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Why are there different wordings used across different versions of the Bible?

 

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

 

That’s a great question. I need to warn everyone… hold onto your hats. This will be lengthy.

Our question was actually 2-in-1 this week: Why are there different wordings used across different versions of the Bible? What is the purpose?

Primarily, the differences come down to a few things:

    1. Different types, or sets, of manuscripts used in the translation process
      There are different “types” of manuscripts that the Bible came from. The KJV Old Testament was translated from what is called the "Masoretic Text," while most modern translations (NASB, ESV, NIV) are translated from the Dead Sea Scrolls (NKJV uses both).

      In the New Testament manuscript world, there are two main types of manuscripts translators use: the Byzantine text and the Alexandrian text. The KJV uses the Textus Receptus (which came from the Byzantine text) for its New Testament. Most modern translations are translated from the Alexandrian text.

      So, there are different sets, or families of manuscripts for both the Old Testament and the New Testament. If your Bible was translated from the Textus Receptus (KJV, NKJV), it will be a little different than someone else’s Bible that was translated from the Alexandrian text (NASB, ESV, NIV). Naturally, since manuscripts were copied by hand back then, they have some differences with each other in some places. These differences between the manuscripts are what scholars call textual variants. By the way, in case anyone is wondering, these variants only make up 1% of the entire Bible, none of which have any bearing on the meaning of the text or doctrine at all.

    2. The translation technique of the translators
      Some other differences within Bible translations come down to the technique the translators used when translating. Some Bibles are more literal, word-for-word translations. Others are more thought-for-thought translations. Still others are paraphrases (which are not included in this discussion. The more literal translations are called formal equivalence, while the thought-for-thought translations are called dynamic equivalence.

      Formal equivalences, or literal translations (NASB, KJV, ESV, NKJV), get as close as possible to the original Greek and Hebrew. Because of that, they are a little wooden or rigid at times. They can be a little difficult to understand. Dynamic equivalences (NIV, CSB, NET) back off from that a little and try to convey the meaning of each verse. They are thought-for-thought, so they flow better when reading. However, many of them still have an element of word-for-word in them so they stay honest to the original text.

      Christians should study any legitimate Bible translation (The Mirror Bible and the New World Translation are NOT legitimate). Obviously, a word-for-word translation and a thought-for-thought translation are going to word things differently. Translating with one or two words is going to be different than if trying to translate a meaning, like a thought-for-thought will.

What is written above are the primary reasons why Bible translations vary a little. It's not necessarily that one is more Biblical than another, it’s just that the process is a little different. In any case, I hope we never let those small variations between Bibles pull us away from God. Let’s keep spending time with Him and studying our Bibles, whether they are word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and no matter which family of manuscripts they come from. It’s worth noting again that none of the small differences have any effect on the meaning of the text or God’s message. He gave us exactly the word He meant to give us. 

 

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.