Compare Arabic Bible Translations

In-Print Bibles

Smith-Van Dyck-Bustani (SVB) translation (1865). This is the most common translation in use among Arab churches of all denominations. The translation was done at the beginning of the revival of Modern Standard Arabic as a literary language, and consequently many of the terms coined did not enter into common use. While the intention of the American Presbyterian missionaries who sponsored this translation was to communicate primarily to non-Christians, the influence of local Christians in the project led to its being dominated by traditional ecclesiastical vocabulary. The translation is word-for-word to the point that it is not considered good or even understandable Arabic by non-Christians. There is an edition available with a 3000-word Arabic-to-Arabic glossary of difficult-to-understand terms with explanation. Not appropriate for non-church audiences.

Jesuit translation (1876-79). A Catholic Bible very similar to the SVB which is somewhat hard to understand. Not appropriate for non-church audiences.  

New Jesuit translation (1969). This translation was deeply influenced by the Jerusalem Bibles in French and English. It uses a high register of Arabic, but the terminology is still ecclesiastical and not appropriate for non-Christians.

Today’s Arabic Version (also known as Good News Arabic, (at-tarjamah al-mushtarakah) (NT 1977, Bible and Apocrypha 1993). Translated by Lebanese poet Yousef Al-Khal, this translation is beautiful and ecclesiastical, but not extremely so. Its language is less formal and much easier to understand than the SVB, but still includes some unfamiliar Christian terminology. About 300 passages or phrases are in language acceptable to Muslims. Lucien Accad, the late director of the Bible Society of Lebanon, argued fiercely with the committee to keep these passages in the translation. This Bible is accepted in some Arab churches. It’s more accessible for non-Christian readers, but still difficult.

New Arabic Version (Known in Arabic as kitāb al-ḥayāh, or Book of Life) (NT 1982, Bible 1988). This translation is similar to the TAV, but not as elevated in style, the language being slightly more simplified. It is published by Biblica. Not very helpful for non-Christian readers. See www.biblica.com/bible/nav for a digital version.

Sharif Bible (al-kitāb ash-sharīf) (NT 1990, Bible 2000). This Bible was translated by Sobhi Malik, an Egyptian working with the Assemblies of God. It’s the first modern translation intended for Muslims. The language is quite simple and vocabulary choice is based on comprehensibility across the Arab world. It has clearer meaning than other standard Arabic versions but the language is not elegant. It uses Muslim names and some key terms, but has not adapted in other important ways to Muslim audiences. Available from www.alsharif.org.  

The True Meaning of the Gospel of Christ (al-ma‘nā aṣ-ṣaḥīḥ li’injīl al-masīḥ) (Gospels and Acts 2008, Epistles 2016, selected Psalms 2017). Syrian Arab author Mazhar Mallouhi brought together Christians and Muslims to produce this translation. The goal of the project was a translation of the gospel message that would speak clearly and naturally to the hearts of Arabic speakers unfamiliar with church terminology and traditions. The translation has explanatory articles, book introductions, and footnotes, and is the first Arabic study Bible for Muslim readers.

Available at www.secretsofthegospel.com or on YouVersion.

Portions In-Print for Special Audiences

Al-Injiil: An Eastern Reading of the Gospel of Luke. (1999) Luke in Van Dyck version with commentary for Arab readers unfamiliar with the Bible, organized by Mazhar Mallouhi.  This and the next two items are available in the USA from Paulette Clements: clements106@juno.com 803-772-9150

The Beginning of the World and of Mankind (2001) Genesis in New Jesuit translation with commentary for readers unfamiliar with the Bible, organized by Mazhar Mallouhi.

A Sufi Reading of the Gospel of John (2004) New Jesuit translation with commentary for non-church readers and those unfamiliar with the Bible, organized by Mazhar Mallouhi.

The Psalms A translation by Afif Ausayran. This translator was a Lebanese from a non-Christian background, and his version is more accessible to non-Christians than some others. In addition, it has a somewhat poetic style. Available from Bible Society of Lebanon (paperback, orange cover).

Psalms of Passion for God (2017). A poetic translation in Standard Arabic of 46 selected Psalms stylized and presented by the celebrated poet and scholar Dr. Moncef Ouheibi, with introduction to the Psalms by the editorial committee and introductory reflections by Dr. Ouheibi. This project was created by the UK charity Al Kalima under the direction of Mazhar Mallouhi. Available from Al Kalima and at: www.lulu.com

Not In Print

Ibn al-Tayyib (Abd-Allah Ibn al-Tayyib al-Mishriqi) (11th Century) This is a full commentary on the four Gospels accompanied by his own translation of the Scriptural text.  “His translation is one of the great versions of the history of the Arabic Bible” (Kenneth E. Bailey). This is useful for reference, but would not be very helpful for distribution to modern readers. The MSS have been typed so that a digital version is now available.

Sirat Al-Maseeh (The life of the Messiah – 1987) Translated by David Owen, an American, and Adnan Baidun, an MBB Palestinian poet. This is a chronological harmony of the Gospels, composed in rhymed prose that imitates the Qur’an. It uses names and terminology familiar to common readers, but has adapted to non-biblical theological thinking patterns, in some cases straying significantly from the Biblical concepts. The language in the first half is beautiful, but it is less so in the last half. It has some missing verses, mistakes, and includes some Qur’anic phrases. It is available electronically. Recommended as a reference, but it has been found to provoke as much anger among Muslim readers as it does interest.  

Audio Scripture

Baghdadi Arabic These dramatized audio stories have been extremely popular among non-church audiences, even in areas where they do not understand this dialect well.  The stories are in a style familiar to Muslims, though not always acceptable to those from Christian background. Available for download at www.alanbiya.com as well as www.prophetstories.net

  • The Lives of the Prophets
    11 dramatized Old Testament stories organized chronologically, with the last story being a short Life of Jesus based on the Jesus Film.  
  • The Biography of Christ
    Five-CD dramatized audio series based on the entire Gospel of Luke.
  • The Lives of the Apostles
    Dramatized eight-part series based on the Acts of the Apostles, including selections from the Epistles.  

Bedouin Arabic These tapes are appropriate for Bedouins in the Levant region, and possibly in the Gulf and the Sinai. The translators have taken into account issues important to the Bedouin worldview and use terminology understandable to non-church audiences. The following series are similar in content to the Baghdadi above and are available from www.alanbiya.net as well as www.prophetstories.net

  • The Lives of the Prophets (13 stories on 14 cassettes). The last story is a short (two cassette) story of Jesus based on selections from The Biography of Christ.
  • The Biography of Christ (5 cassettes) Dramatized audio series based on the entire Gospel of Luke.
  • The Lives of the Apostles (8 cassettes) Dramatized series based on the Acts of the Apostles, including selections from the Epistles.

Egyptian Arabic Dramatized audio stories produced in Cairene Arabic. This dialect is widely understood and accepted throughout the Arab world. www.prophetstories.net

Lebanese Arabic Dramatized audio stories. This dialect is widely understood and accepted throughout the Arab world. Old Testament Stories (Job, Joseph, Ruth, Daniel, Samuel, Jonah): www.prophetstories.net

Sudanese Arabic Dramatized audio stories produced in Sudanese Arabic. http://www.risalatalhuda.com

Modern Standard Arabic Psalms These psalms were selected and translated to be especially appropriate for non-Christian audiences, then recorded as music with Middle Eastern tunes. Muslim listeners have responded very positively towards these tapes, and they are also popular among some listeners as an alternative to traditional Christian hymns. Unfortunately they have not been distributed as much as they should be. There are two tapes available:

Tape 1: Psalm 19, 23, 30, 33, 34, 36, 51, 57, 103, 145.

Tape 2: Psalm 5, 16, 25, 33, 51, 95, 96, 103, 104, 105, 119, 139.Also available for download from http://www.prophetstories.net/psalms-of-david