What are the benefits in knowing the history of the translation of the English Bible?
Knowing the history of the translation of the English Bible, we know that the English Bible had many versions, they have different characteristics. Many great people devoted themselves in the translation of the English Bible; some people even lost their lives or endured sufferings because of the Bible translation. Through the history, we can recognize the extreme value of the Bible. Most of the Bible versions being used now adhere as closely as possible to the original language of the Holy Scriptures and to make the translation fluent and readable according to current English usage, but it¡¯s not natural, it is the result of many translators¡¯ efforts. There are many different versions:
Some poems and a few verses of Scripture appeared in Old English in the eighth century. The translation of the Bible into Middle English began in the fourteenth century. The Wycliffe Translation is the earliest English translation based on the Vulgate(1383). The Tyndale Translation is the first printed English New Testament Based on the Greek text, the Vulgate, and Luther¡¯s translation. The Coverdale translation is the first complete Bible printed in English(1535). Great Bible is the Bible approved by Henry VIII to be read in the churches. King James is the Bible which replaced the Geneva and Great Bibles(1611). Revised Version is the revision of the King James Version in 1870 using newly discovered texts. Revised Standard Version is an American revision published in 1946 and 1952. New English Bible is an English revision of the revised version (1961, 1970 ) New American Standard Bible is an American revision of the American Stand version( 1960,1970) . Thanks God, we can have the opportunity to read the Bible. Reading different versions of Bible, we can understand God¡¯s Word deeply, thoroughly. Knowing history can make us more knowledgeable. God love knowledgeable servants. To be God¡¯s servants, being good and faithful is not enough, we should be knowledgeable and wise.
