What are the benefits in knowing the history of the translation of the English Bible?
Having many translations of the Bible has given us both positive and negative impact on our readings. Some of the benefits or positive outcomes that derived from various translations are making available, accessible and easy reading and understanding for all people based on generation to generation because from the very beginning of the translation, the goal (e.g. Alfred the great) was to interpret the original Hebrews, Greek or latin translations into English so that all the English speaking people will hear it and understand the message of the Bible.
King James Version had given keen attention for the beauty of the original language of Hebrew and Greek and it was used by the churches for more than 300 years as the most authoritative translations. The outcome of this translation was in original language even though it might not be smooth and organized.
As the usage of language changes from generation to generation, the scholars keep updated the readers with new translations of latest English version which would focus on good structures, accurate sentences and even grammar compositions. Some translations like American Standard Versions are good intended for teachers, scholars, professionals, and the students who would benefits out of this specific translation because they did not go for Authorized Version or modern expressions of recent versions but the accuracy. Still there are new revised edition which had been given their best efforts to translate the Bible in a simplest way that it is very easy to read, understandable and would cost at the lowest price for the common people.
The translation come and goes in their own time and popularity, but the message of the Bible remains the same. Each translation had their own focused, goal of interpretations and produces the best result for the readers in their own time. Different translations give wider perspective and approaches in reading the Bible and its interpretations. It also enhances our current English usage and gives the possible rich meaning of the original languages. Above all, the greatest contributions of different translations are making the gospel message available, readable, understandable, relevant, low cost and accessible to every believer.
Ashulo Seb
