NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 4:19 — 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 Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Lamech married two women. The first was named Adah, and the second was Zillah.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Lamech married two wives, Adah and Zillah.
7 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Lamech took to himself two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
7 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 4:19?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 4:19 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 4:19 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.