Saturday, November 25, 2006
The NET Bible
I finally got around to ordering the First Edition of The Net Bible. The First Edition designation is somewhat misleading since it was preceded by a Beta Edition, which I purchased several years ago and have extensively used. What makes this Bible unique are the 60,932 editors' notes; it is the only Bible which to my knowledge discusses in the notes the options for translating difficult or confusing passages and gives the editors' rationale for their selection. The notes also contain extensive references to the Greek and Hebrew texts. The actual translation can read somewhat clumsily at times, particularly in those passages which are very familiar to us. For example:
The LORD is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
He takes me to lush pastures,
he leads me to refreshing water.
He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.
You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.
Surely your goodness and faithfulness
will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the LORD's house
for the rest of my life.
-- or --
For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign.
Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son.
You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
This second passage, of course, is often the subject of arguments whether the young woman should be referred to as a virgin. Not only does the footnote go into great detail about this dispute, but there are many pages of introduction to the NET Bible that describe the various approaches to Bible translation. This introduction by itself is worth the price of admission, in my opinion.
The full text & notes are available as a free download on the Internet, or, you may simply read it on line. Take a look at it. I believe the NET Bible is a wonderful, unique tool for serious Bible study.
The LORD is my shepherd,
I lack nothing.
He takes me to lush pastures,
he leads me to refreshing water.
He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.
You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.
Surely your goodness and faithfulness
will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the LORD's house
for the rest of my life.
-- or --
For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign.
Look, this young woman is about to conceive and will give birth to a son.
You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
This second passage, of course, is often the subject of arguments whether the young woman should be referred to as a virgin. Not only does the footnote go into great detail about this dispute, but there are many pages of introduction to the NET Bible that describe the various approaches to Bible translation. This introduction by itself is worth the price of admission, in my opinion.
The full text & notes are available as a free download on the Internet, or, you may simply read it on line. Take a look at it. I believe the NET Bible is a wonderful, unique tool for serious Bible study.
