Features of the new world translation

The New World Translation (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Here are some of its notable features:

  1. Unique rendering of divine names: The NWT translates the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (יְהוָה) as "Jehovah" (YHWH), which is considered a unique feature of this translation.
  2. Use of "Jehovah" instead of "Lord": The NWT uses the name "Jehovah" instead of "Lord" (Hebrew: אֲדוֹנָי, Adonai) in many places, which is not a common practice in other Bible translations.
  3. Literal translation: The NWT aims to provide a literal translation of the original languages, which can sometimes result in unusual or archaic English phrases.
  4. Use of "anointed ones": The NWT uses the term "anointed ones" to refer to Jesus Christ and his followers, which is a distinctive feature of Jehovah's Witness theology.
  5. No use of "Trinity": The NWT does not use the term "Trinity" to describe the nature of God, as Jehovah's Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity.
  6. Unique rendering of Jesus' nature: The NWT describes Jesus as a created being, rather than as God or coequal with God, which is a distinctive feature of Jehovah's Witness theology.
  7. Use of "Michael": The NWT identifies Jesus as Michael the archangel, which is a distinctive feature of Jehovah's Witness theology.
  8. No use of "hell": The NWT does not use the term "hell" to translate the Hebrew word "Sheol" (שְׁאוֹל), which is often translated as "grave" or "death".
  9. Use of "resurrection": The NWT uses the term "resurrection" to describe the event where the dead will be brought back to life, which is a distinctive feature of Jehovah's Witness theology.
  10. Unique footnotes and study aids: The NWT includes footnotes and study aids that provide additional information and explanations to help readers understand the text.
  11. Use of "Jehovah's Witnesses": The NWT is published by the Jehovah's Witnesses, and the organization's name is often mentioned in the footnotes and study aids.
  12. Consistency in translation: The NWT aims to provide a consistent translation throughout the entire Bible, which can sometimes result in unusual or archaic English phrases.

It's worth noting that the NWT has been criticized by some scholars and theologians for its unique renderings and theological interpretations, and it is not widely accepted as a reliable translation by the academic community.