new american bible
C2Formal, Religious, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A major English translation of the Catholic Bible produced and revised in the United States.
Refers specifically to the 1970 translation (with subsequent revisions) approved for liturgical use by the Catholic Church in the United States, distinct from Protestant translations like the KJV or NIV.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A proper noun referring to a specific, copyrighted translation. Often abbreviated as NAB. It is not a general term for any American-produced Bible.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American term and text; UK Catholics are more likely to reference the Jerusalem Bible (JB) or the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE).
Connotations
In the US, it connotes official Catholic liturgy and study. In the UK, it is recognized as a specific American Catholic translation.
Frequency
Very high frequency in US Catholic contexts; low frequency in general UK English and UK Catholic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + the New American Bible (e.g., publish, read, quote)the New American Bible + [verb] (e.g., contains, translates, uses)according to + the New American BibleVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Used in theological studies, comparative religion, and biblical exegesis to reference a specific primary source.
Everyday
Used by American Catholics in religious practice (e.g., 'The reading today is from the New American Bible').
Technical
Referenced in liturgy, homiletics, and scriptural translation discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The New American Bible text is authoritative.
- A New American Bible commentary was published.
American English
- The New American Bible lectionary is used in Mass.
- She prefers the New American Bible footnotes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The priest reads from the New American Bible.
- The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) was published in 2011.
- Many American Catholic schools use the New American Bible for study.
- Scholars debate the translational choices made in the New American Bible compared to the Revised Standard Version.
- The US Conference of Catholic Bishops holds the copyright to the New American Bible.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NEW version of the Bible created for AMERICAN Catholics.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE (as in 'the final word' or 'the official guide').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'Новая Американская Библия' in a generic sense; it is a proper name like 'Библия короля Якова'. The established Russian term is 'Новая Американская Библия' as a title.
- Confusing it with the 'American Standard Version' (ASV), a different Protestant translation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'New American Bible' as a common noun (e.g., 'He bought a new American bible').
- Confusing the abbreviation NAB with the National Australia Bank.
Practice
Quiz
What is the New American Bible?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a translation specifically approved for use by the Catholic Church.
New American Bible, Revised Edition, which is the 2011 update to the original 1970 translation.
Yes, the full text is officially available on the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The NAB is a modern Catholic translation from the original languages, while the KJV is a 17th-century Protestant translation. Their textual sources and theological notes differ significantly.