English Standard Version Bible Set for First Major Update in Nearly a Decade
The English Standard Version (ESV) Bible will see revisions for the first time in nearly ten years, with 36 passages across 42 verses undergoing changes. This update, announced by the ESV Translation Oversight Committee (TOC), aims to improve both accuracy and clarity.
The updates, which involve 68 word changes and modifications to 57 footnotes, are expected to be implemented over the next two years. According to an announcement from the committee, the first newly revised editions will be available by spring 2025, with most editions reaching completion by fall 2026.
The TOC, part of the Crossway Board of Directors, oversees ESV publications to ensure their adherence to original biblical texts. One of the most significant changes will be seen in Genesis 3:16, which will revert to its 2001 translation after the 2016 version faced criticism. The upcoming text will read, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”
This adjustment aligns with historic versions like the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and New American Standard Bible (NASB), as the TOC aims to preserve various interpretative options for readers. “We respect readers when we pass along to them the job of interpretive work,” the committee reiterated, echoing the late general editor J.I. Packer.
Noteworthy Changes Explained
Another notable alteration is found in John 1:18, revising “the only God” to “God the only Son” to better reflect the original Greek terms “theos” and “monogenēs.” The update maintains consistency with John 1:14, and alternative readings like “the only God who” or “the only Son” are provided in the updated footnote.
Other changes include clarifications and slight modifications in various verses, such as:
- Genesis 2:14 now specifies that the Tigris river flows east of Assyria, with a footnote offering an alternative name, “Or Asshur.”
- Genesis 6:14 addresses the ambiguity of “gopher wood,” explaining it as transliterated from Hebrew.
- Exodus 20:11 will now state, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,” offering more clarity.
- Deuteronomy 32:17 adjusts its translation to “They sacrificed to demons that were not God.”
Although Crossway does not anticipate frequent updates, the ESV remains open to revisions as new discoveries arise, aiming to stay faithful and clear for its worldwide readership. Since its launch in 2001, over 315 million copies of the ESV Bible have been distributed globally, often through ministry partnerships.
For a detailed list of edits in the 2025 edition of the ESV Bible, click here.
The Translation Oversight Committee reiterated their commitment, stating, “We are committed to maintaining a faithful, stable, and standard ESV Bible text.” Despite acknowledging that no translation is perfect, they expressed hope that the revised text would benefit readers and scholars alike.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
