WHICH IS THE BEST AND MOST LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE?

Translation always requires interpretation. Therefore, we can speak of an absolutely literal translation. For one thing, if we look at a Greek or Hebrew lexicon (dictionary), we will find the same thing we find in an English dictionary - multiple meanings for the same word. How then does the translator know which one to choose? Interpretation, not only of the immediate context, but also of the book and the Bible itself! Let me give you an example:

·       Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. (1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV)

It also seems that this is “greater” is the way that just about all of the major English versions translate the frequently used Greek word “megas.”

This translation conveys the idea that those who prophesy are greater Christians than those who don’t. However, does this translation reflect the intended meaning of the verse?

I don’t think so, since it doesn’t reflect the message of the Gospel. Two chapters prior, Paul argues that each of us are indispensable and therefore equally “great”:

·       On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:22-25)

Jesus even taught that the “greatest” is the least, the servant of all. How then can it be that the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues?

Even though this is the “literal” translation, it might not be the most accurate. I think that the New Living Translation comes closer:

·       I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened. (1 Corinthians 14:5 NLT)

The NLT understands that it is not the prophet who is greater, but the prophesy is greater than the message brought in tongues if there was no translator.

This brings us back to the original question: “Which translation is the most literal?” Is the most literal translation the one which requires more interpretative analysis but comes closest to God’s intended meaning, or is the most literal translation the one that translates the Greek directly into the English using the most common usage of a particular Greek word? Perhaps, there is no one correct version. If so, perhaps the wisest thing we can do is to consult several.