There is a lot of discussion that goes on over different translation styles. We have literal translations like the KJV and NASB and dynamic equivalence translations like the NIV and more free style translations like the Message Bible. Does God work through and use each of these styles? Some say, "Yes," and some say, "No." There is an easy way to determine the answer to this question.
Go to the book of Hebrews and compare the Old Testament quotes in Hebrews with the passage in the Old Testament. The author of Hebrews is generally quoting from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament made by Jews before the time of Christ. The Septuagint was the primary Bible of the early church. In these quotations, the Holy Spirit inspired the use of this translation with its various styles of translation. Let's look at some examples. I will use the NIV Bible, but you can use any translation and come up with the same results.
Heb. 1:5 quotes from Ps. 2:7 and has a very literal translation, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."
Heb 10:5 quotes from Ps 40:6 and here we have a significant difference in the second half of the verse. Hebrews quotes from the Septaugint, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me." When we look back at Ps 40:6, we read, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced." This seems to be a rather free translation used by the Holy Spirit to proclaim His message in Hebrews.
Another interesting quote is found in Heb. 10:37 and 38. It reads, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
This is a quote from Hab. 2:3b, 4 which reads, "Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. 'See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright--but the righteous will live by his faith.'"
It is clear from these examples that God certainly does approve of and use a variety of translation styles in proclaiming the truth of His Word. If God approves of it in the Bible, how can we condemn modern day translators and translations that follow the same principles of translation demonstrated in God's word?
You can look up other quotes in Hebrews or look at the quotes in other books of the New Testament and compare them with the Old Testament passages and see how many are literal and how many are dynamic equivalents and how many reflect a free translation. Have Fun!
