ESV · 2001
English Standard Version
An essentially literal revision descended from the RSV, popular for study and preaching.
- Publisher
- Crossway
- Text base
- NA28 / BHS
- Philosophy
- Essentially Formal
- Reading level
- 10th grade
Strengths
- Balanced accuracy and readability
- Literary tone
- Widely adopted in Reformed circles
Textual issues & criticisms
Male-oriented language
Retains 'brothers' and generic 'he' where inclusive language is disputed.
Revision volatility
Publisher briefly declared a 'permanent' text in 2016 before reversing.
Interpretive choices
Some renderings (e.g. Genesis 3:16) reflect a specific theological reading.
Divine names in this translation
YHWH — the Tetragrammaton
Rendered as LORD
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh — I AM WHO I AM
Rendered as I AM WHO I AM
Elohim
Rendered as God (capital G); 'gods' when referring to others
Adonai
Rendered as Lord (mixed case); 'Lord GOD' for Adonai YHWH
El Shaddai
Rendered as God Almighty / the Almighty
El Elyon and the El names
Rendered as God Most High
YHWH Sabaoth — LORD of Hosts
Rendered as LORD of hosts / LORD of Armies
Yah
Rendered as LORD
Messiah / Christos
Rendered as Christ — With 'Messiah' footnoted.
Immanuel
Rendered as 'virgin' at Isaiah 7:14