I have in my library the research of one man on the use of the article “a” and “the” in the Greek text! Then I discovered “Figures of Speech” by E.W. Bullinger and he opened up this whole field. Let me give just two examples: Many-Ands and No-Ands. The biblical text is very precise on its usage. When no “ands” are used in a list, we are not to stop and consider the particulars but to hasten on the grand climax. When many “ands” are used there is not climax and we should stop at each point, weight each matter that is presented and consider each particular that is emphasized. (Based on page 208, Figures of Speech by E.W. Bullinger, a book of 1100 pages!).

Bullinger gives many examples, and you’ll need an essentially literal translation to often see these in English. Take Luke 14 where both appear. In verse 13-14a we have no ands: “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed…” Here we are not encouraged to consider the plight of those listed but to hurry on to the conclusion “and you will be blessed!”

Later in verse 21 Jesus is giving a story about applying the truth of verse 13. The master of the house arranges a banquet and no one comes. So he says to his servant, “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame…” Here we need to stop and think about each of the people mentioned and how we can minister to them.

And who said the Bible was a dull book!

It was so much easier when I became a Christian. Choices were limited to the King James Version, overwhelmingly the most used translation, and perhaps the Revised Standard or the novelty of Moffatt’s translation. Of course, as an evangelical, it was King James only! We did not have study editions of the Bible for men, women, teenagers, mothers, dog lovers, you name it! It was either Scofield’s Reference Bible, Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible, or the little known Companion Bible.

Then came J.B. Phillips’ paraphrase, then the Revised Standard (Per)version and the New English Bible, and the floodgates were open. Now we have a confusing array of so-called “literal” translations and paraphrased versions, and even one that can’t decide what it is, which I affectionately know as the Not Inspired Version! (Excuse my sense of humor!). Two major attempts were made to produce a translation not influenced by the theology of the translators: Grant’s Numerical Bible and the Concordant Literal N.T., neither of which caught on but did have their devoted followers.

And what do I use? I preferred the New King James Version for many years, and in the last three or so years I’ve used the English Standard Version… but I admit to still thinking in King James’ terms since I had memorized so much of it.

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Download a free copy of Choosing a Bible by Leland Ryken, for a good explanation of why I prefer an essentially literal translation.