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Behind the Lexham English Bible

The Lexham English Bible is a translation dedicated to transparency, which makes it both an ideal second Bible and a go-to translation for comparing the original languages.

To achieve this transparency, a team of top scholars was assembled and given strict parameters: to hold fast to the flow of the original text while adding (and italicizing) English words only as needed to preserve meaning and clarity. The greatest challenge was not the translation work itself—in fact, the starting point was original language work Logos had previously commissioned—but keeping the end product clear and suitable for teaching, preaching, and Bible study. The Lexham English Bible proves it is possible to create a translation that is highly loyal to the original languages’ most likely meaning and intention while still being readable.

The most difficult issues in translating a project this size stem from creating consistency among translators’ methods and phrasing: it is obviously preferable for repeated phrases to be translated the same way wherever they appear. The Lexham English Bible is a well-documented project. The translators’ decisions are apparent because the translators annotated idioms, textual issues, and major translational issues throughout.

The LEB’s Old Testament needed special attention. If Greek flows easily into English, Hebrew and Aramaic trickle. Editorial work on the final translations ensured the text was clear.

Now complete, the Lexham English Bible is free and comes automatically with the Faithlife Study Bible. You can also download it separately at Logos.com.

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Written by
John D. Barry

Rev. John D. Barry is an author, chaplain, nonprofit founder, and Bible scholar. John is the author or editor of 30 books, the general editor of Faithlife Study Bible and Lexham Bible Dictionary, and the former editor-in-chief of Bible Study Magazine.

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 x Written by John D. Barry