Why I Use the Legacy Standard Bible

50 Years of Translation History, Continued - The Legacy Standard Bible

WHERE DID THE LSB BIBLE ORIGINATE?

The Legacy Standard Bible is a translation that—at its core—seeks to be a window into the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. By translating individual words as consistently as possible within their various nuances, it allows the reader to discern the Author’s intent. In this way, the refinements in the LSB also preserve the legacy of the NASB.

Why the Legacy Standard Bible Is the Best Modern Translation

For Believers Who Want the Closest English Bible to the Original Languages. Built on a Legacy of Accuracy.

The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) is not just another English Bible--it's a refined, faithful, and precise translation based on the highly respected NASB. For those who do not plan to learn fluent Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, the LSB offers the most accurate window into the original Scriptures, preserving God's words with clarity and reverence.

Why the LSB Stands Apart

1. Faithful to the Original Texts

The LSB maintains a formal equivalence translation method (word-for-word), unlike many modern

versions that paraphrase or simplify.

- "Yahweh" replaces "LORD" over 6,800 times, restoring God's covenant name.

- "Slave" is used instead of "servant" when the Greek word doulos is present--retaining the biblical

weight of submission to Christ.

- Greek and Hebrew tenses and verb forms are carefully preserved for accurate study and theology.

2. Best Choice for Serious Bible Study

While other translations smooth things over for readability, the LSB preserves the structure and

intent of the original text--ideal for:

- Expository preaching

- Discipleship and teaching

- Doctrinal clarity

- Scripture memorization with precision

3. Honors God's Name and Intent

Where most Bibles obscure God's personal name (YHWH) behind the generic title "LORD," the LSB

reverently restores Yahweh, helping readers better understand:

- The covenantal nature of God

- The distinction between God's titles and His name

- The consistency of His character from Genesis to Revelation

4. No Compromise, No Agenda

The LSB does not filter Scripture through modern social or political lenses. Instead, it retains the full

theological weight of the original language on issues such as:

- Salvation

- Gender roles

- Moral clarity

- God's sovereignty

- Eternal judgment

Who Is the LSB For?

- Christians who want truth without compromise

- Pastors preaching expository sermons

- Teachers and students of biblical doctrine

- Disciples who want the closest English rendering of the original Greek and Hebrew

When evaluating which English Bible translation is closest to the oldest Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic manuscripts, based solely on accuracy and faithfulness to the original languages, several key factors come into play:

Use of the earliest available manuscripts (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls, Septuagint, Codex Sinaiticus, etc.)

Formal equivalence (word-for-word translation style)

Minimal theological bias or interpretive paraphrasing

Translation by scholars of biblical languages, not driven by denomination

Top Contenders (Based on Linguistic Accuracy to Oldest Manuscripts):

1. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995 or 2020)

Strengths:

Most formally equivalent (literal, word-for-word)

Translated directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek

Highly respected among scholars for linguistic precision

Notes:

The 1995 edition is preferred by many for doctrinal neutrality

The 2020 edition made the language slightly smoother, but with some concessions to modern gender-inclusivity

2. Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

Strengths:

Built directly on the NASB 1995, but goes even further in literalness and consistency, particularly:

Always translates God's name as Yahweh

Maintains distinctions like "slave" (doulos) rather than “servant”

Overseen by scholars from The Master’s Seminary and Grace Community Church

Notes:

Excellent Greek and Hebrew fidelity

May include theological leaning from the translators' camp (Reformed leaning), but the textual faithfulness is extremely high

3. English Standard Version (ESV)

Strengths:

A balance between formal equivalence and readable English

Based on the Masoretic Text (OT) and Nestle-Aland Greek (NT)

More readable than NASB, while still retaining high fidelity

Notes:

Leans slightly more interpretive in some phrases

The 2016 permanent edition made some key accuracy improvements

4. Interlinear Bible (e.g., Jay Green's Literal Translation / LITV or the Apostolic Bible Polyglot)

Strengths:

Direct Hebrew/Greek-to-English word-for-word mapping

Shows Strong’s numbers, original word forms

Notes:

Not readable for public or devotional use

Excellent for deep study of the original text

5. Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Strengths:

19th-century translation that sticks closely to original verb tenses and syntax

Notes:

Often awkward in English

Good for cross-checking meaning, but not ideal for regular reading

Other Notes

Dead Sea Scrolls are included in modern critical editions of the Hebrew Bible (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia / Quinta), which modern translations like LSB, NASB, and ESV do use when variants are important.

Aramaic portions (Daniel, Ezra) and sayings of Jesus (some argue for Aramaic substrata) are treated carefully in NASB and LSB, with footnotes.

The Septuagint (LXX) is sometimes favored in textual variants, especially in places like the Psalms or Isaiah. Some translations (like the Orthodox Study Bible) lean heavily on the LXX but are less faithful to the Hebrew Masoretic text.

Best Overall for Accuracy to the Oldest Manuscripts:

Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995)

(tie – depending on whether you want full literalness [LSB] or slightly smoother English [NASB])

Famous Pastors & Teachers Who Use the LSB

- John MacArthur -- Grace Community Church, Master's Seminary; LSB translator

- Justin Peters -- Evangelist and Bible teacher

- Costi Hinn -- Pastor, author, and sound doctrine advocate

- James Coates -- Canadian pastor, seminary professor

- Tom Pennington -- Bible expositor and Master's alumnus

If you're not going to learn biblical Greek and Hebrew fluently, the Legacy Standard Bible is the best safeguard against interpretation errors, doctrinal confusion, and diluted truth.

It brings you as close as possible to what God actually said--not just what a translator thought He meant. And in a time when truth is under attack, we need Bibles that are faithful, not fashionable.

Learn More or Order a Copy Visit: www.lsbible.org