Behind the scenes: Bible translation
Have you ever wondered what exactly goes into the process of translating the Bible? What challenges do translators face, and why do some translations render certain Bible passages differently than others? The International Bible Society has gathered a number of resources to give you insight into the Bible translation process.
They’ve made a number of essays and full-length books available online [in PDF format] to show you the long and difficult process of producing a modern Bible translation. Their NIV page has several pieces about the New International Version, and their TNIV page does the same for the Today’s New International Version.
If you’ve ever wondered “Why does the NIV translate this verse differently from other versions?” you’ll find these essays worth reading. Even if neither of those two versions is your preferred translation, the issues and questions raised provide good insight into the challenge of Bible translation in general.
