Based on the excellent feedback from our first Bible translation poll, I wanted to offer everyone some more choices. Many mentioned that they own dozens of different Bible translations – some over 100!If I’ve left out your one your top three, leave a comment and I can add it.
[poll id="5"]
More about Bible translations
- SBTS Alumni Steve Weaver’s series on Bible Translations
- Rick Mansfield’s whole blog This Lamp. He even has a chart of the 84 Bibles that he owns.
1599 Geneva Bible, if you please.
I would add the Amplified Bible.
Done
I know this is a poll about “translations” but I would always have to cast a vote for Greek and Hebrew.
I honestly do not know how neither the ESV or NASB are in the top three of some peoples list!
Matt – Good point. I thought many would pick one or the other and then go with something from a different translation approach.
Interestingly, I picked the top three (thus far, anyway) in that order. I guess that makes me part of the (this) herd.
I honestly do not know how neither the ESV or NASB are in the top three of some peoples list!
I think that English scholars who are devoted Christians would typically not choose either version among their top three because the English of both versions is so poor. There are inverted negatives which have been obsolete for 300 years. There are many instances of non-English syntax.
The NASB is a good crib for those who do not read Biblical Hebrew or Greek fluently. And I enjoyed using it for many years when there was no better English version.
Shocking! 1599 Geneva has more than one vote!! Huzzah for the “breeches” bible!
Tony,
There is something another area that we should do a poll on and that is favorite Study Bibles. I think that would be a lot of fun and very informative.
Martin – Good idea, which study Bibles would we include? I have never really used them, except early on when I was new to the Bible.
Well there are just TONS of study bibles out there. Just take a look at CBD if you ever want to go dizzy. My spidey senses tell me that the Reformation study bible would be first by a long shot.
Some of you may be interested in the latest figures of Bible version sales per dollar and per unit:
http://www.cbaonline.org/nm/documents/BSLs/Bible_Translations.pdf
Not a complete version, but I would include Robert Alter’s translations in my top three.