English Standard Version

The English Standard Version (ESV) is an English translation of the Christian Bible. It is a revision of the 1971 edition of the Revised Standard Version that employs an "essentially literal" translation philosophy.

History

Work on this translation was prompted, in the early 1990s, by what Dr. Lane T. Dennis stated was a need for a new literal translation by scholars and pastors. A translation committee was formed, and it sought and received permission from the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA to use the 1971 edition of the RSV as the English textual basis for the ESV. About 6% was revised in the ESV.

Translation philosophy

The stated intent of the translators was to follow an "essentially literal" translation philosophy while taking into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. The ESV uses some inclusive language.

Revisions

The ESV underwent a minor revision in 2007, and the publisher did not identify the updated text as a revised edition. The update changed about 500 words by focusing on grammar, consistency and clarity. The most notable change was "wounded for our transgressions" to "pierced for our transgressions". Another edition was issued in April 2011, and the 2007 edition has been gradually phased out.

ESV (disambiguation)

ESV is the English Standard Version, a translation of the Bible.

ESV may also refer to: