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Lexham English Bible
Lexham English Bible
Lexham English Bible
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Lexham English Bible
Full nameLexham English Bible
AbbreviationLEB
OT published2011
NT published2010
Textual basisNT: SBL Greek New Testament
Translation typeFormal equivalence
Reading levelHigh school
Version revision2012
PublisherLogos Bible Software
CopyrightCopyright 2012 Logos Bible Software
Webpagelexhampress.com/product/6162/lexham-english-bible-leb-with-audio-new-testament
Genesis 1:1–3
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth— Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light!” And there was light. (LEB)
John 3:16
For in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life. (LEB)

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) is an online Bible released by Logos Bible Software; no printed copy is available. The New Testament was published in October 2010 and has an audio narration spoken by Marv Allen. It lists as General Editor W. Hall Harris, III. The Old Testament translation was completed in 2011.[1][2]

At its release, the LEB included only the New Testament and was simultaneously offered for free use to Logos users as well as other popular software suites, including freeware such as e-Sword and The SWORD Project. These were later updated to include the Old Testament. It can also be accessed in its entirety on websites listed below. The LEB is available under a very permissive license which allows royalty-free commercial and non-commercial use.[3]

Methodology

[edit]

According to the LEB's foreword, the translator's intent was to achieve:[citation needed]

...unparalleled ... transparency with the original language text. ... It was produced with the specific purpose of being used alongside the original language text of the Bible. Existing translations, however excellent they may be in terms of English style and idiom, are frequently so far removed from the original language texts of scripture that straightforward comparison is difficult for the average user. ... The ability to make such comparisons easily in software formats ... makes the need for an English translation specifically designed for such comparison even more acute.

The LEB is relatively literal and was derived from an interlinear translation of the Greek NT. An unusual feature of the LEB is the use of corner brackets to mark idioms in the English translation. Italics are used to indicate words supplied by the translator with no direct equivalent in the underlying Greek.[2]

In some instances, however, the LEB provides a dynamic equivalent for a word instead of a literal translation, without explanation. For example, in Mark 3:3, the Greek word ἔγειρε (égeire) is translated in the LEB as "come". The literal translation should be "arise" or "get up" or "stand".[citation needed] The LEB does not provide any footnote or explanation as to why a non-literal word is used.[2]

References

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Lexham English Bible

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from Grokipedia
The Lexham English Bible (LEB) is a modern, literal English translation of the Bible that emphasizes transparency to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, published electronically by Lexham Press in 2012 following the release of its New Testament in 2010. Developed by a team of scholars under the general editorship of W. Hall Harris III, along with editors including Elliot Ritzema, Rick Brannan, Douglas Mangum, John Dunham, Jeffrey A. Reimer, and Micah Wierenga, the LEB draws directly from interlinear resources such as the Lexham Hebrew-English Interlinear Bible for the Old Testament and the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament (based on the SBL Greek New Testament) for the New Testament. The translation utilizes authoritative lexical tools like the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT), A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), and the Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains to ensure precise rendering of original meanings. The LEB's translation philosophy prioritizes a relatively literal approach while maintaining contemporary through , marking supplied words not present in the source texts with italics and idiomatic expressions with ⌊lower corner brackets⌋ to highlight interpretive choices. is based on the , providing a diplomatic text close to the Masoretic tradition. This design positions the LEB as a complementary tool for study, particularly within Bible Software (now Faithlife), where it integrates seamlessly with original language resources to facilitate deeper engagement with Scripture. The LEB is released under a permissive allowing free non-commercial distribution and limited commercial use (such as when comprising less than 25% of a larger work). It is available at no cost in digital formats including TXT, XML, and , along with an audio narration of the voiced by Marv Allen. Quotation is permitted up to 1,000 verses without permission, provided no complete book is included and it does not exceed 50% of the total verses in the work.

Overview

Publication History

The development of the Lexham English Bible (LEB) originated in the late within Logos Bible Software, evolving from interlinear translation resources such as the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament to facilitate direct engagement with original language texts. This initiative, part of broader Lexham Press projects under Faithlife (formerly Logos), aimed to produce a digital emphasizing literal accuracy and transparency. W. Hall Harris III served as the general editor overseeing this process. The was first released in October 2010, available exclusively in digital formats through Logos Bible Software and integrated with its study tools. The translation was completed in 2011 and released in 2012, enabling the full to be offered digitally following refinements. As of 2025, the LEB remains available only in digital form, with no printed edition ever produced, aligning with its design for electronic Bible study environments.

Availability and License

The (LEB) is distributed exclusively in digital formats, with seamless integration into Bible Software and free platforms like Biblia.com, enabling users to access the full text for personal study and reading without cost. It is also available across a range of Bible study applications and websites, including e-Sword, The SWORD Project, Bible Gateway, and the Bible App, allowing broad accessibility for users on desktop, mobile, and web environments. The LEB is released under a permissive by Logos Bible Software ( 2010, 2012), which permits royalty-free use and distribution for both non-commercial and commercial purposes, including as add-on modules, e-books, or components of larger software products, provided the LEB text does not exceed 25% of the total content and is not sold as a standalone item. No physical print edition of the LEB exists, maintaining its focus on digital accessibility; however, an audio narration of the , performed by Marv Allen, is offered through Bible Software for listening integration. As of 2025, the LEB remains fully downloadable in various formats and embeddable within compatible study tools, supporting ongoing free global distribution since its 2012 publication.

Translation Team

General Editor

W. Hall Harris III served as the general editor of the Lexham English Bible (LEB), bringing his extensive expertise in studies to the project. As a scholar specializing in and , Harris guided the translation to prioritize fidelity to the original Hebrew, , and Greek texts while ensuring a clear and literal English rendering. Harris holds a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the and has been a faculty member at since 1978, where he was Senior Professor of New Testament Studies until his retirement in 2024, and is now Senior Professor Emeritus. His academic work focuses on the Gospel of John and , with publications including a commentary on 1, 2, and 3 John titled 1, 2, 3 John: Comfort and Counsel for a Church in Crisis. In his role as general editor, Harris oversaw the entire LEB translation process, coordinating a team of scholars to maintain consistency in style, terminology, and theological nuance across both the Old and New Testaments. This included reviewing drafts for accuracy and uniformity, drawing on resources like the SBL Greek New Testament and modern lexical tools to align the English with the source languages. Harris has also contributed to various Logos Bible Software resources, including serving as translator and general editor for the Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament and as project director for the NET Bible, where he developed syntactical databases and editorial frameworks for digital biblical study tools.

Contributors

The contributors to the Lexham English Bible (LEB) formed a specialized team of editors and translators with expertise in biblical languages, lexicography, and digital Bible software integration, working under the oversight of general editor W. Hall Harris III. This team included Elliot Ritzema, Rick Brannan, Douglas Mangum, John Dunham, Jeffrey A. Reimer, and Micah Wierenga, each bringing targeted skills to ensure lexical accuracy and structural transparency in the translation. Their collective efforts emphasized fidelity to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, leveraging resources such as the third edition of A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) for precise word choices in the New Testament. Elliot Ritzema served as an editor at Lexham Press, holding an MDiv from Regent College and contributing copyediting expertise to refine the English rendering for clarity while preserving original syntax. Rick Brannan, an information architect at Faithlife (the parent company of Bible Software), managed databases for the LEB and the Greek : SBL Edition, drawing on his linguistics background to integrate software tools that facilitated interlinear alignments and semantic analysis. Douglas Mangum, with a PhD in Hebrew from the , acted as an academic editor and translator proficient in multiple ancient languages, applying his knowledge to portions with a focus on Hebrew . John Dunham, a and editor specializing in Bible formatting and contemporary translations, handled stylistic adjustments to make the text accessible without compromising literalness. Jeffrey A. Reimer, a freelance editor with a in , contributed to theological consistency across the canon, ensuring doctrinal nuances aligned with the source languages. Micah Wierenga, an editor at Biblica with experience in Bible , supported the project's production phase, incorporating feedback on readability and . The team's use of lexicographical tools like BDAG and the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw-Nida) was integral to their individual roles, particularly in resolving ambiguities in key terms through semantic domain analysis tied to their language proficiencies. Harris III provided overarching guidance to maintain the translation's commitment to transparency and accuracy.

Methodology

Translation Philosophy

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) employs a formal equivalence approach as its primary translation method, prioritizing word-for-word accuracy to the original Hebrew, , and Greek texts. This literal style seeks to preserve the structure and vocabulary of the source languages, enabling readers to engage directly with the biblical authors' intent without significant interpretive intervention. Central to the LEB's is an emphasis on transparency, allowing users to compare the English rendering closely with the original languages through integration with interlinear tools developed by Bible Software. The originated from an interlinear process, where English words were aligned directly with Hebrew, , and Greek terms, facilitating study without smoothing over linguistic or cultural nuances inherent in the originals. This approach avoids interpretive expansions, ensuring the English text reflects the raw form of the source material as much as possible. While committed to literalness, the LEB balances fidelity with readability in contemporary English, targeting accessibility for a general audience at approximately a high reading level. Dynamic equivalence is generally eschewed in favor of , though minor adjustments for clarity occur in rare instances where a strictly literal rendering would obscure meaning; for example, in :3, the Greek egeire (typically "arise" or "stand up") is rendered as "come" to convey the intended action of stepping forward into view. Such choices maintain transparency while enhancing comprehension, without altering the underlying textual basis.

Textual Basis

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) New Testament is based on the Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), a critically edited text produced by Michael W. Holmes that employs modern text-critical methodologies to evaluate manuscript evidence. The SBLGNT draws from four primary critical editions—Westcott-Hort (1881), Tregelles (1857–1879), the Greek text prepared for the (2011), and the Robinson-Pierpont Byzantine textform (2005)—resolving over 6,900 variation units through systematic comparison and occasional adoption of readings supported by early papyri, uncials, and minuscules, thereby prioritizing the earliest available witnesses without major deviations from established critical norms. For the Old Testament, the LEB relies on the (BHS), the standard edition of the , with its providing notes on variants from sources such as the , particularly where relevant for Old Testament quotations in the New Testament. This approach ensures fidelity to the Hebrew and Aramaic originals, drawing on lexical resources like the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the (HALOT) for precise rendering, while adhering closely to the BHS without introducing significant alterations. For the New Testament, authoritative lexical tools such as A Greek-English Lexicon of the and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) and the Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains are utilized. Textual variants are addressed through extensive footnotes that highlight significant differences among manuscripts, providing alternative renderings or explanations to maintain transparency; for instance, the LEB notes divergences in the SBLGNT apparatus, such as substitutions or omissions supported by specific codices like Sinaiticus or Vaticanus. These decisions follow systematic text-critical methodologies to reflect consensus on reliable readings.

Features

Transparency Elements

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) incorporates several distinctive transparency elements designed to bridge the gap between the English text and the original Hebrew, , and Greek languages, allowing readers to discern translation decisions directly within the text. These features stem from the LEB's philosophy, which prioritizes formal equivalence to preserve the structure and meaning of the source texts while highlighting interpretive choices. One key element is the use of lower corner brackets ⌊ ⌋ to enclose idiomatic expressions derived from the source languages, marking phrases that cannot be translated literally without losing their intended meaning, with a literal rendering provided in a footnote. For example, in passages where Hebrew or Greek idioms like "the apple of his eye" appear, the brackets signal to readers that the rendering adapts the expression for English comprehension while alerting them to the non-literal nature of the original. This notation helps users identify cultural or linguistic nuances that might otherwise be obscured in smoother translations. Italics are employed to indicate words added to the English text for grammatical clarity or smoothness, which are implied but not explicitly present in the originals. Such additions ensure without altering the core meaning, as seen in constructions where English requires articles or conjunctions absent in the source languages; for instance, a Hebrew form might necessitate an italicized to form a complete sentence. This practice provides immediate visibility into the translator's interventions, fostering trust in the rendering process. Footnotes in the LEB offer detailed explanations of textual variants, alternative renderings, and significant translation decisions, drawing from critical apparatuses like the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece for the and the for the Old Testament. These notes address manuscript differences, such as omissions or additions in key passages (e.g., the longer ending of Mark), and propose other viable interpretations based on lexical evidence, enabling readers to evaluate options independently. By including these annotations, the LEB avoids embedding interpretive biases in the main text. The LEB is deeply integrated with Logos Bible Software, where users can access instant interlinear comparisons by hovering over words, revealing the underlying Hebrew, , or Greek terms, morphological data, and lexical definitions from resources like the BDAG lexicon. This digital functionality transforms the printed transparency elements into an interactive tool, allowing seamless toggling between the English translation and original-language details for deeper study. Overall, these elements position the LEB as a "second Bible" intended for use alongside more dynamic equivalence translations, providing a literal counterpart that illuminates the source texts without sacrificing essential readability. This complementary role encourages comparative reading, where the LEB's markers guide users toward a fuller appreciation of scriptural subtleties.

Stylistic Choices

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) employs a relatively style that prioritizes fidelity to the original Hebrew, , and Greek texts while aiming for readability in contemporary English. This approach results in a high reading level, typically assessed at an 11th to 12th grade, making it accessible to educated readers without sacrificing precision. The phrasing often carries a somewhat wooden quality due to its close adherence to source structures, yet it incorporates occasional dynamic equivalents to enhance natural flow and avoid awkward literal renderings. To maintain consistency across the biblical canon, the LEB uses standardized terminology for key theological concepts, drawing from modern lexical resources such as the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG) and the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT). This ensures that terms like "righteousness" or "salvation" appear uniformly, facilitating cross-referential study and doctrinal clarity. Such uniformity stems from the translation's foundation in interlinear tools developed by Logos Bible Software, which guide consistent word choices throughout the Old and New Testaments. The LEB avoids , retaining traditional masculine forms where the original texts use them, in line with its formal equivalence philosophy. For instance, references to and humanity preserve terms like "man" or "brothers" in contexts that reflect the source languages' gendered nuances, without introducing inclusive alternatives like "humankind" unless directly warranted by the Hebrew or Greek. This choice aligns with conservative translation practices, emphasizing textual accuracy over modern interpretive adjustments. A representative example of the LEB's stylistic precision appears in John 3:16, rendered as: "For in this way loved the world, so that he gave his one and only , in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life." This phrasing underscores soteriological elements—such as the manner of divine love ("in this way" instead of "so") and the condition of belief ("in him")—while maintaining a literal structure that highlights the verse's theological emphasis on and eternal life. Transparency markers, like brackets for idiomatic expressions, briefly support this style by clarifying source influences without altering the core English .

Reception

Critical Reviews

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) has received praise from reviewers for its high accuracy and literal approach, making it particularly suitable for exegetical study and in-depth biblical analysis. Scholars and commentators note that its formal equivalence method closely mirrors the original Hebrew, , and Greek structures, providing transparency into translation decisions through features like italicized added words and linked interlinears. For instance, the LEB's rendering of passages such as John 3:16—"For in this way God loved the world"—preserves the source language's nuances, avoiding interpretive smoothing found in more dynamic s. This literalness positions the LEB as an ideal "second " for complementing primary reading versions during preparation or theological research. Critiques of the LEB often focus on occasional awkwardness and inconsistencies, particularly in the portions, where the commitment to word-for-word fidelity can result in stilted English phrasing. Examples include Genesis 1:4, translated as "...and caused there to be a separation between the light and between the darkness," which deviates from standard idiomatic English and may stem from over-reliance on interlinear tools rather than broader lexical resources like HALOT. Reviewers suggest these issues make the less fluid for casual reading, though they do not undermine the overall textual fidelity. In contrast, the receives more positive feedback for its clarity, especially in soteriological passages, where the LEB's literal style highlights doctrinal precision without introducing ambiguity—such as in John 3:16 and Romans 8:29—though some modal verbs like "should" can occasionally create minor interpretive hurdles. As of 2025, the LEB maintains strong user ratings in digital Bible software platforms, averaging 4.4 out of 5 stars across integrations like Logos Bible Software (based on 9 reviews) and Faithlife Ebooks (299 reviews), reflecting appreciation for its utility in scholarly tools. However, its adoption remains limited in mainstream print contexts due to its exclusively digital format, available for free through apps and websites since its 2012 release, which prioritizes electronic accessibility over physical publication.

Comparisons to Other Translations

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) shares a commitment to formal equivalence with translations like the (ESV) and (NASB), prioritizing word-for-word accuracy to the original Hebrew, , and Greek texts. However, the LEB distinguishes itself through enhanced transparency, particularly in digital formats like the Bible Software, where morphological tags and syntactic diagrams allow users to trace translation decisions directly back to the source languages, a feature less emphasized in the ESV and NASB. In terms of readability, the LEB is less fluid than the (NIV), which employs dynamic equivalence to convey thought-for-thought meaning for broader . The LEB's more rigid, literal phrasing positions it primarily as a study companion rather than a primary reading , ideal for in-depth analysis alongside dynamic versions like the NIV. The LEB exhibits a wooden literalness similar to the (LSB), both favoring precise renderings that preserve original structures, but the LEB predates the LSB by nearly a decade and originated as an rather than a committee revision of the NASB. Regarding textual variants, the LEB provides more extensive footnotes than the King James Version (KJV), noting alternative readings from critical editions like the and Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, whereas the KJV relies on the with minimal marginal notes. What sets the LEB apart from committee-based translations like the (NRSV) is its unique derivation from the Lexham Hebrew-English and Greek-English Interlinears, which align English words directly under original terms to facilitate morphological study, contrasting with the NRSV's collaborative, interpretive approach. Reception has praised the LEB's accuracy in relation to these versions for scholarly use.

References

  1. https://www.logos.com/product/37521/lexham-english-bible
  2. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Lexham-English-Bible-LEB/
  3. https://www.bible-discovery.com/bible-license-leb.php
  4. https://studybible.info/version/LEB
  5. https://www.logos.com/product/6162/lexham-english-bible-leb
  6. https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/6162/lexham-english-bible-leb-with-audio-new-testament
  7. https://www.gotquestions.org/Lexham-English-Bible-LEB.html
  8. https://dev.find.bible/bibles/ENGLEB/
  9. https://drmsh.com/lexham-english-bible-testament/
  10. https://biblia.com/bible/leb/genesis/1/26-28
  11. https://www.e-sword.net/
  12. https://www.crosswire.org/sword/modules/ModInfo.jsp?modName=LEB
  13. https://www.bible.com/versions/90-leb-lexham-english-bible
  14. https://forum.theword.net/viewtopic.php?t=1875
  15. https://www.logos.com/product/6162/lexham-english-bible-leb-with-audio-new-testament
  16. https://community.logos.com/discussion/130185/lexham-english-bible-in-print
  17. https://ia601801.us.archive.org/1/items/the-lexham-english-bible-english-greek-reverse-interlinear-new-testament/The%20Lexham%20English%20Bible%20English-Greek%20Reverse%20Interlinear%20New%20Testament.pdf
  18. https://www.dts.edu/employee/w-hall-harris/
  19. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hall-harris
  20. https://www.amazon.com/1-2-3-John-Comfort-Counsel/dp/1598564640
  21. https://protestantreformed.wordpress.com/2019/09/29/leb-bible-translation/
  22. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A3&version=LEB
  23. https://sblgnt.com/about/introduction/
  24. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201&version=LEB
  25. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016&version=LEB
  26. https://faithfight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/English-Bible-Translations-by-Reading-Level.pdf
  27. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A16&version=LEB
  28. https://christianpublishinghouse.co/2021/05/21/review-of-logos-bible-softwares-lexham-english-bible/
  29. https://uasvbible.org/2021/10/06/review-of-logos-bible-softwares-lexham-english-bible/
  30. https://www.logos.com/grow/best-bible-translation/
  31. https://www.free-bible.com/biblestudyquestions/the-lexham-english-bible-leb-transparency-features-and-comparison
  32. https://thethink.institute/articles/recommended-bible-translations-the-think-institute-guide
  33. http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2020/05/more-on-translation-draft.html
  34. https://mokathought.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/some-thoughts-on-the-legacy-standard-bible/
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