As such, these types of translations should not be exclusively relied on for doctrinal study.

The thought-for-thought translations seek to express the meaning of each sentence or paragraph from the original language in simple up-to-date English without being tied to translating every word. Two examples of word-for-word translations are the King James Version and the New King James Version. However, some consider a word-for-word translation harder to understand, particularly when it comes to figures of speech that are not used in modern culture. A word-for-word translation attempts to translate each Hebrew or Greek word into a corresponding English word. There are three main types of Bible translations: word-for-word, thought-for-thought and paraphrase. Which one do you choose to study God's Word and learn His way?

Go into any good bookstore and you can easily be overwhelmed with dozens and dozens of Bible translations from which to choose. We could take Solomon's statement and extend it to Bible translations. 'Of making many books there is no end.' So said Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:12 Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end and much study is a weariness of the flesh.Īmerican King James Version ×.