RFTG Editor Zach Kendrick was given the opportunity to ask Dr. William Varner a few questions about his new book Handbook For Praying Scripture and his work on the translation team of the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB). What follows are the author’s responses to questions submitted by the editor.
Dr. William C. Varner is an American biblical scholar. He is Professor of Biblical Studies & Greek at The Master’s University, the author of several books including The Chariot of Israel: Exploits of the Prophet Elijah, The Way of the Didache, and Handbook For Praying Scripture.
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For our readers who may not be familiar with your writings, can you tell us about your work at The Masters University and what you teach there.
I have been Professor of Biblical Studies and Greek at TMU since 1996. For over twenty years I was the Director of TMU’s Israel Bible Extension Campus in Israel Presently I also am the Chairman of the MA in Biblical Studies Online Degree Program. I teach Old Testament Survey, Life of Christ, Intermediate Greek and Greek Exegesis.
There are over 100 English Bible translations currently on the market. Why would you say that there is a need for one like the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)?
The 1611 King James Version became the basis for the English Revised Version, which was published 1885, and its American counterpart was published in 1901. Recognizing the values of this American Standard Version, the Lockman Foundation felt an urgency to preserve the ASV while incorporating recent discoveries of Hebrew and Greek textual sources and rendering it into more current English. This resulted in the New American Standard Bible (1977), a translation based upon the time-honored principles of translation of the KJV and ASV. After a new edition of the NSB appeared in 2020, it was felt that another iteration of this traditional translation was needed. The Legacy Standard Bible was done by a core translation team in conjunction with pastors and educators from different countries. It is designed to honor, maintain, and advance the tradition represented by the NASB.
How did you get involved with Bible translation? How did your work as a seminary professor and prior ministry experience prepare you to be on the transition team?
Because of my experience in teaching the Greek New Testament and its textual criticism, I was approached by the chair of the Project, Dr. Abner Chou. My ministry as a pastor and as a fellowship leader teaching the Bible to laymen, I was asked to oversee the New Testament translation not only to insure its accuracy but also to improve its ability to communicate to the average reader.
The LSB is a direct update of the NASB 1995. Why did that edition need to be updated? How is the LSB different from the NASB 2020?
We never were concerned about the orthodoxy of the NASB, but we desired that the new version not surrender accuracy in favor of gender equality issues. We also desired to convey an understanding of the Divine name and the literal sense of a number of Greek and Hebrew words that had often been translated inconsistently.
The LSB translation philosophy “seeks to be a window into the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by translating individual words as consistently as possible within their various nuances.” Why is this the best way to translate the Bible, as opposed to a more thought for thought translation philosophy?
We thoroughly checked that words and grammar have been carried over properly from the source languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic) to the target language (21st century English). The LSB also established patterns for the consistent translation of terms within their various nuances. This allows the reader to more easily reconstruct what the original texts said. It also helps the reader more easily trace the flow of argument within a text, identify when the same word is used in another passage, and make connections between texts. Of course there are limits to the application of this philosophy. While not being woodenly literal, a word might not be translated consistently in order to maintain a highly familiar rendering of a text or to preserve a word play in the text that advances the inspired author’s message. Moreover, because Scripture is a literary masterpiece, some linguistic features could not be transferred to this translation, not even by a note. Nevertheless, ensuring that the original languages are precisely rendered paves the way for careful readers to discover these insights for themselves.
Traditionally in English translations the Hebrew covenant name of God (YHWH) is translated as LORD. The LSB translates it as Yahweh. Why did the LSB team break from tradition on this issue?
Traditionally, the translation “God” renders the Hebrew word Elohim. Likewise, the word “Lord” is a translation of Adonai. In the LSB, God’s covenant name is rendered as Yahweh. The meaning and implication of this name is God’s self-deriving, ongoing, and never-ending existence. Exodus 3:14–15 shows that God Himself considered it important for His people to know His name. The effect of revealing God’s personal name is His distinction from other gods and His expression of intimacy with the nation of Israel. Such a dynamic is a prevalent characteristic of the Scriptures as Yahweh appears in the OT over 6,800 times. The OT also includes references to God by a shorter version of His name, Yah. The appearance of it is recognizable in Hebrew names and words such as Zechar-iah, meaning “Yah remembers” and Hallelu-jah, meaning “praise Yah!” God’s shortened name “Yah” is predominantly found in poetry and praise. Song of Songs 8:6 is a good example of the abbreviated form (flame of Yah, shelhevetyah).
The translation “Yahweh” also allows proper distinction between God’s personal name and the title “Lord” (Adonai), which emphasizes God’s authority. Even more, it helps the reader to engage God with the name which He gifted to His people. Thus, the reintroduction of God’s personal name into the translation of the OT is a feature that enhances the precision, intensity, and clarity of the biblical text in English.
We became aware that after the instruction concerning the Shema (Numbers 6:24-26), when we are blessed by Yahweh and His face is to shine on us, our God said that his leaders were to place His name on His followers (Numbers 6:27). Therefore, knowing that Name is important.
What other linguistic features characterize the LSB?
I will mention just one feature: the consistent use of a translation for a Hebrew or Greek word throughout that Testament. For example, there are two Greek words that refer to the building known as the Temple in Jerusalem. The first is the general term hieron, which refers to the entire structure, including the outer court, which we rendered as “temple.” A second word, naos, refers to the inner section of the structure which we rendered as “sanctuary.” Versions do not consistently render these Greek words by different English words. Jesus cleansed the hieron, the outer section of the structure, which include the Court of the Gentiles (Luke 19:45). Zechariah, however, earlier had gone into the naos, the inner “sanctuary” where he encountered the Angel beside the altar of incense (Luke 1:9). It is also striking to note that later Judas threw that “blood money” not just into the “temple” but into the very “sanctuary” to the great shock of the priests (Matthew 27:5). Matthew and Luke consistently distinguish between these two areas. We should too, but many versions do not!
The LSB comes in several editions and bindings (hardcover, leather, premium leather, etc.) Which one is your favorite? Which one do you most recommend?
Undoubtedly for me (maybe because of my age!) the best edition is the Giant Print Reference Editon. It has two columns of Bible text with parallel scripture references in footnotes at the bottom of the page. When there is some difference of opinion on the exact translation of a Biblical word, we also provide those alternative renderings in a footnote.
You recently published a prayer guide titled The Handbook For Praying Scripture, featuring the LSB. How can this type of resource be helpful in personal prayer?
I have been praying scripture for years. It helps me to stay focused and to not allow my mind to wander. It also keeps me for from focusing too much on what I call “Gimme Prayers.” In the Spring of 2022, I thought that I could put together a set of prayers for 31 days and also longer ones for seven days. I take scriptures from the Legacy Standard Bible and incorporate them into the prayer categories of Adoration, Thanksgiving, Affirmation, Petition and Intercession. Every day we also pray the Disciples’ Prayer (or the “Lord’s Prayer”) and we always close with a Benediction. After each of these sections, we suggest a “pause” for you to incorporate your own personal prayers. All of these types of prayer are taken directly from Scripture while a few scripture commands are adapted into prayers.
There is also an appendix that includes some important prayers drawn from some standard prayer books as well as prayers for certain important holidays in the Christian year. Finally, we include a scripture index on various subjects related to the Christian life with dozens of scripture texts that can be read and studied and turned into further prayers!
How do you hope the Lord uses the LSB and The Handbook For Praying Scripture in the lives of those who use it in their personal Bible reading and prayer time?
I can only refer to hundreds of testimonies we have received that the LSB and this Handbook for Praying Scripture have revitalized and deepened the prayer lives of those who begun reading and praying these scripture texts! As a matter of fact, the positive response has surprised and encouraged me and the publishers. Evidently it is meeting a felt need of helping believers to pray better!
Where is the best place for someone to purchase a copy of the LSB and your book The Handbook For Praying Scripture?
As usual, these are available on Amazon, but the best price offered directly from the 316 Publishers web site (https://316publishing.com).
Do you currently have any future book projects in the works?
Very recently I released a new commentary on Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs (Fontes Press), as well as a new edition of the Apostolic Fathers (T&T Clark). Fontes Press also will soon release a new edition of an out of print commentary on James by the great scholar, A.T. Robertson. I was privileged to write a new introduction to this great classic. Finally, the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology is publishing one of my articles with the provocative title, “Was James the First Pope?”
Editor’s Note: RFTG would like to thank the author for generously taking the time to provide thoughtful answers to these questions.
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