The Amplified Bible (AMP) is a translation of the Bible into English aimed at adding variant meanings and shades of meaning to words in the original biblical texts. It was first published in 1965 by the Lockman Foundation. The goal of the Amplified Bible is to take words found in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts and expand those words in the English translation to help the reader gain a deeper and multidimensional understanding of what the biblical authors originally intended to convey.
History of the Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible was conceived by Frances Siewert, a devout Christian laywoman, in the 1950s. Siewert had no formal theological training but felt called by God to create a new translation of the Bible that expanded and clarified the meaning of words and concepts found in the original biblical languages. She worked with Greek and Hebrew scholars to identify key words and concepts that could be amplified and expanded upon in English translation.
In 1958, Siewert shared her vision with Christian publisher Eugene A. Nida, who was working to translate the Bible into new languages with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Nida saw merit in Siewert’s idea and agreed to work with her. The two collaborated with a team of Greek and Hebrew scholars to publish the first edition of the Amplified Bible in 1965 through The Lockman Foundation, a nonprofit Christian corporation dedicated to Bible translation, distribution, and study.
The Amplified Bible project was unique in that the translators sought to provide multiple shades of meaning for biblical words and concepts rather than choose singular English equivalents. The goal was to give readers a better sense of the richness found in the original biblical texts.
Features of the Amplified Bible Translation
The most distinctive feature of the Amplified Bible is its use of explanatory alternate words and phrases in parentheses and brackets to expand upon the meanings of words in the original biblical languages. For example, Genesis 1:1 is translated as follows in the Amplified Bible:
“In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.”
The amplification in parentheses provides a fuller meaning of the Hebrew verb “created” (bara in Hebrew). This expansion technique gives readers a sense of the nuances and depth of meaning communicated in the original language.
Here are some key features of the Amplified Bible translation philosophy:
– Multiple English words are used to translate key Hebrew and Greek words to better convey meanings such as denotations, connotations, and subtle shades of definition.
– Words in parentheses and brackets are added to the text to provide alternate or expanded meanings of what may have been intended in the original languages.
– The translators use commentary-like amplifications to provide historical and theological background information to help readers gain a fuller understanding of the context.
– Emphasis may be added to important words and phrases in the text through formatting such as italics.
– The translation seeks to maintain consistency in amplifying words, staying faithful to the meanings of biblical words such as “covenant,” “faith,” and “grace.”
– The translators worked with Hebrew and Greek experts to thoroughly research words requiring amplification, aiming for accuracy rather than paraphrasing.
– Readability in modern English is emphasized while retaining amplification to convey the depth of meaning in the original text.
The combined result is an “expanded translation” meant to convey multiple layers of meaning in key passages, providing amplification and illumination of the original text. The translation philosophy is rooted in a deep passion for capturing the fullness of the Word of God.
Differences from Other Bible Translations
The unique amplified approach sets the Amplified Bible apart from other major English Bible translations:
– It is more interpretive rather than a strict word-for-word or thought-for-thought translation, adding significant exegetical expansion.
– It incorporates multiple English words and phrases to expand on meanings in the original text, while translations like the ESV and NIV tend to choose single English equivalents.
– The use of commentary-like parenthetical material goes beyond translation to provide background information. Other translations focus on translating the meaning of the original text into natural English.
– Readability and understandability are emphasized over conveying linguistic nuances of the original languages. The Amplified Bible is easier to understand for general readership.
– It moves beyond formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence to a more extensive explanatory model of translation for key terminology, phrases, and passages.
– More amplification and explanatory material overall compared to other standard translations which tend to be more concise and streamlined.
So in summary, the Amplified Bible provides amplification and explanation beyond typical translations to help readers gain a fuller understanding of the biblical text, though some critics argue it borders on interpretation and commentary.
The Translation Team Behind the Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible was created by a highly qualified team of Greek and Hebrew scholars, linguists, translators, and biblical studies experts:
– Dr. Eugene A. Nida – Renowned linguist and translation consultant who worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators. He was the key partner with Frances Siewert in developing the Amplified translation philosophy.
– Dr. Robert G. Bratcher – New Testament translator for the Amplified Bible. He had translated the Good News Bible and was also affiliated with the American Bible Society.
– Dr. Barclay M. Newman – Old Testament translator for the original Amplified Bible. He served as Professor of Biblical Studies at McMaster University with expertise in Hebrew and the Old Testament.
– Dr. Everett Fox – Hebrew scholar and Judaic studies expert who joined the Amplified Bible translation team for the 1987 revision. He also authored the Fox translation of the Torah.
– William J. Scheick – Old Testament scholar and archaeologist who served as Old Testament editor for the 1987 update. He taught at the University of Texas Austin.
– Lloyd J. Ogilvie – General editor for the 1987 revision of the Amplified Bible. He was a renowned pastor and served as Senate Chaplain.
This highly qualified team ensured scholarly rigor and fidelity to the meaning of the original biblical texts even as they sought to expand upon the words through amplification. Their expertise in the biblical languages, history, and culture provided a strong foundation for the illuminated translation approach.
Reception of the Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible gained broad popularity after its initial release in 1965 and has gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide. Reviews were generally positive, affirming the intention of illuminating shades of meanings from the original text:
– Appreciated for making readers think more deeply about what biblical words and passages mean. The amplified format helped stimulate learning and personal Bible study.
– Useful for bible teachers and preachers to prepare studies and sermons with rich, nuanced understanding of the text. Provides word study insights.
– Valued by new believers and laypersons wanting to gain deeper understanding without knowing Greek and Hebrew. Makes word studies accessible.
– Praised for seeking to retain literary beauty and the emotive power of the original biblical languages. Very readable modern English.
– Critiqued by some as being overly exegetical and interpretative at times, though the translators sought to avoid personal commentary.
– Not suitable as the sole version for in-depth biblical exegesis and analysis due to its expanded interpretive approach. Best used alongside more literal translations.
On the whole, the Amplified Bible met a need for expanded meaning and illumination of God’s Word for the average reader seeking greater depth and insight into the text. It continues to enrich Bible study for many as a complement to other leading translations.
1987 Update to the Amplified Bible
In 1987, the Lockman Foundation released an extensive update to the Amplified Bible titled the Amplified Bible, Expanded Edition.
Key improvements in this major revision included:
– Expanded explanatory notes and textual footnotes providing increased clarity on alternate translations and interpretive options.
– More amplification integrated directly into the text rather than separated by commas and dashes. This improved readability.
– Elimination of archaic words and obsolete expressions, replacing them with modern English equivalents. Made it more accessible to contemporary readers.
– Augmented translation team with additional Hebrew and Greek experts to refine the amplifications based on current scholarship.
– Improved consistency in the translation methodology across books of the Bible through centralized review.
– Updated book introductions and added an expanded concordance, glossary, and topical index to aid study.
– New textual and archaeological discoveries were considered and incorporated as appropriate.
The 1987 Amplified Bible update sought to refine the unique translation approach and increase clarity, consistency, and readability while staying true to the original vision of illumination. Further revisions were made in 2015 to update language for modern readers. However, the core amplified approach remains unchanged.
Amplification Approach of the Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible’s approach to translation amplification can be summarized in the following ways:
1. Multiple English Words: The translators use additional English words to convey the meaning of important terms. For example, “lord” becomes “Lord and Master” or “sin” becomes “sin and disobedience.” This adds shades of meaning.
2. Explanatory Alternates: Parenthetical phrases offer explanatory alternate meanings and interpretations of words, like “atonement (that is, reconciliation)”.
3. Repeated Words: Repetition is used to emphasize certain words, as in “holy, holy, holy.” This technique aims to reflect emphasis in the original languages conveyed through word order and repetition.
4. Qualifying Adjectives: Clarifying adjectives are added to expand descriptions of nouns. For instance, “God Most High” rather than just “God.”
5. Time Sequences: Alternate chronological wordings clarify time sequences like “after these events” compared to simply “after.”
6. Background Details: Explanatory phrases are added to provide biblical context and significance of people, places, and events, almost like commentary.
7. Textual Footnotes: Supplemental translation options and commentary are provided in footnotes on passages where meaning is particularly nuanced.
This multi-faceted amplification system aims to provide fuller meaning and bring the text to life, though occasionally at the expense of readability and concision. The goal is for concepts in the original languages to become clear and impactful for modern readers through expansion.
Examples of Amplification in Key Bible Passages
Looking at examples of how key Bible passages are amplified can illustrate the value of added expansion:
– The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) uses repetition, explanatory alternates like “on earth as it is in heaven,” qualifying adjectives like “daily bread,” and added background details to expand upon the original.
– The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:2-12) translate “Blessed are…” as “Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are…” to reflect multiple meanings of the underlying Greek word.
– John 3:16 explanatory detail is added with “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world…” to reflect emphatic meanings.
– Isaiah 53:6 amplifies “to the LORD” as meaning “as a guilt or trespass offering to the Lord.” An added Hebrew meaning.
– Genesis 1:1-2 uses explanatory alternatives – “When God began to create…the Spirit of God was moving…” rather than just a simple past tense verb.
– Psalm 23 adds many clarifying phrases like “The Lord is my Shepherd – He guides me…” rather than just saying “is.”
As these examples illustrate, added amplification brings out richer meaning that clarifies and expands upon the original text in ways that resonate more deeply.
Benefits of the Unique Amplification Approach
Some key benefits provided by the Amplified Bible’s amplified translation methodology include:
– Adds depth and dimensions of meaning to give readers a fuller understanding of concepts in the original biblical languages.
– Illuminates important theological ideas like “grace,” “fellowship,” and “glory” with expanded definitions from the Greek and Hebrew.
– Clarifies meaning of ancient cultural references, figures of speech, and wordplay through explanatory phrases. Significance is not lost.
– Connects Old and New Testament meanings of significant terms like “salvation,” “holy,” and “redemption” by consistent amplification.
– Highlights emphatic phrases and repetitions of words/ideas in the original text through reiteration and formatting.
– Eliminates the need for readers to separately utilize theological dictionaries/commentaries for word study insights.
– Sheds light on passages where Greek/Hebrew meaning is debated due to ambiguity. Alternate interpretive options are presented.
– Assists preachers, teachers, and students by providing commentary-like information directly in the text rather than needing separate research.
– Allows laypersons with no biblical language training to benefit from scholarly insight into the richness of the original meanings.
For these reasons and more, the amplified translation approach can provide enhanced understanding and positively impact biblical literacy through expansion. However, it does require careful discernment to avoid over-amplification.
Cautions Regarding Over-Amplification
While illumination of the original text was the translation team’s goal, there is a risk of taking amplification too far at times:
– Parenthetical alternatives could go beyond translators’ linguistic capabilities if not checked by scholarly review.
– Excessive repetition and rewording quickly becomes redundant and actually obscures meaning.
– Readability suffers when too many amplifying phrases are inserted and interrupt the literary flow.
– Inserting commentary-like background should not cross the line into personal editorial interpretation rather than objective meaning expansion.
– Seeking to avoid ambiguity by listing multiple interpretive options can sometimes have the opposite effect.
– Meaning can be expanded upon based on current scholarship rather than insights directly from the ancient text and audience.
– Alternate chronologies and qualifiers may not have textual justification and are added to “fill out” the account based on tradition or guesswork.
The Amplified Bible is most successful when amplification directly flows from the ancient biblical languages and historical context. It runs into difficulty when moving beyond this foundation. Prudent judgment was required not to cross the line into over-embellishment in seeking to illuminate the Word.
Ongoing Legacy of the Amplified Bible
The Amplified Bible filled a unique niche in Bible translation, gaining popularity through its illuminating amplification. Some evidence of its ongoing legacy includes:
– Continues to be a top selling Bible translation, especially in study Bibles geared towards laypersons.
– Approach has influenced other amplified translations like the Passion Translation and Expanded Bible.
– Updated periodically with new scholarship and archaeological insights as language evolves. 2015 update refreshed archaic words/phrases.
– Formatted for accessibility through audio versions and study tools that optimize navigation of explanatory content.
– Useful as a supplemental translation to compare against more literal word-for-word translations for deeper study.
– Provides helpful example for translation teams seeking to convey fuller meaning of original text rather than just minimalist representation.
– Assists exegetical preaching and teaching that draws out richness of meaning beyond surface-level reading.
– Benefits new believers and those reading the Bible for the first time by clarifying language and adding commentary-like information.
After over 50 years, the Amplified Bible continues to fulfill its original purpose of bringing out expanded meanings from ancient biblical texts to help modern readers gain multidimensional understanding. Its illuminated approach meaningfully impacts biblical literacy today.