Principles of Translation

NET Bible Principles of Translation

1. Text

Old Testament: For the OT the translators started with the MT (Masoretic Text) found in the current edition of BHS (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia). In particularly difficult passages the translator may have followed a variant reading found in the versions, alternative Hebrew tradition (e.g., DSS), or in some cases, conjectural emendation. Such variations from the MT were noted by the individual translator and reviewed by the OT textual consultant.
New Testament: For the NT the Greek text to be used by individual translators was decided by the textual consultant. The full Greek text will be published at a later date.
Traditional passages: For passages which lack adequate textual authority (i.e., are almost certainly not part of the autographs) the words were included in the translation in double square brackets with a note giving a brief discussion of the problem.

2. Interpretive Decisions and Tools

Interpretive decisions, where necessary to translate a passage, were made by the translators and editors. The alternative renderings, where exegetically significant, have been indicated in the notes.
Standard technical (critical) commentaries and relevant periodical articles were consulted in the translation process. These are often cited in the notes.
Current standard lexical tools were consulted as needed. For the OT, these included such works as BDB, KB3, and TDOT; for the NT, BDAG, Louw-Nida, and TDNT.
Computerized concordance programs and electronic search engines were used extensively in the production of this translation.

3. Form of Translation

No translation can ever achieve complete formal equivalence.¹ Even a translation which sometimes reflects Hebrew and Greek word order at the expense of English style has to resort to paraphrase in some places. On the other hand, no translation achieves complete dynamic equivalence² either. Thus this translation, like every other, ends up somewhere between the two extremes. These considerations are reflected by the following specific qualifications:

In vocabulary and grammatical forms every attempt has been made to reflect the different styles of the different authors of the Bible. Paul's letters should not sound like John's or Peter's or that of Hebrews in the English translation where possible.
The level of English style is formal (not, however, technical) except in passages where somewhat more informal style would be more in keeping with the content. In general the use of contractions ("don't," "isn't") has been avoided, except in quoted speech.
The language of average adults had priority. The translation attempts to use good literary style but is not overly formal or embellished.
The translation is intended to be understandable to non-Christians as well as Christians, so liturgical language or Christian "jargon" has been avoided.
Archaisms have also been avoided (e.g., "letter" was used instead of "epistle" in the NT). This includes the absolute avoidance of "thou" and "thee," since there were no distinctions in the original Hebrew or Greek between pronouns used to address people and those used to address Deity. On a related note, pronouns which refer to Deity are not capitalized for this same reason.
Long, complicated sentences in the original languages have been broken up into shorter sentences more acceptable in contemporary English. However, an attempt has been made to maintain the connections present in the original languages wherever possible.
Idiomatic expressions and figurative language in the original languages have been changed when they make no sense to a typical modern English reader or are likely to lead to misunderstanding by a typical modern English reader. The literal reading has been placed in a note giving a brief explanation (a translator's note).
Nouns have been used for pronouns where the English pronoun would be obscure or ambiguous to a modern reader. This has been indicated in a note.
Questions expecting a negative answer have been phrased to indicate this to the English reader.
Clearly redundant expressions such as "answered and said" have been avoided unless they have special rhetorical force in context. The literal reading is frequently indicated in a note.
Introductory expressions like "verily, verily" have been translated idiomatically, the single ἀμήν as "I tell you the truth" and the double ἀμήν (peculiar to John's Gospel) as "I tell you the solemn truth."
Introductory particles like ἰδού ("behold") have been translated to fit the context (sometimes "listen," "pay attention," "look," or occasionally left untranslated).
Use of quotation marks (which did not exist in the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts) conforms to contemporary American English usage.
The basic unit of translation is the paragraph. Verse numbers are included in boldface type. Poetry is set out as poetry.
Greek historical presents have been translated by English simple past tenses since English has no corresponding use of the present tense.
In places where passive constructions create ambiguity, obscurity, or awkwardness in contemporary English, either the agent has been specified from context or the construction has been changed to active voice in the English translation, with an explanatory note.
Ellipses have been filled out according to current English requirements (e.g., 1 John 2:19). This is normally explained in a note.
Proper names have been standardized in accordance with accepted English usage.

4. Additional Features of the Translation and Notes

Any place supplementary information is required (e.g., word-plays, historical details, cultural differences, etc.) this is provided in a brief study note.
Any technical terms (corban, Mark 7:11) used in the translation are explained in a study note.
Any unfamiliar terms for weights, measures, and coins have been explained in a study note, although in general these have been expressed in contemporary American units, with metric units given parenthetically in the notes.
A limited system of cross-referencing to principal parallel texts, cross-references, or significant allusions is found in the notes.
Descriptive section headings have been provided by the translators and editors as an aid to the reader.
Greek and Hebrew in the translator's notes use Greek and Hebrew fonts, often followed by transliteration. The occasional reference to a Greek or Hebrew word in a study note is transliterated.
Abbreviations of biblical books and reference material follow Patrick H. Alexander et al., eds., The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1999) with only a few exceptions.

Abbreviations for Biblical Books
and Nonbiblical Literature

Old Testament

Gen	Genesis
Exod	Exodus
Lev	Leviticus
Num	Numbers
Deut	Deuteronomy
Josh	Joshua
Judg	Judges
Ruth	Ruth
1 Sam	1 Samuel
2 Sam	2 Samuel
1 Kgs	1 Kings
2 Kgs	2 Kings
1 Chr	1 Chronicles
2 Chr	2 Chronicles
Ezra	Ezra
Neh	Nehemiah
Esth	Esther
Job	Job
Ps(s)	Psalms
Prov	Proverbs
Eccl	Ecclesiastes
Song	Song of Songs
Isa	Isaiah
Jer	Jeremiah
Lam	Lamentations
Ezek	Ezekiel
Dan	Daniel
Hos	Hosea
Joel	Joel
Amos	Amos
Obad	Obadiah
Jonah	Jonah
Mic	Micah
Nah	Nahum
Hab	Habakkuk
Zeph	Zephaniah
Hag	Haggai
Zech	Zechariah
Mal	Malachi

Books of the Old Testament Apocrypha

Bar	Baruch
Add Dan	Additions to Daniel
Pr Azar	Prayer of Azariah
Bel	Bel and the Dragon
Sg Three	Song of the Three Young Men
Sus	Susanna
1–2 Esd	1–2 Esdras
Add Esth	Additions to Esther
Ep Jer	Epistle of Jeremiah
Jdt	Judith
1–4 Macc	1–4 Maccabees
Pr Man	Prayer of Manasseh
Ps 151	Psalm 151
Sir	Sirach/ Ecclesiasticus
Tob	Tobit
Wis	Wisdom of Solomon

New Testament


Matt	Matthew
Mark	Mark
Luke	Luke
John	John
Acts	Acts
Rom	Romans
1 Cor	1 Corinthians
2 Cor	2 Corinthians
Gal	Galatians
Eph	Ephesians
Phil	Philippians
Col	Colossians
1 Thess	1 Thessalonians
2 Thess	2 Thessalonians
1 Tim	1 Timothy
2 Tim	2 Timothy
Titus	Titus
Phlm	Philemon
Heb	Hebrews
Jas	James
1 Pet	1 Peter
2 Pet	2 Peter
1 John	1 John
2 John	2 John
3 John	3 John
Jude	Jude
Rev	Revelation

Other Ancient Documents

Two citation systems for Philo and Josephus are used in the notes. The older (classical) system is listed first, and the Loeb citation system then follows in parentheses.


1 En.	1 Enoch, a Jewish pseudepigraphic work that includes what are thought to be Christian interpolations in chaps. 37-71 (also called Ethiopic Enoch)
1 Kgdms	1 Kingdoms, the book of the LXX which corresponds to 1 Samuel
1QH	Thanksgiving Hymns, hymns composed for worship within the Qumran community
1QS	Rule of the Community, one of the first Dead Sea Scrolls recovered. This scroll details rules for admission into the Qumran community.
2 Bar.	2 Baruch, a Jewish apocalyptic work written early in the second century
2 En.	2 Enoch, an Jewish pseudepigraphic work that expands upon Gen 5:21-32
4QMMT	Miqsat Maàaseh Torah from Qumran Cave 4, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Ag. Ap.	Against Apion, a defense of the Jewish people written by Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived from a.d. 37/38 until the early years of the second century.
Ant.	Jewish Antiquities, a history of the Jewish people written by Josephus (see Ag. Ap. above)
b.	Indicates a tractate from the Babylonian Talmud, which contains the Mishnah and rabbinic interpretive expansions. Collected ca. a.d. 500-550.
CD	A copy of the Damascus Document, which is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the Cairo genizah
Embassy	On the Embassy to Gaius, a philosophical work by Philo, a Jewish philosopher who lived from 20 b.c. to a.d. 50
Praep. Ev.	Praeparatio evangelica (Preparation for the Gospel), a work by Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, who lived ca. a.d. 260-341
Flaccus	Against Flaccus, a philosophical work by Philo (see Embassy above)
Heir	Who is the Heir?, a philosophical work by Philo (see Embassy above)
Herm.	Shepherd of Hermas, a Christian work written in Rome sometime during the 1st and 2nd centuries a.d.
Ibn Ezra	Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish scholar who wrote many works, including a commentary on the Hebrew Bible. Lived a.d. 1092/1093 to a.d.1167.
Ign.	Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, who died as a martyr in Rome early in the second century. Following will be the abbreviation for one of his seven letters.
J. W.	Jewish War, a history of the events surrounding the war between Rome and the Jews ca. a.d. 70 written by Josephus (see Ag. Ap. above)
Jub.	Jubilees, a Jewish pseudepigraphic work that expands upon the narratives in Genesis and Exodus
Letter of Aristeas	An ancient letter which purports to explain the origins of the LXX. Posited by most scholars to have been written ca. 170 b.c.
Life	The Life, an autobiography of Josephus (see Ag. Ap. above)
m.	Indicates a tractate from the Mishnah, a codification of Jewish rabbinic oral tradition collected ca. a.d. 200-220

Pirqe Avot	A collection of the sayings from Jewish sages and rabbis
Pirqe Rabbi Eliezer	A collection of Jewish rabbinic tradition compiled ca. a.d. 750-850
Posterity	On the Posterity of Cain, a philosophical work by Philo (see Embassy above)
Rabbah	Jewish rabbinic commentary on books of the Bible, e.g., Genesis Rabbah
Sib. Or.	Sibylline Oracles, a collection of poetic prophecies contained within the Jewish pseudepigrapha
Sifre Deut	Sifre on Deuteronomy, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the book of Deuteronomy compiled ca. a.d. 350-400
Smr	Samaritan Pentateuch, the version of the first five books of the Old Testament accepted as canonical by the Samaritans
t.	Indicates a tractate from the Tosefta, a codification of Jewish rabbinic oral tradition collected ca. a.d. 220-230
T. Gad	Testament of Gad, one of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, a group of works written between 109 and 106 b.c. and inspired by Jacob's testament in Gen 49
T. Reu.	Testament of Reuben, one of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (see T. Gad above)
T. Sol.	Testament of Solomon, a story about Solomon building the Temple, written sometime during the 1st to 3rd centuries a.d.
Tg.	Indicates a Targum, an Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible which often included interpretive comments
Tg. Onq.	Targum Onqelos, an Aramaic translation of the Pentateuch, regarded as the official targum of these books
Tg. Ps.-J.	Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation of the Pentateuch
y.	Indicates a tractate from the Jerusalem Talmud (which actually took shape in Galilee ca. a.d. 400-425), a work which contains the Mishnah and rabbinic interpretive expansions

Abbreviations for Bible Versions

English Versions

NET

The NET Bible / New English Translation (NT, 1998; First Beta Edition, 2001; Second Beta Edition, 2003; First Edition, 2005)³

TNIV

Today's New International Version (NT, 2001)

NLT

New Living Translation (1996)

CEV

The Contemporary English Version (1995)

NIrV

New International Reader's Version (1995)

Message

E. H. Peterson, The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary Language (1993)

NCV

New Century Version (1991)

REB

Revised English Bible (1989)

NRSV

New Revised Standard Version (1989)

NJB

New Jerusalem Bible (1985)

NJPS

Tanakh (1985), produced by the Jewish Publication Society

NKJV

New King James Version (1979)

TEV

Today's English Version, also known as Good News for Modern Man (1976)

NIV

The New International Version (NT, 1973; OT, 1978)

LB

The Living Bible (1971)

NASB

New American Standard Bible (1971; update 1995)

NAB

The New American Bible (1970)

NEB

The New English Bible (1970)

JB

Jerusalem Bible (1966)

Amplified

The Amplified Bible (1965)

BBE

C. K. Ogden, The Bible in Basic English (1965)

JPS

The Torah (1962), The Prophets (Nevi'im) (1978), The Writings (Kethuvim) (1982), produced by the Jewish Publication Society

MLB

Modern Language Bible: New Berkeley Version (1959; rev. 1969)

Phillips

J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English (1958)

RSV

Revised Standard Version (NT, 1946; OT, 1952)

Knox

R. A. Knox, The New Testament in English (1945)

AT

The Bible—An American Translation (1927)

Moffatt

James Moffatt, A New Translation of the Bible (1926)

TCNT

The Twentieth Century New Testament (1898-1901; rev. 1904)

ASV

American Standard Version (1901)

RV

Revised Version (NT 1881; OT 1885)

YLT

Young's Literal Translation (1862; rev. 1898)

KJV (=AV)

The King James Version, known in Britain as the Authorized Version (1611)

AV (=KJV)

The Authorized Version, known in America as the King James Version (1611)

Douay

Douay-Rheims Version, a translation for the Roman Catholic Church (NT 1582; OT 1609-1610)

Ancient Versions

MT

Masoretic Text (the traditional rabbinical text of the Hebrew Bible, dating from the medieval period)

LXX

Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament, translated between 250-100 b.c.)

General Abbreviations

NET Bible Footnote Types

tn

Translator's Note—explains the rationale for the translation and gives alternative translations, interpretive options, and other technical information.

sn

Study Note—includes comments about historical or cultural background, explanation of obscure phrases or brief discussions of context, discussions of the theological point made by the biblical author, cross references and references to Old Testament quotations or allusions in the New Testament, or other miscellaneous information helpful to the modern reader.

tc

Text-critical Note—discusses alternate (variant) readings found in the various manuscripts and groups of manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament.

map

Map Note—gives map coordinates for site within the two map sections, "The Journeys of Paul" and "The Holy Land from the Heavens."

Journals

ABR

Australian Biblical Review

ADAJ

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan

AION

Annali dell'Istituto Orientale di Napoli

AJBA

Australian Journal of Biblical Archaeology

AJSL

American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literature

ArOr

Archiv Orientální

ASTI

Annual of the Swedish Thelogical Institute

AUSS

Andrews University Seminary Studies

BA

Biblical Archaeologist

BAR

Biblical Archaeology Review

BASOR

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

BBR

Bulletin for Biblical Research

BETS

Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society

Bib

Biblica

BiBh

Bible Bhashyam

Bijdr

Bijdragen: Tijdschrift voor filosofie en theologie

BJRL

Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester

BN

Biblische Notizen

BRev

Bible Review

BSac

Bibliotheca Sacra

BT

The Bible Translator

BTB

Biblical Theology Bulletin

BV

Biblical Viewpoint

BZ

Biblische Zeitschrift

CBQ

Catholic Biblical Quarterly

CentBib

Central Bible Quarterly

CTJ

Calvin Theological Journal

CTM

Concordia Theological Monthly

CTR

Criswell Theological Review

ErIsr

Eretz-Israel

EvQ

Evangelical Quarterly

ExpTim

Expository Times

FO

Folia orientalia

GOT

Glasgow Oriental Transactions

GTJ

Grace Theological Journal

HAR

Hebrew Annual Review

HBT

Horizons in Biblical Theology

HS

Hebrew Studies

HTR

Harvard Theological Review

HUCA

Hebrew Union College Annual

IEJ

Israel Exploration Journal

Int

Interpretation

JANESCU

Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society of
Columbia University

JAOS

Journal of the American Oriental Society

JBL

Journal of Biblical Literature

JCS

Journal of Cuneiform Studies

JETS

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

JJP

Journal of Juristic Papyrology

JJS

Journal of Jewish Studies

JNES

Journal of Near Eastern Studies

JNSL

Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages

JPOS

Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society

JQR

Jewish Quarterly Review

JRAS

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

JSNT

Journal for the Study of the New Testament

JSOT

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

JSS

Journal of Semitic Studies

JTS

Journal of Theological Studies

JTVI

Journal of the Transactions of the Victoria Institute

Jud

Judaica

LesŒ

LesŒoneÃnu

LTQ

Lexington Theological Quarterly

MAOG

Mitteilungen der Altorientalischen Gesellschaft

Mus

Muséon: Revue d'études orientales

NovT

Novum Testamentum

NTS

New Testament Studies

Or

Orientalia

OTS

Old Testament Studies

PEQ

Palestinian Exploration Quarterly

RA

Revue d'assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale

RB

Revue biblique

RevExp

Review and Expositor

RHPR

Revue d'histoire et de philosophie religieuses

RHR

Revue de l'histoire des religions

RQ

Römische Quartalschrift für christliche Altertumskunde und Kirchengeschichte

RSR

Recherches de science religieuse

Sem

Semitica

SJT

Scottish Journal of Theology

ST

Studia theologica

SwJT

Southwestern Journal of Theology

TA

Tel Aviv

TB

Theologische Bücherei: Neudrucke und Berichte aus dem 20. Jahrhundert

TGUOS

Transactions of the Glasgow University Oriental Society

TJ

Trinity Journal

TLZ

Theologische Literaturzeitung

TRu

Theologische Rundschau

TynBul

Tyndale Bulletin

TZ

Theologische Zeitschrift

UF

Ugarit-Forschungen

VT

Vetus Testamentum

WTJ

Westminster Theological Journal

WW

Word and World

ZÄS

Zeitschrift für ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde

ZAW

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft

ZDMG

Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesellschaft

ZNW

Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

Commentary and Monograph Series

AB

Anchor Bible

AfO

Archiv für Orientforschung

AGJU

Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des Urchristentums

AnBib

Analecta biblica

AnOr

Analecta orientalia

AOAT

Alter Orient und Altes Testament

ArBib

The Aramaic Bible

ATD

Das Alte Testament Deutsch

BASORSup

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research: Supplement Series

BECNT

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

BibOr

Biblica et orientalia

BKAT

Biblischer Kommentar, Altes Testament

BSC

Bible Student's Commentary

CBC

Cambridge Bible Commentary

CBQMS

Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series

CC

Continental Commentaries

CNT

Commentaire du Nouveau Testament

ConBOT

Coniectanea biblica: Old Testament Series

DissAb

Dissertation Abstracts

DJD

Discoveries in the Judaean Desert

DJDJ

Discoveries in the Judaean Desert of Jordan

DSBS

Daily Study Bible Series

EGGNT

Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament

FCI

Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation

FOTL

Forms of the Old Testament Literature

FRLANT

Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments

GBS

Guides to Biblical Scholarship

HNTC

Harper's New Testament Commentaries

HSM

Harvard Semitic Monographs

IBC

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching

ICC

International Critical Commentary

JAARSup

Journal of the American Academy of Religion: Supplement Series

JBLMS

Journal of Biblical Literature Monograph Series

JPSTC

Jerusalem Publication Society Torah Commentary

JSNTSup

Journal for the Study of the New Testament: Supplement Series

JSOTSup

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament: Supplement Series

KAT

Kommentar zum Alten Testament

LHD

The Library of History and Doctrine

MNTC

Moffatt New Testament Commentary

NAC

New American Commentary

NCBC

New Century Bible Commentary

NICNT

New International Commentary on the New Testament

NICOT

New International Commentary on the Old Testament

NIGTC

New International Greek Testament Commentary

NovTSup

Supplements to Novum Testamentum

NTL

New Testament Library

OBO

Orbis biblicus et orientalis

OBT

Overtures to Biblical Theology

OTL

Old Testament Library

OTM

Oxford Theological Monographs

PTMS

Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series

SB

Sources bibliques

SBA

Studies in Biblical Archaeology

SBG

Studies in Biblical Greek

SBLDS

Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series

SBT

Studies in Biblical Theology

ScrHier

Scripta hierosolymitana

SD

Studies and Documents

SHR

Studies in the History of Religions

SJLA

Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity

SNTSMS

Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series

SoBB

Soncino Books of the Bible

SOTBT

Studies in Old Testament Biblical Theology

SOTSMS

Society for Old Testament Studies Monograph Series

SPCKTC

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Theological Collections

SSN

Studia semitica neerlandica

StPB

Studia post-biblica

SUNT

Studien zur Umwelt des Neuen Testaments

TBC

Torch Bible Commentaries

TCS

Texts from Cuneiform Sources

TOTC

Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries

TU

Texte und Untersuchungen

VAB

Vorderasiatische Bibliothek

VTSup

Supplements to Vetus Testamentum

WBC

Word Biblical Commentary

WEC

Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary

WUNT

Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament

Text-critical Terms

al

Abbreviation for alii, a Latin phrase meaning "others," referring to manuscripts

ms (mss)

manuscript (manuscripts)

pc

Abbreviation for pauci, "a few (others)," referring to manuscripts

pm

Abbreviation for permulti, "a great many (others)," referring to manuscripts

vid

Abbreviation for videtur, a Latin word meaning "apparently" or "so it appears," referring to an uncertain reading in a manuscript

Miscellaneous Abbreviations

abs.


NET	The NET Bible / New English Translation (NT, 1998; First Beta Edition, 2001; Second Beta Edition, 2003; First Edition, 2005)³
TNIV	Today's New International Version (NT, 2001)
NLT	New Living Translation (1996)
CEV	The Contemporary English Version (1995)
NIrV	New International Reader's Version (1995)
*Message*	E. H. Peterson, The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary Language (1993)
NCV	New Century Version (1991)
REB	Revised English Bible (1989)
NRSV	New Revised Standard Version (1989)
NJB	New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
NJPS	Tanakh (1985), produced by the Jewish Publication Society
NKJV	New King James Version (1979)
TEV	Today's English Version, also known as Good News for Modern Man (1976)
NIV	The New International Version (NT, 1973; OT, 1978)
LB	The Living Bible (1971)
NASB	New American Standard Bible (1971; update 1995)
NAB	The New American Bible (1970)
NEB	The New English Bible (1970)
JB	Jerusalem Bible (1966)
Amplified	The Amplified Bible (1965)
BBE	C. K. Ogden, The Bible in Basic English (1965)
JPS	The Torah (1962), The Prophets (Nevi'im) (1978), The Writings (Kethuvim) (1982), produced by the Jewish Publication Society
MLB	Modern Language Bible: New Berkeley Version (1959; rev. 1969)
Phillips	J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English (1958)
RSV	Revised Standard Version (NT, 1946; OT, 1952)
Knox	R. A. Knox, The New Testament in English (1945)
AT	The Bible—An American Translation (1927)
Moffatt	James Moffatt, A New Translation of the Bible (1926)
TCNT	The Twentieth Century New Testament (1898-1901; rev. 1904)
ASV	American Standard Version (1901)
RV	Revised Version (NT 1881; OT 1885)
YLT	Young's Literal Translation (1862; rev. 1898)
KJV (=AV)	The King James Version, known in Britain as the Authorized Version (1611)
AV (=KJV)	The Authorized Version, known in America as the King James Version (1611)
Douay	Douay-Rheims Version, a translation for the Roman Catholic Church (NT 1582; OT 1609-1610)


MT	Masoretic Text (the traditional rabbinical text of the Hebrew Bible, dating from the medieval period)
LXX	Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament, translated between 250-100 b.c.)


tn	Translator's Note—explains the rationale for the translation and gives alternative translations, interpretive options, and other technical information.
sn	Study Note—includes comments about historical or cultural background, explanation of obscure phrases or brief discussions of context, discussions of the theological point made by the biblical author, cross references and references to Old Testament quotations or allusions in the New Testament, or other miscellaneous information helpful to the modern reader.
tc	Text-critical Note—discusses alternate (variant) readings found in the various manuscripts and groups of manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament.
map	Map Note—gives map coordinates for site within the two map sections, "The Journeys of Paul" and "The Holy Land from the Heavens."


ABR	Australian Biblical Review
ADAJ	Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan
AION	Annali dell'Istituto Orientale di Napoli
AJBA	Australian Journal of Biblical Archaeology
AJSL	American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literature
ArOr	Archiv Orientální
ASTI	Annual of the Swedish Thelogical Institute
AUSS	Andrews University Seminary Studies
BA	Biblical Archaeologist
BAR	Biblical Archaeology Review
BASOR	Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
BBR	Bulletin for Biblical Research
BETS	Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society
Bib	Biblica
BiBh	Bible Bhashyam
Bijdr	Bijdragen: Tijdschrift voor filosofie en theologie
BJRL	Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester
BN	Biblische Notizen
BRev	Bible Review
BSac	Bibliotheca Sacra
BT	The Bible Translator
BTB	Biblical Theology Bulletin
BV	Biblical Viewpoint
BZ	Biblische Zeitschrift
CBQ	Catholic Biblical Quarterly
CentBib	Central Bible Quarterly
CTJ	Calvin Theological Journal
CTM	Concordia Theological Monthly
CTR	Criswell Theological Review
ErIsr	Eretz-Israel
EvQ	Evangelical Quarterly
ExpTim	Expository Times
FO	Folia orientalia
GOT	Glasgow Oriental Transactions
GTJ	Grace Theological Journal
HAR	Hebrew Annual Review
HBT	Horizons in Biblical Theology
HS	Hebrew Studies
HTR	Harvard Theological Review
HUCA	Hebrew Union College Annual
IEJ	Israel Exploration Journal
Int	Interpretation

JANESCU	Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society of Columbia University
JAOS	Journal of the American Oriental Society
JBL	Journal of Biblical Literature
JCS	Journal of Cuneiform Studies
JETS	Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
JJP	Journal of Juristic Papyrology
JJS	Journal of Jewish Studies
JNES	Journal of Near Eastern Studies
JNSL	Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages
JPOS	Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society
JQR	Jewish Quarterly Review
JRAS	Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
JSNT	Journal for the Study of the New Testament
JSOT	Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
JSS	Journal of Semitic Studies
JTS	Journal of Theological Studies
JTVI	Journal of the Transactions of the Victoria Institute
Jud	Judaica
LesŒ	LesŒoneÃnu
LTQ	Lexington Theological Quarterly
MAOG	Mitteilungen der Altorientalischen Gesellschaft
Mus	Muséon: Revue d'études orientales
NovT	Novum Testamentum
NTS	New Testament Studies
Or	Orientalia
OTS	Old Testament Studies
PEQ	Palestinian Exploration Quarterly
RA	Revue d'assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale
RB	Revue biblique
RevExp	Review and Expositor
RHPR	Revue d'histoire et de philosophie religieuses
RHR	Revue de l'histoire des religions
RQ	Römische Quartalschrift für christliche Altertumskunde und Kirchengeschichte
RSR	Recherches de science religieuse
Sem	Semitica
SJT	Scottish Journal of Theology
ST	Studia theologica
SwJT	Southwestern Journal of Theology
TA	Tel Aviv
TB	Theologische Bücherei: Neudrucke und Berichte aus dem 20. Jahrhundert
TGUOS	Transactions of the Glasgow University Oriental Society
TJ	Trinity Journal
TLZ	Theologische Literaturzeitung
TRu	Theologische Rundschau
TynBul	Tyndale Bulletin
TZ	Theologische Zeitschrift
UF	Ugarit-Forschungen
VT	Vetus Testamentum
WTJ	Westminster Theological Journal
WW	Word and World
ZÄS	Zeitschrift für ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde
ZAW	Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
ZDMG	Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesellschaft
ZNW	Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft


AB	Anchor Bible
AfO	Archiv für Orientforschung
AGJU	Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des Urchristentums
AnBib	Analecta biblica
AnOr	Analecta orientalia
AOAT	Alter Orient und Altes Testament
ArBib	The Aramaic Bible
ATD	Das Alte Testament Deutsch
BASORSup	Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research: Supplement Series
BECNT	Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
BibOr	Biblica et orientalia
BKAT	Biblischer Kommentar, Altes Testament
BSC	Bible Student's Commentary
CBC	Cambridge Bible Commentary
CBQMS	Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series
CC	Continental Commentaries
CNT	Commentaire du Nouveau Testament
ConBOT	Coniectanea biblica: Old Testament Series
DissAb	Dissertation Abstracts
DJD	Discoveries in the Judaean Desert
DJDJ	Discoveries in the Judaean Desert of Jordan
DSBS	Daily Study Bible Series
EGGNT	Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
FCI	Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation
FOTL	Forms of the Old Testament Literature
FRLANT	Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments
GBS	Guides to Biblical Scholarship
HNTC	Harper's New Testament Commentaries
HSM	Harvard Semitic Monographs
IBC	Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
ICC	International Critical Commentary
JAARSup	Journal of the American Academy of Religion: Supplement Series
JBLMS	Journal of Biblical Literature Monograph Series
JPSTC	Jerusalem Publication Society Torah Commentary
JSNTSup	Journal for the Study of the New Testament: Supplement Series
JSOTSup	Journal for the Study of the Old Testament: Supplement Series
KAT	Kommentar zum Alten Testament
LHD	The Library of History and Doctrine
MNTC	Moffatt New Testament Commentary
NAC	New American Commentary
NCBC	New Century Bible Commentary
NICNT	New International Commentary on the New Testament
NICOT	New International Commentary on the Old Testament
NIGTC	New International Greek Testament Commentary
NovTSup	Supplements to Novum Testamentum
NTL	New Testament Library
OBO	Orbis biblicus et orientalis
OBT	Overtures to Biblical Theology
OTL	Old Testament Library
OTM	Oxford Theological Monographs
PTMS	Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series
SB	Sources bibliques
SBA	Studies in Biblical Archaeology
SBG	Studies in Biblical Greek
SBLDS	Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series
SBT	Studies in Biblical Theology
ScrHier	Scripta hierosolymitana
SD	Studies and Documents
SHR	Studies in the History of Religions
SJLA	Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
SNTSMS	Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series
SoBB	Soncino Books of the Bible
SOTBT	Studies in Old Testament Biblical Theology
SOTSMS	Society for Old Testament Studies Monograph Series
SPCKTC	Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Theological Collections
SSN	Studia semitica neerlandica
StPB	Studia post-biblica
SUNT	Studien zur Umwelt des Neuen Testaments
TBC	Torch Bible Commentaries
TCS	Texts from Cuneiform Sources
TOTC	Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries
TU	Texte und Untersuchungen
VAB	Vorderasiatische Bibliothek
VTSup	Supplements to Vetus Testamentum
WBC	Word Biblical Commentary
WEC	Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary
WUNT	Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament


al	Abbreviation for alii, a Latin phrase meaning "others," referring to manuscripts
ms (mss)	manuscript (manuscripts)
pc	Abbreviation for pauci, "a few (others)," referring to manuscripts
pm	Abbreviation for permulti, "a great many (others)," referring to manuscripts
vid	Abbreviation for videtur, a Latin word meaning "apparently" or "so it appears," referring to an uncertain reading in a manuscript