which english translation of the 5 books of moses is most true to the original hebrew text?
Translators have different goals as they translate the Bible. I had the opportunity to study in seminaries under men who translated the NIV (New International Version) and men who translated the NKJ (New King James Version) those who translated the NIV were very open about their goals. One of which was readibility. They would translate for the meaning of the text rather than for word for word accuracy. The translators of the New American Standard Version went more for word for word accuracy, even to the point that when you read it in English it sometimes sounds awkward. The men I knew who translated the New King James Version were going for word for word accuracy also. Yet, I never heard them compare their work to other translators. Being a newer translation I don’t think it has gained the reputation the NASB has for this word for word accuracy.
