StormyOne said:
If they appear to say different things then you must consider the possibility that there is more than one way to translate a text. That will be the first lesson in greek. Example: The man's house. or The house of the man. Or The house the man owns. Which is correct? Three different ways, all capturing the same idea... a man has a house.....
I wish you well with your studies.....
No, now wait, I'm talking about versions that say completely different things....not versions that say the same thing in different ways.
When Austin (PaleHorse) and I bought our Bibles we decided it would be a good idea to buy a parallel Bible with more than one translation. I'm glad we did it, because now I see the reason for a lot of different beliefs, but I'm also disappointed at the same time because I don't like having the NIV anymore....not after I've compared it with the KJV (and studied the translations).
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means an expert on the Hebrew of Greek. I'm in Hebrew 101 at the moment (not literally). I'm teaching myself how to look up Hebrew words, etc. If anyone is interested, this is a pretty good source that lets you do that: www.blueletterbible.org.
The first Hebrew word I studied was nephesh. That word is translated to soul and dead body....etc, etc. You have to get inside the mind of the translators sometimes.
Here's an interesting story....this past year my 11 year-old-old (10 at the time) decided he wanted a Bible for "Festivus". I searched the world over for a youth KJV Bible. The local Christian bookstore didn't have one and the cashier told me "youths prefer the NIV, or..........". So I said, "so you don't have ANY KJV Bibles that are geered toward adolescent studies?" And she said "Nope." I finally just bought him a regular KJV Bible but I had to get him one that has denomination margins/references in it. And guess what, the denominational references certainly weren't Adventist (Boy you have to watch that part like a hawk when buying a Bible).
Since then I have found one on the internet.
HOWEVER, I decided recently that I want a new Bible, but now that I know what I would prefer--I'm going to be very particular. Once you've had a Bible you don't like using to study from, you look very carefully for one you know you would like.
I want (short list...lol) A KJV version Bible, large print, no denomination margins/references, space for taking notes, Jesus' AND God's words in red, hardback. Not too much to ask for eh? (In fact, I could do without the space for notes if the other things I want are available). But, alas, this Bible doesn't seem to exist!! Unless I want a new age translation or a leather one (uggggh). I'm serious, I've found all the bells and whistles I want if I'm willing to take the NIV, NASB, or..... During my extensive searches I always clicked on "KJV". It always seems to have the shortest list of ANY of the translations.
They're weeding it out completely it seems.
(For the record, I found ONE Bible that would do, but it's leather. Other than that I have found a couple of other ones I'd be "okay" with, but it's next to impossible to get away from denominational references...and that's the thing I want the least). I like to reference and research similar verses on my own, I don't want a denomination (even my own) telling me which verses go with others!!!
I think it would be awesome (now I'm rambling) if there was a site you could go to and order a custom Bible. Click on all the things you WANT to get the exact Bible you're searching for. Since the Bible consistently remains the #1 selling book, I know whoever could do that would make a FORTUNE (hint, hint to anyone wanting to start a business...I'd be your first customer)!
Anyway, I told that story to illustrate that the KJV is suddenly disappearing and it scares me.
I shouldn't try to post before 7 a.m. I've decided. I've confused MYSELF even.