BT - Formal Equivalence

For a good, albeit brief, introduction to Formal and Dynamic Equivalence, click HERE for a good Wiki article.

As a recap, Formal Equivalence translation (as defined by the NET bible):
¹With formal equivalence each word of the original language is represented by a word in the receptor (target) language, and the word and clause order is kept as nearly identical to that of the original language as possible. Thus this approach translates word for word.


 Formal Equivalence translation as defined by NLT (a thought for thought) is
"A formal-equivalence translation preserves aspects of the original text - including ancient idiom, term consistency, and original language syntax - that are valuable for scholars and professional study.  It allows a reader to trace formal elements of the original language text through the English Translation"


Follow the Wiki article for a list of Bibles that follow the Formal Equivalence route.  Suffice to say, here is a short list:
Young's Literal Version
King James Version
New King James Version
Revised Standard Version
English Standard Version (which is what I use currently for my word-for-word translation)


Another version (that is next on my purchase list), is the NET Bible 
This version is produced by translation scholars and looks very interesting!

BT - Interlinears

Let's travel through the spectrum of Bible Translations(BT) beginning on the left hand side of the translation spectrum with Interlinears.

Click here for the definition from dictionary.com.  Suffice to say, Biblical Interlinears place the English text alongside (usually the line directly above or below) the Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament).  And yes, the Bible does have some Aramaic passages/quotes as well.

IMO, interlinears serve as the furthest left-hand side of the translation spectrum providing the best possible word-for-word translation, i.e. formal equivalence.  I will define and discuss formal equivalence in the next blog.

Here is a Greek and English New Testament that I use currently:

Click HERE to see an example page from John 1:1-5.


Although somewhat technical, interlinears serve as a great tool in viewing scripture in a word-for-word format.

Anybody know of a good Hebrew interlinear?

Bible Translation (BT) Spectrum

Here is a chart I made of the spectrum as mentioned previously.
Click on the chart for a larger view.

EDIT: 5/22/10 I switched some of the Word-for-Word tabs to reflect a cleaner view on Formal Equivalence (i.e. NASB77 and KJV).  I like this new version better.  Thanks Ben for the catch!

Bible Translations (BT)

Which Bible translation should you get?
Part 1


Part 2


Please post your comments or questions and I can address those this week.
Edit:  I state first "Formal Equivalence" (which is correct for word for word) then start sharing "Functional Equivalence"  what I originally meant to continue to say was Formal Equivalence.  Sorry for the confusion.  The term Functional Equivalence is sometimes used for Dynamic Equivalence.  Oops.

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