Biblical Manuscripts, Translations, and Genres

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Biblical Manuscripts, Translations, and Genres

• SCTR 19 Religions of the Book
• by Molly Leaverton

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Why are there Different Versions of the Bible
Today?

• Manuscripts ancient (or modern) texts "written
  by hand
• often copies of copies of copies, with
  significant differences
• We have no original manuscripts, only copies of
  copies
• Original manuscripts written 100s of years after
  events
• Existing copies even later, up until invention of
  printing (16th Cent.)
• Oldest HB texts (prior to 1945) "Masoretic
  text" (9th -10th CE)
• Copies we DO have contain numerous textual
  variations
• Many small differences
• Spelling, grammar, word choice
• Some larger differences
• Book placement
• Omission of books altogether

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No Perfect Translation Exists

• Important recent discoveries of older manuscripts
  
• - Dead Sea Scrolls (written before 100 CE,
  found 1947-1956
• - Codex Sinaiticus (written 350-400 BCE, found
  1859)
• Meanings of some biblical texts remain
  unknown/uncertain
• Ancient languages are different from modern
  languages
• Every "translation" is an "interpretation"
• All living languages change and develop
• Cultural developments require new sensitivities
  in language
• Sensitivity to racism, sexism, anti-Semitism,
  other forms of discrimination
• slanted or biased language
• "inclusive" language alternatives

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What is the Difference betweena Translation and
an Edition?

• Translation of the Bible
• Interpretation of the meaning of the Bible from
  original languages into another (modern) language
• Ex King James Bible, Authorized Version, New
  English Bible, Revised Standard Version, New
  American Bible, etc.
• Edition of the Bible
• Publication of an already published translation
• Adds introductions, study helps, commentary, or
  references to existing translation
• Ex Study Edition Childrens Edition
  Catholic Study Bible Oxford Study Bible

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English Biblical Translations

• Over 500 different English translations of Bible
• Modern Translations are More Accurate
• Changes in English over the centuries
• New discoveries in past 50-150 years

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Two Types of Translations Used in Modern Bibles

• Formal Correspondence Translations
• Preserve original wording word-order of Hebrew
  Greek 
• Require explanations (footnotes) to avoid
  misinterpretations
• Good for in-depth academic study of the Bible
• Difficult to understand when heard or read aloud
• Ex Douay-Rheims, KJV/NKJV, RSV/NRSV, NAB, NIV
• Dynamic Equivalence Translations
• Focus on meaning ideas, not word for word
  translation
• better for public proclamation or liturgical use
• Ex NEB/REB, TEV/CEV, JB/NJB

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Alternative Translations

• Biblical Paraphrases
• Not (dont even claim to be) accurate
  translations 
• Often intended for children or teenagers
• Condense and/or omit much of the material
• Freely change the wording of the original texts
• Amplified Bible
• "amplifies" text, adding many extra words
  phrases

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What is a Genre?

• "GENRE- category or type of literature (or of
  art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular
  form, style, or content.
• Ways of Distinguishing
• Verbal vs. nonverbal
• Poetry vs. prose
• Place/Form published
• Smaller genres or subgroups

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Literary Genre

• Genres Sub-genres
• Fiction vs. Non-Fiction
• Biographies, histories, technical manuals,
  textbooks, poetic anthologies, legal codes, etc.
• Some publications contain multiple genres
• Newspapers have news articles, editorials,
  comics, sports results, financial reports,
  classified ads, obituaries, movie reviews, etc.
• Bible similarly contains many different genres

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Hebrew Bible Genres

• Foundational Myths Legends (Genesis, parts of
  Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
• Legal Codes (Leviticus, parts of Exod, Numb,
  Deut)
• Genealogies (parts of Genesis, much of Numbers)
• Annals (Josh, Judges, 1 2 Samuel, 1 2 Kings,
  etc.)
• Prophetic Books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.)
  
• Psalms/Odes/Songs (Psalms)
• Prayers/Laments (Lamentations)
• Proverbs (Proverbs)
• Wisdom Literature (Job, Wisdom, etc.)
• Apocalypse (Daniel)

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New Testament Genres

• Gospels (Mark, Matt, Luke, John)
• Acts (Acts)
• Letters (esp. Paul's)
• Church Orders (1 Timothy, Titus)
• Testament (2 Timothy 2 Peter)
• Homily/Sermon (Hebrews)
• Wisdom Collection (James)
• Epistles/Encyclicals (1 2 Peter)
• Apocalypse (Revelation)

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Summary

• Bible is not one book, but a library
• Bible contains many different literary genres
• No perfect translation of the Bible exists
• Different translations dramatically affect our
  understanding of the Bibles meaning
• Recent discoveries developments make modern
  translations more accurate