An essay on the principles of translating the Holy Scriptures; with critical remarks on various passages, particularly in reference to the Tamul language

by Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. ... conyeylng ideas in a form very different from common use, would, be of little service to the people; as many expressions would be unintelligible to them; and would doubtless be received by them with as much reluctance as an offer to' change their dress;--not to mention the ridicule with which it would be met by the more intelligent among them. Besides what correct ideas could such people form of the truth of our Holy Scriptures, and of their divinity, if they be given them in a style, in which they meet nearly at every Tere with objectionable and unusual phrases? Again, it will be frequently the case as will appear fro n the sequel, that by a literal translation sentiments will b3 conveyed to the reader, entirely dif-' fereut from the true sense of the origin-il simply owing to the different idioms of the languages. Such a version, with all its strict adherence to the letter of the originals can in no wise be called a faith ful translation; it gives the letter but not the sense. '., By atranslation of the sens;, I do not mean a Paraphrase; theTe is a great difference between the tvo. I shall elucidate it by translating a few passages from the Hebrew into English, in the three ways just mentioned. And he took i And he took them them all, divid-jall without dittinc ed them in the Ition, divided them, midst, and laid-not in quarters, but in each piece one the midst; according agaiast another, to the p ractice in those times, and then laid each piece one against another, to make a way for him to pass between them. And now retur n this woman to her husband; for he is a Prophet peculiarly is a Prophet; audfavoured of God; and Wherefore return to the man his wife; for he Hebrew passages. Literal Marislation. Translation ofthe sense....

24 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2013

About the author

Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius (5 November 1790 – 5 June 1838) was a German-born missionary of the Church Mission Society (CMS). He was the first CMS missionary to arrive in India. For his missionary work in the Tirunelveli district, he came to be known as the "Apostle of Tirunelveli". He was involved in the attempt to revise the Fabricius version of the Tamil Bible and also published a Tamil grammar book. Rhenius’ split from the Anglican Church in 1830 and started his own congregation. Rhenius' work was recognized in 1980 by the Reverend Daniel Abraham, the then Church of South India (CSI) bishop of Tirunelveli diocese. Rhenius's work was given official recognition by the Anglican Communion during the Tirunelveli diocese bicentenary celebration in 1980, in which, all the bishops, including Anglican bishop Stephen Neill and all the presbyters, took an oath in front of the tomb of Rev Rhenius to follow the path of the resting soul, regard to evangelism.