Some Bible translations make me roll my eyes!
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
May 27, 2007 10:55pm CST
I was reading in Luke 7. Jesus saw a funeral procession of the only son of a widowed woman and had compassion and raised the boy from the dead. In the NIV translation, it says...13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." 14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Now, in my 365 day Bible, which happens to be the Living translation when Jesus turned to raise the boy He said, "Laddie, come back to life again." I almost started laughing. Whey in the world would they say laddie? I don't talk like that and I never heard anyone else talk like that except Scotty in Star Trek. A little disconcerting to be reading about a miracle of Jesus and thinking of Scotty! Good Grief!
14 people like this
18 responses
@0Impact0 (69)
• United States
28 May 07
Unless you can read Greek and Latin, and several other languages with crystal clarity, get used to translations, because the Bible would be in 20 different languages if all its books were printed in the original languages they were written in.
5 people like this
@vivienna (582)
• Venezuela
28 May 07
Sorry, but I must post a correction. They Bible has been written in three original languages: Hebrew -almost the entire Old Testament-, Aramaic: Genesis 31:47; Ezra 4:8-18; 7:12-26; Jeremiah 10:11; Daniel 2:4b-7:28. The New Testament is written in Greek but has a few transliterations form Hebrew and Aramaic, and a couple of Aramaic words or phrases attributed to Jesus, among them the famous "Talitha quoum" in Mark 5:41, or his words in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, and the primitive church's "Maranatha" (1 Corinthians 16:22). No text has been written in Latin.
Yes, of course, it helps to be able to read the Bible in the languages it was been written. Also, you can read a transliteral version, and, in general, prefer new versions to older ones, because they have been translated from more ancient sources.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
28 May 07
If it is "The Living Bible" it is not a translation, it is a paraphrase. That means that the person who presented it to be published looked at the translations, and told it in his own words. Maybe he was a Scotsman, I am thinking his name was Peterson. I can see where you would be distracted. I was even distracted by the mention of a coffin, in the passage, as I had not realized that they used coffins in that era.
4 people like this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 May 07
Would they just carry the body then?
The Bible is so full of weird stuff like that. I don't really get how anyone believes in it, but I guess that's because most people don't read it. They just take the word of others who claim to have read it.
4 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 May 07
that is an odd choice of a word but they probably are a scotish publishing house
3 people like this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 May 07
That's pretty funny. Maybe they do it to make the Bible more interested. I attempted to read the King James Version I think it was. I never got through very much and couldn't really understand any of it. I'm not a great reader, but still... maybe if it was like Star Trek, it would have been a bit more interesting.
3 people like this
@g3n3j0rd (721)
• Philippines
28 May 07
The Living Bible version is not a literal translation but a paraphrase. It's good for picking up ideas you might have missed in other versions because it expounds more on each verses. I enjoy reading that version since it's easier to read. At least it does not deviate from the real meaning of the verses but rather gives more meaning for easy understanding. For serious reading and interpretation, I also read the New International Version and the New King James Version.
@aqua_chef27 (47)
• Philippines
28 May 07
awww some version were so streched out just to meet the common thinking of the public and the reader, but sometimes we have to be careful of the versions since we are told to ask for guidance upon reading His words thru His devine powers, we will be able to understand..mybe we shouls stick to the king james version and have a reliable concordance in hand and footnotes...im very alarmed reading about the da vinci code, i think it is defiling and abominable and a great mockery!!! no offencement to the people who love that book but i dont agree with its content.
4 people like this
@albert2412 (1782)
• United States
28 May 07
I really think that we miss something by reading the bible in a translation. Every language is different and has it's own idioms and expressions. There are a lot of things that can not be really translated. I wish that I coul learn Hebrew and new testament Greek.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
28 May 07
I admit that does sound very unlike any thing I have ever read in the bible but to a Scottish person it is not insulting or rude it just means boy, young male, young man, etc. However I have only read the St. James version of the Bible. I guess it could be translated anyway that makes a person feel comfortable reading it.
1 person likes this
@netbuster (99)
• India
28 May 07
Think of it being read by a modern day kid who would respond to something interesting and different from the daily usage of language. If it can sustain his or her interest I believe the purpose is served.
3 people like this
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
28 May 07
That would be funny. I had a Max Lucado study Bible that I'm going to have to replace because it was worn out. That, I believe, is the best translation I have ever read. It also has a lot of geat comments and side stories to read. :)
SheliaLee
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
28 May 07
Laddy?! Wow, today is not a laughing day for me, but that little comment just did it. I really can't see Jesus calling anybody Laddie. I wonder, in that version does he also have red hair and freckles, and say 'Aye' a lot? Too funny.
@MelodyRhapsodical (1248)
• United States
28 May 07
My New King James versions also says "young man". It's hilarious that translation uses laddie.. I don't think I've ever seen that verse translated in such a way. Lol.
2 people like this
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
29 May 07
Well..Lad is what you call a little boy and laddie is kind of like a pet name for lad..perhaps those who made this "living translation" wanted to show the closeness Jesus felt for this boy..so close that he called him "laddie"..
I know it's a far fetched attempted to explain away the far out translation..but the essence of the story is still there..Jesus cured the boy and gave him back to his mother;)+
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
28 May 07
Laddie??? That almost sounds like something the King James Version would have, not the Living Bible! lol
@kimfitts (66)
• United States
1 Jun 07
You "hit the nail on the head" here! But don't just down the NIV. Unfortunately, in these last days we are left with hardly anything to use to study from. All the translations are mixed and muddled up...even the King James Version that so many people think is unspoiled. I have gotten down to using an Interlinear Bible and a good Strong's Concordance. With those you can easily find the orignal Greek and Hebrew word and it's definition. A lot of times, the entire meaning of a verse is changed. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a try.
