RSV translation of the NT

[Peter Kirby]

In the recent thread on the NIV, RightIdea said that he had read a "scathing critique" of the RSV's translation. (The RSV, not the NRSV, I am concerned about.)

I have no Hebrew, but some Greek, so I was wondering if I could get pointed at some of these poor translation points. (A link, or citation, or your own comments.)

Also, if someone has a general opinion of the translation of the RSV in the NT portion, I'll hear that too. (Particularly someone with good Greek such as Jaltus.)

thanks,
Peter Kirby

[John Reece]

. . .

Also, if someone has a general opinion of the translation of the RSV in the NT portion, I'll hear that too. (Particularly someone with good Greek such as Jaltus.)

thanks,
Peter Kirby

The first Bible I ever owned was the original edition (1946) of the RSV NT.

The RSV was the English translation I used most of the time from the beginning of my service as a Methodist minister in 1955 to the publication of the ESV in 2001.

The edition of the Greek New Testament I use most often now is a diglot consisting of the GNT and the RSV on facing pages.

I have read the Greek New Testament many times throughout many years, and I have often compared it with many English versions.

Sometimes I have found a rendering in another version that seems to me to be more true to the Greek text than the RSV re a particular Greek word or phrase. However, vis-à-vis the Greek text, I have found the same to be true of most other versions .

There's no such thing as a perfect English translation of the Bible, but the RSV has warranted inclusion among relatively reliable versions for half a century.

The English Standard Version is a radical revision of the Revised Standard Version, making the RSV practically obsolete as a stand-alone version.

[NSMinistries]

Revised Standard Version

Source Used: Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NT 1946, OT 1952)

Abbreviation: RSV
Year Released: 1952
Contents: Old Testament, New Testament

Description
This is the authorized revision of the American Standard Version (1901), a variant of the (British) Revised Version (1881-1885), which was a revision of the King James Version (1611), which took into account several earlier versions. The King James Version has been termed "the noblest monument of English prose," yet it has grave defects. This was brought to light in the nineteenth century when more ancient manuscripts than those used for the King James Version were found.
The directive was that the revision should embody the best results of modern scholarship as to the meaning of the Scriptures and to express this meaning in English diction which is designed for use in private and public worship and preserves those qualities which have given to the King James Version a supreme place in English literature. Thirty-two scholars worked on the revision. Fifty representatives of cooperating denominations reviewed their work and counseled them. The aim was to make a good translation better.
Changes in the English language since 1611 were the main reason for revision. Except for the Dead Sea Scrolls, only late manuscripts of the Old Testament survive. This revision is based on Hebrew and Aramaic texts fixed early in the Christian era and revised by the Masoretes.
The Tetragrammaton was rendered as LORD or GOD, in capital letters.



Sample Verses
Genesis 1: 1, 2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

John 1: 1 - 3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.


This is the info we give book stores when they call. Hope it helps...