At the Translation Table

What It Really Takes to Translate the Bible

When people think of Bible translation, they often imagine someone sitting at a desk, translating word for word from Greek or Hebrew into another language. But the truth is—Bible translation is so much more than that.

From the first conversation with a language community to ongoing Scripture engagement efforts, translation is a team effort that spans time, cultures, and continents. It’s a collaborative process that includes linguists, translators, community leaders, literacy specialists, exegetes, technology specialists, and church partners.

Every step of the process matters, whether it’s helping a community develop a writing system (called an orthography), training local translators, testing drafts for clarity and impact, or equipping churches to use Scripture in worship and study.

The goal isn’t just a translated Bible: it’s transformed lives through God’s Word.

Take a look at our “At the Translation Table” chart below. Each part of the process is important in making Scripture accessible, understandable, and life-changing.