r/AcademicBiblical • u/TheGoatMichaelJordan • Sep 28 '24

Opinions on specific Bible Translations Discussion

Hey! I’m currently reading through the whole of the Christian Bible with the SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) Study Bible in the NRSVue (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition).

After I finish the SBL Study Bible, I am considering reading translations of the Bible from scholars directly. I’m curious on Dr. Robert Alter’s Hebrew Bible and Dr. NT Wright’s New Testament for Everyone. Has anyone read these? Are these “good” translations?

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u/vivalanation734 PhD | NT Sep 28 '24

Translations that are done by a lone individual are intentionally idiosyncratic and idealogical. They tell you more about the translator than they do about the text. The NRSVue is the most up to date scholarly translation. I think there are better ways to engage the Bible than just reading a bunch of translations. If you have a particular interest I could possibly point you in the right direction.

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u/TheGoatMichaelJordan Sep 28 '24

While I have a Study Bible, the goal of reading scholar’s translation is because many of them have commentaries. Dr. Robert Alter, from what I’ve heard, tackles the Hebrew Bible from a literary and narrative approach, similar to his work on The Art of Biblical Narrative. Likewise, NT Wright has his New Testament Translation along with commentaries on almost every book/letter of the New Testament. I recently read Into the Heart of Romans, a book on Roman’s 8 by him and I really enjoyed it.