Who Is This For?
Best For:
Advanced Bible study, comparing with original languages, understanding Hebrew verbal aspects, serious students who want to see the literal structure of the original text.
Not Ideal For:
General reading, worship, devotions, beginners, or anyone wanting natural English prose.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the YLT
- Extremely literal - closest to original language structure
- Preserves Hebrew and Greek verb aspects
- Excellent for detailed language study
- Shows patterns invisible in other translations
- Public domain - freely available
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Very difficult to read fluently
- Awkward, unnatural English throughout
- Not suitable for devotional reading
- Requires familiarity with original language concepts
- Can mislead readers about actual meaning of idioms
Overview
Young's Literal Translation is the work of Scottish scholar Robert Young, author of the renowned Young's Analytical Concordance. This translation attempts to be as literally consistent with Hebrew and Greek as possible, preserving verb tenses and word order where feasible, making it an invaluable tool for students of the original languages.
Want to read the YLT Bible online? Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, or start reading from Genesis.
Notable Features of the YLT
- Extremely literal translation
- Attempts to preserve Hebrew verb tenses
- Consistent rendering of original language terms
- Companion to Young's Analytical Concordance
- Public domain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Young's Literal Translation?
Young's Literal Translation is the work of Scottish scholar Robert Young, author of the renowned Young's Analytical Concordance. This translation attempts to be as literally consistent with Hebrew and Greek as possible, preserving verb tenses and word order where feasible, making it an invaluable tool for students of the original languages.
How can I read the YLT Bible online?
You can read and search the Young's Literal Translation online for free at Acts1 Family. Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, chapter, or keyword in the YLT translation.
When was the YLT Bible published?
The Young's Literal Translation was first published in 1862. It is classified as a Literal translation with a College reading level.
Who should use the YLT Bible?
Advanced Bible study, comparing with original languages, understanding Hebrew verbal aspects, serious students who want to see the literal structure of the original text.
How does the YLT compare to other Bible translations?
The Young's Literal Translation (YLT) is a Literal 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 YLT Online
Search any verse, compare with other translations, or start reading from Genesis.
Start ReadingHistory
Complete History of the YLT Translation
Robert Young (1822-1888) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of a bookbinder. Despite limited formal education, Young became a self-taught scholar of remarkable ability, eventually mastering numerous ancient and modern languages. After an apprenticeship in printing (1838-1845), he established his own publishing business in 1847, focusing on works that aided Old Testament study.
Young is best known for his Analytical Concordance to the Bible (1879), which remains in print today. Unlike previous concordances, Young's work indexed every English word to its original Hebrew or Greek term, revealing where different original words were translated by the same English word and vice versa.
Young completed his Literal Translation in 1862, with revised editions appearing in 1887 and 1898 (the latter published posthumously). His translation philosophy was distinctive: he attempted to render each Hebrew and Greek word consistently with the same English equivalent, and he sought to preserve the tense system of the original languages - particularly the Hebrew verbal aspects that other translations often converted to English past tense.
The result is unlike any other English Bible - sometimes awkward but always revealing the original language structure.
Learn More on Wikipedia
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
Robert Young
Sole translator
Self-taught Scottish scholar and publisher. Created Young's Analytical Concordance (1879), still a standard reference work. Mastered Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and numerous other languages through self-study.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
Young's New Testament is based on the Textus Receptus, consistent with his era. The Old Testament follows the Masoretic Hebrew text. Young was particularly attentive to verbal forms and tenses in the original languages.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"It very likely is the most strictly literal English translation ever developed. The literal renderings of the verb tenses are especially unique and can be quite valuable in studying God's Word."
— GotQuestions.org, What is Young's Literal Translation (YLT)? (2024) [source]
Scholarly Concerns
Young's method of translating Hebrew tenses makes his Old Testament in places virtually unreadable.
— David Dewey, A User's Guide to Bible Translations (2004) [source]
Revision History
View 3 Major Revisions and Updates
- 1862 First edition published.
- 1887 First revised edition with corrections and improvements.
- 1898 Third revised edition published posthumously, incorporating Young's final corrections.
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