NET Bible

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

I'm only just now paying attention to the NET Bible, as I got pointed to it in a Google search on a biblical topic (God's love). It looks like it is only the NT and is supposed to be an authentic/accurate/scholarly reading of the Greek loaded with notes about the language.

Anyone out here know much about it and can give comment?
What about Bible.org in general?

http://bible.org/

[Susan Unger]

I used the NET Bible in my NBC Bible classes. I like it alot. And I used the OT as well so don't know why you can't find it.

[Kyle Borger]

I am not familar with those sites. Many use biblegateway.com as it has many different translations that change with a click of a button.

[Peggy Gray]

I've used Biblegateway, but they don't include the RSV or NRSV (my preferred translation)

[Greg Farra]

I've used Biblegateway, but they don't include the RSV or NRSV (my preferred translation)

Both of those versions are owned by the National Council of Churches. There may be an issue of cost involved to use them on Biblegateway, but that is just a guess.

[Susan Unger]

I am not familar with those sites. Many use biblegateway.com as it has many different translations that change with a click of a button.

The value of the NET bible is in the notes. For exegetical papers or just a more nuanced understanding [for those of us who haven't had Hebrew or Greek] the textual notes are wonderful.

[Ken Tidwell]

It has been around for almost a decade in two Beta forms and the current first edition. I got introduced to it in 2001-2002 as part of the second beta version. My first Greek prof was a Dallas grad, and almost all of the translators of the NET are from DTS. So as a class we used it in terms of our study and in submitting comments back to the editors. They have not really invested a whole lot in printed Bibles because the point was to have the entire translation available for free online. If my memory serves me correctly, it started at a conference where some Bible scholars thought it would be a great idea to be able to put the entire Bible online for people to download and use for free. Initially, they thought they could talk to the National Council of Churches or American Bible Society and pay an extremely low licensing fee for such a noble cause. However, no current translation owner was interested, so they decided to do a new translation, which they would own, and put it online.

The approach is similar to NIV as a dynamic equivalent, more of a thought for thought translation. Some of the biggest complaints are: first, it was written by a bunch of DTS profs! Some love that...others hate it! The other issue I have heard was the translators made a very intentional decision to try to translate the Hebrew Scriptures without a Christian emphasis. They tried to translate it from the perspective of the original audience, so instead of "virgin" they went with "young woman" in Isaiah 7:15. I agree with Susan, it's greatest strength is in the translator notes. They have proven helpful in my own personal study...if only to give an insight in why a translation decision was made the way it was, but I have not preached from it very often.

[Benjamin Hobbs]

The absolute best part of the NET bible (and it's purpose) is that you have no dues/fees/licenses to pay.

This coming from someone who likes his NASB.... and pays the mighty Lockman Foundation...

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

It has been around for almost a decade in two Beta forms and the current first edition. I got introduced to it in 2001-2002 as part of the second beta version. My first Greek prof was a Dallas grad, and almost all of the translators of the NET are from DTS. So as a class we used it in terms of our study and in submitting comments back to the editors. They have not really invested a whole lot in printed Bibles because the point was to have the entire translation available for free online. If my memory serves me correctly, it started at a conference where some Bible scholars thought it would be a great idea to be able to put the entire Bible online for people to download and use for free. Initially, they thought they could talk to the National Council of Churches or American Bible Society and pay an extremely low licensing fee for such a noble cause. However, no current translation owner was interested, so they decided to do a new translation, which they would own, and put it online.

The approach is similar to NIV as a dynamic equivalent, more of a thought for thought translation. Some of the biggest complaints are: first, it was written by a bunch of DTS profs! Some love that...others hate it! The other issue I have heard was the translators made a very intentional decision to try to translate the Hebrew Scriptures without a Christian emphasis. They tried to translate it from the perspective of the original audience, so instead of "virgin" they went with "young woman" in Isaiah 7:15. I agree with Susan, it's greatest strength is in the translator notes. They have proven helpful in my own personal study...if only to give an insight in why a translation decision was made the way it was, but I have not preached from it very often.

Ken, thank you! this is very helpful background and commentary. I thought it was supposed to be an online Bible, hence the name. I wondered about the DTS connection, it is a strong one.