Bible Translations: The Most Accurate In the Entire World
When I started wanting to study the Bible for the first time, I wanted to make sure that I was using an accurate translation. So, I did some research into different translations and discovered what makes a Bible translation accurate.
Overall, the most accurate Bible translation is the New American Standard Bible (NASB). The NASB offers a highly literal word for word translation of the critical original source texts in modern English. Its literalness to the original text gives it have broad appeal to Bible scholars and students alike.
There is a lot that goes into translating a Bible from the original languages into modern languages. So, let’s take a look at some of those things and see how it affects the “accuracy” of the translation.
Accurate Bible Translations Overview and Defining “Accurate”
Did you know there are around 900 complete and incomplete English translations of the Bible? Now, most are old, outdated or partial translations. But still, there are about 20 major English translations available.
So, how do you know which one is accurate? Well, that’s what we are going to find out. But first, let’s define the term “accurate.” Merriam-Webster defines accurate as,
“free from error especially as the result of care”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accurate
So, an accurate translation of the Bible is one that has been carefully translated and is largely free from error when compared to the original manuscript. The problem is we don’t have a primary original manuscript for any book of the Bible.
So, when it comes to measuring the accuracy of a translation there are many things to consider. These include:
- Literalness: Some translations prioritize a word-for-word correspondence with the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), while others focus more on a thought-for-though approach to convey the meaning.
- Textual Basis: The choice of underlying manuscripts can affect the accuracy of a translation. Some translations rely on the Textus Receptus (as in the KJV), while others use critical editions of the Hebrew and Greek texts.
- Language: The accuracy of a translation can also depend on the language into which it is translated. Certain nuances and idiomatic expressions may be challenging to convey accurately in a different language.
- Theological Perspective: Different translations may be influenced by specific theological perspectives, which can affect how certain passages are translated.
The following chart takes a look at these factors in relation to popular Bible translations today.
| Translation | Literalness | Textual Basis | Language | Theological Perspective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASB (New American Standard Bible) | Highly literal (Word-for-word) | Biblia Hebraica; Novum Testamentum Graece | Modern English | Generally conservative, interdenominational. |
| ESV (English Standard Version) | Highly literal (Word-for-word) | Biblia Hebraica; Novum Testamentum Graece | Modern English | Generally conservative, favored by Reformed tradition. |
| NIV (New International Version) | Balanced (Dynamic equivalence) | Biblia Hebraica; Novum Testamentum Graece | Modern English | Moderate, aimed at broad Christian audience. |
| NLT (New Living Translation) | Thought-for-thought (Dynamic equivalence) | Biblia Hebraica; Greek New Testament and Novum Testamentum Graece | Modern English | Interpretive, accessible, less literal. |
| Interlinear Bible | Highly literal (Word-for-word) | Greek/Hebrew text with literal English | Greek/Hebrew text with English words | Depends on the source text. |
| CSB (Christian Standard Bible) | Balanced (Dynamic equivalence) | Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; Greek New Testament and Novum Testamentum Graece | Modern English | Generally conservative, popular among evangelicals. |
| KJV (King James Version) | Highly literal (Word-for-word) | Textus Receptus (Greek), Masoretic Text (Hebrew) | Archaic English | Traditional, used in some conservative circles. |
| NKJV (New King James Version) | Highly literal (Word-for-word) | Textus Receptus (Greek), Masoretic Text (Hebrew) | Modernized archaic English | Updated KJV with traditional base. |
| NET (New English Translation) | Balanced (Dynamic equivalence) | Eclectic Hebrew and Greek texts | Modern English | Neutral, with extensive translators’ notes. |
| MSG (The Message) | Paraphrase | Original language texts | Contemporary English | Interpretive, intended for modern readability. |
Now that we’ve defined “accuracy” and had a brief overview, let’s take a deep dive into each factor to see exactly how they impact Bible translation accuracy. Then we can see how the NASB is often considered the most accurate translation.
Bible Translation Styles
Overall, there are two main approaches, or styles, to translating a Bible. They are: formal equivalence and a functional equivalence. These differing approaches can influence our understanding of the “accuracy” of a translation.
A formal equivalent approach to translating the Bible will stick closer to the original text. This means that they will adopt a more word-for-word translation style. These translations are considered more literal and will stick to the grammatical and structural aspect of the original text as closely as possible.
A functional equivalent approach, on the other hand, is more interpretive and focused on conveying the meaning of the original text. This approach is considered thought-for-thought, as they attempt to more closely capture the meaning, concepts and ideas over grammatical structure.
Which translation style we choose can change our understanding of an “accurate” Bible translation. For example, if we are looking for an accurate Bible translation for a child, then a more thought-for-thought translation would be more “accurate.” Why? Because it’s a Bible translation they can read and understand.
Because there are two different approaches to translating, there are two different understandings of “accurate.”
An accurate formal translation will stick closer to the original language word order and grammatical structure.
While an accurate functional translation will best convey the original meaning of the passage.
Overall, most translation teams try to find a balanced approach in order to create both an accurate and readable translation of the Bible.
Textual Basis Matters
Another factor that influences the accuracy of a Bible translation is the textual basis. There are numerous source documents that are used by translators when translating the Bible. They are:
Old Testament Source Documents:
- The Masoretic Text (MT): The Masoretic Text is a standardized Hebrew Version of the Old Testament. It was compiled by a group called the Masoretes between the 6th and 10th centuries.
- Septuagint (LXX): The Septuagint is one of the oldest versions of the Old Testament, written in Greek. It was created between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, in Egypt. It contains some books with slightly different wording than the MT and includes additional books.
- Additional Manuscripts: In addition to the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, there are other various fragments and manuscripts that have been discovered that aide in the translation process. Perhaps, one of the biggest of these is the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date anywhere between the 2nd Century BC to the 1st Century AD.
New Testament Source Documents:
- Greek Manuscripts: There are numerous Greek manuscripts that contain the books of the New Testament. These include:
- Codex Sinaticus: One of the oldest complete copies of the New Testament dating to the 4th century AD.
- Codex Vaticanus: Another 4th century manuscript containing most of the New Testament.
- Codex Alexandrinus: A 5th century manuscript containing almost all of the New Testament
- Other Various Fragments: There are also other fragments that contain portions of the New Testament. Some of these date to the 2nd century.
- Church Writings: Early Christian writings from the Church Fathers also quote or mention numerous parts of the New Testament.
Over the years, these manuscripts have been studied, compared, and debated until critical editions of these texts have been created that represent the highest scholarship and research of these documents. These critical editions include:
- Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS):
- It is an important edition of the Hebrew Bible that scholars use because it is based on authoritative and ancient manuscripts of the Hebrew text.
- BHS helps ensure the accuracy of the Old Testament text used in many Bible translations, especially when translating from Hebrew to other languages.
- Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (NA) and Novum Testamentum Graece
- Just like the BHS for the Old Testament, this edition is essential because it provides a carefully compiled and scholarly version of the New Testament in its original Greek form.
- It is a foundation for many Bible translations that want to translate the New Testament accurately from Greek into other languages.
This chart briefly shows the key differences and notable characteristics of the major source documents used when translating the Bible.
| Text/ Edition | Language/Text Type | Time of Compilation | Notable Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) | Hebrew (Old Testament) | 20th century | Based on the Masoretic Text and other authoritative Hebrew manuscripts, a critical edition for the Old Testament. |
| Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament | Greek (New Testament) | 20th century | A critical edition used to compile Greek New Testament texts. It includes UBS and NA editions. |
| Textus Receptus | Greek (New Testament) | 16th century | The “Received Text,” the basis for the KJV and other older translations, but not considered as reliable as modern critical editions. |
| Masoretic Text | Hebrew (Old Testament) | 6th to 10th century | The authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, with vocalization and accentuation markings. |
| Septuagint | Greek (Old Testament) | 3rd to 1st century BCE | A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, used in early Christian and Eastern Orthodox traditions. |
Comparing this chart with the first one, you will see that most English Bible translations use the same critical sources for translating. However, the King James Version and New King James Version do not.
So overall, when it comes the textual basis, most popular and common Bible translations are accurate.
Evaluating Literalness
Another thing to consider when evaluating the accuracy of a translation is its literalness. In other words, how closely does it align to the original word order and grammatical structure. In short, we want to compare how word-for-word a translation is to the original languages.
For example, John 3:16 in Greek reads,
Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται, ἀλλ᾽ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
Now, the most accurate translation for that would be to keep the word and grammatical structure. If we did that, then we would get,
Thus for loved God the world, that the son, the only begotten, he gave, so that everyone believing in him not should perish but should have life eternal.
Now, that’s not very easy to read. So often times translators will make it more readable. Let’s look at some common translations to see how they do that.
| Translation | John 3:16 |
|---|---|
| Koine Greek | Οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον… |
| NASB (New American Standard Bible) | “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” |
| ESV (English Standard Version) | “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” |
| NIV (New International Version) | “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” |
| NLT (New Living Translation) | “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” |
| CSB (Christian Standard Bible) | “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” |
| KJV (King James Version) | “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” |
| NKJV (New King James Version) | “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” |
| NET (New English Translation) | “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” |
| MSG (The Message) | “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” |
This chart shows how some translations (NASB, for example) used the same words, but simply put them in a more readable order. Other translations, however, did more interpreting to make the meaning clearer.
Typically, the more literal word-for-word translations are going to be considered more accurate because that is what people are usually looking for when they say they want an “accurate” translation.
Though, as we’ve seen previously, a thought-for-thought translation can also be accurate. This brings us to the next point.
Language And Accessability
Not only does literalness to the text affect the accuracy of a BIble translation, but so too does its readability. If we are not able to read and understand the meaning of a passage in the Bible, then it is hardly accurate to the original meaning of the text.
This is why there is a thought-for-thought approach to translating the Bible.
You can see from the chart above that the more thought-for-thought translations like the New International Version (NIV) or the New Living Translation (NLT) are easier to read. And by comparing them to the other translations, you can see they are just as accurate in conveying the meaning.
This use of more modern and accessible language can in a way make a Bible more “accurate” than one with older archaic language.
For example, I was using a King James Version in church the other Sunday. I was trying to follow along with the pastor when he was preaching. But I had to stop listening so I could read and understand the translation I was using.
In that instance, a different translation, like English Standard Version, may have been more beneficial for me. So, the readability of a translation also plays a factor in how accurate it is. A phrase in archaic English may mean something different in modern English today.
Are you curious what the most readable Bible translation? Then you should check out this article that lists the most readable Bible translations and common uses for them.
Considering Theological Perspective
Another factor that may affect the accuracy of a Bible translation is its theological leanings or perspectives. While, most translations do good at weeding out personal theological biases, some may still get through.
Theological perspectives can influence specific translation choices. For example, the King James Version introduced the term “bishop” for church leadership, aligning with the Church of England.
Another example would be when the English Standard Version translates the Greek word “doulos” (slave) as “bondservant” in certain passages which can align with a particular theological view of Christian servitude.
The key to finding the most accurate translation for you is to find the most word-for-word translation that you can still read, understand, and enjoy.
While none of these are wrong translations, and possibly even minor, it’s still important to understand how theological perspectives can influence translations. As such, it’s wise to consider a translation that is balanced, and non-biased. Typically, one done by a committee is better than one done by an individual.
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the factors that go into evaluating the most accurate Bible translation, let’s look at the top three word-for-word translations and thought-for-thought translations.
Top Accurate Word-for-Word Translations
The most accurate word-for-word translation will stick the closest to the original word order and grammatical structure of the original language text. As such, the three most accurate word-for-word translations are,
Three: King James Version (KJV)/New King James Version (NKJV)
The King James Version (KJV) is a classic translation of the Bible. The KJV adheres to a more formal equivalence translation approach, striving for a word-for-word rendering of the original Hebrew and Greek texts, with beautiful and poetic language.
The New King James Version (NKJV) is an updated translation of the KJV. The NKJV continues to adhere to a word-for-word translation approach, offering a balance between retaining the beauty of the KJV and making it more accessible to contemporary readers.
Two: English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a widely used Bible translation that provides a highly literal and faithful rendering of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. It combines the beauty of traditional translations like the King James Version with the clarity and readability of more contemporary versions.
The ESV is my go to translation when studying the Bible on a day to day basis. And the ESV Study Bible is one of the best on the market today. You can check out my review of the ESV Study Bible here. Or see how the ESV Study Bible compares to others here.
One: New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The New American Standard Bible is a highly literal and accurate Bible translation that prioritizes word-for-word approach with the original language texts. The NASB is known for its commitment to preserving the precision of the original languages, and maintaining a formal and structured style of language.
It is usually favored among scholars and theologians for study. I know this was the translation most of my Bible professors used while I was in college. That’s really what made me start looking at it as a translation choice.
Bonus: Interlinear Bible
Alright, this one is cheating a little bit. But if you want the most accurate Bible translation, then you may want to consider getting an interlinear Bible.
An interlinear Bible is unique in that it provides a direct word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew and Greek texts alongside the English text below it. It allows readers to see the exact words and their order in the original language, providing a transparent view of the translation process.
Top Accurate Thought-for-Thought Translations
The most accurate thought-for-thought translations of the Bible will adhere closely to the original meaning of the text, but still be readable for people today. The top three through-for-thought translations are,
Three: New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation (NLT) is arguably one of the best thought-for-thought translations available today. There was even a brief time when some thought it would surpass the NIV in popularity. It aims to convey the meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek texts in everyday, contemporary English.
The NLT is a great translation to use for daily reading or devotional time. It is the translation I use when I’m just wanting to read the Bible without exerting too much brain power.
Two: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a modern English translation of the Bible that falls between the extremes of formal and functional equivalence. It balances accuracy with readability, providing a faithful representation of the original Hebrew and Greek texts while using clear and contemporary language.
This one was tough, and I almost put it at number one for the most accurate thought-for-thought translation as it is the closest to being word-for-word (and some consider it to be).
The reason I did not was because when I went back to look at evaluate the literalness of the text, the NIV more closely aligned with the NASB than the CSB (at least in John 3:16).
That said, the CSB is a great and accurate translation that I like to use in a group Bible study. I find that it captures the meaning of the passage accurately while sounding just unfamiliar enough that you want to read or pay attention.
One: New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version (NIV) is one of the most popular and best selling Bible translations on the market today. The NIV is renowned for its balance between accuracy and readability, making it a popular choice for both academic study and everyday devotional reading.
It is popular among a wide range of Christian denominations and theological perspectives. As such, it often makes a great Bible translation to give as a gift, use with kids, or even read from the pulpit.
Bonus: New English Translation (NET)
The New English Translation (NET) is a translation that is unique in that it combines a transparent approach with modern readability. It’s known for its extensive translation notes, providing insights into the translation process and the rationale behind certain decisions.
While the translation notes can be dense and hard to understand, the translation itself is very readable. As such, the NET Bible is highly respected for its commitment to the original meaning of the Hebrew and Greek texts in a way that is accessible to modern readers.
Tips for Choosing the Best Accurate Translation For You
As a general rule, the NASB is the most accurate Bible translation in terms of its literalness. Its commitment to the original language and grammatical structure ensures its accuracy when compared to the original texts.
And the NIV is the most accurate when it Bible translation when it comes to readability. Its ability to balance both accuracy and readability makes it a popular translation for Christians today.
That said, just because these are the most “accurate” translations of the Bible does not mean they are the most “accurate” for you. So, here are some tips for choosing the best accurate translation for you.
- Understand Your Purpose: Consider your purpose for reading the Bible. Do you want to study it academically, seek guidance, or use it for personal devotions?
- Translation Approach: Familiarize yourself with the two translation approaches (formal equivalence and functional equivalence). Which one best aligns with your purpose and goals?
- Try Out Multiple Translations: No one says you have to use one translation. Compare passages in multiple translations. Find one that resonates with you.
- Consider Denominational/Church Preferences: Many denominations or churches may have a preference for a particular translation due to their theological leanings.
Hopefully, these tips will help you find an accurate translation for you. But I want to leave you with some advice that I highly recommend.
If you want to find the most accurate Bible translation for you, then you’ll want to find the most word-for-word translation that you can read and understand. That is the key to finding the most accurate translation for you.
