention of God by the use of euphemisms; (3) Matthew, Mark and Luke never use God and Father together in a single phrase. Concludes the phrase in Matthew might appropriately be translated, My Father or Our Father. View Less

A problem of Bible translators is that in many parts of the world writing is a recent arrival and translators are orally oriented. There is, thus, a benefit in an oral approach in training programs. The main advantages are naturalness and interest and being able to have on a translation team people who are expert in their language but who are unable to read or write. View Less

1 Kgs 11:14–43 was used by translators in Zaire to teach not only how to translate but also how to use resources available to them in solving translation problems. View Less

A series of lessons has been developed in South America and Africa for training translators to write in the target language. The lessons involve 5 elements: (1) writing an account of an experience; (2) writing a story with a positive tone; (3) writing a story with a negative highlight; (4) writing a story to highlight a character; and (5) writing with flash backs. View Less

A description of a Dutch Bible Societies translation project for those with a reading level below 13 years. View Less

Two textual issues have come to the fore in this century, that certain Bible verses are not in the oldest and best manuscripts and none of the original manuscripts of the books of the Bible exist any longer. What recent information means as far as these two critical problems are concerned is assessed by examining Mark 16:9–20 and John 7:53–8:11. View Less

Translators need textual help different from that which most commentaries provide and thus the UBS has been writing translators handbooks to various books of the Bible. There have been many changes since the first handbook was published in 1961, but it is still useful. View Less

In many languages and cultures there is some strife about the basic term for God in the Bible. Some common terms like the Son of God as a name for Jesus are repugnant to Muslims. We, perhaps, have no right to take a Muslim word and suit it to Christian theology. Perhaps a better solution is to use as literal a translation as possible and plan to explain the meaning of the words. A few paragraphs of a letter from Lamin O. Sanneh follows the article. View Less

There are three ways of understanding nenomothetetai epi: (1) the law was given on the basis of the levitical priesthood; (2) the law was given under (or through) the levitical priesthood; and (3) the law was given in connection with the levitical priesthood. Opts for the third option. View Less