The Amplified Bible Version - Is It The Best Translation?

The Story behind the Amplified Bible

The story of the Amplified Bible is a remarkable account of faith, hope, and love. It's the story of a woman,a foundation, a committee, and a publisher. Commitment, energy, enthusiasm, and giftedness--these are the words that paint the picture, the picture of the making of a translation.

Frances Siewert (Litt. B., B.D., M.A., Litt.D.; 881-1967) was a woman with an intense perseverance to the learning of the Bible and she laid the foundation of the Amplified Bible.  She was devoted to a familiarity with the Bible, with the Hebrew and Greek languages, and with the cultural and archaeological environment of the Biblical period.  This devotion led to this unique publication and translation.

Mrs. Siewert's idea was shared by a California non-profit foundation called The Lockman Foundation.  This foundation of Christian men and women also committed
their  expertise, their finances and their under girded dedication to Mrs. Siewert's monumental Bible Version project. The Lockman Foundation's purpose was/is: to promote Bible translation, Christian evangelism, Instruction, and Godly goodwill.

There was commitment, energy, enthusiasm, and giftedness among the many attributes shared by the committee appointed through The Lockman Foundation.  Their job  was to carefully review the remarkable work of Mrs. Siewert. The resulting Editorial Board gave credibility and organization, bringing out the richness of the Hebrew and Greek languages within the English text itself.

The only item remaining was to bring the vision into reality. A publishing house (Zondervan) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, seized the opportunity to take part in a project which all involved strongly believed would be used by God to change lives. The Zondervan Publishing House joined the team, and the dream became reality with the publication of The Amplified New Testament in 1958, followed by the two-volume Amplified Old Testament in 1962 and 1964, and the one-volume Amplified Bible in 1965.
For More Reading refer to - The Lockman Fouindation and the Amplified Bible

A Closer Look At The Amplified Bible

The Amplified Bible was the first full Bible produced by The Lockman Foundation. This translation used synonyms and definitions which both explains and expands the meaning of words in the text by placing amplification in parentheses and brackets and after key words or phrases. This version uses this unique system of translation allowing the reader to more easily grasp the meaning of the words as they were understood in the original languages.

The Amplified Bible tries to remain free of personal interpretation and it is independent of denominational bias. It is a Bible version is an English translation based on the accepted Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. It is based from the American Standard Version of 1901, supplemented by the best available textual findings of the day. This offered better interpretations of textual differences. The translators made a resolute effort to keep the mood of the earliest Book.

Through amplification, the Bible reader gains an enhanced perception of what the Hebrew and Greek listener instinctively understood (as a matter of course). For an example, the English word "love" has 3 Greek words in describing the different levels. Notice how the Amplified Bible brings this out in comparison to the KJV.

John 21:15-17 KJV So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17 AMP 15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. 16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.


More OnlineComparisons can be found at this link:  AMPLIFIED BIBLE

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2. The Lockman Foundation  Amplified Bible  A simple read and search Amplified Bible. ...To downloadfree, you must be in agreement ... (more)


3. Bible Gateway-Free online search in Scriptures.
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