On “Literal” Interpretation, Part 2: Sometimes You Shouldn’t Translate

Read Part 1.

There’s an argument among conservative Christians over whether we should translate the Bible “literally”—by which the proponent usually means “word for word, so much as is possible in translating from one language to another”—or “loosely”—by which the proponent means “concept for concept.” The technical term for the latter is “dynamic equivalence.”

Discussion

They're Changing the ESV Again

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“They are changing the 2001 ESV for the 2025 edition—and that’s after changes in 2007, 2011, and 2016. But I’m not alarmed, and I don’t think you should be.” - Mark Ward

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The First Parallel Bible

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“Origen’s six-columned Old Testament, produced in the second century, was a monumental achievement in the Bible’s history.” - TCI

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How AI Assists in Global Bible Translation

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“We’re not talking about dropping the Greek New Testament text into a tool like ChatGPT or Google Translate and expecting it to output a polished translation in any language.” - TGC

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The First Best-Selling Bible: A Reformation Story

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“Although it was immediately banned by Duke George of Saxony, Frederick’s cousin, the September Testament received the warmest of welcomes by the populace. It sold an unprecedented 3,000 copies or more in its first run” - Word by Word

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