Modern Bible Translations
- LAST REVIEWED: 24 April 2023
- LAST MODIFIED: 28 April 2016
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195393361-0213
- LAST REVIEWED: 24 April 2023
- LAST MODIFIED: 28 April 2016
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195393361-0213
Introduction
The practice of translating the Bible stretches itself out over a period of more than 2,500 years and is still ongoing. It is hard to exactly define the period that covers the modern era in Bible translation. Two aspects can be considered in this regard. First, it is generally agreed that there is a close link between the modern missionary movement that started toward the end of the 18th century and Bible translation. The founding of Bible Societies, which started in 1804 (British and Foreign Bible Society) and culminated in a worldwide fellowship of Bible Societies in 1946 called United Bible Societies, as well as the establishment of other Bible (translation) agencies such as Wycliffe Bible Translators (1942) and the Catholic Biblical Federation (1968), has given a tremendous impetus to Bible translation. The era of modern Bible translation roughly covers this period from 1800 onward. Apart from the fact that Bible Societies and other agencies generally work in conjunction with the churches, there have also been Bible translation initiatives by churches themselves, ecumenical councils, publishers, and individuals during this period. Secondly, the development of translation studies (sometimes called “translatology”) as an emerging academic discipline has had a significant influence on modern Bible translations. This development started in the 20th century and has particularly gained momentum since the second half of that century. Bible translation theory has also been influential outside the confines of its own field of expertise, particularly in the 1960s. At the same time it is noted that modern Bible translation has been increasingly influenced by secular translation theories. In order to get a clear understanding of the modern era, it is essential to consider the preceding history as well. The basics of current translations can be traced back to earlier periods in history. The preface of each published translation usually reflects on its background in terms of its origins, translation principles, target audience, and confessional orientation.
Journals, Series, and Resources
There are some journals, book series, and resources of general interest in the field of Bible translation, some theoretical, others more practical and to some degree prescriptive. The journals provide a forum for academic discussion and research. The series are mostly of a practical nature, providing guidance and background information that is relevant for the translator.
Centre for Bible Interpretation and Translation in Africa.
The Centre for Bible Interpretation and Translation in Africa resides under Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Its aim is to coordinate and develop academic skills in the field of Bible interpretation and translation through research and facilitation. The website contains a wealth of bibliographic materials on research projects (both completed and ongoing), papers, and publications in fields that are related to Bible translation.
An online academic journal of translation theory and practice, with focus on Bible translation, published twice a year by the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Dallas. Many articles deal with minority languages and cultures. Mostly written by translation consultants and others in a supervisory role in Bible translation.
Le Sycomore: Revue de traduction biblique.
Academic journal of Bible translation, published twice a year by the United Bible Societies in French. Offers a broad spectrum of articles on theory, practice, and history of Bible translation.
Met Andere Woorden: Kwartaalblad over bijbelvertalen.
A quarterly journal in Dutch of the Netherlands Bible Society that provides an academic forum for the discussion of Bible translating and translations, mostly, but not exclusively, dealing with translations in Dutch-speaking areas. Also contains articles of wider interest, such as on LXX and Qumran and the Bible.
Semantic and Structural Analysis Series. Dallas: SIL International.
Analytical commentaries on the Greek text of New Testament books, identifying the high-level semantic components and sub-components of the text and the relationships between them. Semantic structure analysis is presented by the Sumer Institute of Linguistics as a methodology for systematic description of intended meaning in natural languages.
Society of Biblical Literature.
The website offers access to a wide range of downloadable articles and publications in the field of Bible translation. The listed publications cover a wide range, both in terms of global treatment and variety of topics.
A quarterly academic journal published by the United Bible Societies. It covers theory and practice of Bible translation and is meant for sharing results of research in this discipline as well as for providing a forum for scholars and students interested in a range of disciplines that influence the translation of the Bible. It encourages engagement between scholars and translators.
Electronic journal on Bible translation, published by the United Bible Societies. The website also contains other references to translation resources in Spanish.
United Bible Societies: Helps for Translators. New York: American Bible Society, 1961–2015.
An ongoing series of helps for Bible translators mainly written by (former) United Bible Societies translation consultants, intended to provide translators with background information on exegetical, historical, cultural, linguistic, and textual issues. Practical handbooks on all New Testament and most Old Testament and Deuterocanonical books, flora and fauna, realia, and poetry.
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Article
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Nabataea and the Nabat...
- Aaron
- Acts of Peter
- Acts of the Apostles
- Adam and Eve
- Aelia Capitolina
- Afterlife and Immortality
- Agriculture
- Alexander the Great
- Alexandria
- Altered States of Consciousness in the Bible
- Ancient Christianity, Churches in
- Ancient Israel, Schools in
- Ancient Medicine
- Ancient Mesopotamia, Schools in
- Ancient Near Eastern Law
- Angels
- Anti-Semitism and the New Testament
- Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha
- Apocryphal Acts
- Apostolic Fathers
- Aram
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Ammon and the Ammonite...
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Aram and the Arameans
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Judah and the Judeans ...
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Moab and the Moabites
- Archaeology and Material Culture of Phoenicia and the Phoe...
- Archaeology and Material Culture of the Kingdom of Israel ...
- Archaeology, Greco-Roman
- Art, Early Christian
- Asceticism
- Astrology and Astronomy
- Athaliah
- Atonement
- Augustus
- Babylon
- Baptism
- Barnabas, Epistle of
- Benefaction/Patronage
- Bible and Visual Art
- Biblical Criticism
- Biblical Studies, Cognitive Science Approaches in
- Caesarea Maritima
- Canaanites
- Canon, Biblical
- Ceramics
- Cherubim
- Child Metaphors in the New Testament
- Children in the Hebrew Bible
- Children in the New Testament World
- Christian Apocrypha
- Christology
- Chronicles, First and Second
- Cities of Refuge
- Clement, First
- Clement of Alexandria
- Clement, Second
- Clothing
- Colossians
- Conversation Analysis
- Conversion
- Corinthians, Second
- Cosmology, Near East
- Covenant
- Covenant, Ark of the
- Crucifixion
- Cyrus
- Daniel
- Daniel, Additions to
- David
- Death and Burial
- Deborah
- Demons
- Deuteronomistic History
- Deuteronomy
- Diaspora in the New Testament
- Didache
- Digital Humanities and the Bible
- Divination and Omens
- Domestic Architecture, Ancient Israel
- Early Christianity
- Ecclesiastes/Qohelet
- Economics and Biblical Studies
- Edom
- Education, Greco-Roman
- Education in the Hebrew Bible
- Egyptian Book of the Dead
- Election in the Bible
- Elijah
- Elisha
- Enoch
- Ephesians
- Epistles, Catholic
- Epistolography (Ancient Letters)
- Esther and Additions to Esther
- Ethics
- Evil Eye
- Exodus, Book of
- Exorcism
- Ezekiel
- Ezra-Nehemiah
- Faith in the New Testament
- Feminist Scholarship on the Old Testament
- Flora and Fauna of the Hebrew Bible
- Food and Food Production
- Friendship, Kinship and Enmity
- Funerary Rites and Practices, Greco-Roman
- Galatians
- Galilee
- Genesis, Book of
- Gentiles
- Gnosticism
- God, Ancient Israel
- God, Greco-Roman
- God, Son of
- Gospels
- Gospels, Apocryphal
- Great, Herod the
- Greco-Roman World, Associations in the
- Greek Language
- Hagar
- Heaven
- Hebrew Bible, Biblical Law in the
- Hebrew Language
- Hebrews
- Hell
- Hellenistic and Roman Egypt
- Hermas, Shepherd of
- Historiography, Greco-Roman
- History of Ancient Israelite Religion
- Hittites
- Holy Spirit
- Honor and Shame
- Hosea, Book of
- Idol/Idolatry (HB/OT)
- Idol/Idolatry (New Testament)
- Imperial Cult and Early Christianity
- Infancy Gospel of Thomas
- Interpretation and Hermeneutics
- Intertextuality in the New Testament
- Isaiah
- Israel, History of
- James
- Jeremiah
- Jeroboam
- Jerusalem
- Jesus of Nazareth
- Jewish Christianity
- Jewish Festivals
- Jezebel
- Job
- Joel, Book of
- John, Gospel of
- John the Baptist
- Joshua
- Jubilees, Book of
- Judaism, Hellenistic
- Judaism, Rabbinic
- Judaism, Second Temple
- Judas, Gospel of
- Jude, Epistle of
- Judges, Book of
- Judith, Book of
- Kings, First and Second
- Kingship
- Lamentations
- Letters, Johannine
- Letters, Pauline
- Levi/Levittes
- Levirate Obligation in the Hebrew Bible
- Levitical Cities
- Leviticus
- LGBTIQ Hermeneutics
- Literacy, New Testament
- Literature, Apocalyptic
- Lord’s Prayer
- Luke, Gospel of
- Maccabean Revolt
- Maccabees, First–Fourth
- Man, Son of
- Manasseh, King of Judah
- Manasseh, Tribe/Territory
- Mark, Gospel of
- Martyrdom
- Mary
- Matthew, Gospel of
- Medieval Biblical Interpretation (Jewish)
- Mesopotamian Mythology and Genesis 1-11
- Messianism
- Midian
- Midrash and Aggadah
- Minoritized Criticism of the New Testament
- Miracle Stories
- Modern Bible Translations
- Moses
- Music
- Mysticism in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity
- Myth in the Hebrew Bible
- Nahum, Book of
- Names of God in the Hebrew Bible
- New Testament and Early Christianity, Women, Gender, and S...
- New Testament, Feminist Scholarship on the
- New Testament, Men and Masculinity in the
- New Testament, Rhetoric of the
- New Testament, Social Sciences and the
- New Testament Studies, Emerging Approaches in
- New Testament, Textual Criticism of the
- New Testament Views of Torah
- Numbers, Book of
- Nuzi (Nuzi Tablets)
- Old Testament, Biblical Theology in the
- Old Testament, Social Sciences and the
- Orality and Literacy
- Parables
- Paraenesis
- Passion Narratives
- Pastorals
- Paul
- Pauline Chronology
- Paul's Opponents
- Pentateuch
- Performance Criticism
- Period, The "Persian"
- Peter
- Philemon
- Philippians
- Philistines
- Philo of Alexandria
- Piety/Godliness in Early Christianity and the Roman World
- Poetry, Hebrew
- Pontius Pilate
- Priestly/Holiness Codes
- Priest/Priesthood
- Prophets
- Proverbs
- Psalms
- Pseudepigraphy, Early Christian
- Pseudo-Clementines
- Q
- Qumran/Dead Sea Scrolls
- Race, Ethnicity and the Gospels
- Revelation (Apocalypse)
- Romans
- Ruth
- Sacrifice
- Samaria/Samaritans
- Samuel, First and Second
- Satan
- Scriptures
- Second Baruch
- Sects, Jewish
- Septuagint
- Sermon on the Mount
- Sexual Violence and the Hebrew Bible
- Sin (Hebrew Bible/Old Testament)
- Sirach
- Slavery
- Sojourner
- Solomon
- Solomon, Wisdom of
- Song of Songs
- Succession Narrative
- Synagogue
- Synoptic Problem
- Tales, Court
- Talmud
- Targum
- Temples and Sanctuaries
- Temples, Near Eastern
- Ten Commandments
- The Bible and the American Civil War
- The Bible in China
- the Hebrew Bible, Ancient Egypt and
- The New Testament and Creation Care
- Thessalonians
- Thomas, Gospel of
- Tobit
- Trauma and the Bible, Hermeneutics of
- Twelve Prophets, Book of the
- Ugarit
- Virtues and Vices: New Testament Ethical Exhortation in I...
- War, New Testament
- Wisdom
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testa...
- Worship in the New Testament and Earliest Christianity
- Worship, Old Testament
- Zadok
- Zechariah
- Zoology (Animals in the New Testament)