NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
18 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Philippians 2:9 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honorand gave him the name above all other names,
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
18 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Philippians 2:9?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Philippians 2:9 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 Philippians 2:9 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.