Who Is This For?
Best For:
Messianic Jewish congregations, Hebrew Roots movement, those preferring Hebrew names for God and Jesus.
Not Ideal For:
Traditional Christian worship, readers unfamiliar with Hebrew, or those preferring standard biblical names.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the WMB
- Hebrew names preserved
- Modern readable English
- Public domain - no restrictions
- Messianic Jewish focus
- Same accuracy as WEB
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Hebrew names unfamiliar to many
- May create barriers for some readers
- Limited mainstream acceptance
- Specialized audience
- Same limitations as WEB base text
Overview
The World Messianic Bible is a version of the World English Bible that uses Hebrew names for God (Yahweh) and Jesus (Yeshua), designed for Messianic Jewish congregations and Hebrew Roots readers who prefer to preserve biblical names in their original forms.
Want to read the WMB Bible online? Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, or start reading from Genesis.
Notable Features of the WMB
- Hebrew names throughout (Yahweh, Yeshua)
- Public domain
- Modern English
- Based on World English Bible
- Messianic Jewish emphasis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Messianic Bible?
The World Messianic Bible is a version of the World English Bible that uses Hebrew names for God (Yahweh) and Jesus (Yeshua), designed for Messianic Jewish congregations and Hebrew Roots readers who prefer to preserve biblical names in their original forms.
How can I read the WMB Bible online?
You can read and search the World Messianic Bible online for free at Acts1 Family. Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, chapter, or keyword in the WMB translation.
When was the WMB Bible published?
The World Messianic Bible was first published in 2000. It is classified as a Formal Equivalence translation with a 10th Grade reading level.
Who should use the WMB Bible?
Messianic Jewish congregations, Hebrew Roots movement, those preferring Hebrew names for God and Jesus.
How does the WMB compare to other Bible translations?
The World Messianic Bible (WMB) is a Formal Equivalence translation. Compare it with other versions like the KJV, ASV, or NIV using our Bible comparison tools to find the best translation for your needs.
Read the WMB Online
Search any verse, compare with other translations, or start reading from Genesis.
Start ReadingHistory
Complete History of the WMB Translation
The World Messianic Bible emerged from the World English Bible project as an edition serving Messianic Jewish readers. While maintaining the WEB's public domain status and modern English, the WMB substitutes Hebrew names: 'Yahweh' for the divine name (LORD in most translations), 'Yeshua' for Jesus, and other Hebrew terms for key concepts.
This reflects the Messianic Jewish emphasis on the Hebraic roots of Christianity and the desire to read Scripture in a way that preserves the Jewish context of biblical faith.
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
Michael Paul Johnson
Editor
Creator of the World English Bible, who also produced the Messianic edition to serve Jewish believers in Yeshua.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
Same as the World English Bible - Majority Text for New Testament, Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia for Old Testament.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"The World Messianic Bible is a Modern English update of the ASV that follows the Jewish tradition of book ordering (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim) while using Hebrew names throughout."
— eBible.org, World Messianic Bible (2024) [source]
Scholarly Concerns
Messianic translations incorporate elements for a specific audience including Hebrew names and transliterations, which may be unfamiliar to readers accustomed to standard English translations.
— Wikipedia, Messianic Bible translations (2024) [source]
Revision History
View 2 Major Revisions and Updates
- 2000 Initial release alongside World English Bible development.
- Ongoing Updated as WEB text is revised.
Compare Translations
See how the WMB compares to other English Bible translations.
Other Translations
Explore these popular Bible translations: