NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 3:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
God called to the Man: "Where are you?"
8 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, 'Where are you?'
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
8 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 3:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 3:9 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Genesis 3:9 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.