NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 4:20 — 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 Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Adah gave birth to Jabal, the ancestor of all who live in tents and herd cattle.
16 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and [have] livestock.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
16 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 4:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 4:20 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 4:20 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.