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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Bible Translations

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(Last Updated On: January 24, 2024)

Bible Translation

What are all the different Bible translations? This can be a confusing topic for new Christians or a new Bible student, as there are so many different ones to choose from and no clear consensus on which one to use and which one gives the accurate translation that resonates with us. However, once you know some of the histories behind them, it’s easier to decide what works best for you. Here are ten things that you may not have known about Bible translations.

1) New Testament translation dates

Before the 4th century CE, all the New Testament was written in Greek. But after that, when the Roman Empire fell into disorder and Christianity became an international religion, there was a need for vernacular translations. The first complete Latin version came from St Jerome around 390 CE, but it wasn’t until the 12th century that popular versions in various European languages were available.

2) Translations with the most copies

English (English New Revised Standard Version [NRSV] has sold over 18 million copies), Spanish (the New Testament has sold over 6 million copies), French (the New Testament has sold almost 1.5 million copies), and German (translation of Mark’s gospel has sold approximately 1.2 million copies). These four languages comprise 85% of all Bible sales in Christian bookstores and large bookstores like Walmart, Barnes & Noble, etc., to worldwide audiences.

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things did not know bible translations

3) First English translation

The first book ever translated into English was a religious text: Selections from Scriptures (an abbreviated version of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) was published in 1382. This work was done by John Wycliffe, who is often referred to as the Morning Star of Reformation. Other reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, followed suit.

4) Popular translations today

There are more than 10 English versions of The Bible. Some of these popular English language translations include New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), Contemporary English Version (CEV), and many others. The three most popular ones that sell over 50 million copies each year in America: are NIV, NKJV, and ESV.

5) The first widely accepted English Bible translation

The first widely accepted English translation of a portion of Scripture was by John Wycliffe, a fourteenth-century scholar who translated parts of it into Middle English. Today’s Wycliffe Bibles are based on modern translations.ی

6) The Shortest English Bible translation

The shortest complete English Bible is about a quarter of an inch long and measures less than 2 mm across. It contains one book of 25 verses, but it does have chapter and verse numbers: John 3:16. This tiny book was published in 1986 as part of an ongoing experiment by Max Aue, a German citizen living in England. He started making tiny Bibles in 1982, attempting to present all 27 books of the New Testament in different styles, languages and forms.

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7) The Longest English Bible translation 

The English Standard Version (ESV) is also available in an extended edition. The ESV Giant Print Reference Bible measures a whopping 12 by 171⁄4. Its convenient size makes it perfect for study groups, family devotions, and large print enthusiasts alike. Its giant page format gives readers plenty of room to take notes and write their thoughts down in-between reading sessions. The biggest translation out there today is easy to read but still filled with solid scholarship that makes it a great choice for all types of readers.

8) Last widely accepted English translation until… 

The King James Version (KJV) was accepted for use in churches in England and its American colonies in 1611. That’s why many consider it to be the last widely accepted English translation. Before that, translations of holy Biblical texts were often produced by scholars who were not connected with churches or publishers, meaning they had no financial stake in their success or failure.

9) Why use multiple versions?

Sometimes, a verse or passage of scripture just doesn’t seem to resonate with us. That can happen if we’re working from a translation that uses language that doesn’t match our experiences or has bad translations, not translated by someone who has good knowledge of the original languages. There are various biblical translations available, and each one can help us connect with and apply God’s Word in our own way. Like there are versions available in Indian languages too. People can get knowledge from their collection of texts too.

10) Which do I use?

You may be surprised to find out that your congregation is not reading from an identical version of Scripture every Sunday. Different versions use different terminology, which could mean trouble if someone uses a translation in a sermon or lesson that’s different from what other people are reading.

Most churches use some combination of two main texts: an Authorized (King James) Version and an English Standard (NRSV). It’s important to note that these are more commonly used than their titles suggest — they’re both based on older versions of text. If you’ve seen any Christian films, chances are good that they were produced with American Standard Version (ASV) as their basis.

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1) Bible is the best-selling book in the world.

2) It is also the most stolen book

3) The Shortest Verse in the Bible is of 2 words

4) The oldest Bible dates to the 4th century

5) There are around 185 songs in the Bible.

6) The oldest man mentioned in the Bible was 969 years old.

7) The “Christian” word occurs three times in the New Testament.

8) The King James Bible contains 788,258 words.

9) The book says Jesus is unique in both His person and His purpose.

10) The world’s most giant Bible weighs 1,094 pounds.

3,415 translations according to 2020 records.

Bible versions explained:

This Holy Book never tells exactly how God inspired the human authors of the Bible, which has led to much debate and differences of opinion about interpretation. There are traditional and modern versions, which have some differences according to the period.

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Translation’s Impact on Scripture

The award-winning English-into-Spanish creative translator, renowned for translating biblical verses, has contributed significantly to making books in Scripture accessible to diverse audiences. In the Christian church community, particularly with John 11:35 (“Jesus wept”), the emotional response evoked through translation resonates across different cultures.

Alexa Translations, recognized for its expertise in translating Foreign language bibles and Catholic versions, plays a pivotal role in spreading the message. The use of Greek letters in these translations, coupled with the translator’s skill, ensures linguistic and cultural nuances are preserved. Such efforts, as highlighted in the Church Times, foster a broader understanding of spiritual teachings.

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