Isaiah Literal Translation
At Search Diligently, our mission is to help students learn from the scriptures. We want to provide tools for people to "search diligently" directly from the source, and we believe that reading from the original Hebrew Bible can offer the deepest, most insightful engagement with the text. The opportunity to access the Bible in its original form allows readers to experience the full depth and richness of the scriptures, unhindered by the limitations of traditional translations.
The Book of Isaiah is the very book that the Savior instructed us to "search diligently" (see 3 Nephi 23:1). This is why we decided to launch our platform with a course on the Book of Isaiah. After dealing with copyright issues surrounding existing translations and carefully considering the best path to provide accessible resources, we determined that the most effective approach would be to develop our own literal translations.
For centuries, readers have sought to understand its messages, yet the complexity of the Hebrew text has often left room for varying interpretations, with translators sometimes infusing their own theological views into the text.
With significant technological advancements, particularly in Language Learning Models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence, the opportunity now exists to offer a more accurate, direct, and unfiltered translation of the Hebrew text.
This literal translation of the Book of Isaiah aims to preserve the original meaning of the Hebrew words, maintaining literal fidelity, consistency, and clarity in a way that allows readers to come to their own understanding of the text. By focusing on a faithful rendering from the Masoretic Text (MT), we invite readers to experience the scripture in its purest form, empowering them to engage with its profound messages without the influence of interpretative layers that have historically shaped our understanding.
Project Overview and Scope
Our literal translation aims to preserve the original meaning of the Hebrew words without the influence of external theological or cultural interpretations. By focusing on literal fidelity, we seek to reflect the syntax, word order, and semantic range of the Hebrew text, ensuring that each word is translated as accurately as possible into English.
Scope of the Project:
- Translation from the Masoretic Text (MT): Our translation is based solely on the Masoretic Text—the authoritative Hebrew text of the Old Testament, ensuring precision and authenticity in every verse.
- Emphasis on Literal Fidelity: We maintain an unwavering commitment to literal translation, aiming to present the Hebrew Bible without interpretative bias. Our translation reflects the raw text as closely as possible, leaving the interpretation to the reader. The goal is to empower readers to discover the meaning of the text for themselves.
- Use of Advanced Tools: We incorporate the latest language learning models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence technologies to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout the translation process. These models help us capture the nuances and depth of the Hebrew language, providing a context-aware translation that reflects the full range of meanings for each word.
- Commentary for Deeper Understanding: While we focus on literal translation, we will include brief commentaries based on Hebrew etymology and contextual analysis. These commentaries will offer insights into the linguistic and cultural context of the text, empowering readers to make their own informed interpretations.
- Scope of Coverage: This project will encompass the entire Book of Isaiah, breaking down each verse to provide consistent and faithful translations. By focusing on Isaiah first, we offer a foundational text for further exploration of the Hebrew Bible.
Our goal is to provide a reliable, accessible, and empowering resource for anyone seeking to understand the Book of Isaiah in its original form, allowing them to engage with the scriptures in a deeper, more meaningful way.
The Opportunity for a Literal Translation in 2025
For centuries, interpretative translations of the Bible were necessary due to the lack of direct access to the Hebrew lexicon and scholarly tools. Without the ability to study the original Hebrew text directly, translators relied on their understanding, often shaped by theological, cultural, and historical contexts, to bridge the gap for modern readers. As a result, many translations became infused with the interpretative biases of the translators, influencing how the text was understood and applied by different generations.
Technological Advancements
In 2025, the landscape has dramatically shifted. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) have made it possible to bridge the gap between ancient Hebrew and modern readers in a way that was never before possible. These advanced technologies provide direct access to the Hebrew Bible, allowing for context-aware, precise translations that reflect the original meaning of the text. With these tools, it is now possible to analyze the syntax, semantics, and morphology of Hebrew words in real-time, capturing the nuances of the language and offering an unprecedented level of accuracy in translation.
Empowering Modern Readers
With these advancements, modern readers now have the ability to bypass interpretative biases that have traditionally influenced translations. Students can engage directly with the Hebrew text, empowering themselves to discover the meaning of the scriptures for themselves. The literal translation project allows individuals to engage with the text as it was originally written, fostering a deeper understanding of the ancient scriptures and encouraging personal exploration of the text's profound messages.
Methodology
Textual Basis
Our translation is based on the Masoretic Text (MT), the authoritative Hebrew text of the Old Testament. The Masoretic Text is widely regarded as the most reliable version of the Hebrew Bible, and we are committed to faithfully rendering its content into English, preserving its original meaning, syntax, and structure as closely as possible.
Lexical Research
To ensure accuracy in every translation, we use comprehensive Hebrew lexicons to explore the full range of meanings for each Hebrew word. Our research includes not only the most commonly accepted translations but also an examination of semantic nuances, ensuring that each term is understood and translated in its proper context. This method allows us to capture the depth and richness of the original Hebrew.
Translation Analysis Database
We have developed a Translation Analysis Database to maintain consistency across the entire translation. This database helps us track the consistent translation of recurring Hebrew words and phrases, ensuring that they are rendered the same way throughout the text. It also enables us to capture subtle differences in meaning, helping us to avoid inconsistencies and preserving the integrity of the original text.
Review Process
To ensure the accuracy and fidelity of the translation, we collaborate with five Large Language Models (LLMs). These models are trained to analyze vast amounts of text and can assist in providing a deeper understanding of the Hebrew language. They help us identify potential issues with translation, offering valuable feedback and ensuring that the translation remains both linguistically precise and contextually faithful to the original Hebrew. Through this collaborative process, we enhance the overall quality and reliability of the translation.
Translation Philosophy
Literal Fidelity
Our translation emphasizes faithfulness to the original Hebrew text. We aim to preserve the exact meaning of each word and phrase, ensuring that the translation remains true to the Hebrew as it was written, without altering its meaning to fit modern interpretations or theological perspectives. This literal fidelity allows the text to speak for itself, empowering readers to engage directly with the original language and discover the text's true intent.
Consistency
We are committed to uniformity in the translation of recurring Hebrew words and phrases throughout the entire text. By maintaining consistency, we ensure that each Hebrew term is rendered the same way in every instance, which helps create a coherent and seamless reading experience. This approach also supports deeper study and word analysis, allowing readers to trace patterns and connections across the Book of Isaiah and the Hebrew Bible.
Clarity
While our focus is on literal fidelity, we also recognize the importance of clarity in the English translation. We aim to provide clear, readable English that remains faithful to the original text while making the complex Hebrew language accessible to modern readers. By balancing literal accuracy with clarity, we ensure that the translation is not only precise but also understandable, allowing the messages of the text to resonate with readers in a meaningful way.
The Role of Interpretation
Non-Interpretative Approach
Our translation takes a non-interpretative approach, intentionally avoiding the imposition of external interpretations. We believe that interpretation is best left to scholars and readers who engage directly with the text. By refraining from shaping the translation to fit particular theological or doctrinal views, we allow readers to draw their own conclusions and engage with the scriptures in a more personal and independent way.
Focus on Raw Translation
Our focus is on providing direct access to the Hebrew Bible in its raw and unaltered form, offering a translation that reflects the original Hebrew as accurately as possible. Accompanying commentary will be provided to aid understanding, but we avoid imposing any theological or doctrinal biases. The goal is to present the Hebrew text in its purest form, giving readers the opportunity to engage with the language and context without external influence.
Supporting Commentary
While we maintain a literal translation, we provide supporting commentary that is based on Hebrew etymology, grammar, and context. This commentary serves as a guiding tool to help readers understand the nuances of the Hebrew language and its cultural context, but it does not lead readers toward a specific interpretation. Instead, it offers insights into the linguistic and cultural background, allowing readers to develop their own understanding of the text.