Does anyone know much about the ISV Bible translation? Would it be OK to use next to the NASB which

Adley Eastridge
Adley Eastridge Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I saw in my Logos books the ISV translation Bible for the NT. I went to there site and there's not much information there.

I also bought the OT version of the ISV tonight. I do like the way it seems a little bit more simple in understanding in what it says, but I don't know if it's fine to use as a substitute for the NASB.

 

On there site it claims to be the King James Bible of our time.

It sounds good, but what do you guys think?

 

 

Comments

  • tom
    tom Member Posts: 3,213 ✭✭✭


    I saw in my Logos books the ISV translation Bible for the NT. I went to there site and there's not much information there.

    I also bought the OT version of the ISV tonight. I do like the way it seems a little bit more simple in understanding in what it says, but I don't know if it's fine to use as a substitute for the NASB.

     On there site it claims to be the King James Bible of our time.

    It sounds good, but what do you guys think?


    Reading any version is better than reading no version.  While I have not used the the ISV, I do like how they used the orginal language.  I am now going to look into this version.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

  • It sounds good, but what do you guys think?

    Looking at Philippians 4:4-8 noticed ISV uses "keep" adverb when translating Greek verbs in the imperative (command) mood.

    image

    Reading any version is better than reading no version.  While I have not used the the ISV, I do like how they used the orginal language.  I am now going to look into this version.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

    Concur on both points plus Thanks.

    Keep Smiling [:)]

  • Eric Weiss
    Eric Weiss Member Posts: 948 ✭✭✭

    The ISV does some interesting things.

    Look at its translation of Genesis 3:1

    1 Now the Shining One1 was more clever than any animal of the field that the Lord God had made.

    3:1 The Heb. word Ha-Nachash means the Shining One; or the Diviner; i.e. one who falsely claims to reveal God’s word; or the Serpent; cf. Isa 14:12; Eze 28:13–14

    And its poetic translation of the hymn in Philippians 2, which I quoted in a recent sermon on the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed:

    5 Have the same attitude among yourselves3 that was also in the Messiah4 Jesus:5

    6 In God’s own form existed he,

    and shared with God equality,

    deemed nothing needed grasping.

    7 Instead, poured out in emptiness,

    a servant’s form did he possess,

    a mortal man becoming.

    In human form he chose to be,

    8 and lived in all humility,

    death on a cross obeying.

    9 Now lifted up by God to heaven,

    a name above all others given,

    this matchless name possessing.

    10 And so, when Jesus’ name is called,

    the knees of everyone should fall6

    wherever they’re residing.7

    11 Then every tongue in one accord,

    will say that Jesus the Messiah8 is Lord,

    while God the Father praising.

    Optimistically Egalitarian (Galatians 3:28)

  • Michael Anda
    Michael Anda Member Posts: 233 ✭✭

    Can't say I know much about it, but I can say that I like it, generally speaking.  It often comes across to me as exceptional in the way it phrases matters.

  • Ron
    Ron Member Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭

    I've been following the translation for about 10 years (long before they finished the OT) and I'm a big fan.  I find it to be as exegetically accurate as the NASB, while having a smoothness/readability to the English that rivals many of the more free translations (NLT, etc).  I like how they attempt to portray poetical passages as such, that they distinguish between written and spoken material by being more formal with the written (less contractions, etc), and that they render ambiguities in the English translation where they exist in the original, minimizing theological bias (one review says they are "non-interpretive to a fault").  This is also the first translation that I'm aware of that used the Great Isaiah Scroll as the base text for their translation of Isaiah, with copious footnotes throughout the book to highlight differences with other manuscripts.  Their website has a fair bit of information about their translation philosophies, the features of the translation, etc (look under the "Bible" drop down at the top of the main page.)

  • Randy Armstrong
    Randy Armstrong Member Posts: 1 ✭✭

    I've been watching the ISV develop for some months before they produced the NT, and greeted each step with some enthusiasm.  There were some early legal problems that surfaced just before they released the NT, and they were forced to spend their advertising budget on legal fees.  In short, they were threatened with legal action for using the term "International" in their version name.  I'll leave it to you to figure out where the threat came from. 

    I inquired about the issue, and I have (or had before some computer crashes) some personal emails from both sides that confirm the conflict.  The plaintiffs decided not to pursue a lawsuit, apparently because of the negative publicity that would have ensued.  

    I do like what they've done, and I'm especially excited about Isaiah being primarily from the Great Isaiah Scroll.  Our home fellowship will soon begin studying Isaiah, and I'll be pushing the ISV translation when we do.  :-)

    Frankly, I'm a bit uneasy in how defensive the translators seem to sometimes get in answering their critics, but it would be a mistake to let that detract from what I believe to be some of the finest translation work available today.

  • Andy
    Andy Member Posts: 2,282 ✭✭✭

    I was wondering if anyone was able to clarify the pricing. I currently have the ISV NT in my library. It seems that the complete ISV (OT and NT is available for $10) whereas the OT alone is only available on pre-publication and costs more than the complete ISV ($16.95). Have I missed something or is this just an anomaly resulting from the $10 sale on Bibles?

  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    It seems that the complete ISV (OT and NT is available for $10) whereas the OT alone is only available on pre-publication and costs more than the complete ISV ($16.95)

    Interesting. If I'd ordered the prepub, I would have changed my order.

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,523

    the OT alone is only available on pre-publication

    The ISV has already shipped. Do you see it still in pre-pub? Could it be Anglicized?

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  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    alabama24 said:

    The ISV has already shipped. Do you see it still in pre-pub?

    This is what I saw:

    image

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,523

    Thanks for the heads up. This is obviously an old link. I think I paid the full amount [:S]

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  • Michael Anda
    Michael Anda Member Posts: 233 ✭✭

    Logos started selling many of their Bibles for $10 at some point after the whole ISV was released.  I love the ISV, personally.  I wish the Kindle version had a better navigation system like the ESV and OSNOVA Bibles have.  Same for the Kindle NASB—bad navigation

  • Jerry M
    Jerry M Member Posts: 1,680 ✭✭✭

    I was wondering if anyone was able to clarify the pricing. I currently have the ISV NT in my library. It seems that the complete ISV (OT and NT is available for $10) whereas the OT alone is only available on pre-publication and costs more than the complete ISV ($16.95). Have I missed something or is this just an anomaly resulting from the $10 sale on Bibles?

    I originally owned the ISV NT.  When they put the ISV OT on prepub it listed for  $9.95.  However they also updated the NT so they offered the complete Bible for that price.  So now I have the original NT version 1.1 and the complete Bible version 2.0.  After the product was shipped the price for the ISV OT went up to $16.95, which is the link you saw, but the wording should be changed since it is not on prepub any longer.  Not only that but you can now buy the whole Bible in the updated version for $10.  I haven't used it much but it seems like a good translation.  Also when they updated it, they improved the formatting, which gives the standard chapter headings for example.  Some will really like the poetry sections and others will not, it is a matter of taste.  At the very least it would be an important translation to have for comparison purposes, since it is done with current scholarship on both the original and English language usage.

    "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power"      Wiki Table of Contents

  • DMB
    DMB Member Posts: 14,482 ✭✭✭✭

    I was intrigued with the ISV; I kicked NRSV out of his coveted slot next to YLT and Emphasis. But after a while I noticed ISV taking liberties with some of the meanings. So I apologized to NRSV, let ISV join the Comparison group, and now everyone's happy.

    The original OP's question a while back was how it related to NASB. I don't think they're in the same ballpark (though the ISA/DSS connection is interesting, along with the treatment of other hebrew phrases). Overall, though, NASB's closer to a literal reading, similar to YLT on the Byzantine side of the house.

    "If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.

  • Andy
    Andy Member Posts: 2,282 ✭✭✭

    Thanks very much for the clarification. I will, naturally, go with the $10 option.

    Thanks again.

  • Ron
    Ron Member Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭

    For those that are interested, the ISV foundation is trying to raise money for their first print run.  I won't post a link here so as not to violate the forum guidelines, but if you search for ISV kickstarter, you should be able to find the fundraising project.  They need to raise $200K in the next 26 days in order to go to publication.

  • Dr. Brian Hughes
    Dr. Brian Hughes Member Posts: 1 ✭✭

    Hi Priscilla,

    Dr. William Welty who has led the translation team could most likely answer all your questions about the ISV.

    william.welty, at isv.org

    The source is the best source of info...

    Ps. Brian

  • Milford Charles Murray
    Milford Charles Murray Member Posts: 5,004 ✭✭✭

    Peace to you, Dr. Hughes!                       Welcome to the Logos Forums where Logos Bible Software users from all over the world attempt to help and support one another!                Thank you for posting and providing information!

                You might want to consider posting that same information in a new thread, linking to this thread since a year has past since Priscilla first posted ....                *smile*

                                                      Anyway, Blessings; and please feel free to post again!

    To anyone else that may possibly be reading this post, it might be good to start a fresh thread to discuss the in's, out's and wherefor's of the ISV, a Bible which I personally enjoy also along with many other versions!                       *smile*

    Philippians 4:  4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand..........

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,523

    the ISV, a Bible which I personally enjoy also along with many other versions! 

    I have been doing my reading plan with the ISV this year. Very good. 

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  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,163

    I really appreciate this thread as it has brought this to my attention but I have never used this version. I will have to check it out now.

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • Eric Weiss
    Eric Weiss Member Posts: 948 ✭✭✭

    Add my voice to those who enjoy using the ISV.

    Now, when are we going to get the REB? [Y]

    Optimistically Egalitarian (Galatians 3:28)

  • Kevin Maples
    Kevin Maples Member Posts: 808 ✭✭

    I know David Allen Black was one of the translators. I have read a good deal of it, but not all the way through. I really like it. 

  • David Matthew
    David Matthew Member Posts: 169 ✭✭

    I find the translation a bit stilted in places, but overall it's a refreshing read. Paul's letters reflect some of the emphases highlighted by the work of N.T. Wright. For example, 'through faith in Christ' (most versions) is rendered 'through the faithfulness of the Messiah' (ISV). All credit to the translators for their boldness in this respect!

  • Unix
    Unix Member Posts: 2,192 ✭✭✭

    Good observation, David, but I have it (the NT 1.1) hidden since a long while. It came with a base-package.

     


    Eric, REB is really great. Related to it, here are my English Bible version recommendations: www.accordancebible.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9479&p=43735

    Now, when are we going to get the REB? Yes

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  • Lee
    Lee Member Posts: 2,714 ✭✭✭

    A complication:

    • Will Logos update the ISV in sync with official ISV build updates?
    • Some readers might actually want to retain non-current builds. Or, they could want different builds side-by-side for comparison and study...

    How will Logos handle this?

  • Darrin Ford
    Darrin Ford Member Posts: 1

    Is it still possible to find the print version of this Bible?

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,165

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • NichtnurBibelleser
    NichtnurBibelleser Member Posts: 629 ✭✭✭
  • NB.Mick
    NB.Mick MVP Posts: 16,269

    Are the "International Standard Version Notes" only/the same notes as in the ISV or additonal notes?

    It seems those are the notes to another ISV version (NT only) back from WordSearch, but comparable to the notes in the Logos ISV.

    Have joy in the Lord! Smile