Translations of the Bible: Why They Matter and How to Talk About Them

Translations of the Tanach and their flaws are well-known to scholars, but unfortunately, many general readers never consider the problems inherent in a translated holy text. While some issues are beyond the grasp of those with little or no knowledge of Hebrew, there are major concerns that we can convey to a wide audience—and in so doing, spark a conversation about how the Bible is read and understood in different Jewish communities, the Christian world, and in secular academic, literary, and political contexts.

This paper proposes two specific topics for writing and teaching the Bible in translation—one relatively easy to talk about, and one far more difficult to express. The easier topic is names in the Bible, which are generally transliterated instead of translated. The obliterating of the meaning of names is a clear example of how subtext in the Tanach is difficult to access in translation—and is an essential conversation to have inside and outside the academic community.

The more difficult topic is the challenge of conveying ambiguity; when faced with a thorny passage, many translators throughout history have simplified the text, depriving readers of the chance to consider multiple meanings. This flattening of Biblical complexity has led to misleading views of the Tanach, Jews, and Judaism, and has had wide-reaching political and cultural ramifications. Discussing this flattening in a clear and compelling way presents a rare and important opportunity to reframe understanding.