Biblical Perspectives, Vol. 2 No. 2, 1994.
Review article
Biblical Texts, Translations, and Understanding
Gerhard F. Hasel
; Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA
Abstract
Since there are no autographs of the Bible available, the two main
sources for the recovery of the biblical text are: (1) numerous Hebrew and Greek manuscripts that have descended from the original autographs, and (2) the ancient translations, called versions, which were directly influenced by the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. It is also very important for the text of the New Testament to study the quotations of Scripture preserved in the writings of the ancient church fathers. The author discusses first the biblical text of the Old Testament, then that of the New Testament, the translations that were produced, and how this information relates to understanding the Bible. He also considers and evaluates some of the recent translations of the Bible in English. Finally, he ends his discussion with a pastoral appeal: "The story of the Bible from the time of its origin to the present provides a fascinating insight into God’s guidance as He used men and women to preserve it faithfully and accurately... May it always be considered as the perfect revelation of God’s will for all men; may it always lead to a better understanding of the triune God and a fuller knowledge of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, of whom Scriptures so faithfully and profoundly testify.
Keywords
Bible; translation; understanding; text
Hrčak ID:
89870
URI
Publication date:
14.12.1994.
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