THE BIBLE - A STORY OF SURVIVAL/ESTABLISHING THE HEBREW AND GREEK TEXTS FOR TRANSLATION

Hebrew Text:  The New World Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures  (1953-1960) was based on Biblia Hebraica, by Rudolf Kittel.  Since that time, updated editions of the Hebrew text, namely, Biblia Hebraica Quinta, have included research based on the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient manuscripts.  These scholarly works reproduce the Leningrad Codex in the main text along with footnotes that contain comparative wording from other sources, including the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Greek Septuagint, the Aramaic Targums, the Latin Vulgate, and the Syriiac Peshitta.  Both Biblia Hebraica stuttgartensia and Biblia Hebraica Quinta were consulted when preparing the present revision of the New World Translation. 

Greek Text: In the late 19th century, scholars B.F. Westcott and F.J.A Hort compared existing Bible manuscripts and fragments as they prepared the Greek master text that they felt most closely reflected the original writings.  In the mid-20th century, the New World Bible Translation Committee used that master text as the basis for its translation.  Other early papyri, thought to date back to the second and third centuries C.E., were also used.  Since then, more papyri have become available. In addition, master texts, such as those by Nestle and Aland and by the United Bible Societies reflect recent scholarly studies.  Some of the findings of this research were incorporated  into this present revision. 

Based on those master texts, it is evident that some verses of the Christian Greek Scriptures found in older translation, such as the King Jame Version, were actually additions made my later copyists and were never part of the inspired Scriptures.  However, because the verse division generally accepted in Bible translations was safely establish in the 16th century, the omission of these verses now creates gaps in the verse numbering in most Bibles.  the verses are Matthew 17:21; 18:11; 23:14; Mark 7:16; 9:44, 46; 11:26; 15:28; Luke 17:36; 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37; 15:34; 24:7; 28:29. In this revised edition, those omitted verses are indicated by a footnote at the location of the omission.

Regarding the long conclusion for Mark 16 (verses 9-20), the short conclusion for Mark 16, and the wording found at john 7:58-8:11, it is evident that none of these verses were included in the original manuscripts. Therefore, those spurious texts have not been included in this revision.

Some other wording has been adjusted to incorporate what scholars generally accept as the  most authentic reflection of the original writings.   For instance, according to some manuscripts, Matthew 7:13 reads:  "Go in through the narrow gate because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction."  In previous editions of the New World Translation, "is the gate" was not included in the text. However, further study of the manuscript evidence led to the conclusion that  "is the gate" was in the original text. So it was included int his present edition.  There are a number of similar refinements. However, these adjustments are minor, and none of them change the basic message of God's Word. 

Next time: THE BIBLE - A STUDY OF SURVIVAL/THE BIBLE SURVIVED DECAY

From The Watchtower magazine