📖 Biblical Definition
Bible Translation is the work of rendering the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Scriptures into other languages so each tongue may read God's words. The Septuagint (Hebrew to Greek, 3rd-2nd c. BC); the Vulgate (Latin, Jerome, ~405); Wycliffe's English (1382); Tyndale's English (1525); Luther's German (1534); KJV (1611); and thousands of modern translations continue the work. Pentecost prefigured it (Acts 2:6: every man heard them speak in his own language).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Rendering Scripture into other languages; from Septuagint to KJV to thousands of modern translations.
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Major historical translations: Septuagint (Greek, ~250 BC), Targums (Aramaic), Peshitta (Syriac, ~2nd c.), Vulgate (Latin, Jerome ~405), Wycliffe (English, 1382), Tyndale (English, 1525), Luther (German, 1534), Geneva (English, 1560), KJV (1611), modern translations.
The Bible has now been translated into more than 3,500 languages, with portions in around 6,500. Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International continue the work.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 2:6 — "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
Acts 2:11 — "We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
Revelation 7:9 — "A great multitude... of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
Matthew 28:19 — "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often takes Bible-in-one's-language for granted; the work continues, and millions still wait.
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Bible translation has been politicized — partisan camps treat translations as tribal markers ("real Christians use the KJV / ESV / NIV"). Meanwhile, post-colonial critics treat all translation as cultural imposition. Both miss the Pentecostal vision: every people hearing in their own tongue. The corruption is partisanship displacing Pentecost.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin translatio; carrying across.
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Latin translatio — from trans (across) plus ferre (to carry); literally carrying across.
Note: the same root behind translation in spatial sense (Enoch's translation to heaven, Heb 11:5).
Usage
"Pentecost extended through the centuries."
"English-speaking saints inherit a tradition built on martyrs."
"The work continues; millions still wait."