Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 40
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dynamically, we generally give the literal rendering in a textual footnote. This allows the
reader to see the literal source of our dynamic
rendering and how our translation relates to
other more literal translations. These notes are
prefaced with “Hebrew,” “Aramaic,” or “Greek,”
identifying the language of the underlying
source text. For example, in Acts 2:42 we translated the literal “breaking of bread” (from the
Greek) as “the Lord’s Supper” to clarify that this
verse refers to the ceremonial practice of the
church rather than just an ordinary meal. Then
we attached a footnote to “the Lord’s Supper,”
which reads: “Greek the breaking of bread.”
Textual footnotes are also used to show
alternative renderings, prefaced with the
word “Or.” These normally occur for pas
sages where an aspect of the meaning is debated. On occasion, we also provide notes on
words or phrases that represent a departure
from long-standing tradition. These notes
are prefaced with “Traditionally rendered.”
For example, the footnote to the translation
“serious skin disease” at Leviticus 13:2 says:
“Traditionally rendered leprosy. The Hebrew
word used throughout this passage is used to
describe various skin diseases.”
When our translators follow a textual variant that differs significantly from our standard Hebrew or Greek texts (listed earlier), we
document that difference with a footnote. As
was explained in greater detail above, we also
footnote cases when the NLT excludes a passage that is included in the Greek text known
as the Textus Receptus (and familiar to readers
through its translation in the King James Version). In such cases, we offer a translation of
the excluded text in a footnote, even though it
is generally recognised as a later addition to the
Greek text and not part of the original Greek
New Testament.
All Old Testament passages that are quoted
in the New Testament are identified by a textual footnote at the New Testament location.
When the New Testament clearly quotes from
the Greek translation of the Old Testament,
and when it differs significantly in wording
from the Hebrew text, we also place a textual
footnote at the Old Testament location. This
note includes a rendering of the Greek version,
along with a cross-reference to the New Testament passage(s) where it is cited (for example,
see notes on Psalms 8:2; 53:3; Proverbs 3:12).
Some textual footnotes provide cultural
and historical information on places, things,
and people in the Bible that are probably obscure to modern readers. Such notes should
aid the reader in understanding the message
of the text. For example, in Acts 12:1, “King
Herod” is named in this translation as “King
Herod Agrippa” and is identified in a footnote
as being “the nephew of Herod Antipas and a
grandson of Herod the Great.”
When the meaning of a proper name (or a
wordplay inherent in a proper name) is relevant
to the meaning of the text, it is either illumi
nated with a textual footnote or included within
parentheses in the text itself. For example, the
footnote concerning the name “Eve” at Genesis
3:20 reads: “Eve sounds like a Hebrew term that
means ‘to give life.’ ” This wordplay in the Hebrew illuminates the meaning of the text, which
goes on to say that Eve “would be the mother of
all who live.”
Cross-References
A number of different cross-referencing tools
appear in New Living Translation Bibles, and
each offers a different level of help. All straighttext Bibles have the standard set of textual footnotes that include cross-references connecting
New Testament texts to their related Old Testament sources. (See more on this above.)
This Bible also includes a full-column cross-
reference system, which allows space for a more
comprehensive listing of cross-references. In this
larger system, symbols differentiate between
various kinds of cross-references. The parallel
marker (//) designates a cross-referenced passage that is parallel in nature to the passage at
hand. The asterisk (*) designates a cross-reference
whose connection involves a direct quote from
the other testament. Standard cross-references in
this system appear unmarked.
As we submit this translation for publication,
we recognise that any translation of the Scriptures is subject to limitations and imperfections.
Anyone who has attempted to communicate the
richness of God’s Word into another language
will realise it is impossible to make a perfect
translation. Recognising these limitations, we
sought God’s guidance and wisdom throughout
this project. Now we pray that he will accept our
efforts and use this translation for the benefit of
the church and of all people.
We pray that the New Living Translation
will overcome some of the barriers of history,