First, we must clarify that there is no such thing as “The Bible.” The Bible is a collection of various texts, and depending on the tradition, this collection includes different texts. For our project, this distinction is not relevant. Broadly, the Bible can be divided into two parts: the Jewish-Hebrew Bible and the additional writings made by Christianity.
The Hebrew Bible #
Over time, the term “Old Testament” (OT) came to be used for this part of the Bible, originating from Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:14. He derives the concept of a “new covenant” from Jeremiah 31:11. The writings of this “new covenant” are therefore called the “New Testament.”
These terms are not without controversy, as nowadays we tend to associate “old” with something “outdated” or “obsolete.” This is clearly not the original meaning. However, in our project, we will still use these terms as they have become common.
The Hebrew Bible was already translated into Greek at that time for Jews who no longer spoke Hebrew, as Greek was the universal language. This translation is known as the “Septuagint” (LXX). The content of the Septuagint differs slightly from that of the Hebrew Bible. The exact content of the Hebrew Bible was largely determined during the two centuries before Christ.
Our project uses the Leningrad Codex, as edited in the “Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia”. It’s the most likely Hebrew Masoretic Text of the “Old Testament.”
The New Testament #
The collection of Christian writings varies in size depending on the tradition. The texts were originally all written in Koiné Greek. The texts that have been handed down to us show considerable differences and are of varying quality. Therefore, it is important to agree on a specific version when translating.
In our project, we translate the text as edited by Nestle-Aland, specifically the 28th edition. This represents the most probable version of the text in modern biblical scholarship. If you are interested in more details about text criticism, view this video from UsefulCharts on Youtube.
“Apocrypha” #
There are some texts that do not appear in all traditions or never made it into the biblical canon. These texts are referred to as “Apocrypha” or “non-canonical writings.” They are also significant, as they are the source of many ideas in popular piety.
Additionally, they provide fascinating insights into the world of that time and are neither secret nor forbidden.
Depending on which text, they may also appear in the editions mentioned above.
Online Ressources #
There are several online ressources where you can find the biblical texts.
If you are not able to translate directly from Hebrew or Greek, you can use interlinear translations. However, make sure to check which original text these editions are based on. Our language specialists will be happy to assist you in this regard.
Interlinear #
Learn more about the translation process in the next chapter.