08-21-2007, 09:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fredtgreco  Bob,
My guess is that this is translation philosophy. In brief, it is why the King James is such a more literary and beautiful translation, and why it is not as technically accurate as others (NASB, ESV) - not taking into account textual issues. (OK, now the KJV folks can throw stones at me) Quote:
Originally Posted by blhowes For those of you who know Hebrew, let's say you were given the task of translating Psalm 107:1. As you can see, the same word is translated differently within the same version, and different words are used in different versions.
KJV
Psa 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
ESV
Psa 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psa 107:15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
Psa 107:21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
Psa 107:31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!
Psa 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
If you were translating from this:
Psa 107:1 הדו ליהוה כי־טוב כי לעולם חסדו׃
Psa 107:15 יודו ליהוה חסדו ונפלאותיו לבני אדם׃
Psa 107:21 יודו ליהוה חסדו ונפלאותיו לבני אדם׃
Psa 107:31 יודו ליהוה חסדו ונפלאותיו לבני אדם׃
Psa 107:43 מי־חכם וישׁמר־אלה ויתבוננו חסדי יהוה׃
Is there some compelling reason why you wouldn't use the same word in each verse within a translation? Or would there be a good reason why you'd use steadfast love instead of goodness? | | My guess, which may or may not be correct, is that translators like to avoid redundancy. Many Hebrew idioms use words over again for emphasis and poetic nature. In English it doesn't always sound so poetic, so they substitute words that have similar meanings.
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