the Masoretic Text..nearly 2,000 years old

[TaylorSexton]

If this is so then I guess I don't understand the KJV > NASB, ESV arguments. NASB and ESV also translate from the Masoretic Text as it is represented by the BHS. Why is Wilson saying that these translations rely on different texts?

Well, the heaviest part of his and others' argument(s) mostly concerns the New Testament. The modern translations (except the NKJV) all translate from a different Greek text than that of most pre-20th Century translations, including the KJV/AV. I would imagine that the grievance most KJV/AV advocates have with modern translations regarding the Old Testament is their tendencies to utilize the Septuagint (LXX; the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) and other ancient translations to render some words and/or passages.

 

[Tree of Life]

Well, the heaviest part of his and others' argument(s) mostly concerns the New Testament. The modern translations (except the NKJV) all translate from a different Greek text than that of most pre-20th Century translations, including the KJV/AV.

Interesting. I haven't done my Greek work yet. Perhaps I'll learn more about this.

I would imagine that the grievance most KJV/AV advocates have with modern translations regarding the Old Testament is their tendencies to utilize the Septuagint (LXX; the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament) and other ancient translations to render some words and/or passages.

The KJV relies on the LXX in some places. So...

 

[TaylorSexton]

The KJV relies on the LXX in some places. So...

Does it? I really don't know, so this is a genuine question. I know the KJV offers footnotes in some places that give the LXX, but do they use the LXX in the main body of text?

 

[Tree of Life]

Does it? I really don't know, so this is a genuine question. I know the KJV offers footnotes in some places that give the LXX, but do they use the LXX in the main body of text?

Well every good translation, like the ESV and NASB will consult the LXX at times to help with translation in cases where the meaning is unclear. ESV, NASB, and KJV, for example, all translate Isaiah 7:14 as "the virgin will conceive". The Hebrew word which stands behind "virgin" is almah and really means something closer to "woman without children". It can mean virgin but it does not have to. But the LXX translates this word as παρθένος which has the explicit meaning of "virgin". Therefore the KJV, ESV, and NASB translators follow this cue and translate almah as "virgin".

 

[TaylorSexton]

Well every good translation, like the ESV and NASB will consult the LXX at times to help with translation in cases where the meaning is unclear. ESV, NASB, and KJV, for example, all translate Isaiah 7:14 as "the virgin will conceive". The Hebrew word which stands behind "virgin" is almah and really means something closer to "woman without children". It can mean virgin but it does not have to. But the LXX translates this word as παρθένος which has the explicit meaning of "virgin". Therefore the KJV, ESV, and NASB translators follow this cue and translate almah as "virgin".

That's a good point. Like I said, I haven't looked much into the KJV's use of the LXX. Perhaps it's something into which I should look more.