Did English Bible names given to Biblical figures come from their original Hebrew or Greek names?

As a curious reader of the Bible, you may have wondered whether the English names given to Biblical figures are the same as their original Hebrew or Greek names. This is a valid question, and one that has been debated by scholars for many years.

The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on the specific figure in question and the translation of the Bible being used. In some cases, the English name is a direct translation of the original Hebrew or Greek name. For example, the name "David" in English is a direct translation of the Hebrew name "Dawid."

However, in other cases, the English name may be a transliteration of the original name, rather than a direct translation. For example, the name "Moses" in English is a transliteration of the Hebrew name "Moshe," rather than a direct translation.

In some cases, the English name may be a combination of both a direct translation and a transliteration. For example, the name "Peter" in English is a direct translation of the Greek name "Petros," which means "rock," but it is also a transliteration of the Aramaic name "Cephas."

It is important to note that the English names given to Biblical figures are not always consistent across different translations of the Bible. For example, the name "Isaiah" in English is a direct translation of the Hebrew name "Yeshayahu," but in some translations of the Bible, he is referred to as "Esaias," which is a transliteration of the Greek name "Esaias."

It is important to study the original languages and understand the nuances of translation in order to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and its figures.