The New English Translation, also known as the NET Bible, is an English translation of the Bible published in 2005 by Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible seeks to provide an accurate, readable, and modern translation based on the most up-to-date manuscript evidence. Here is an overview of the key features and background of the NET Bible:
Translation Philosophy
The NET Bible aims for a balance between formal (word-for-word) and functional (meaning-based) equivalence in its translation. The goal is to stay as literal as possible to the original languages while also conveying the intended meaning clearly in natural English. The translators sought to represent the syntax of the original biblical languages where possible, while smoothing out awkward phrasing for readability.
Unlike some other modern translations like the NIV or NLT that opt for more dynamic equivalence, the NET Bible skews toward the formal equivalence end of the translation spectrum. However, the translators took liberty to restructure sentences or substitute words in places where a literal rendering might be confusing for English readers. So it falls somewhere between a formal correspondence and meaning-based translation philosophy.
Translation Process
The NET Bible was translated by a 25-person team of biblical scholars. It underwent several years of rigorous translation, editing, and review. A unique aspect of the NET translation process was the open invitation for input from the general public. Anyone could submit suggestions or point out issues through the NET Bible website during the translation process. The translators received thousands of comments, which they reviewed and incorporated where deemed valid.
This open review process was meant to tap into the collective expertise of scholars and readers around the world. The resulting translation is not the product of a single translator or translation committee, but the culmination of many years of work by a team of experts taking input from the public.
Textual Basis
The Hebrew text used for translating the Old Testament was Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. For the New Testament, the translators used the 1993 Greek New Testament published by the United Bible Societies as their baseline text. Throughout the translation process, the translators continuously compared available manuscript evidence. They offer over 60,000 text-critical notes detailing possible alternative translations where the ancient manuscripts diverge.
While relying primarily on the widely accepted critical texts, the NET Bible translators were very thorough in consulting the latest manuscript, versional, and patristic evidence. The detailed textual notes provide unprecedented transparency into the reasons behind the NET’s word choices based on the translators’ text-critical research.
Translation Features
Some key features that set the NET Bible apart from other English Bible translations include:
- Over 60,000 textual notes – As mentioned above, these notes explain translation decisions and discuss alternate textual evidence for difficult or disputed passages.
- ODOTS translation notes – These notes offer explanations for obscure or idiomatic phrases based on the translators’ research of ancient language use and customs.
- In-text literary notes – Over 40,000 notes throughout the biblical text offer context and explanations related to literary structure, themes, key terms, history, and archaeology.
- Subject and Study Notes – Additional explanatory notes are included at the end of each book covering content topics, interpretive issues, and theology.
This expansive translation annotation makes the NET Bible very transparent about why translation decisions were made. It offers a wealth of information to assist Bible study beyond just the text itself.
Readability
While more literal than dynamic equivalent translations, the NET Bible aims for natural readability in contemporary English. Sentence structure and idioms are rendered as common to modern spoken English rather than strictly following the grammatical forms of the original languages. Contractions like don’t/can’t are used rather than more formal “do not”/”cannot” to better represent typical English usage.
Certain terms like “Yahweh” and “Christ” are used where the literal name or title occurred in the original text, for theological reasons. But overall the NET Bible avoids archaic or stilted language in favor of clarity and readability. It was one of the first English translations to transliterate the tetragrammaton YHWH as Yahweh rather than using LORD in the Old Testament.
Translation Team
The 25-person team that jointly produced the NET Bible included respected biblical scholars and experts in original Bible languages. Some of the key translation contributors included:
- W. Hall Harris III (project director)
- Robert B. Chisholm Jr. (Old Testament editor)
- Daniel B. Wallace (New Testament editor)
- Bruce M. Metzger (textual critic)
- Roger L. Omanson (translation consultant)
Work was divided among different book teams with two lead translators for each book. Assignments were based on each scholar’s areas of expertise to ensure the best original language comprehension for difficult passages.
Ongoing Revisions
The NET Bible was first published in its entirety in 2005. However, translation and revision is an ongoing process as scholarship continues to shed light on biblical texts and languages. As the translators have made corrections or improvements, updated editions have been published over the years.
Major revisions were released in 2005, 2009, and most recently a large-scale update in 2020. The latest edition reflects considerable progress in biblical scholarship over the past 15+ years since the first NET Bible release. Revisions ensure it remains up-to-date based on the latest textual findings.
Copyright
Copyright for the NET Bible belongs to Biblical Studies Press, the publishing arm of the Biblical Studies Foundation. They have chosen to make both the text and notes freely available under liberal licensing that allows copying and distribution. The NET Bible can be used royalty-free worldwide, which has helped make it widely accessible.
The Preface to the NET Bible explains the reasoning behind offering unrestricted use: “In keeping with the worldwide explosion of interest and availability of electronic media, it was determined that the NET Bible should be made available to anyone, anywhere, for free downloading and use.”
Accessibility
One of the unique aspects of the NET Bible is the innovative digital form it has taken for distribution. As one of the first major Bible translations produced in the digital age, it was designed and formatted with an online environment in mind.
The NET Bible was prepared using XML to allow custom rendering and support for mobile devices. Hyperlinked cross-references and instant note popups make navigating the text smooth in digital format. The downloadable online text works seamlessly with Bible study software as well.
Print editions have also been made available after the initial free online release. But the focus on digital usability makes the NET Bible well-suited for reaching today’s technology-driven world.
Reception and Usage
Since its debut, reviews of the NET Bible have been largely positive. It is praised for its accessible language, textual transparency, and wealth of translation notes. Being a relatively recent translation, it incorporates latest scholarship and findings. The availability of 60,000+ textual critical notes is unmatched by any other translation.
Some criticisms include inconsistency in the literalness of rendering and periodically favouring dynamic equivalence too strongly. The phrasing can sometimes be awkward as a result. The plethora of notes also distracts some readers. However, overall it has been well-received as both a study and reading Bible.
The free digital availability of the NET Bible has given it fairly wide distribution. Online and software-based usage continues to grow. Some conservative Christians and King-James-Only advocates avoid it for its readable style or textual basis. However, many pastors, scholars, and lay Christians regularly consult the NET Bible for its wealth of textual commentary and transparency.
Translation Sample – John 3:16
Here is John 3:16 to illustrate the NET Bible’s style of translation:
“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NET)
The NET Bible renders the verse in clear, natural English while staying faithful to the original text structure and meaning. “Begotten” becomes “one and only” to avoid archaic language. Contractions like “doesn’t/won’t” are used. But word order and phrasing closely parallel the original Greek.
Conclusion
The NET Bible aims to offer the complete biblical text along with unprecedented transparency into translation decisions. Its digital-first approach and tens of thousands of notes set it apart from other modern English Bible versions.
While criticized occasionally for over-translating, the NET Bible provides a very useful complement to more literal word-for-word versions as well as more dynamic meaning-based ones. Its accessible English and wealth of textual commentary offer profound resources for in-depth Bible study.