nww 3

       

• The Gutenberg Bible, published in the mid-15th century by Johannes Gutenberg, is the first published Bible.

Religion	Christianity Judaism
Language	Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
Period	See Dating the Bible
Books	Samaritan Pentateuch: 5 books Jewish Hebrew Bible: 24 books[a] Protestant canon (Luther’s): 66 books Catholic canon: 73 books Eastern and Oriental Orthodox canon: 76 books Ethiopian Orthodox canon: 81 books See Biblical canon
Full text
Bible at English Wikisource

Part of a series on the
Bible

   

Canons and books Tanakh Torah Nevi’im Ketuvim Old Testament (OT) New Testament (NT) Deuterocanon Antilegomena Chapters and verses Apocrypha Jewish OT NT

Authorship and development Authorship Dating Hebrew canon Old Testament canon New Testament canon Composition of the Torah Mosaic authorship Pauline epistles Petrine epistles Johannine works

Translations and manuscripts Dead Sea Scrolls Masoretic Text Samaritan Pentateuch Targumim Septuagint Peshitta Vetus Latina Vulgate Gothic Bible Luther Bible English Bibles by language

Biblical studies Archeology Artifacts Dating Historicity Internal consistency People Places Names Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia Rahlfs’ Septuagint Novum Testamentum Graece Documentary hypothesis Synoptic problem NT textual categories Biblical criticism Historical Textual Source Form Redaction Canonical

Interpretation Hermeneutics Pesher Midrash Pardes Allegorical interpretation Historical-grammatical method Inspiration Literalism Alcohol Conspiracy theory Ethics Capital punishment Homosexuality Humor Incest Muhammad Prophecy Rape Serpents Sex Slavery Violence Warfare Women

Perspectives Gnostic Islamic Quranic Inerrancy Infallibility Criticism of the Bible Biblical authority

Outline of Bible-related topics  Bible portal

v t e

The Bible^[b] is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally written in Hebrew (with some parts in Aramaic) and Koine Greek   List of Bible translations by language  

1. The Bible^[b] is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally written in Hebrew (with some parts in Aramaic) and Koine Greek. The texts include instructions, stories, poetry, prophecies, and other genres. The collection of materials accepted as part of the Bible by a particular religious tradition or community is called a biblical canon. Believers generally consider it to be a product of divine inspiration, but the way they understand what that means and interpret the text varies.

The religious texts, or scriptures, were compiled by different religious communities into various official collections. The earliest contained the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah (‘Teaching’) in Hebrew and the Pentateuch (meaning ‘five books’) in Greek. The second-oldest part was a collection of narrative histories and prophecies (the Nevi’im). The third collection, the Ketuvim, contains psalms, proverbs, and narrative histories. Tanakh (Hebrew: תָּנָ״ךְ‎, romanized: Tanaḵ) is an alternate term for the Hebrew Bible, which is composed of the first letters of the three components comprising scriptures written originally in Hebrew: the Torah, the Nevi’im (‘Prophets’), and the Ketuvim (‘Writings’). The Masoretic Text is the medieval version of the Tanakh—written in Hebrew and Aramaic—that is considered the authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible by modern Rabbinic Judaism. The Septuagint is a Koine Greek translation of the Tanakh from the third and second centuries BCE; it largely overlaps with the Hebrew Bible. Christianity began as an outgrowth of Second Temple Judaism, using the Septuagint as the basis of the Old Testament. The early Church continued the Jewish tradition of writing and incorporating what it saw as inspired, authoritative religious books. The gospels, which are narratives about the life and teachings of Jesus, along with the Pauline epistles, and other texts quickly coalesced into the New Testament. The oldest parts of the Bible may be as early as c. 1200 BCE, while the New Testament had mostly formed by 4th century CE. With estimated total sales of over five billion copies, the Christian Bible is the best-selling publication of all time. The Bible has had a profound influence both on Western culture and history and on cultures around the globe. The study of it through biblical criticism has also indirectly impacted culture and history. Some view biblical texts as morally problematic, historically inaccurate, or corrupted by time; others find it a useful historical source for certain peoples and events or a source of ethical teachings. The Bible is currently translated or in the process of being translated into about half of the world’s languages. The term Bible can refer to the Hebrew Bible, which corresponds to the Christian Old Testament, or the Christian Bible, which in addition to the Old Testament contains the New Testament.^[1] The English word Bible is derived from Koine Greek: τὰ βιβλία, romanized: ta biblia, meaning ‘the books’ (singular βιβλίον, biblion).^[2] The word βιβλίον itself literally means ‘scroll‘ and came to be used as the ordinary word for book.^[3] It is the diminutive of βύβλος byblos, ‘Egyptian papyrus’, possibly so called from the name of the Phoenician seaport Byblos (also known as Gebal) from when Egyptian papyrus was exported to Greece.^[4] The Greek ta biblia was “an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe their sacred books”.^[5] The biblical scholar F. F. Bruce notes that John Chrysostom appears to be the first writer (in his Homilies on Matthew, delivered between 386 and 388 CE) to use the Greek phrase ta biblia (‘the books’) to describe both the Old and New Testaments together.^[6] The Latin biblia sacra (‘holy books’) is a translation of the Greek τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια (tà biblía tà hágia), which also means ‘the holy books’.^[7] Medieval Latin biblia is short for biblia sacra ‘holy book’. It gradually came to be regarded as a feminine singular noun (biblia, gen. bibliae) in medieval Latin, and so the word was loaned as singular into the vernaculars of Western Europe.^[8]

Major Bible translations are available in thousands of languages, from ancient to modern . A comprehensive list would be impractical, but the following includes significant translations in major languages and some other notable examples.    English has one of the most extensive collections of Bible translations, with options ranging from highly literal to paraphrased. 

• Formal equivalence (more literal):
  • King James Version (KJV): The classic, influential 1611 translation.
  • New American Standard Bible (NASB): Highly respected for its literal accuracy.
  • English Standard Version (ESV): A word-for-word translation that is both accurate and readable.
• Dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought):
  • New International Version (NIV): The most popular modern English translation, balancing readability with accuracy.
  • New Living Translation (NLT): A clear, modern English version that prioritizes meaning.
• Paraphrases:
  • The Message (MSG): A highly accessible version that rephrases the text in contemporary language.
• Catholic translations:
  • New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE): The official U.S. Catholic Bible.
  • Douay-Rheims: An older, formal Catholic translation based on the Latin Vulgate

**List of Bible Translations by Language**   The Bible, a timeless source of wisdom and spiritual guidance, has been translated into thousands of languages, spanning the rich tapestry of human history, from ancient texts to contemporary interpretations. While it is impractical to provide an exhaustive list, the following selections highlight notable translations in major languages, showcasing the incredible diversity and depth of biblical scripture.   **English Translations**   English features an extensive array of Bible translations, offering readers a wealth of choices that cater to different preferences—from those who seek precise, word-for-word accuracy to those who appreciate more flowing, easily understood paraphrased versions.   **Formal Equivalence (More Literal):** – **King James Version (KJV):** This revered translation, first published in 1611, is celebrated not only for its poetic and majestic language but also for its profound impact on English literature, culture, and religious practice. Its enduring legacy continues to resonate in the hearts of countless readers. – **New American Standard Bible (NASB):** Known for its rigorous adherence to literal accuracy, this translation is a trusted resource for scholars and serious students of the Bible, offering a meticulous rendering of the original texts that invites deep exploration of its teachings. – **English Standard Version (ESV):** This translation masterfully balances precision with readability, providing a clear and faithful word-for-word rendering that appeals to both rigorous scholars and everyday readers seeking to understand the Scriptures more deeply.   **Dynamic Equivalence (Thought-for-Thought):** – **New International Version (NIV):** As the most widely embraced modern English translation, the NIV masterfully captures the essence of the biblical text, harmonizing clarity with fidelity to the original meaning, thus making it accessible to a diverse audience of seekers and believers alike. – **New Living Translation (NLT):** Lauded for its ability to convey the heart and soul of Scriptures in contemporary language, the NLT breathes life into the biblical narrative, allowing readers to connect intuitively and meaningfully with its messages.   **Paraphrases:** – **The Message (MSG):** A groundbreaking work that transforms the biblical text into vibrant, contemporary language, The Message captures the spirit and energy of Scripture. Its fresh interpretations make it remarkably relatable for today’s readers, inviting them to immerse themselves in the wisdom of the ages.   **Catholic Translations:** – **New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE):** As the official Catholic Bible in the United States, the NABRE offers a thorough and faithful translation that reflects the rich tradition and teachings of Catholicism, making it an essential resource for both personal reflection and liturgical use. – **Douay-Rheims:** This historic translation, grounded in the Latin Vulgate, stands as a testament to centuries of Catholic scholarship. Its formal language and style continue to provide depth for those seeking a profound connection with Scripture through a traditional lens.  

• • Delve into these translations to uncover the profound teachings and insights of the Bible, each one thoughtfully crafted to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary life, inviting readers from all walks of life to engage with its enduring message.