What version of the Bible do the Jehovah's Witnesses use Why?

Answer 1

Answer

Jehovah's Witnesses use many different translations of The Bible so as to get a complete sense of what the original writings meant. The most common translation used, though, is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. This is a modern language translation that adheres to the original word meanings as completely and accurately as possible. It also restores the use of God's name, Jehovah (see Psalm 83:18), which can be found in the original manuscripts almost 7000 times, but is omitted in most Bibles commonly used today. The New World Translation was translated by a group of faithful men over a period of many years using the oldest Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts available.

Witnesses also use other Bibles for personal study and research, and commonly have the King James Version, the Jerusalem Bible, the Douay Bible, the American Standard Version, The Kingdom Interlinear, the Emphatic Diaglott and the paraphrased Living Bible in their own personal home libraries.

Answer

Although the Jehovah's Witness organization has produced a volume entitled the New World Translation, this title is not really correctly named as it is more akin to an interpretation of the text in accordance with Jehovah's Witness theology.

One example is the translation of the Greek verb Proskneo, meaning to worship. This word is correctly translated as such in every case where it is used in relation to the devil, the dragon, the image, an angel, the beast, demons and idols but neverin relation to Jesus Christ. Although in 1898 they allowed it, the JW hierarchy now has deemed Jesus as not being worthy of worship and so they translate the exact same word differently when it is applied to Jesus. This is a false translation in accordance with their theology rather than what the scripture itself says. There are numerous other examples of such in their work.

Thus, although they will use the KJV in their own way, they want to get people over to their version as quickly as possible, not, of course, telling them the facts of the matter. The KJV being a true translation correctly underscores Jesus' divinity which the NWT attempts to undermine.

Answer

Jehovah's Witnesses use many different translations and versions in their personal studies as well as in public Bible teaching work, but to remain united as a worldwide congregation, they use the New World Translation at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions.

Answer also: "For decades, Jehovah's Witnesses used, printed, and distributed various versions of the Bible. But then we saw the need to produce a new translation that would better help people to learn the "accurate knowledge of truth," which is God's will for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) Thus, in 1950 we began to release portions of our modern-language Bible, the New World Translation. This Bible has been faithfully and accurately translated into over 100 languages.

A Bible was needed that was easy to understand. Languages change over time, and many translations contain obscure or obsolete expressions that are difficult to understand. Also, ancient manuscripts that are more accurate and closer to the originals have been discovered, resulting in a better comprehension of Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

A translation was needed that was loyal to God's word. Rather than taking liberties with God's inspired writings, Bible translators should be faithful to the original text. However, in most versions, the divine Jehovah, is not used in the Holy Scriptures.

"A Bible was needed that gives credit to its Author. (2 Samuel 23:2) In the New World Translation, Jehovah's name has been restored where it appears some 7,000 times in the oldest Bible manuscripts as illustrated in the example below. (Psalm 83:18) The result of years of diligent research, this Bible is a pleasure to read, as it clearly conveys God's thinking. Whether you have the New World Translation in your language or not, we encourage you to get into a good routine of reading Jehovah's Word every day.-Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2, 3."

(Excerpt From: the brochure "Who Are Doing Jehovah's Will Today" on Jehovah's Witnesses official website)

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses use The New World Translation of the Bible. No other religious groups use this translation, and Jehovah's Witnesses make very little use of other translations.

The translators of The New World Translation were Nathan Knorr, Albert Schroeder, George Gangas, Fred Franz, and M. Henschel. Four of these five men had no Greek or Hebrew training at all, and Franz had only a rudimentary understanding of Greek (and had no knowledge of Hebrew). Franz studied Greek for two years before dropping out of college. The other four had only a high school education.

The result was that this very inexperienced translating committee twisted the original intent of the language in the Bible to fit the Jehovah's Witness doctrines. However, that is precisely why they use this translation - it supports their already-held belief structure.

ANSWER 2: "Why Have We Produced the New World Translation?

For decades, Jehovah's Witnesses used, printed, and distributed various versions of the Bible. But then we saw the need to produce a new translation that would better help people to learn the "accurate knowledge of truth," which is God's will for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) Thus, in 1950 we began to release portions of our modern-language Bible, the New World Translation. This Bible has been faithfully and accurately translated into over 100 languages.

A Bible was needed that was easy to understand. Languages change over time, and many translations contain obscure or obsolete expressions that are difficult to understand. Also, ancient manuscripts that are more accurate and closer to the originals have been discovered, resulting in a better comprehension of Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

A translation was needed that was loyal to God's word. Rather than taking liberties with God's inspired writings, Bible translators should be faithful to the original text. However, in most versions, the divine name, Jehovah, is not used in the Holy Scriptures.

A Bible was needed that gives credit to its Author. (2 Samuel 23:2) In the New World Translation, Jehovah's name has been restored where it appears some 7,000 times in the oldest Bible manuscripts as illustrated in the example below. (Psalm 83:18) The result of years of diligent research, this Bible is a pleasure to read, as it clearly conveys God's thinking. Whether you have the New World Translation in your language or not, we encourage you to get into a good routine of reading Jehovah's Word every day.-Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2, 3.

A reliable translation must:

• Sanctify God's name by restoring it to its rightful place in the Scriptures.-Matthew 6:9.

• Accurately convey the original message that was inspired by God.-2 Timothy 3:16.

• Translate expressions literally when the wording and structure of the target language allow for such renderings of the original-language text.

• Communicate the correct sense of a word or a phrase when a literal rendering would distort or obscure the meaning.

(Exerpt taken from the Brochure "Who are Doing Jehovah's Will today on Jehovah's Witnesses official website)

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Answer 3

We use many translations. I personally have about 10 in my personal library I use, including 2 Catholic versions. However, the one I (and many if not most other Witnesses of Jehovah) most prefer is the Large print with references edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. It is in modern English (and other languages also) and is easy to understand. It has restored God's personal Name where most other versions have removed it almost 7,000 times. Despite the false information given by some that it contains errors and was translated to match our beliefs, it is in reality one of the most accurate translations available. The many footnotes and appendices in the 1984 large print edition shows the actual scholarship that went into this translation, as well as comparing it with Vine's, Strong's, and other such research tools.

Answer 4

Before the New World Translation, the witnesses used the King James Version.

Before that, they used the American Standard Bible.

Most of us today have many different translations and versions of this holy book in our personal libraries, but at our meetings (worship services), which are held worldwide, we all use the New World Translation in order to be one united brotherhood. (1 Cor 1:10)

These are some of the different Bibles that I use: the KJV, the NIV, the American Standard, the Jerusalem Bible, the Catholic Douay Version, and The Good News (Living) Bible.

Answer 5

Oh yes indeed. I carry one in my Witnessing bag each time I go in the ministry.

In fact, when I read the Bible, I often compare with approx 20 different translations that I have.

I even like some of the very loose 'paraphrased' version; which really can't be considered as 'translations'. I like the way it words things much better.

But when it comes to deciphering 'accuracy' - - well, none can top the New World Translation. It restores God's holy name back into all of its nearly 7,000 places. Besides its FREE.

Fortunately the King James Version just released its 400 year Anniversary Edition. It's called the 'Divine Name King James Version'. I can't afford to buy one, so I read it 'online'. I like some of the footnotes its added. That really helps in better understanding some verses. (For example the footnote beside 1 John 5:7,8 where they tried to support the trinity idea by having added a spurious section - - now they added a footnote admitting that its spurious; and was not in the original manuscripts.

Answer 6

They use the most recent and most accurate translation from hebrew, aramic and greecial scriptures; "The new world Translation of the Holy Scriptures."

"Holy Scriptures" fonted in size 20, or close. "The new world Translation of" Is fonted in smaller print, so the bible, at first glance, appears "Holy Scriptures".

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. It is not a version of the the bible, meaning that it is not translated from another version, such as the King James or any other version of the bible. Instead, it is translated from the original ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages the Bible was first written in.