Before we can explore the Bible we must be accurately informed about the answers to the questions below. Use the questions to identify the "elephants in the room." I encourage every explorer to have a notebook to use as a journal for notes from their discussions. When an elephant is identified, stop the discussion and have everyone make notes. This is the point beliefs are examined and questions are asked. You can click on the Google link above during discussions.
1. Are all English Bibles translations?
Yes, all English Bibles are considered translations because the original texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. While there are over 900 English versions, they range from literal word-for-word renderings to "thought-for-thought" paraphrases. These versions differ based on translation philosophy, updated language, or the specific manuscript evidence used.
2. What is the date of earliest English writings?
The earliest English writing consists of short 5th-century runic inscriptions on artifacts, with the earliest substantial text being the Law of Æthelberht of Kent from shortly after 602 AD. These writings, collectively known as Old English, emerged in the mid-5th century based on Germanic dialects brought to Britain.
3. When was the first English translation of the Bible made?
The first complete Bible was translated into English by John Wycliffe and his followers around 1382. This handwritten translation was based on the Latin Vulgate rather than original Greek or Hebrew texts. Later, William Tyndale produced the first printed English New Testament in 1525, and Miles Coverdale printed the first complete printed Bible in 1535.
4.How many Greek manuscripts of books in the New Testament are there now?
There are approximately 5,800 to over 5,900 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament (NT) known today. These manuscripts, which are cataloged by the Institute for New Testament Textual Research (INTF) in Münster, range from tiny fragments to complete volumes, spanning roughly from the 2nd century to the invention of the printing press.
5. How many Greek manuscripts of books of the New Testament are identical?
Virtually none of the nearly 5,800 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament are completely identical to one another due to intentional and unintentional scribal variations, such as spelling errors or word order differences. While approximately 95% of the text is considered consistent, no two manuscripts are exactly the same.
6. How many Hebrew manuscripts of books in the Tanakh exist now?
Extant Hebrew manuscripts of the Tanakh exist in tens of thousands, ranging from ancient fragments to complete medieval codices, primarily housed in libraries like the National Library of Israel, British Library, and St. Petersburg. The oldest manuscripts are the Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 250 BCE–68 CE), while the oldest complete text is the 1008 CE Leningrad Codex.
7. How many Hebrew manuscripts of books in the Tanakh are identical?
It is a widely accepted principle in textual criticism that no two ancient, hand-copied Hebrew manuscripts of the Tanakh are identical. While many manuscripts, particularly those within the Masoretic tradition, exhibit extremely high levels of similarity, minor variations—such as spelling differences, scribal errors, or vocalization marks—are present in virtually every manuscript.
8. What is the difference between the Hebrew of the Masoretic text and that of the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The primary difference between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) is that the MT is a highly standardized, fixed Hebrew text (completed around 1000 AD), while the DSS (dated 300 BC–100 AD) exhibit a more diverse, fluid state of biblical Hebrew with numerous minor variants and some major differences in wording or ordering, specifically in books like Jeremiah and Samuel. While most DSS share a "proto-Masoretic" tradition (highly similar), others align closer to the Septuagint or represent a unique textual tradition, showing the biblical text was not completely standardized in the Second Temple period.
9. What do Christians believe about the Bible?
Christian beliefs about the Bible vary widely, ranging from literal interpretations to seeing it as an inspired but fallible historical document. While there is no single number, beliefs generally fall into categories like inerrant/literal (God's exact word), authoritative/inspired (guides faith but not necessarily science), or symbolic/historical.
10. What do Jews believe the Tanakh is?
Jews believe the Tanakh is the foundational, sacred canon of Hebrew scripture, comprising 24 books divided into Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). It is seen as a divinely inspired record of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, containing history, law, prophecy, and wisdom.
11. What Scriptures did Jesus read?
Jesus read the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), specifically the Law (Torah), Prophets, and Writings (Psalms and Proverbs), commonly known as the Tanakh. He frequently quoted from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, and the Psalms.