The New American Bible (NAB) is a modern English translation of the Bible first published in 1970. It was translated from the original biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) by members of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. The NAB is one of the most commonly used translations for English-speaking Catholics in the United States.
Some key points about the NAB:
- It aims to be a faithful, accessible, and literarily excellent translation.
- The translation uses modern scholarly methods for determining the most accurate meaning of the ancient texts.
- It includes the deuterocanonical books that are part of the Catholic canon but excluded from most Protestant Bibles.
- Footnotes provide alternate translations, explanatory notes, cross references, and information on the underlying ancient texts.
- The translation uses inclusive language where possible, though still conforming to the meaning of the original texts.
- It underwent a major revision in 1986 (the New American Bible Revised Edition or NABRE) to incorporate advances in textual studies.
History and Development of the NAB
In 1936, the Catholic Biblical Association of America (CBAA) was founded to promote Catholic scriptural scholarship. One of their goals was to create an accessible English translation of the Bible for Catholics. Work on the translation began in the 1940s.
The New Testament was completed and released in 1961 as the Confraternity Edition. It aimed to be a faithful translation in clear modern English. The Old Testament translation followed, being completed and published together as the New American Bible in 1970.
From its initial release, the NAB quickly became the most popular Catholic translation in America. However, as biblical scholarship advanced and new manuscripts were discovered, the need for an updated text became clear. In 1986, the first major revision was released as the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE). This involved a thorough review of the text by over 50 biblical scholars.
Further revisions to the NABRE text have continued to be made periodically as scholarship develops. The latest update was released in 2018. The NAB is now on its 4th edition, cementing its place as the authoritative Catholic English translation in America.
Translation Philosophy and Goals
The NAB’s translation philosophy has several core aims:
- Faithfulness – It strives to accurately translate the meaning of the ancient biblical texts as faithfully as possible.
- Understandability – It uses clear modern English to make the Bible accessible to the average reader.
- Literary excellence – It seeks to maintain the beauty, power and literary form of the original texts.
- Inclusiveness – It employs gender-inclusive language where this does not contradict the intended meaning of the text.
- Completeness – It includes the deuterocanonical books considered authoritative by the Catholic Church.
- Scholarship – It utilizes current scholarly methods and knowledge to determine the most likely original meaning.
- Church unity – It aims to serve as a common translation used throughout the English-speaking Catholic world.
Balancing these aims means the NAB does not sacrifice accuracy for readability or literary quality for inclusivity. The translators strove to strike the right balance between these sometimes competing goals.
Translation Process and Approach
The New American Bible was translated by a group of over 50 scholars and experts under the supervision of the Catholic Biblical Association. The translators used original source texts in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
Great care was taken in the translation approach and process:
- The meaning of each word, phrase, sentence and passage was carefully examined.
- Ancient textual analyses were consulted to determine the most accurate reading where alternate versions existed.
- Other biblical translations were evaluated (such as the RSV, Jerusalem Bible, and others).
- The style and language were adapted for contemporary English fluency.
- The literary beauty and impact of the original was sought to be preserved.
- Theological bias was avoided by giving the texts their natural meaning.
- Ambiguous passages were clarified in textual notes and commentary.
- Review committees checked the work to ensure accuracy and consistency.
The result was an academically rigorous translation that faithfully captures the original texts yet feels natural to read for modern English speakers. It balances word-for-word accuracy and thought-for-thought readability.
Features of the NAB Translation
Some notable features of the NAB that set it apart from other translations include:
- Inclusive language – It uses gender-inclusive terms like “brothers and sisters” or “they” instead of just “brothers” or “he” where the original meaning allows it. Some traditional masculine language is retained when it reflects the sense of the text.
- Deuterocanonical books – It contains the books of the Catholic canon that are excluded from Protestant Bibles, like Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, etc.
- Translation notes – Extensive footnotes provide alternate translations, explanatory comments, cross references, manuscript variations, and other helpful information.
- Literary formatting – Features like paragraphing, quotations, poetic stanzas and italics for emphasis help capture the literary style of the original texts.
- Vertical pagination – Each page has the same text as the corresponding page in the print NAB, allowing for uniformity of reference.
These features make the NAB translation distinctively suited to Catholic spirituality and scholarship. The inclusive language and deuterocanonical books reflect Catholic theological understandings, while the notes provide helpful insight on the text.
Contributors and Translators
The New American Bible was produced by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) under the guidance of the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA). Over 50 Scripture scholars and experts contributed to the translation and review process.
Some of the lead editors, translators and contributors included:
- Eugene A. Nida – Translation consultant and scholar who developed techniques for translating based on dynamic equivalence rather than literal word-for-word translation. His work shaped modern Bible translation.
- Joseph Jensen – Expert in ancient Semitic languages. Translated and reviewed much of the Old Testament.
- John Steinmueller – Priest and biblical scholar. Helped translate the New Testament and provided expertise on the Greek text.
- Roland Murphy – Influential Catholic priest and Old Testament scholar. Revised and edited major parts of the NAB Old Testament.
- William Barclay – Noted Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar. Served on the review panel to critique and improve the translation.
- Many other Catholic priests and scholars served on translation teams or review committees including Gregory Baum, Raymond Brown, Joseph Fitzmyer, and others.
This depth of academic expertise from leading biblical scholars of the era gives the NAB exceptional credibility as a meticulously translated modern Catholic Bible.
Revisions and Updates
The NAB has undergone periodic updates and revisions in order to keep pace with advances in scholarship and discoveries about the ancient manuscripts:
- 1970 – First published as the complete New American Bible, Old and New Testaments together.
- 1986 – Major revision undertaken based on new manuscript evidence. Updated text published as the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE).
- 1991 – Revised Psalms completed and included in the NABRE.
- 1993 – Revised New Testament completed for the NABRE text.
- 1998 – Minor edits to the Book of Psalms.
- 2011 – Minor revisions to the Old Testament.
- 2018 – Current fourth edition of the NABRE incorporating the latest textual scholarship.
This process of ongoing review and revision ensures that the NAB incorporates up-to-date textual discoveries and scholarly insights. The current NABRE edition underwent changes to around 5% of the text to bring it in line with modern scholarship.
Relationship to Other Translations
The New American Bible built on existing Catholic translation work but also incorporated modern Protestant scholarship. It relates to other translations in various ways:
- The NAB New Testament was originally translated as the Confraternity Edition, which revised and updated an earlier Catholic translation called the Douay-Rheims from 1582-1610.
- Portions of the Old Testament were based on a Catholic translation called the Westminster Version of Sacred Scripture done from 1935-1949.
- The style and approach were influenced by the Revised Standard Version, a highly regarded Protestant translation published in 1952.
- Deuterocanonical books were translated anew, as these did not exist in Protestant Bibles.
- The NAB is more traditional than dynamic equivalent translations like the Good News Bible.
- It is approved for liturgical use by Episcopal and Lutheran churches in addition to Catholic usage.
In essence, the NAB stands on the shoulders of previous Catholic translation work but utilizes the best of contemporary Protestant scholarship to further refine and update the text.
Ongoing Use and Publication
Today the New American Bible Revised Edition remains the premier English Catholic Bible translation in America. It is the translation approved for liturgical use in Catholic parishes in the United States. It continues to be the most common Bible used by English-speaking American Catholics for Mass, personal study, and prayer.
The NABRE is published in many print editions by a variety of Catholic publishers. Popular versions include those published by HarperOne, Oxford University Press, and the Catholic Book Publishing Company. There are also digital versions optimized for online and mobile use.
Some other ways that the NAB text is commonly used today include:
- The daily Mass readings published on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website use the NABRE.
- It is used for Scripture quotations in Catholic educational materials and media.
- Study Bibles and Commentaries frequently utilize the NABRE as their underlying translation.
- Sunday Missals and other liturgical aids quote Scripture passages from the NABRE.
- The Vatican website uses the NABRE for many English Scripture texts.
This widespread adoption ensures that the New American Bible Revised Edition remains an influential, authoritative Catholic translation that will continue shaping faith and worship for English-speaking Catholics into the future.
Reception, Praise and Criticism
The New American Bible has received both praise and criticism from Catholic and Protestant sources over the decades since its publication:
Praise
- It is praised for its scholarly approach and utilizing current biblical research to produce an accurate text.
- Catholic sources tend to appreciate its inclusion of deuterocanonical books and official Church approval.
- Many admire its accessible plain English style that makes reading the Bible easier.
- Some scholars commend its literary formatting that recalls the artistic beauty of Scripture.
- It is lauded for avoiding archaic “Bible English” in favor of clear, contemporary language.
Criticism
- Some Catholics prefer the more eloquent style of the Douay-Rheims and object to use of inclusive language.
- Traditionalists critique attempts to modernize and simplify language that leads to loss of majesty and gravity.
- Protestants argue it distorts certain passages to fit Catholic doctrine and biases the text.
- Some find the language too informal, plain, and lacking in grandeur compared to older versions like the KJV.
- Critics believe some verses reflect interpretive choices rather than strictly literal translation.
In general, opinions tend to align with people’s theological perspectives. But most acknowledge the NAB as a meticulous, scholarly Catholic translation even if disagreeing with certain interpretive choices.
Significance and Impact on Catholic Biblical Understanding
The New American Bible is hugely significant in its impact on Catholic biblical literacy, theology, and spirituality. Some major effects include:
- Increased scripture reading – The accessible language makes personal Bible reading more widespread among Catholics.
- Changes in Catholic education – Catholic schools and religious education now integrate far more Bible study rather than just catechism.
- Shifting theological emphasis – More weight is placed on scripture in theological reflection rather than just Church teaching.
- Informed preaching – Priests are better able to preach biblically rather than relying mostly on the Catechism.
- Promotion of scholarship – The academic approach spurs deeper study and research into the biblical texts.
- Increased participation at Mass – Hearing the Scriptures read clearly helps Catholics understand and engage with the readings.
- Tools for personal prayer – The vivid language aids meditation, Lectio Divina, and other prayer practices.
- Lay leadership – Well-formed Catholic laity is empowered to take on leadership and teaching roles.
In summary, the NAB has had an enormous influence in opening up Scripture to ordinary Catholics and shaping a biblically literate Church for the modern era. It made the Bible newly accessible for Catholic spirituality and education at all levels.
Current and Future Developments
Current and upcoming developments related to the New American Bible include:
- Continued minor updates of the text as scholarship develops – the NABRE is still periodically revised.
- Potential start of work on a major new translation – the NAB may need a complete overhaul in 10-20 years.
- More scholarly and popular publications based on the NAB – study bibles, commentaries, etc.
- Use online and in digital formats – expanding availability of mobile and web versions.
- Translation into Spanish – work is underway on a revised NAB Spanish edition called the NABRE-OS.
- Liturgical use outside the USA – increasing adoption internationally in countries like the Philippines.
- audio versions – more recordings of the text for audio Bibles and online streaming.
- Possible new edition names – NABRE may be renamed NAB 5.0 or another variant for future major updates.
The New American Bible text is a living translation that will continue progressing, just as scholarship continues to offer new insights into the sacred texts. Faithful and clear translation remains essential to opening the Scriptures to Catholic communities around the world.
Key Takeaways on the New American Bible (NAB)
- The NAB is the leading Catholic English translation, widely used in the United States since 1970.
- It aims to be faithful, readable and scholarly, incorporating deuterocanonical books.
- A team of Catholic scholars translated it from ancient source texts.
- The NABRE is the revised updated edition first released in 1986.
- It utilizes inclusive language and extensive footnotes to aid understanding.
- The NAB is approved for Catholic liturgical use and is popular for personal reading.
- It has shaped modern Catholic biblical spirituality and education.
- The NAB continues undergoing scholarly revisions and updates.