The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible is a more recent translation, published in 2001. It was the goal of more than 100 evangelical scholars and church pastors to produce a word-for-word translation which is suitable for personal reading, public worship, group study, and memorization. The ESV is meant to reflect both high literary standards of clarity in reading along with excellence in translation.
The ESV is a distinct version deriving from manuscript evidence, as well as an update of the 1971 Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible. The ESV seeks to retain the literary quality and faithfulness to original sources reflected in the RSV.
The ESV Journaling Bible
Bob has put his sniffer to the English Standard Version of the Bible. Using his “5 Bark Review System” we examine the ESV according to the following criteria:
1. Trustworthy
The ESV was produced by Crossway Books, the book publishing arm of Good News Publishing – a well established publisher of books and gospel tracts since 1938.
One of the things which must be borne in mind is that Crossway is a firmly conservative evangelical publisher, and the ESV reflects this commitment with language that is not gender-inclusive. The translation team did not include scholars and pastors from the broader Christian community. This decision solidifies the ESV’s trustworthy nature for many conservative evangelicals but entertains doubt to it’s trustworthiness for non-evangelical Christians, who were not part of the process.
If these comments are foreign to you, just know that the ESV was produced with the highest commitment to scholarship and reliability, even if the team of translators did not come from a broad spectrum of the Christian community.
Therefore, Bob gives a “whoof” (a half-bark) to the ESV for its trustworthy nature, based upon its connection with only a certain slice of Christianity.
2. Understandable
Understandable language was an expressed intention of the ESV translators. See if Psalm 46 resonates with you:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The poetic structure is wonderful, retaining the sense and beauty of the original Hebrew text.
Now give a read to Genesis 3:16 –
To the woman he [God] said [after the fall],
“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.
Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,
but he shall rule over you.”
The language is unclear as to what the nature of the relationship between men and women is or is to be, unlike the original Hebrew text.
Try this one from Amos 4:6:
“I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,
and lack of bread in all your places,
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the Lord.
This one from Luke 17:35 almost made Bob blush, and dogs don’t blush:
“There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”
This is only a small sample of language that is either unclear, difficult to understand, or simply not using words in a wise way. The ESV has some beautiful passages of translation, and too many verses which are puzzling in their translation.
Based on the inconsistency of translation in understandable language, Bob gives the ESV a “whoof.”
3. Readable
Crossway Books offers more than 200 Bibles in the ESV. There are other publishers with rights to producing ESV Bibles, as well. Put them all together and you will most definitely find a Bible in the size, font, and font size you’re looking for.
The ESV is also to be commended for arranging the text of the Bible in paragraphs and poetic structures. It demonstrates that a word-for-word translation doesn’t have to be set in isolated verses.
Yet, there is the trouble of reading extended passages and coming across unclear language. For a version which has as its purpose to be a suitable Bible for large chunks of reading, this is unacceptable. In our judgment, Crossway needs some more revisions to address this deficiency.
Therefore, Bob gives the ESV a “whoof” as to its ability to be read easily and smoothly.
4. Durable
I (Tim) own an ESV Journaling Bible and am pleased with its durability. I have written a lot of notes in it and flipped the pages more than Bob has turned over in his dog bed (which is a lot). It has so far stood the test of an aggressive Bible reader. If you’re interested in an ESV Bible, you’ll have no problem finding a solid durable Bible. Just remember to go for a hardback cover or genuine leather Bible if you plan to use it on a regular basis.
Bob gives ESV Bibles a “bark” to their durability.
5. Attractive
To the credit of Crossway Books, they produce attractive looking Bibles. Even their pew Bibles for churches look nice and invite the congregant to take-a-peek inside at the message.
Bob utters a clear “bark” for the attractiveness of ESV Bibles.
Based on “Bob’s 5 Bark Bible Review,” we give the English Standard Version of the Bible:
3 ½ Barks out of 5
