By J.D. Shaeffer
The etymology of the word, Bible, as seen in the Oxford English Dictionary, can be traced to non-English vocabulary that translates to the words, little library. So, if we pick up The Holy Bible in our hand, we are literally looking at The Holy Little Library. Seems funny, but put it into some context and we realize that it is accurately that – a profound collection of many authors, organized and contained together. Let’s look at a fascinating fact concerning the Bible.
Just this week in my religion class I learned that we must be cautious when looking for truth. Joseph Smith said,
“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”
Justly said, for there are wonderful accounts of history that occur within those pages, many bearing truth that is to be learned of and embraced. However, as far as a correct translation goes, we are far from the precise words the authors intended. This simple information is to help one know when to use caution when looking for truth in the Bible.
There are six distinct original languages that are thought of to be the singular tongues the authors and prophets and People in the Bible used. These include Adamic, which is the perfect language we know that Adam to Noah and their people used in their speaking and writing, up unto the tower of Babel, when the Lord confounded their language. Then came Hebrew, which was the principal language of Abraham. Furthermore, we see Moses used Egyptian, which is particuarly interesting, for he was the principal prophet of God who compiled and abridged the writings of Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Essentially he summarized their writings and translated them into his language. Certain things would most definitely have been left out. More so, Aramaic was the language spoken by our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the language His disciples wrote in, gaining us the New Testament. The only translations of the New Testament that were used in the making of the modern Bible we have today were purely in Greek. Confusion most certainly would have occurred! Finally, Latin was used to translate the ancient Bibles used by the principal Christian church throughout the dark ages.
The Bible that we have today is most different from the original writings. What we have is an abridged and scholarly translated collection of these precious ancient writings of beautiful history. Most especially of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our Beloved Father in Heaven. To finish in a most hurried manner, may we remember to use the Bible with caution but always seek for truth. Thanks.