Bible StudiesPreview
Open in TheBrain

Revelation 6:1

In Revelation 6:1, 3, 5 and 7, the KJV says "come, and see", while many other translations only say "come". Which version has the best support among the known actual ancient texts from which the Bible is translated?

The phrase "come and see" is included in the Greek text of Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, and 7, which is the original language in which the book of Revelation was written. Therefore, it is not a matter of one translation having better support among ancient texts than another, but rather a matter of the translators' interpretation and rendering of the original text into English.

Different translations of the Bible take different approaches to how closely they adhere to the original language and structure of the text, and how much they seek to convey the meaning of the text in contemporary English. Therefore, some translations may include additional words or phrases to help convey the sense of the original text, while others may stick more closely to the original wording and structure.

In this case, the phrase "come and see" is not present in all English translations of the Bible, but it is included in some translations, including the King James Version. Other translations, such as the New International Version and the English Standard Version, simply say "come", which is a more literal rendering of the Greek text. Ultimately, the choice of which translation to use depends on the reader's preferences and the level of detail and accuracy they require.

Is it true that more ancient biblical texts have been discovered since the KJV was originally produced?

Yes, it is true that more ancient biblical texts have been discovered since the King James Version (KJV) was first produced in 1611. The KJV was based on earlier translations of the Bible, such as the Latin Vulgate and the Greek New Testament, which were themselves based on earlier copies of biblical manuscripts that were available at the time.

Since then, numerous ancient biblical texts and fragments have been discovered through archaeological excavations and other means. These include the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were discovered in the mid-20th century and contain some of the oldest surviving copies of the Hebrew Bible, as well as many other fragments and manuscripts that have shed new light on the text of the Bible and its translation.

The discovery of these ancient texts has allowed scholars and translators to gain a better understanding of the original text of the Bible and to produce more accurate and reliable translations. Many modern translations of the Bible, such as the New International Version and the English Standard Version, are based on a wider range of ancient texts and incorporate the latest scholarship on biblical language and culture.

So, is it true that the majority of ancient texts for Revelation 6:1, 3, 5 and 7 do not have "and see" included after "come"?

The Greek text of Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, and 7 includes the words "come and see" (ἐρχοῦ καὶ ἴδε) in all four verses. This is confirmed by the majority of ancient manuscripts and textual traditions, including the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, and the Majority Text.

However, some ancient manuscripts and versions, such as the Latin Vulgate and some Syriac versions, omit the phrase "and see" in these verses. Some modern translations of the Bible, such as the New International Version and the English Standard Version, also omit the phrase "and see" in these verses.

Therefore, while it is true that some ancient texts and modern translations do not include the phrase "and see" in Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, and 7, the majority of ancient texts and traditions do include it. Ultimately, the choice of whether to include the phrase in a particular translation is a matter of interpretation and translation philosophy.

Among these texts you've mentioned, can you provide an approximate estimated time of origin for each?

Certainly! Here are the approximate time periods of origin for some of the ancient texts and manuscripts mentioned:

It's worth noting that the dates of origin for ancient texts and manuscripts can be somewhat uncertain, as they are often based on estimates and inferences from a variety of sources. Nonetheless, these dates should give a general sense of the time periods in which these texts were written or copied.