Ideology, power, and a virgin: Translations of Isaiah 7:14 in Norwegian Bible translations as a case study

Morten Beckmann
University of Agder

Isaiah 7:14 has consistently sparked controversies in Bible translations due to its potential translation of the Hebrew ‘almah as ‘young woman’ or ‘virgin’. This distinction is significant to the doctrine of Mary’s virgin birth of Jesus. This article explores the ideological battles tied to the translation of this verse within Norway’s Protestant landscape, highlighting the power dynamics influencing translation decisions. Drawing upon the sociocultural context, the study focuses on the NO1978 and Bibel 2011 translations by the Norwegian Bible Society, shedding light on the institutional and religious-ideological factors at play during their preparation. Notably, during the 1978 translation process, audience groups wielded diverse forms of power to effect a change from ‘young woman’ (ung kvinne) to ‘virgin’ (jomfru). In contrast, when producing the 2011 version, the Norwegian Bible Society tactically employed various forms of power, including media strategies, to ensure support for the contentious translation ‘the young girl’ (den unge jenta) among conservative circles.

Publication history

Date received: 26 January 2022

Date accepted: 24 March 2025

Published online: 25 April 2025

Table of contents

Who has the power to decide how a significant passage is translated in a Bible translation? At the outset, Bible publishers and institutions of Bible translation have the power to define ‘the Bible’ for readers (Beckmann 2020). However, Bible translations in Protestant contexts also need to be accepted by a Christian audience, given the absence of a singular ecclesiastical authority that approves Bible translations for Protestant Christians. Agents in the receiving audience can thus apply pressure on the Bible publishers and seek to influence the decision-making process regarding how the Bible is translated. As a point of departure, this article analyzes the power play between different agents in the Protestant context of Norway, focusing on the translation of Isaiah 7:14 in two translations of the Bible by the Norwegian Bible Society (hereinafter NBS): NO1978 (Bibelselskapet 1978) and Bibel 2011 (Bibelselskapet 2011). Isaiah 7:14 is a text that pertains to one of the core tenets of Christianity: the belief in Mary’s virginal conception of Jesus. In this context, “virginal conception refers to the […] general Christian belief that Jesus was conceived by divine power, without any human intercourse or intermediary” (Crossan 2005, 37).

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