Exploring Changes in the Meaning of the Bible Through Translation from an Islamic Perspective
**I. Introduction
The Bible stands as one of the most influential texts in human history, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Its translation into various languages has been pivotal in disseminating its teachings and shaping religious and cultural landscapes worldwide. This paper seeks to delve into the intricate process of Bible translation and examine how the meanings of the original text have evolved across languages and cultures.
**II. Background***
Historical Overview*:
Throughout history, the Bible has undergone numerous translations, each influenced by the socio-political and religious milieu of its time. From early translations like the Septuagint and the Vulgate to modern versions, the process of translating the Bible has evolved alongside linguistic and scholarly advancements.
Some of the major milestones in the history of Bible translation are¹:-
1: The Septuagint (3rd-2nd century BC):
The first translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, widely used by Jews and Christians in the ancient world.-
2: The Vulgate (4th-5th century AD):
The Latin translation of the Bible by Jerome, which became the official version of the Roman Catholic Church for over a thousand years.-
3: The Wycliffe Bible (14th century AD):
The first translation of the Bible into English by John Wycliffe and his followers, based on the Latin Vulgate.- 4: The Luther Bible (16th century AD):
The translation of the Bible into German by Martin Luther, which sparked the Protestant Reformation and influenced other vernacular translations.-
4: The King James Version (17th century AD):
The translation of the Bible into English by a committee of scholars, commissioned by King James I of England, which became the most widely read and influential version in the English-speaking world.-
5: The Revised Standard Version (20th century AD):
The revision of the King James Version by a group of American scholars, which aimed to update the language and reflect the latest discoveries in biblical scholarship.-
6:The New International Version (20th-21st century AD):
The translation of the Bible into contemporary English by an international team of evangelical scholars, which sought to balance accuracy and readability for a broad audience.
*Challenges in Translation*:
Translating the Bible presents unique challenges due to its complex theological concepts, cultural references, and linguistic nuances. Scholars and translators grapple with balancing fidelity to the original text with the need for clarity and accessibility in the target language.
Some of the main challenges in Bible translation are²:-
The distance between the original languages and the modern languages: The Bible was written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, which have different grammatical structures, vocabularies, and idioms than modern languages. Translators have to decide how to render the meaning and style of the original text in a way that is understandable and faithful to the target language.- The diversity of the biblical genres and authors: The Bible contains various types of literature, such as narratives, laws, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, letters, and apocalyptic visions, each with its own literary features and rhetorical devices. Translators have to consider the genre and the author's intention and tone when choosing the appropriate words and expressions for each passage.- The ambiguity and uncertainty of the original text: The Bible is an ancient text that has been transmitted through manuscripts, which sometimes contain errors, variants, and gaps. Translators have to consult the available textual evidence and make informed judgments about the best reading of the original text, based on linguistic, historical, and theological criteria.- The influence of the cultural and theological context: The Bible reflects the worldview and values of the ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, which are often different from or unfamiliar to modern readers. Translators have to explain or adapt the cultural and theological references in the original text, without imposing their own biases or assumptions on the text.
III. Changes in Meaning during Translation
**Examples and Analysis:**
Examining specific words, phrases, and passages reveals how meanings have shifted during translation. For instance, the Hebrew word *"ruach"* can be translated as "spirit," "breath," or "wind," each carrying different connotations and theological implications depending on the context.
Here are examples of how this word has been translated differently in various Bible versions:
- **Genesis 1:2**
- NLT: The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the **Spirit** of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
- NKJV: The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the **Spirit** of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
- NRSV: The earth was a formless void, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a **wind** from God swept over the face of the waters.
- RSV: The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the **Spirit** of God was moving over the face of the waters.
- CEV: The earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the **breath** of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
- **Psalm 104:29-30**
- NIV: When you take away their **breath**, they die and return to dust. When you send your **Spirit**, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
- ESV: When you take away their **breath**, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your **Spirit**, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
- GNT: You take away their **breath**, and they die and go back to the dust. But when you give them **breath**, they are created; you give new life to the earth.
- NKJV: You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their **breath**, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your **Spirit**, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.
- NLT: When you take away their **breath**, they die and turn back to dust. When you give them your **breath**, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.
- **John 3:8**
- NIV: The **wind** blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the **Spirit**.
- ESV: The **wind** blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the **Spirit**.
- CEV: The **wind** blows where it wants to. You hear it, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. That's how it is with everyone who is born of the **Spirit**.
- RSV: The **wind** blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the **Spirit**.
- NLT: The **wind** blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the **Spirit**.
These examples show that *"ruach"* has different meanings and implications in different contexts. Translators must choose the best possible word based on their understanding of the original text and the target language. Sometimes, the same word is translated differently within the same version, depending on the context. In other cases, different versions of the Bible use different translations, reflecting the preferences or theological perspectives of the translators. These variations can influence how readers understand and interpret the biblical message.
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**Case Studies**
*Selection Criteria*:
Case studies focus on representative passages from different Bible genres. By comparing translations, these case studies highlight variations in meaning. For example, analyzing the translation of the creation narrative in Genesis can show cultural and theological differences in understanding the concept of creation.
Some criteria for selecting case studies include:
- The relevance and significance of the passage to a biblical theme or doctrine
- The diversity of translations available for the passage
- The presence of variations or discrepancies in translations
- The potential impact of translation choices on the meaning and interpretation of the passage
*Analysis*:
In-depth analysis of translation choices reveals the factors influencing changes in meaning, such as linguistic, cultural, and theological considerations. By comparing different translations, scholars gain insight into the interpretive frameworks used by translators. An example of this is the comparison of translations for Genesis 1:1.
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**Sources:**
1. Bible Versions and Translations Online - Bible Study Tools.
2. How Can We Pick the Best Bible Translation? - Topical Studies.
3. Bible Study Tools - Search and Read the Bible Online.
4. Study Bible - Online Greek Hebrew KJV Parallel Interlinear Tools.
5. Bible Search and Study Tools - Blue Letter Bible.
1:1-Source:(1) Bible Versions and Translations Online - Bible Study Tools. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-versions/.(2) How Can We Pick the Best Bible Translation? - Topical Studies. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/how-can-we-pick-the-best-bible-translation.html.(3) Bible Study Tools - Search and Read the Bible Online. https://www.biblestudytools.com/.(4) Study Bible - Online Greek Hebrew KJV Parallel Interlinear Tools. https://www.studybible.info/.(5) Bible Search and Study Tools - Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
