In this episode Dr. Heiser talks to the men behind a new translation project, John Hobbins and Samuel Bray. The first volume of their effort is entitled Genesis 1-11: A New Old Translation for Readers, Scholars, and Translators. Our discussion focuses on the translation enterprise – what translators need to think about as they do their work. The strength of this new project is its thorough documentation by the translators of what and how they were thinking during the process of producing their translation. Over 130 pages of notes about the Hebrew text and its translation issues accompany the translation.
The work comes highly recommended, and Naked Bible Podcast listeners can purchase the resource at a discount.
Pre-order HERE and use the code: GETNAKED to receive a discount.
The episode is now live.
In this highly practical and insightful episode, Dr. Michael Heiser walks listeners through the interpretive and translational complexities of Genesis 1–11, the Bible’s primeval history. Responding to listener questions about Bible translation, Heiser emphasizes the non-neutrality of translation, unpacking how theology, tradition, and even marketing shape what readers see on the page.
Heiser explores grammatical ambiguity, lexical choice, and Hebrew syntax in pivotal Genesis passages, showing how translation often inserts interpretive decisions—sometimes reflecting denominational or theological biases. Through examples like Genesis 1:1–3 and the debate between "formless and void" or "desolate and empty", he highlights how different renderings shape cosmological assumptions (e.g., creation from nothing vs. functional creation).
He also touches on well-known translation difficulties in Genesis 4:1 (Eve and the "man-child" or “Yahweh”), the Nephilim (Genesis 6), and Genesis 9 (Noah’s nakedness)—reiterating that even “literal” translations are guided by choices that reflect textual uncertainty and editorial perspective.
Rather than advocating for a “correct” translation, Heiser urges readers to become aware of the decisions behind the text, using multiple translations and tools to better engage with Scripture on its own terms.
This episode is ideal for listeners interested in biblical languages, hermeneutics, or the theology of Genesis, and provides clear examples of why translation is never as simple—or objective—as it might appear.
Tried NEKIDBIBLE for the $3 rebate. Eventually got it “right”.
Thanks for the podcast/intro to great people.
Might there be any chance of scanning a page or two for us to show the nature of the notes which are incorporated? This would be very useful and perhaps reading some of the notes would be of more help than seeing the translation. It’s not an expensive book but a small preview would be of great benefit.
Many thanks!