Answer
Depending on how one distinguishes a distinct Bible version from a revision of an existing Bible version, there are as many as 50 different English versions of the Bible. The question then arises: Is there truly a necessity for such a multitude of English versions of the Bible? The response is, indeed, no, there is no requirement for 50 distinct English versions of the Bible. This is particularly valid given that there are numerous languages where the complete Bible has not yet been translated. Nevertheless, having multiple versions of the Bible in a language is not problematic. In reality, having various versions of the Bible can actually facilitate comprehension of its message.
There are two primary reasons for the existence of various English Bible versions. (1) Over time, the English language evolves, necessitating updates to an English version. If a contemporary reader were to examine a 1611 King James Version of the Bible, it would appear nearly incomprehensible. Everything from the spelling, syntax, grammar, to phraseology is markedly different. Linguists assert that English has undergone more changes in the last 400 years than Greek has in the past 2,000 years. Throughout church history, believers have at times become attached to a specific Bible version and staunchly defended it, resisting any efforts to modernize or revise it. This phenomenon was observed with the Septuagint, the Latin Vulgate, and more recently, the King James Version. Unwavering loyalty to a particular Bible version is irrational and counterproductive. When the Bible was originally penned, it was written in the vernacular of the people of that era. Therefore, when translating the Bible, it should reflect how a particular group speaks or reads at that time, not how it was spoken centuries ago.
(2) Various translation methodologies exist for accurately conveying the original Hebrew,Aramaic, and Greek into English. Some Bible versions translate as literally (word-for-word) as possible, commonly known as formal equivalence. Some Bible versions translate less literally, in more of a thought-for-thought method, commonly known as dynamic equivalence. All of the different English Bible versions are at different points of the formal equivalence vs. dynamic equivalence spectrum. The New American Standard Bible and the King James Version would be to the far end of the formal equivalence side, while paraphrases such as The Living Bible and The Message would be to the far end of the dynamic equivalence side.
The advantage of formal equivalence is that it minimizes the translator inserting his/her own interpretations into the passages. The disadvantage of formal equivalence is that it often produces a translation so woodenly literal that it is not easily readable/understandable. The advantage of dynamic equivalence is that it usually produces a more readable/understandable Bible version. The disadvantage of dynamic equivalence is that it sometimes results in “this is what I think it means” instead of “this is what it says.” Neither method is right or wrong. The best Bible version is likely produced through a balance of the two methodologies.
Listed below are the most common English versions of the Bible. In choosing which Bible version(s) you are going to use/study, do research, discuss with Christians you respect, read the Bibles for yourself, and ultimately, ask God for wisdom regarding which Bible version He desires you to use.
King James Version (KJV)
New International Version (NIV)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
New King James Version (NKJV)
English Standard Version (ESV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
New Century Version (NCV)
What is The Voice translation of the Bible?
New English Bible (NEB)
American Standard
American Standard Version (ASV)
Good News Bible (GNB) / Today’s English Version (TEV)
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
New English Translation (NET)
Lexham English Bible (LEB)?
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
God’s Word Translation (GW)
Common English Bible (CEB)
What is the Recovery Version of the Bible?
New International Readers Version (NIrV)
Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Bible in Basic English (BBE)
Berean Study Bible (BSB)
21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
What is the Modern King James Version (MKJV)?
What is the Modern English Version (MEV)?
World English Bible (WEB)
Revised English Bible (REB)
Jerusalem Bible (JB)
New American Bible (NAB)
What is the J. B. Phillips translation of the Bible?
The Living Bible (TLB)
The Message (MSG)
Pure Word Bible (PWB)
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
Wycliffe Bible
Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew Bible
Great Bible
The Bishops’ Bible
Douay-Rheims Version (DRV)
What is the Luther Bible?
Geneva Bible
What is the First Nations Version (FNV)?
What is the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)?
Response Revelation 17:1-2 states, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls…
Answer The seven seals (Revelation 6:1-17;8:1-5), seven trumpets The seven seals include the emergence of…
Answer A paraphrase is a restatement of something in your own words. A paraphrase of…
Answer Moral theology is a term used by the Roman Catholic Church to describe the…
Response Fast-food establishments attract us by allowing us to customize our meals to our liking.…
Response Do you know with certainty that you possess eternal life and will enter heaven…