What is your preferred Bible translation?

[Exegetist]

Hairy Tic,
you might want to check out Artscroll.com. They have some very good interlinears and Hebrew scholars comments. Their Stone Edition Tanach is excellent as is their Schottenstein Chumash. We can learn a great deal from how the Jews handle the ancient texts in the OT. It is also interesting when we see them still looking for the Messiah in the Scriptures.

 

[Faith.Man]

I am a bible collector of sorts. I own lots different versions and translations. Each have their good and not so good features. I sometimes wish in this digital age a person could select among many features that one would like and have a custom bible printed and bound. For me the resulting item would weigh around six pounds!

Most of the bibles that I own are listed below:

1. Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (NIV)
Pratt is editor. Includes all the major Reformed confessions in appendices. Has 100 in-depth articles on various Reformed doctrines, numerous Reformed Confessions in the back, and thousands of study notes for verses, including links to Confessions. If this was available in an ESV or NKJV format it would become my favorite. The theological articles and notes are the best I have seen and I turn to these notes first when needed.

2. Nelson Study Bible (NKJV)
Excellent layout and scholarly commentaries that do not shy away from contentious topics. Good concordance and index (!) to in-depth topics posted throughout. Get the 2007 edition for the latest version of this popular study bible.

3. Apologetics Study Bible (HCSB)
Numerous in-depth articles related to apologetic exposition. Verse commentaries are apologetic in nature. Love the fact that it treats open theism as a belief system that is non-biblical. Has one of the best translations of John 3:16 I have ever read. Note: an 2011 update to the HCSB translation and study bible is in the works. Here is a sample: http://g.christianbook.com/netstorage/pdf/sample/404574.pdf

4. MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV, NASB, ESV)
A study bible edited by a self-proclaimed “leaky” dispensational “Calvinist”—more accurately a Christian dispensational Zionist. Thousands of deep theological study notes with a Reformed flavor. Now available in the ESV translation.

5. Archaeological Study Bible (NIV)
Outstanding commentary on historical, social, and archeological aspects for verses. Hundreds of in-depth treatments for each book. A gem for this genre.

6. Thompson Chain-Reference (NKJV, NIV, KJV)
One of my favorites. The NKJV has all chains updated. Over a hundred thousand references and special topics. My only beef is that there are no center-column cross-references, so one must rely upon the chain-reference system. At times that becomes annoying. When I first purchased this bible, I spent a few months colorizing all the plain, black and white drawings in it. Much more pleasing to the eyes! Remains one of my favorites. My son purchased the plush leather Centennial Edition of the KJV for me as a present.

7. Ryrie Study Bible (NIV)
Dispensational theologian. Commentary is scholarly. Includes nice theology summary of major doctrines.

8. Reformation Study Bible (ESV, NKJV)
Edited by Sproul. Includes 100 special topic treatments on various doctrinal subjects. ESV is one of the most literal translations and one of three of my preferred bible translations (the other is the NJKV and KJV).

9. Zondervan Study Bible (NIV, KJV)
Many study notes (20,000), that tend towards middle of the road doctrinal treatments. The KJV includes updated study notes and uses the Scrivener paragraph translation.

10. New Oxford Annotated Bible w/Apocrypha (NRSV)
Study notes are scholarly and generally treat bible as purely literature.

11. Harper Collins Study Bible (NRSV)
Scholarly commentary. Again, like the Oxford Annotated, treatment is more like the bible as literature.

12. The Companion Bible (KJV)
The "Bullinger Bible". One of the most confusing in layout and most complex to navigate. Strong focus on Hebrew and Greek translation aspects in commentary. Very dispensational focus. Bullinger's emphasis on form patterns of chapters, verses, is sometimes strained. Nearly 200 appendices on wide array of topics, some very esoteric. Worth the price just for the content of the appendices. Bullinger's depth of idiomatic passages is another strong point (his book on the same topic is a popular item among academic theologians).

13. The Open Bible: Completely Revised (NKJV, NASB)
This is another one of my favorites. I have worn out two previous versions. Unfortunately, this version is no longer in print and hard to find unless you want to pay big bucks. Unlike past versions, the NKJV version includes 4,500 study notes. And unlike many study bibles with three times the number of notes, the notes in the Open Bible do not get in the way of God's word with unsupported editorial bias.

The bible's 300 page cyclopedic index (8,000 subjects and 300 word studies) is worth the price alone. The introductions and outlines to each book of the bible have not been equaled by any of the versions of Bibles that I own. Also includes numerous visual bible study aids and in-depth topics. I only wish it was available in a genuine leather (not bonded leather) version.

14. Scofield Study Bible 2002 edition (NKJV, NIV, NKJV, HCSB)
The bible for most classical dispensationalists. Numerous topical articles, charts, lists, etc. Published by Oxford University Press. Probably the best constructed bible (binding, paper, print, etc.) in this list.

15. The Dake Annotated Reference Bible (KJV)
The Dake contains a collection of over 35,000 commentary, lists, dispensational allegories, 500,000 cross-references, etc., whose length and number exceeds the actual bible verses. Some of these items are quite bizarre.

Many charismatics are fanatical in their devotion to The Dake. Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland have drawn upon The Dake for many of their strange doctrines. I never thought I would find a bible version that exceeded The Companion Bible in complexity, but The Dake is over the top. Quite a few items in its content are heretical (Dake is tritheistic, holds to aberrant kenoticism). I do not recommend the book for anyone who is not well-trained and has a solid grasp of proper biblical doctrines. The immature or new believer can be led astray in The Dake.

16. The Master Study Bible (KJV)
Published by Cornerstone Bible Publishers and used to be my main bible. Was originally issued in NASB version, which I recently obtained from eBay and had rebound with a new hardcover. The uncommented bible text of both translations is two full columns per page with center-column cross-references. No sectional divisions with the usual man-made headings. Just the chapters and verses. The KJV Master Study Bible contains a 407-page topical concordance in the front, and 571-page Encyclopedia of Biblical Knowledge in the back. Also contains numerous other helps, and a 63-page regular Concordance. Like carrying a library in one volume. As far as I can tell, the KJV translation is the Blayney edition. At present this is my most marked up Bible and my walking around Bible.

17. ESV Study Bible
Four pounds! 2700 pages! On line version available to owners of this bible. One of my favorites. Very scholarly and a bible that will keep you deep in study for years. Read more here

18. 1599 Geneva Study Bible
This version is published by Tolle Lege Press:
Reformation Bookstore: Resources for the Next Reformation

This is the very first study bible ever published. Contains original cross references; original study notes by Reformers; genuine leather; modern spelling; and easy-to-read print. Download Romans to view how this bible looks here: http://www.tollelegepress.com/downloads/1599_Romans.pdf

I have other bibles, including Lockman NASB and NLT versions (get the new 2007 NLT translation in the 2008 Study Bible), and some that are more specialized, such as interlinears, reverse interlinear, Greek, and Hebrew versions and concordances.

Here is a sample of the 2008 NLT Study Bible:

http://www.nltstudybible.com/05_downloads/NLTSB_Genesis.pdf

The reader can also get better acquainted with the various issues with the translations by visiting this site:

English Versions of the Bible

AMR

I have a soft spot for the KJV Dake because it was the bible that I used as a Christian Seeker and then as a Born-Again Christian. But you are definitely correct in your assessment that it has some questionable theology that may trip up a new Christian. I haven't used mine in awhile so when I went to use it recently, I was amazed how small the print was.

Great list. There's also a HCSB Study Bible that didn't make your list.

HCSB Study Bible

 

[Jig]

3. Apologetics Study Bible (HCSB)
Numerous in-depth articles related to apologetic exposition. Verse commentaries are apologetic in nature. Love the fact that it treats open theism as a belief system that is non-biblical. Has one of the best translations of John 3:16 I have ever read. Note: an 2011 update to the HCSB translation and study bible is in the works. Here is a sample: http://g.christianbook.com/netstorage/pdf/sample/404574.pdf

4. MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV, NASB, ESV)
A study bible edited by a self-proclaimed “leaky” dispensational “Calvinist”—more accurately a Christian dispensational Zionist. Thousands of deep theological study notes with a Reformed flavor. Now available in the ESV translation.

5. Archaeological Study Bible (NIV)
Outstanding commentary on historical, social, and archeological aspects for verses. Hundreds of in-depth treatments for each book. A gem for this genre.

7. Ryrie Study Bible (NIV)
Dispensational theologian. Commentary is scholarly. Includes nice theology summary of major doctrines.

These are my favorite study bibles (the NASB Ryrie especially!), I own all of them on paper and electronically. The new ESV MacArthur Study Bible looks beyond nice.

 

[papaJP]

The use of all the study bibles is a starting point but remember these are giving you someones understanding and interpretations. Move on to seek personal revelations and comfirmation from God through His Holy Spirit.

 

[Kaitlin08]

I don't really have a preference, but the NIV 2010 edition seems to be pretty cutting edge.

 

[keith99]

Might an agnostic point out a couple of things?

Different translations have different strenghs. The KJV has one huge advantage. It uses a version of English where the singular and plural of 'you' are different. At times this is important. For those who are not literate in Greek the KJV can help on htis one issue a lot.

One I find a very bad translation is The Today's English Version. Years ago I took a bible study that involved repeatedly reading parts of Scripture. To break things up the teacher suggested reading different versions. Almost every time the TEV would disagree on some small point. And almost always the TEV was taking today's view.

If one believes in Satan trying to mislead Christians, or even if one takes a much more mundane view that the world subtly pushes itself upon Scripture jsut as it does everythign else, it can be quite useful to have a source that gives you an indication of jsut which way that push might be.

 

[HisHomeMaker]

My church uses the NSRV. For my Bible study group I also take a copy of The Message with me; one of our younger priests suggested this version for my teenagers and I. At home I quite enjoy using Biblegateway.com and flipping through the different versions.

 

[Jig]

Dear Bible believing Presbyterian,
It should be known there are true Bible believers (who believe John 15:26, etc.) who are not Protestants. Who have the original, full canon of the OT along with the standard 27 books of the NT. Very few of the Bibles you mention above have the so-called Apocrypha, when there is nothing apocryphal or wrong about these books which were taken OUT of the Bible only by Martin Luther and his deceitful followers. Also, the Roman Catholics don't have the FULL CANON of the OT, they leave out a few books that the GOC (GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) has in her canon of the OT. So does the ROC (RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH). We should be listening to these Eastern Christians BECAUSE THEY TEACH THE TRUTH REGARDING THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE HOLY TRINITY, AND THEY REFUTE THE FILIOQUE HERESY WITH JOHN 15:26! THEY BEAR WITNESS THEREFORE TO JESUS CHRIST (JOHN 15:27). Every Christian library should have The Best Bible available on the Market the OSB ORTHODOX STUDY BIBLE St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology Elk Grove CA Fr. Jack N. Sparks, Ph.D. Nelson Bible, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2008. The only error I can detect in the text of the OSB NT (NEW KING JAMES VERSION) is in Hebrews 6:6, where the word "IF" WHICH IS NOT IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT is inserted by the CALVINISTS AT THE BEHEST OF THE CALVINIST HERETIC THEODORE BEZA. The KJV TRANSLATOR were not being HONEST HERE! The Greek of HEBREWS 6:6 reads, "And HAVING FALLEN AWAY ....." NOT "IF they should fall away". There is NO "IF" IN THE GREEK TEXT. IN ERIE PA USA Scott R. Harrington PS THE NASB HAS THE CORRECT TRANSLATION OF HEBREW 6:6!
SEE JOHN 15:26 for ONE THING THAT THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH BELIEVES; AMEN.

I feel like I just watched a late night infomercial. For just nine easy, affordable, and flexible payments of 19.99 you too can own the OSB Orthodox Study Bible complete with ALL the books of God. But wait there's more, if you reply to my comment in the next 15 minutes we'll throw in the book of Enoch and the book of Jubilee!

 

[sheina]

King James Bible

 

[Cate135]

I prefer the Holman Christian Standard Bible. I've tried other translations, but the HCSB is what I enjoy reading from the most.

 

[Jig]

Seriously Sir, there's no joking about what's in the Bible. It's up to neither you nor me to decide what goes in and what stays out: wiser men than any of here in America decided in the 4th century approximately I gather. As for Enoch and Jubilees, only the Ethiopian church has that mistaken extra canon, and the Ethiopians are a unique people. They have piety, but their choice of canonical books is questionable at best, and heretical in truth. We should pray that all people find Jesus, find the truth. Many study Bibles may leave us confused. I used to have a New Scofield Reference Bible ad it confused me very much for a time.

The 66 books in my bible are inerrant. The same can not be said of the so-called deuterocanonical books - none of these books were in the original Hebrew canon. As for the Septuagint canon, we know of no manuscripts earlier than the fourth century A.D. that contain the apocrypha. Strong evidence that these "hidden" books probably weren't even originally in the Septuagint either.

The books of Judith and Baruch state wrong historical facts and even directly contradicted the rest of the Bible. (Ex. Judith 1:1 claims King Nebuchadnezzar is the ruler of Assyria when he actually ruled Babylon.) Tobit proposes an alternative way for purging sin apart from the shedding of blood. (Tob. 4:11, 12:9)

And don't forget the author of 2 Maccabees even concedes that his work is actually just a quick abridgment of another man's work and expresses concerns whether he even did a good job. (2 Mac. 2:23, 15:38)

These books don't seem very inerrant or inspired to me.

 

[Jig]

Dear Jig,The same Martin Luther who rejects the "Apocrypha" accepts the heresy of Filioque. Just rejecting these books of the Bible doesn't guarantee that one's theology of the Holy Trinity will be Orthodox.
Filioque is heterodox theology.
In Erie Scott R. Harrington

What does Martin Luther's beliefs have to do with me? You have ineffectively bypassed the reasons why "I" reject the apocrypha.

 

[OzSpen]

Jig

The 66 books in my bible are inerrant. The same can not be said of the so-called deuterocanonical books - none of these books were in the original Hebrew canon. As for the Septuagint canon, we know of no manuscripts earlier than the fourth century A.D. that contain the apocrypha. Strong evidence that these "hidden" books probably weren't even originally in the Septuagint either.

The books of Judith and Baruch state wrong historical facts and even directly contradicted the rest of the Bible. (Ex. Judith 1:1 claims King Nebuchadnezzar is the ruler of Assyria when he actually ruled Babylon.) Tobit proposes an alternative way for purging sin apart from the shedding of blood. (Tob. 4:11, 12:9)

And don't forget the author of 2 Maccabees even concedes that his work is actually just a quick abridgment of another man's work and expresses concerns whether he even did a good job. (2 Mac. 2:23, 15:38)

These books don't seem very inerrant or inspired to me.

I hope you mean that all 66 books are inerrant in the original manuscripts. No Bible translation is inerrant.

I recommend a read of book on Inerrancy, edited by Norman Geisler. It's now available online as a Google book. In this book there is an excellent article, "Inerrancy of the Autographa" by Greg Bahnsen that is available as a separate URL. The "autographa" refers to the original writings.

Oz

 

[kiwimac]

Rsv, Neb

 

[OzSpen]

Scott,

Dear friend, So Tobit allegedly teaches another way of forgiveness besides the shedding of blood? So does Ezekiel 18, apparently. All it says that a man who does evil may forgiven if he starts and continues doing good for the rest of his life, then all his former evil deeds will be forgotten and remembered no more and not counted against. No mention here of the blood of Christ. Ezekiel 18 also says that if a righteous man who has done good deeds starts doing bad deeds, and continues in evil, none of his former good works will me remembered at all, and all his evil works will be counted against him. We have to remember that words of the Bible have to be read in context. There could be much in the OT that could be used to support Judaism, and not mention the Messiah or Christ. Christ is the only Messiah. But Ezekiel 18 applies only to believers in the shed blood of Christ on the Cross, for it is impossible for good works (Eph. 2:10) without God's grace (Eph. 2:8-9), as Romans and Galatians teach, the just shall live by faith, a man is justified by faith, and not by the works of the law. But we are not justified by faith alone, but also by works, because faith without works is dead (James). But Scripture does not teach Pelagianism. It is still God's free gift, even though works are required after faith as a consequence of saving faith in Christ. In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington

Why are you changing topic? In my post I was discussing inerrancy of the origin documents.

Oz

 

[Jig]

Jig

I hope you mean that all 66 books are inerrant in the original manuscripts. No Bible translation is inerrant.

Of course.

 

[Jig]

Dear friend, So Tobit allegedly teaches another way of forgiveness besides the shedding of blood?

Does alms-giving purge/expiate away every sin? Yes or no.

Tobit 12:9 (from The New American Bible [a Catholic bible])
It is better to give alms than to store up gold;
for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin.

 

[Jig]

Dear OzSpen, I was just mentioning that you or someone wrote that Tobit was in error. I don't necessarily agree with that. I haven't found any doctrinal or factual error in any of the "Apocrypha". As for factual error, if there were any that crept into the translation process, it wouldn't bother me. We are a long way from the original manuscripts and only these are without error. But there is no doctrinal error in any original document. Hebrews 6:6 in your "66 books of the Bible" is in error in the KJV. It has the mistranslation "if" which is missing from the original NT Greek. The NASB has it exactly write, and the Greek reads "And having fallen away ..."
Take care.
Name all the Fathers of the Church who accept the Apocrypha and you will find the truth. Why should we go by recent Christians who don't follow Church tradition. Church tradition is inerrant, too. As is the Creed of 381 AD, without the Filioque. If the Holy Spirit is real, He doesn't limit His inerrancy to a book. He is in human souls, too, otherwise they misread the Scriptures, and then we are all lost in thought. We need "another Comforter" (the Spirit) Who will guide us into all truth (John 16:13) so we don't twist the Scriptures to our own destruction. Why believe the unbelieving Jews and reject the Apocrypha?
Take care.
GOD BLESS YOU.
IN ERIE PA USA Scott R. Harrington SCOTTH1960

Over what kingdom did Nebuchadnezzar rule? Babylon or Assyria?

Judith 1:1 (New American Bible)
It was the twelfth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians in the great city of Nineveh.



You also didn't answer my simple question two posts above.