Grade Level

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...+bible+reading+level&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

According to this web site the KJB, on average, is at grade level 5.8.

Genesis is 4.4
Mal. is 4.6
Matt. is 6.7
Rev is 7.5

Interesting question.

The NIV is on average at grade level 8.4
NASB is 6.1
TEV is 7.2
NKJV is 6.9

 

For the individual who voted for 3rd grade level, please get realistically serious.

The test often cited to support this is based on the number of letters in the words, hence making older forms of shorter generally unused dated words appear easier than they really are, which is simply not realistic analysis for a third grader.

Ed

 

I have a masters degree and I have trouble with the KJV. Thank God for the center notes explaining certain words in my KJV study bible. Otherwise, I'd have to have a dictionary.

 

I think since the KJV was WRITTEN in 1611, that the language THEN was probably at a THIRD grade level. You're thinking about TODAY'S 3rd grader Ed. We've "dumbed down" a LOT. Go back 100 years and look up a third grade general knowledge test. I doubt if the average high school freshman could pass it.

 

Well, I only have a high school education, but I DO have common sense, and the KJV is NOT hard for me to understand. When I was a boy, I did need to search and find what certain words meant, but I also had to do that with my textbooks at school.

 

Well, God bless you. I'm glad for you.

 

Go and read the KJV and report back to me in the AM and see if you still maintain that absurdity. It was archaic language in 1611. The plowboys were more literate than the third-grade level.

Are you tring to say that today's versions are dumbed-down? That would be dumb to say if that was the case.

 

Let's Don't BE Dumb!!

[personal attack snipped]

Have you ever seen any such test? Have you even tried looking up an actual test from that era, as opposed to a couple of the fake ones that appear on the internet from time to time?

Incidentally, I could fully recommend the CKJV or KJVER for a 3rd grader, both of which update the KJV text into a more understandable reading form for those of that general level, while I would most likely never recommend the GNB or MSG, even though both of these would probably be far easier to read for that same 3rd grader, in exactly the same manner I would also likely not recommend the GEN or the actual KJ-1611 edition.

Why would you (or anyone else) see the need to make the Bible less readable for that 3rd grader of today? I thought the general idea was to get someone to read (and understand) the Bible. Did I miss something here??

I cannot transport someone back to the 17th Century for schooling, any more than you (or anyone) can.
Why attempt to smack someone with this false red herring, when we are talking about the 21st Century, here?

Ed

 

Hitting them with a fish. That's a good one Ed!!!:laugh::1_grouphug:

 

I am not sure myself, but this site

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?event=1003MAIN&page=652502&sp=1003

the reading levels are as follows:

Bible Translation By Grade Level

It may help to know what the approximate reading level is for a given translation. Here's a quick guide for the most popular translations:​

Translation Grade Level KJV 12th RSV 12th NASB 11th NRSV 11th ESV 10th NIV 7th-8th Translation Grade Level HCSB 7th-8th NKJV 7th NLT 6th Message 4th-5th NCV 3rd NIRV 3rd

 

What in the world was I tinking when I said "tring"?

 

I trow not.

 

One site claims a very low grade because it uses a system 9Flesch-Kincaid) that only measures length of sentences and syllables per word. It gives a false view of grade level, I think it says grade five.

It does not take into account antiquated or rarely used words.

 

Even though The Message is super idiomatc I do not think it reads as low as a 4th or 5th grade level. It's at least around the 9th grade level as far as I'm concerned.And who uses so many idiomatic expressions in daily life?

A rather dynamic translation which is not on a low reading level is the Revised English Bible (REB).That reads about the same grade level as the NASBU in my estimation.

For native English speaking preteens I suggest the New International Readers Version. (NIRV). It's also suitable for foreign adults learning the English language.I've given away plenty in my time in South Korea. I read a lot from it myself when I want to cover vast amounts of territory in a sitting.

 

Just because a person can pronounce a verse doesn't mean they understand it.

 

Yup - dead on. A lot of 'read' out loud and then not have a clue what they read. Happens all the time when I teach literacy.

 

This is a difficult question because the original language manuscripts are so varied.

Probably the most difficult to translate is Hebrews at a college level whereas John and his epistles are more simplistic; maybe middle school (with execeptions here and there (e.g. "propitiation").


HankD

 

I put it at about 5th. grade level. I don't recall ever having much trouble with it, but in school we had to read a lot of the old English writers work.

 

I don't need to "go and read the KJV". I've been reading it for 48 years! :thumbs:


And I'm NOT "tring":smilewinkgrin: to say today's versions are dumbed down, I was saying the public school system has dumbed down our children.