Are texts start of as Papyrus, Uncials, minscules and lectionaries. You can find some of these texts at
https://www.csntm.org/
https://www.bsb-muenchen.de/en/collections/manuscripts/about-the-collection/
https://ntvmr.uni-muenster.de/home
library.duke.edu/rubenstein
there are over 2 million pages of new testament manuscripts
The manuscripts consist of
Manuscripts: Manuscripts are handwritten copies of the biblical texts. They vary in age, quality, and content. They are the primary sources for studying the original text of the Bible.
Uncials: Uncials are a type of manuscript characterized by writing in capital letters, often with minimal punctuation and spacing. They are some of the earliest extant copies of the Bible.
Minuscules: Minuscules are manuscripts that use a more cursive and lowercase style of writing. They became more common in later centuries.
Papyri: Papyri are manuscripts written on papyrus, an ancient writing material made from plant fibers. Papyri fragments are some of the oldest surviving copies of the New Testament.
Lectionaries: Lectionaries are manuscripts that contain selections from the biblical text arranged for use in liturgical readings. They often include not only the biblical text but also annotations and instructions for public readings.
Codex: A codex is a type of manuscript in book form, similar to modern books. It replaced the scroll as the primary format for longer texts.
Then these are compiled into the Greek New Testaments that are used for the English Versions
The Greek New Testament Texts
Textus Receptus (Received Text): The Textus Receptus is a compilation of Greek New Testament editions, primarily based on manuscripts of the Byzantine text-type. It was the basis for many early printed editions, including Erasmus's editions, Beza's editions, and the King James Version. The Textus Receptus played a significant role in the Reformation and the production of vernacular Bibles.
Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament: The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament is a critical edition that seeks to reconstruct the original text of the New Testament. It is based on a wide range of manuscript evidence, including early uncials, papyri, and other sources. It is updated regularly to reflect new research and discoveries. The Nestle-Aland edition provides a scholarly perspective on the Greek text.
United Bible Societies Greek New Testament (UBS): Similar to the Nestle-Aland edition, the UBS Greek New Testament is a critical edition that aims to present the most accurate representation of the original text. It is often used as a companion to the Nestle-Aland edition, offering textual variants and differences between the two editions.
Scrivener's Greek New Testament: Scrivener's editions of the Textus Receptus aim to provide a carefully edited version of the Textus Receptus tradition. While it draws from the same basic source as Beza's editions and Tyndale's Greek New Testament, Scrivener's editions represent his own critical decisions and textual evaluations.
Beza's Editions: Theodore Beza's editions, such as the "Beza Text," are important because they contributed to the development of the Textus Receptus. Beza made decisions about readings and variants that influenced subsequent
editions, including those used in the King James Version.
Tyndale House Greek New Testament (THGNT): This edition is a recent scholarly effort that aims to present a text closely aligned with the original manuscripts. It includes an apparatus that highlights significant variations among manuscripts.
SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT): The Society of Biblical Literature published this edition with the goal of providing a critical edition that is freely available. It includes text-critical annotations and is often used for academic purposes.
Westcott and Hort: While not as commonly used today, the Westcott and Hort edition was influential in its time. It was one of the first critical editions of the New Testament and had a significant impact on subsequent textual scholarship.
Tyndale's Greek New Testament: William Tyndale's translation work, including his Greek New Testament, had a significant impact on the English Reformation and the subsequent development of English translations. Tyndale's translation decisions influenced later translations like the King James Version.
This is one of my problems in when someone says lets look at the greek behind the text as a NKJV text, ESV and a NIV, LSB have a different text behind there bibles
I am missing some such as Erasmus Greek New Testament and some others. With the Nestle Aland Greek New Testament there is 28 editions and with the UBS there is like 5 editions and I think the Nestle Aland is based on the Wescott and Hort edition which I do not like and that has many editions.
They are normally divided into the Majority Text and the Critical Edition
Then you have a small list of bible translations
King James Version (KJV) or Authorized Version:
Greek Text: Primarily based on the Textus Receptus (Received Text), a Greek New Testament text published in the 16th century.
Committee Members: The KJV translation was done by a committee of scholars, including John Rainolds, Lancelot Andrewes, and others.
New King James Version (NKJV):
Greek Text: The NKJV is based on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament, and it draws from various Greek texts for the Old Testament.
Committee Members: The NKJV was produced by a team of scholars led by Arthur Farstad.
New International Version (NIV):
Greek Text: The NIV draws from a variety of Greek texts, including the Nestle-Aland and United Bible Societies texts.
Committee Members: The NIV was translated by an international committee of scholars, including Edwin Palmer, Kenneth Barker, and Virginia Mollenkott.
Revised Standard Version (RSV):
Greek Text: The RSV used a blend of the Textus Receptus and modern critical texts for the New Testament.
Committee Members: The RSV committee included scholars such as Luther Weigle, Bruce Metzger, and James Moffatt.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV):
Greek Text: The NRSV relied heavily on modern critical texts like the Nestle-Aland text.
Committee Members: The NRSV committee included scholars like Bruce Metzger, David Noel Freedman, and Katharine Doob Sakenfeld.
English Standard Version (ESV):
Greek Text: The ESV primarily uses the UBS Greek New Testament and the Nestle-Aland text.
Committee Members: The ESV was translated by a team of scholars led by J.I. Packer, Wayne Grudem, and C.J. Collins.
New American Standard Bible (NASB):
Greek Text: The NASB is based on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and the United Bible Societies Greek New Testament.
Committee Members: The NASB committee included scholars such as Frank Cross, John Polhill, and S. Lewis Johnson.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and Christian Standard Bible (CSB):
Greek Text: The HCSB and CSB are based on various Greek texts, including the Nestle-Aland text and other critical editions.
Committee Members: The HCSB and CSB committees included scholars like Ed Blum, Edwin Yamauchi, and Tom Schreiner.
New Living Translation (NLT):
Greek Text: The NLT draws from various Greek texts, including the Tyndale House Greek New Testament.
Committee Members: The NLT committee included scholars like Kenneth Barker, Ronald Youngblood, and Mark Strauss.
Common English Bible (CEB):
Greek Text: The CEB uses a combination of Greek texts, including the Nestle-Aland text.
Committee Members: The CEB committee included scholars like Joel Green, Jerome Neyrey, and Michael Gorman.
New English Translation (NET Bible):
Greek Text: The NET Bible relies on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament and other critical texts.
Committee Members: The NET Bible project involved scholars like Daniel B. Wallace, Bruce M. Metzger, and Mark L. Strauss.
Amplified Bible (AMP):
Greek Text: The AMP combines the principles of amplification with various Greek texts, including the Nestle-Aland text.
Committee Members: The Amplified Bible was the work of a single translator, Frances Siewert.
New Jerusalem Bible (NJB):
Greek Text: The NJB relies on the Nestle-Aland text and other scholarly editions.
Committee Members: The NJB was translated by a team of scholars led by Henry Wansbrough.
This is only half the story as recently we have the Legacy Standard Bible and the MEV translation and the so called translations such as the Voice, The Message and the Passion Translation
You have things like N T Wrights Bible for Today Translation
and then Colin Urquarts such as the Truth for Today, You have versions that have gone through many revisions such as the NIV bible which was made gender neutral from the 1984 edition to the 2011 edition which they also had the despised TNIV edition.
You have version which I like such as the Complete Jewish Bible by David Stern which is fasinating if you are reading the chronologies or the genologies
or the original Tyndale bible which is always fun if you bring up that Translation using Video Psalm for your church
Wycliffe Bible (1380s): Also known as the Wycliffe's Bible, this was one of the earliest English translations of the Bible. It was translated by John Wycliffe and his associates from the Latin Vulgate.
Tyndale Bible (1520s-1530s): Translated by William Tyndale, this was the first English translation to be made directly from the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Tyndale's work greatly influenced subsequent English translations.
Coverdale Bible (1535): This was the first complete printed translation of the Bible into English, compiled and translated by Miles Coverdale. It was based on the work of Tyndale and other translations.
Great Bible (1539): Authorized by King Henry VIII, the Great Bible was the first English Bible authorized for public use in the Church of England. It was largely based on the work of Tyndale and Coverdale.
Geneva Bible (1560): A highly influential translation, the Geneva Bible was produced by English Protestant exiles in Geneva during the reign of Queen Mary I of England. It included extensive study notes and commentary.
King James Version (KJV) or Authorized Version (1611): Commissioned by King James I of England, this translation is one of the most well-known and widely read versions of the Bible. It was a revision of earlier English translations and aimed to provide a definitive and official version for the Church of England.
Revised Version (RV) (1881-1885): This was an early attempt to update and revise the King James Version using the latest scholarly understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. It was produced by British and American scholars.
American Standard Version (ASV) (1901): An American edition of the Revised Version, this translation aimed to modernize the language and improve accuracy.
Revised Standard Version (RSV) (1946 New Testament, 1952 Old Testament): The RSV was a significant revision of the ASV, aiming to maintain a balance between literary excellence and accuracy in translation. It became widely used in many English-speaking churches
You have translations such as the Wurst Translation which is like the Amplified Edition.
The thing is with Bible translations is that some heresies get through the stages such as from Manuscripts Stages to Translation Stage to the English
I have always wondered what it would be like to put some of the translations through google translate as greek and hebrew the word order is different
If a miracle happens I may be able to understand Greek, Hebrew and Aramiac as I have not even covered the different hebrew texts behind the old Testament
One thing is I like Bible without notes as catholics and other groups and cults sometimes use the notes to actually manipulate you into there cult such as the Witness Lee Bible and the New World Translation
Then you get things such as the Joyce Meyer Study bible which is not good or other study bibles
I have not covered the influences behind some of the commitees as some heresies that are present in universities filter there way through bible translations
As sometimes there is a choice in the Greek and Hebrew version to suit there heresy
The Hebrew Side of the Texts
Masoretic Text (MT): The Masoretic Text is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) and is the basis for most modern Old Testament translations. It was meticulously preserved and passed down by the Masoretes, a group of Jewish scholars from the 6th to 10th centuries.
Dead Sea Scrolls: These are ancient Jewish texts discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. They include fragments of many biblical books, as well as other Jewish writings. The scrolls provide insights into the text of the Hebrew Bible as it existed before the standardization of the Masoretic Text.
Septuagint (LXX): The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally believed to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars in Alexandria. It includes additional books not found in the Hebrew Bible and is significant for its influence on early Christianity.
Targums: Targums are Aramaic paraphrases or translations of the Hebrew Bible. They were used in Jewish synagogues to provide explanations and interpretations of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially for those who didn't understand Hebrew well.
Peshitta Tanakh: The Peshitta is the standard version of the Bible used by Syriac-speaking Christians. It includes the Old Testament books in Syriac, an Eastern Aramaic dialect.
Samaritan Pentateuch: The Samaritan Pentateuch is a version of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible used by the Samaritan community. It shares similarities with the Masoretic Text but also has distinct differences.
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS): This is a critical edition of the Hebrew Bible that has become widely used by scholars. It's based on the Leningrad Codex and includes critical apparatus providing variations between different manuscripts and versions.
Biblia Hebraica Quinta (BHQ): This is an ongoing scholarly edition of the Hebrew Bible that aims to replace the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. It provides a fresh critical analysis of the text.
Ben Asher Text: This refers to the specific family of manuscripts within the Masoretic tradition associated with the Ben Asher family. The Leningrad Codex, used for the Biblia Hebraica editions, is an example of this textual tradition.
Cairo Genizah Fragments: These are thousands of Jewish manuscripts and fragments discovered in the Cairo Genizah, providing insights into various aspects of Jewish life and thought, including biblical texts.
What is even more complicated is that different translations use different Hebrew Texts
Then you have word for word versus dynamic equivalance which I can best explain using a french song and anyone knows any english person they are terrible at french
Word-for-Word Translation:
French:
Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous ? Dormez-vous ?
Sonnez les matines ! Sonnez les matines !
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Word-for-Word Translation:
Brother Jacques, brother Jacques,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring the matins! Ring the matins!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Dynamic Equivalent Translation:
French:
Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous ? Dormez-vous ?
Sonnez les matines ! Sonnez les matines !
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
Dynamic Equivalent Translation:
Brother Jacques, Brother Jacques,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Wake up and ring the bells! Wake up and ring the bells!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.
This is the difference
I doubt noone is going to read this post all the way through or even half of it
What I has been upsetting me is when we say Gods words versus Mans Word , is how much of the scriptures are mans word or what has influenced it from committees with theological and liberal views at universities to scribes with another agenda rather than copying the texts as I that is another whole subject
As I believe the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
I want to know the God behind the translation and I want to know the real Jesus and I want to escape a real hell and have a real anointing as I am a mess and need jesus , I have had some computer help here with this