NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
23 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Genesis 4:4 — 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 Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: <sup>flock: Heb. sheep, or, goats</sup>
32 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,
25 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Abel also brought a gift — the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift,
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering,
23 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
28 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
23 words
KJV
32 words
ESV
25 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
23 words
NASB
28 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Genesis 4:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Genesis 4:4 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 4:4 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.