Description
Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of A History of the Bible, this is the story of how the Bible has been translated, and why it matters
The Bible is held to be both universal and specific, the source of fundamental truths inscribed in words that are exact and sacred. For much of the history of Judaism and almost the entirety of Christianity, however, believers have overwhelmingly understood scripture not in the languages in which it was first written but rather in their own - in translation.
This book examines how saints, scholars and interpreters from ancient times down to the present have produced versions of the Bible in the language of their day while remaining true to the original. It explains the challenges they negotiated, from minute textual ambiguities up to the sweep of style and stark differences in form and thought between the earliest writings and the latest, and it exposes the bearing these have on some of the most profound que
Trade Review
The joy of The Word isn't reaching its final conclusion, but the unexpected journey itself, told so well that it will engage those who have never set foot in churches as readily as the faithful in the pews -- Peter Stanford * The Sunday Times *
A book bejewelled with insight and erudition and compassion .... Ought to be of interest to anyone interested in what we mean by our words -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *
His learning shines through in every sentence -- Kathryn Hughes * Mail on Sunday *
Scholarly intelligence, a readable style, and insights at every turn -- Cally Hammond * Church Times *
