One popular middle ground between an English translation and a Hebrew Bible or Greek Testament is the “interlinear Bible,” in which a very wooden translation of each word is placed above or below the line of Hebrew or Greek text. For readers who have some familiarity with the original language and use this tool as a way to refresh their memories, it may have a useful function if employed cautiously. However, a little bit of knowledge of Hebrew or Greek can be dangerous, and combining such knowledge with the peculiar English renderings found in an interlinear Bible can be disastrous. People who do not read the original languages with some degree of competence should stay clear of interlinear Bibles and rely on good translations and solid research for their exegesis.”—The Elements of Biblical Exegesis, pages 38-39
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Amen! In fact, I would go even further and outlaw the use of an interlinear...
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1 comment:
" ... People who do not read the original languages with some degree of competence should stay clear of interlinear Bibles and rely on good translations and solid research for their exegesis."
It's easy enough to agree with this assertion, but it probably begs the question about what constitutes "some degree of competence." It really doesn't have much to do with holding a degree in Greek or Hebrew as some holders of degrees display questionable competence. I'm coming more and more to think that it's a matter of judgment and mental discipline, coupled with native intelligence and an openness to considering alternatives.
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