NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 1:12 — 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 after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
14 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
After the Babylonian exile:Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When the Babylonian exile ended, Jehoiachin had Shealtiel, Shealtiel had Zerubbabel,
11 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
14 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
11 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 1:12?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 1:12 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 Matthew 1:12 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.