Customer Reviews

Bible: James Moffatt Translation

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Perhaps one of the best translations I have ever read. It reads like newsprint, and yet never seeks to corrupt the grandeur and majesty that is the Word of God. Like all translations, it has its problems, but I have long abandoned seeking perfection in any particular translation.

This translation distinquishes itself from others by translating the Hebrew consonants YHWH (pronounced by some as "Yahweh") , which signifies the name of God in Hebrew and from which we get our modern term "Jehovah", as "Eternal" instead of "Lord." The practice of translating YHWH into "Lord" comes from an early Jewish practice in which the Jews were afraid to utter the name of God and thus used the Hebrew term "Adonai" (meaning "Lord") instead. The term "Eternal" seems so much more fitting to me, as some modern scholars believe that YHWH is a term referring to God's eternal self-existance, much like the name God gave to Moses: "I AM".

While some more traditional Bible-enthusiasts may object to the devices used by the translator(s) involved, I find it to be one of the more exiting discoveries I have ever made in the world of Scripture translations. This is a must-buy for any Christian. It gives more insight into our Great God--His Majesty, His Glory, and His Nature as a whole. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you read

Moffat has been very bold in his approach to the translation of the texts, which were done in the early 1900's. Unlike many more recent translators Moffatt did not have access to the comprehensive critical apparatus that some modern translators have had the benefit of. Nevertheless he attempts to convey meaning rather than just the literal word by word approach and is not afraid to "correct" what he regards as later interpolations in order to preserve the sense of the passage. In this he is refreshingly different to many modern translators, although by so doing he has made some foes among the traditionalists.Nevertheless I found no instance in which any of these changes had made any significant difference to Biblical truths, as commonly understood. I would reccomend Christians to read this translation as a refreshing alternative to their regular one.

I have owned the Moffatt translation for forty years and consider the introduction the best short (60 pp) over view of a history going back to perhaps 1300 BC and compiled OT in perhaps 700 to 800 BC. I have found introductions to be very important. I have three copies of John Stuart Mills "On Liberty" just for the divergent views expressed in the introductions.

I bought this for someone, he likes it very much. Uses it a lot.

Moffatt seems to present an Aryan perspective to Jewish writings in his liberal "translation" of the Bible. If you already have several other translations and are looking for one which breaks away from the crowd, this may be the translation for you.