The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) is a new Bible translation that was released in 2021 by Thomas Nelson and the Lockman Foundation. The LSB seeks to provide a word-for-word translation that is both readable and faithful to the original biblical languages. Here is an overview of the Legacy Standard Bible and what it offers:
The Goal of the LSB Translation
The main goal of the LSB is to be a modern English translation of the Bible that maintains a high degree of fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. The translators sought to provide an accurate and readable translation that is suitable for personal study, liturgy, and memorization.
Another key goal was to translate the Bible as a unified book, recognizing that all 66 books are the inspired Word of God. The translation philosophy emphasizes the unity of Scripture across both testaments.
The LSB builds upon and updates the English Standard Version (ESV), which was released in 2001. The ESV itself built upon the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1971. The LSB retains about 90% of the ESV text, but makes revisions to improve readability and textual accuracy.
Translation Philosophy of the LSB
The LSB continues in the translation philosophy of the ESV and RSV, which is known as “essentially literal” or “word-for-word” translation. This means that the LSB endeavors to translate each Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek word into the closest corresponding English word possible. The LSBtranslators aimed for both accuracy and clarity in each word choice while maintaining the structure and word order of the original languages.
At the same time, the translation philosophy recognizes that a strictly literal word-for-word approach can sometimes result in awkward English. So the LSB does modify word order and grammar where necessary to convey the meaning of the original text in more natural English. The translators refer to their approach as “optimal equivalence.” It aims to balance a word-for-word precision with clear and readable English.
The LSB differs from paraphrase translations that seek to convey ideas in more colloquial English. It also differs from the King James Version, which sometimes used expression that were already archaic in 1611. The LSBinstead seeks to be faithful to the original text while rendering it in contemporary English.
Textual Basis of the LSB Translation
The Hebrew text of the LSB’s Old Testament comes from the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) edition. This is based on the Leningrad Codex, the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible dated to 1008 AD. For the New Testament, the LSBadopts the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 28th edition.
In the few places where there are significant differences in manuscript evidence, the LSB translation team generally preferred the readings that have the earliest and broadest support among ancient manuscripts. Their textual choices were informed by advances in scholarship on biblical manuscripts over the past several decades.
The translation team for the LSB included leading biblical scholars who are experts in the relevant biblical languages. Their goal was to provide an accurate yet readable translation based on the best available manuscripts.
Noteworthy Translation Features in the LSB
Here are some of the noteworthy features of the Legacy Standard Bible translation:
1. Updated language – The LSB employs contemporary English for words that have changed meaning since the translation of the ESV and other predecessor versions. For example, the LSB uses words like “enslaved” instead of “servant” or “slave” in places where the biblical context makes the coerced status clear.
2. YHWH instead of LORD – The original Hebrew of the Old Testament includes the name of God spelled with the four Hebrew consonants YHWH. Most English Bibles have followed the tradition of substituting “LORD” (in small caps). But the LSB restores the name YHWH where it appears in the Hebrew text, now written as four capital letters.
3. Old Testament quotations updated – When the New Testament quotes from the Old Testament, the LSB often updates the wording to match the surrounding New Testament text. This makes the quotations read more naturally instead of seeming out of place.
4. Text-critical changes – The LSB incorporates changes to a small number of verses where scholarly text criticism has identified errors or variations in ancient manuscripts. For example, the Johannine Comma in 1 John 5:7-8 is demoted to a footnote since it has weak textual support.
5. Gender-inclusive language – For generic plural nouns and third-person pronouns, the LSB uses gender-inclusive language where the original context does not imply any specific gender. For example, “anyone” instead of “any man” or “they” instead of “he” in certain contexts.
6. Clarified pronouns – To prevent ambiguity, singular pronouns are replaced with clarifying names or nouns where needed. This avoids the sometimes unclear use of “he/him” in the ESV and other predecessor versions.
7. Simplified grammar and syntax – The LSB regularly breaks long, complex sentences into shorter, simpler phrases to aid in readability and modern usage. The translation also aims to put terms in a more customary word order.
8. Clarification of units of measure – Archaic units of weight and measure are converted to modern equivalents using the metric system and imperial units. Examples include cubits to feet, or shekels to ounces. This aids reader comprehension.
In these ways, the LSB aims to retain a faithful word-for-word approach while updating language and grammar for improved readability. The translators undertook the challenging task of revising traditional phrasing only where it was deemed necessary to better convey the meaning.
The Translation Process for the LSB
The process of translating and revising the text for the LSB took over 15 years. The team of scholars translated from the latest critical editions of the biblical texts. Here is an overview of their general process:
1. Old Testament draft translation – The Old Testament was drafted as a new English translation, rather than just revising the ESV. Translators began with a fresh reading of the ancient Hebrew.
2. Team and style review – The draft underwent several phases of team review to check accuracy, consistency, and style. Theteam aimed for a single voice and style even though the Old Testament had various translators.
3. Text-critical review – The team carefully reviewed places where text criticism impacts the reading and translation. They weighed the evidence to determine the most reliable original reading.
4. New Testament update – The ESV New Testament was updated by revising toward the updated LSB style while limiting unnecessary changes. Only revisions that enhanced accuracy and readability were adopted.
5. Peer review – Style, accuracy, and consistency were checked through multiple independent peer reviews by qualified scholars. This provided an outside perspective to improve the translation.
6. Reader review – The team conducted readability tests by having volunteers read extensive passages aloud. This identified lingering rough spots in terms of naturalness of phrasing and reading ease.
7. Proofreading – After revisions, the full translation was proofread multiple times to remove typos and errors. The team was committed to the highest standards of accuracy.
This extensive process, spanning over a decade, demonstrate the painstaking care taken by the translation team to provide the most accurate and readable modern Bible translation possible.
The Reception of the LSB Bible Translation
The Legacy Standard Bible entered publication with both excitement and scrutiny. It gained praise but also criticisms among Bible readers and reviewers. Here is a summary of the reception:
1. Praise for updated language – Many welcomed the updated language that clarifies meaning for modern readers. Words like “enslaved” and “pierced” were seen as more accurate and clear.
2. Appreciation of YHWH name – There was much positive response to the restoration of the divine name YHWHinto the text, providing a connection to ancient manuscripts.
3. Mixed response to gender language – Some questioned use of generic “they/them” pronouns as awkward. Others saw the changes as an improvement for inclusiveness. This was one of the most controversial aspects.
4. Concerns over “watering down” – Some critics believed that changes to simplify grammar and sentence structure veered too far from a literal translation approach. They feared losing the beauty of biblical expression.
5. Defense as still “word-for-word” – Supporters contended that the LSB remains the most precise word-for-word translation available in modern English despite the updates. The changes were modest and focused on readability.
6. Debate over necessity – There was disagreement about whether the LSB was even needed alongside existing formal translations like the ESV. Critics saw it as unnecessary.
7. Praise for Bible unity – Those favoring the translation cited the benefit of having a unified Bible translation for study, preaching, and memorization across the Old and New Testaments.
In these ways, the LSB Bible translation was both praised and critiqued – a common response for significant new Bible versions. Only broad reading over time will determine if it becomes widely adopted for general use among English Bible readers.
The Availability and Use of the LSB Translation
The Legacy Standard Bible is available through various print, digital, and audio formats:
1. Print editions – Thomas Nelson publishes a variety of print editions of the LSB Bible for personal and gift use. These include thinline, standard, giant print, and specialty editions in various cover materials.
2. Digital Bibles – The LSB is available for free through Bible apps and websites like BibleGateway. It can also be accessed through paid digital Bible platforms like Logos Bible Software or Accordance.
3. Audiobook version – The LSB is available as a fully voice-acted audiobook from Audible and other sellers. The dramatized version helps bring the Bible to life.
4. Study tools – Alongside the basic translation, Thomas Nelson offers the LSB Study Bible edition with extensive study notes and reference materials for delving deeper into the text.
5. Lifeway materials – With Lifeway as its publisher, the LSB is integrated into Sunday school and small group curriculum and other Christian education resources distributed by Lifeway.
6. Use in Christian education – Some churches and schools have begun adopting the LSB as their primary Bible translation for preaching, teaching and memorization. It provides a unified translation across all grade levels.
7. Limited use so far – Compared to major translations like the ESV, NIV, or KJV, the LSB has not yet seen massive adoption in the few years since initial publication. But its proponents believe it will grow steadily in use given its faithfulness and readability. Time will tell how widely used the LSB becomes.
For those desiring a precise yet contemporary English Bible translation, the Legacy Standard Bible makes for an excellent choice for personal reading and study. As a new translation it will take time to gain traction compared to longstanding favorites, but many find it to be an accurate and relatable translation for 21st century Bible readers.