One would think that a god as bright and all-knowing as Christians claim their god to be would make sure the intended meaning of his word would never change. And in doing so would make certain all translations of his word into various languages would be the same. Yet this is not the case. Simply look at a sampling of the many English variations of the word "רַע
ra`" there are as found in Isaiah 45:7.
1. New Living Translation "Bad Times"
2. New International Version "Disaster"
3. King James Version "Evil"
4. English Standard Version "Calamity:
5. Common English Bible "Doom"
6. Reina Valera 1960 "Adversity"
7. New International Readers Version "Hard Times"
So, even if one does know Hebrew and old Greek he's still up against those translators, assumed to be far better educated in these things, who've lent their expertise to the various translations they've penned. Think you're better able to divine the true meanings of the Hebrew and Greek sources then these people, then be my guest, but I have absolutely no interest in what you come up with.
From what I've seen, the differences in translations are more often a matter of conforming to the sponsoring theology than anything else. So . . . we have a scriptural diversity from which one can pick and choose whatever fits a personal need. If one translation of a Hebrew or Greek word doesn't fit one's theology there are bound to be others that will. Christianity is a true do-it-yourself religion. So it's no wonder that The World Christian Encyclopedia by Barrett, Kurian, Johnson (Oxford Univ Press, 2nd edition, 2001) lists 33,000 Christian denominations.
Starting with presuppositions, prejudices. That is not the best way to research.
