The Bible in Translation: Ancient and English Versions

Metzger is one of the great Bible scholars who knows how to write for "regular" people. This excellent 200-page book, published in 2001, traces the development of Bible translation through the centuries, from the Septuagint (3rd century B.C.) to the New International Reader's Version (1996).

Metzger explains how and why various versions and translations came about, and gives a brief analysis of each. He writes objectively, as one would expect from a good scholar, and keeps personal opinion to a minimum. For example, in the chapter on the King James Version, he concisely presents both its strengths and weaknesses with little editorializing, leaving it to the reader to decide whether or not to be a "King James only" person (a term he does show more not use, by the way).

As one of the lead editors of both the RSV and NRSV, Metzger's favorable bias toward those versions is apparent but restrained. He provides a helpful chart comparing the two versions on several key points.

The final chapter gives the history of paraphrased editions of the scriptures. He remains objective in his discussion of versions such as Peterson's popular The Message, and again leaves it to the reader to decide yea or nay.

A few footnotes are sprinkled through the pages, and both a subject and scripture index in the back. Highly recommended. show less

A great introduction into how and why we have the English translations of the Bible. He does seem to "sell" the translations he was involved in. Very informative.

Not the Textual Commentary, this work is an explanation of how the Bible in our homes and studies came into our hands. Coupled with his *The Text of the New Testament: It's transmission, Corruption and Restoration*, this is an excellent book on it's topic for those who need this knowledge.