English Standard Version Bible Translation Review
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a translation of the Bible that aims for an "essentially literal" translation philosophy, seeking to convey the meaning of the original biblical languages as precisely as possible [5]. This approach prioritizes word-for-word accuracy while maintaining readability in modern English.
The practice of translating sacred texts into vernacular languages has a long history. After the return from Babylonian Captivity, Jews who were no longer familiar with ancient Hebrew required their scriptures to be translated into Aramaic, leading to the development of the Targums [2]. Similarly, early Christian communities recognized the need for translations. Augustine, for instance, preferred the Septuagint for the Old Testament among Greek versions, and the Itala among Latin translations, noting its closeness to the original words without sacrificing clarity [7, 8]. The Septuagint itself was highly regarded, with accounts suggesting a miraculous uniformity in its translation by seventy (or seventy-two) translators [7, 9].
Throughout history, various English translations have emerged, each with distinct characteristics. Wycliffe's New Testament, for example, was translated by Wycliffe himself, while the Old Testament was undertaken by Nicholas of Hereford. This version, based entirely on the Latin Vulgate, was known for its homeliness of style and its literalness in some instances [1]. Later, the Geneva Bible, published by English Protestants who fled to Geneva, was noted for its "very good" translation and "very edifying notes and illustrations," though some critics, like Bishop Horsley, felt its notes "savor too much of Calvinism" [3]. Albert Barnes, a biblical scholar, also praised the Authorized Version (King James Version) as having been made under "more happy auspices" [6].
The ESV, published in 2001, stands in this tradition of seeking accuracy and faithfulness to the original texts. Its translation philosophy is often contrasted with more dynamic equivalence translations, which prioritize conveying the thought or meaning of the original in contemporary language, sometimes at the expense of a more direct rendering of individual words or phrases. The ESV's commitment to an "essentially literal" approach means it attempts to preserve the grammatical structures and vocabulary of the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts as much as possible, making it a valuable resource for detailed study [5]. This method is similar to the approach taken by some ancient translators, such as Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, who also produced Greek translations of the Old Testament from the Hebrew [7].
The importance of accurate translation is underscored by the understanding that the Bible is considered the "Word of God" by many Christians, and its writings are recognized as divinely authoritative [4]. Therefore, the careful rendering of the original texts into modern languages is seen as crucial for the proper interpretation and understanding of scripture. The ESV aims to provide a translation that is both precise for scholarly study and accessible for devotional reading.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Versions, Authorized — + WYCLIFFE.--The New Testament was translated by Wycliffe himself The Old Testament was undertaken by Nicholas Deuteronomy Hereford, but was interrupted, and ends abruptly (following so far the order of the Vulgate) in the middle of Baruch. The version was based entirely upon the Vulgate. The following characteristics may be noticed as distinguishing this version: (1) The general homeliness of its style. (2) The substitution in many cases, of English equivalents for quasitechnical words. (3) The extreme literalness with which in some instances, ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Version — A translation of the holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible, nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word. (See SAMARITAN [653]PENTATEUCH.) 1. The Targums. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Ar”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.11: on account of the rendering of Genesis 3:7 . 11 11 Prejudice has existed in some quarters against this version of the Holy Scriptures, on the ground that its Authors were too deeply imbued with Calvin’s sentiments. Bishop Horsley thus speaks of it: — “This English translation of the Bible, which is indeed upon the whole a very good one, and furnished with very edifying notes and illustrations, (except that in many points they savor too much of Calvinism,) was made and first published at Geneva, by the English Protestants, who fled”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 40: Word of God. When we refer to the Bible as 153 of divine authority, we refer to it as a volume and recognize all the writings which it contains as given by the inspiration of the Spirit. In like manner when Christ or his Apostles quote the “Scriptures,” or the “law and the prophets,” and speak of the volume then so called, they give their sanction to the divine authority of all the books which that volume contained. All, therefore, that is necessary to determine for Christians the canon of the Old Testament, is to ascertain what books wer”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — INTRODUCTION (part 11): is not found in the Index, an equivalent passage from some of the other gospels should be looked for. On the margin to the left of the text are indicated the pages of the Arabic text and the sections and verses in HilI's version.(2) The aim has been to make a literal translation. As two freer translations already exist, it seemed best to incline to the side of being overliteral. If, however, features due simply to Arabic idiom have been preserved, this is an oversight. Uniformity could only have been secur”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.8: of being the first foreign Protestant Commentator on Genesis who was made to speak in the English language. 7 7 See page 42 . The reader will find Calvin’s Latin Version of the sacred text placed side by side with our own excellent Authorised Translation. 8 8 The translator has pleasure in adducing the following testimony to our Authorized version from the pen of that excellent Biblical scholar, Albert Barnes of Philadelphia. “No translation of the Bible was ever made under more happy auspices; and it would now be impossible to fur”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 43.--OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE SEPTUAGINT TRANSLATION, WHICH, SAVING THE HONOR OF THE HEBREW ORIGINAL, IS TO BE PREFERRED TO ALL TRANSLATIONS. (part 1): For while there were other interpreters who translated these sacred oracles out of the Hebrew tongue into Greek, as Aquila, Symmathus, and Theodotion, and also that translation which, as the name of the author is unknown, is quoted as the fifth edition, yet the ChUrch has received this Septuagint translation just as if it were the only one; and it has been used by the Greek Christi”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 15--AMONG VERSIONS A PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO THE SEPTUAGINT AND THE ITALA. (part 1): 22. Now among translations themselves the Italian (Itala)(1) is to be preferred to the others, for it keeps closer to the words without prejudice to clearness of expression. And to correct the Latin we must use the Greek versions, among which the authority of the Septuagint is pre-eminent as far as the Old Testament is concerned; for it is reported through all the more learned churches that the seventy translators enjoyed so much of the presence a”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XXI.--A VINDICATION OF THE PROPHECY IN ISAIAH (VII. 14) AGAINST THE MISINTERPRETATIONS OF THEODOTION, AQUILA, THE EBIONITES, AND THE JEWS. AUTHORITY OF THE SEPTUAGINT VERSION. ARGUMENTS IN PROO (part 2): other, God was indeed glorified, and the Scriptures were acknowledged as truly divine. For all of them read out the common translation [which they had prepared] in the very same words and the very same names, from beginning to end, so that even the Gentiles present perceived that the Scriptures had been ”