New world translation errors

The New World Translation (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Jehovah's Witnesses. While it is widely used by the organization, it has been criticized by scholars and other Christians for its accuracy and translation choices. Here are some examples of alleged errors and controversies:

  1. "New" creation: In Genesis 1:1, the NWT translates "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" as "In the beginning God created the world." This change is seen as minimizing the significance of the creation account.
  2. "Elohim": In Genesis 1:1, the NWT translates "Elohim" (the Hebrew word for God) as "God," whereas many other translations render it as "gods" or "mighty ones." This change is seen as downplaying the polytheistic implications of the Hebrew text.
  3. "Son of God": In John 1:34, the NWT translates Jesus' statement "You are my Son, the beloved" as "You are my Son, whom I love." This change is seen as diminishing the significance of Jesus' divine sonship.
  4. "Trinity": The NWT does not use the word "Trinity" or any equivalent term to describe the nature of God. Instead, it emphasizes the unity of God and the distinct roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  5. "Hell": The NWT translates the Greek word "Gehenna" (Matthew 5:22, 29-30, etc.) as "death" rather than "hell." This change is seen as minimizing the severity of the consequences of sin.
  6. "Resurrection": The NWT translates the Greek word "anastasis" (Romans 6:4, 9, etc.) as "resurrection" rather than "raising from the dead." This change is seen as downplaying the physical nature of Jesus' resurrection.
  7. "Blood": The NWT translates the Hebrew word "dam" (Leviticus 17:11, etc.) as "life" rather than "blood." This change is seen as minimizing the significance of the blood sacrifice in the Old Testament.
  8. "Hellfire": The NWT translates the Greek word "pyr" (Matthew 5:22, etc.) as "fire" rather than "hellfire." This change is seen as minimizing the severity of the consequences of sin.
  9. "Immortality": The NWT translates the Greek word "athanasia" (1 Timothy 6:16, etc.) as "eternal life" rather than "immortality." This change is seen as downplaying the significance of the doctrine of immortality.
  10. "Baptism": The NWT translates the Greek word "baptismos" (Matthew 3:13, etc.) as "immersion" rather than "baptism." This change is seen as emphasizing the physical act of immersion rather than the spiritual significance of the rite.

It's important to note that the NWT is not the only translation of the Bible, and different translations may have different strengths and weaknesses. While some of these alleged errors may be seen as significant, others may be seen as minor or even justified by the NWT's translators. Ultimately, the accuracy and reliability of the NWT are matters of ongoing debate and discussion among scholars and theologians.