A massive project was initiated in 1958 which would eventually outline a revolutionary type of Bible translating. The reason for the project was to create a translation that would make studying the Bible easier - clarifying the passages more simply, but still incorporating Greek and Hebrew words from the original parchments and scrolls. The Amplified Bible had begun.
To understand the true intent of the manuscripts written by the New and Old Testament writers, most readers would need to take ancient Greek and Hebrew, not something many people would want to do. The scholars of the Amplified project assembled extra information, which they integrated into the English. Then, using a special system of brackets, italics and parentheses, they created expanded, defined, and expounded on particular phrases and important words; all giving new revelations to all readers.
Biblical Linguistics and The English Language
Not all words in a foreign language can be translated into one English term. Some words have additional nuances, and some sentence structure or syntax does not easily match. For example, most translations render the Greek term 'pisteuo', as 'believe.' However, that single word, fails to do justice to the nuances of the actual Greek. The Amplified Bible notes additionally: ["...to adhere to, cleave to; to trust ~ believe in ~ have confidence in ~ rely on, to have ~ to possess ~ to get faith in; depend upon..."] Imagine the entire Bible with those types of explanations and you see how God's Word would open upin a whole new way.
The translation also offers: - Footnotes- concise historical and archaeological data and devotional insights, plus hundreds of references to particular authors and resources. - Book Introductions describe the writer, their qualifications, the purpose, and theme of the book - Concordance- locates relevant verse locations (Featuring over 25,000 entries). - Bibliography and Glossary-give you a useful checklist of the resources cited in the review notes and the most frequent amplifications in the text.
For a translation to enjoy wide acceptance it must remain free of personal interpretation, and independent of specific Church denominations. The baseline is the American Standard Version of 1901. Various Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts were used, including: Rudolph Kittel's Biblia Hebraica, the Greek text of Westcott and Hort, the Greek Septuagint, and some Latin interpretations. Others, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, were compared for context and interpretation. Translators made every attempt to keep the most widely accepted wording of earlier versions, in particular the 'feel' of the historical Books. Incorporating that same methodology the KJV Amplified Parallel Bible is now available alongside the NASB, the New King James and more modern translations.
Translation Background and its Affiliations
The story of the Amplified Bible cannot be fully told without sharing the details of the dedicated and enthusiastic team that made the project a reality. Their passion for God's Word, inspired by a woman's faith, a foundation, and a publisher, paints the picture behind the new translation.
Frances Siewert (Litt. B., B.D., M.A., Litt. D.), a recognized expert in Biblical culture and archaeology, was determined to make a new translation that explained the nuances of the original texts. Ms. Siewert anchored her life and values to Bible Study; in particular the Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. An organization based in California known as the Lockman Foundation - an advocate for quality Bible translation, Evangelism, and higher Biblical education, soon noticed her work. The Amplified Bible project aligned well with the Lockman Foundation's core goals, so they provided the majority of the money needed, which ultimately enabled the completion of the work.
An Editorial Board comprised of many educated and experienced women and men would provide organization to coordinate the effort, and editorial critique. With the translation work underway, the search for a publisher began. Zondervan Publishing House quickly recognized the importance of the project - and would quickly be convinced it would open believer's eyes to a richer understanding of God's Word. Zondervan committed to the printing, binding and retailing of the new Bible. The New Testament was published in late 1958, the Old Testament in 1964 and by 1965 the entire Amplified Bible was released!
To understand the true intent of the manuscripts written by the New and Old Testament writers, most readers would need to take ancient Greek and Hebrew, not something many people would want to do. The scholars of the Amplified project assembled extra information, which they integrated into the English. Then, using a special system of brackets, italics and parentheses, they created expanded, defined, and expounded on particular phrases and important words; all giving new revelations to all readers.
Biblical Linguistics and The English Language
Not all words in a foreign language can be translated into one English term. Some words have additional nuances, and some sentence structure or syntax does not easily match. For example, most translations render the Greek term 'pisteuo', as 'believe.' However, that single word, fails to do justice to the nuances of the actual Greek. The Amplified Bible notes additionally: ["...to adhere to, cleave to; to trust ~ believe in ~ have confidence in ~ rely on, to have ~ to possess ~ to get faith in; depend upon..."] Imagine the entire Bible with those types of explanations and you see how God's Word would open upin a whole new way.
The translation also offers: - Footnotes- concise historical and archaeological data and devotional insights, plus hundreds of references to particular authors and resources. - Book Introductions describe the writer, their qualifications, the purpose, and theme of the book - Concordance- locates relevant verse locations (Featuring over 25,000 entries). - Bibliography and Glossary-give you a useful checklist of the resources cited in the review notes and the most frequent amplifications in the text.
For a translation to enjoy wide acceptance it must remain free of personal interpretation, and independent of specific Church denominations. The baseline is the American Standard Version of 1901. Various Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts were used, including: Rudolph Kittel's Biblia Hebraica, the Greek text of Westcott and Hort, the Greek Septuagint, and some Latin interpretations. Others, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, were compared for context and interpretation. Translators made every attempt to keep the most widely accepted wording of earlier versions, in particular the 'feel' of the historical Books. Incorporating that same methodology the KJV Amplified Parallel Bible is now available alongside the NASB, the New King James and more modern translations.
Translation Background and its Affiliations
The story of the Amplified Bible cannot be fully told without sharing the details of the dedicated and enthusiastic team that made the project a reality. Their passion for God's Word, inspired by a woman's faith, a foundation, and a publisher, paints the picture behind the new translation.
Frances Siewert (Litt. B., B.D., M.A., Litt. D.), a recognized expert in Biblical culture and archaeology, was determined to make a new translation that explained the nuances of the original texts. Ms. Siewert anchored her life and values to Bible Study; in particular the Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. An organization based in California known as the Lockman Foundation - an advocate for quality Bible translation, Evangelism, and higher Biblical education, soon noticed her work. The Amplified Bible project aligned well with the Lockman Foundation's core goals, so they provided the majority of the money needed, which ultimately enabled the completion of the work.
An Editorial Board comprised of many educated and experienced women and men would provide organization to coordinate the effort, and editorial critique. With the translation work underway, the search for a publisher began. Zondervan Publishing House quickly recognized the importance of the project - and would quickly be convinced it would open believer's eyes to a richer understanding of God's Word. Zondervan committed to the printing, binding and retailing of the new Bible. The New Testament was published in late 1958, the Old Testament in 1964 and by 1965 the entire Amplified Bible was released!
About the Author:
We give it 4.5 out of 5. If you want to understand the intent of the Greek and Hebrew, separate the pieces, and reassemble them into practical meaningful insights for Christian living, this is your Bible. It is available in every shape, size, and binding through most online Christian bookstores, some places up to 50% off. You may own a dozen Bibles, but even if you do, you should own one more. Be Blessed. Godspeed.
