New world translation accuracy

The New World Translation (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Jehovah's Witnesses. While it is widely used by Jehovah's Witnesses, its accuracy has been a subject of debate among scholars and biblical experts.

Here are some criticisms and concerns regarding the accuracy of the New World Translation:

  1. Inconsistent translation: The NWT has been criticized for its inconsistent translation of certain words and phrases. For example, the Greek word "theos" (God) is sometimes translated as "God" and other times as "Jehovah".
  2. Theological bias: Some scholars argue that the NWT reflects a theological bias, with certain passages being translated in a way that supports Jehovah's Witness doctrine. For example, the NWT translates John 1:1 as "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god", which some see as a departure from the original Greek text.
  3. Lack of scholarly input: The NWT was translated by a committee of Jehovah's Witnesses, rather than by scholars with expertise in ancient languages and biblical studies. This has led some to question the translation's accuracy and reliability.
  4. Inaccurate rendering of Hebrew and Greek texts: Some scholars have pointed out errors in the NWT's rendering of Hebrew and Greek texts, including incorrect word choices, mistranslations of idioms, and failure to account for grammatical and syntactical nuances.
  5. Omissions and additions: The NWT has been criticized for omitting certain passages and adding others that are not found in the original texts. For example, the NWT omits the passage in 1 John 5:7-8, which is found in many other translations.
  6. Lack of footnotes and annotations: Unlike many other translations, the NWT does not include footnotes or annotations to explain the translation process, provide alternative readings, or offer guidance on difficult passages.
  7. Inconsistencies with other translations: The NWT has been shown to be inconsistent with other translations in certain passages, which can make it difficult to verify its accuracy.

Some specific examples of alleged inaccuracies in the NWT include:

It's important to note that while the NWT has been criticized for its accuracy, it is still widely used and respected by many Jehovah's Witnesses. However, for those seeking a more academically rigorous and widely accepted translation, other options may be preferred.