Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 46:3 (Sep 2003)
Article: Review Articles Three Recent Bible Translations: An Old Testament Perspective
Author: Michael A. Lyons

JETS 46:3 (September 2003) p. 497

Review Articlesa
Three Recent Bible Translations: An Old Testament Perspective

Michael A. Lyons

William A. Tooman

[Michael Lyons and William Tooman are doctoral students at the University of Wisconsin, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706.]

I. Introduction

A glance at a book distributor’s catalog or a publisher’s website is enough to confirm that the proliferation of English translations and study editions has reached Brobdingnagian proportions. On the one hand, the seemingly endless marketing of Bibles targeting niche groups based on age, race, gender, marital status, denomination, and addiction can create the dangerous illusion that the people of God do not in fact share the same Word. On the other hand, the Bible has always been accompanied by a variety of translations-at an early date by multiple Greek translations, followed shortly by translations in Aramaic, Syriac and Latin. In our opinion, the multiplicity of translations can be a sign of a healthy interest in the Bible and is to be expected where there is diversity in reading habits and abilities.

Historically, motives for producing new translations or editions of the Bible have been numerous: the need to account for a change in language usage (semantic shift, obsolescence, a change in the use of gendered language), a desire to improve readability or accuracy (usually by emphasizing a dynamic or formal equivalence theory of translation), a desire to provide explanation, or the desire to address a perceived lack of biblical literacy or availability. Finally, some translations and study editions may be encouraged by publishers seeking to market a product to a particular target audience. Both doctrinal and cultural differences create an environment ripe for exploitation by those who would have readers believe that “finally there is a Bible that is just for you!”1

JETS 46:3 (September 2003) p. 498

In the last century, most translations have been a response to a combination of these concerns. The three Bibles reviewed here are no exception. The desire to represent current language usage and follow a particular translation technique is addressed in different ways by all three Bibles. Concerns about biblical availability and literacy are addressed in different ways by two of the Bibles (The Message and the NET Bible).

This review will focus on the stated goals of each translation, paying particular attention to translation technique and accuracy. While the slogan that “all translation is interpretation” seems to be increasingly used to justify the acceptabil...