What to look for in a translation

ByBrian Birdow

Sermon text: Mark 5 www.cmcoc.org

Objective of Lesson

• Why the need for translations?

• What to look for when selecting a bible?

Why the need for translations• 280bc --- Jerusalem is surrounded by Greeks.

• Decapolis = 10 Greek cities

• Hebrews parents send their kids to Greek gymnasiums, as a result the Hebrew language becomes dead to most.

• Parents are fearful that children will not know the hope of Israel! They ask for a translation!

Septuagint

• From the Latin septuaginta, "seventy" is a translation of the Hebrew bible and some related texts into Koine Greek (common Greek).

• As the primary Greek translation of the Old Testament, it is also called the Greek Old Testament. 

• Septuagint is commonly identified solely by its roman numerals LXX

Why the need for translations

• Because languages change along with words.

• Example: Gay, Supper and Dinner, divan (couch) britches or pants

What to look for in selecting a bible

• Jeremiah 36…. Turn with me please

• Paraphrase—summarizing in your own words what God is saying.

• Literal—taking the words spoken and translating them into each persons own language. Ref. Acts 2

Advice for picking a bible

• Read the preface

• Have multiple translations