a long time on the territory of the former Soviet Union used only one - the King James Version - Bible translation.This is due to how the policy was universal atheism in the country, and the dominant position of the Orthodox Church, the Synod and which was approved by this translation.As a result of this situation is rooted in the public consciousness the idea that the King James translation - it's a real Bible (almost original), and all other translations - this is something innovative and trustworthy.
Is this true?How accurate is the KJV?And why do we need different translations?
first translations
ancient history of Bible translations into the Russian language is not so rich.The first one was made brothers Cyril and Methodius, who lived in the IX century.And it was made with the Greek Septuagint.So, the translation of the Old Testament has been twofold: first, from Hebrew into Greek, and already from Greek into Old Church Slavonic.
In 1751 Empress Elizabeth ordered that this translation is rechecked and, if necessary, corrected.So there was the publication of the Bible called "Elizabethan", which the Orthodox Church to this day enjoy in their worship.
Proceedings Macarius
In 1834, an Orthodox Archimandrite Macarius began work on the translation of the Bible, which lasted for ten years.He translated the text directly from the Hebrew language and already in 1839 presented a part of its work to the Synod.He was categorically denied its publication.What was the reason?Members of the Synod did not like that Archimandrite Macarius decided to use in the text personal name of God, where it occurs in the original.According to church tradition, it should replace all the titles Lord or God.
Despite this categorical refusal, Makarios continued its work.However, we began to publish it only after 30 years.And only a portion, for seven years, in the journal "Orthodox Review".The next time this translation, extracted from the repositories of the National Library, was released only in 1996.
Work on the King James Version
Paradoxical as it sounds, but rejected by the Council of the Synod translation Macarius served an indispensable tool in the preparation of an updated translation, known today as the KJV.All attempts to prepare other translations were stopped with rigor and finished works to be destroyed.For a long time we were arguing about whether we should do to provide an updated translation of the congregation or leave only the Old Slavonic version.
Finally, in 1858, it was approved by a formal decision that the King James translation of the New Testament congregation will be useful, but worship should continue to use the Old Slavonic text.This situation persists until now.Full KJV was published only in 1876.
Why do we need new translations
over a century, King James translation helped sincere people to gain knowledge of God.So is it worth it change anything?It all depends on how you treat the Bible.The fact that some people take the Scriptures like some magic talisman, thinking that only the very presence of this book in the house should produce some beneficial effect.And, therefore, my grandfather folio with yellowed pages, the text of which are full of solid signs (one of the conspicuous features of Old Church Slavonic grammar) will, of course, a real treasure.
However, if one understands that the true value is not in the material that makes up the page, and the information carried by the text, then it will give preference to intuitive and easy to read translations.
Lexical change
Any Language changes over time.So, as our grandparents may be incomprehensible to the present generation.Therefore, there is a need to update the translation of the Bible.Here are a few examples of obsolete words that appear in the King James Version: fingers, finger, blessed, her husband, shoulders, regeneration.Do you understand all these things?Here's what they mean: dust, finger, happy, man, shoulders and recreation.
Bible: a modern translation
appeared in recent years a number of modern translations.Among the most famous following:
- 1968 - the translation of Bishop Cassian (New Testament).
- 1998 - reducing translation of "Living Stream" (New Testament).
- 1999 - "Contemporary Translation" (complete Bible).
- 2007 - "the Scriptures.New World Translation "(complete Bible).
- , 2011 - "The Bible.Modern Russian translation "(complete Bible).
new translation of the Bible focuses on the meaning of written, not grasp the meaning of the text incomprehensible, like in ancient spells.But here, too, lies a trap for translators, because the desire to convey the meaning of what was said in plain language may lead to personal interpretation and interpretation.And this is unacceptable.
not careless attitude to the choice of a translation of the Bible used for personal reading.After all, God's Word states that he speaks to us from the pages of this book.Let his words sound without distortion!
