Plural Markers

Special Features: Plural Markers

The UPDV Bible uses a unique system to clearly indicate when words refer to multiple people rather than individuals. This feature helps readers understand the original meaning more accurately.

Plus Signs for Plural References

Plus signs (+) are used in superscripts next to words such as "you" and "your" when they refer to a group of two or more. This is done to improve accuracy in translation and help readers distinguish between singular and plural references.

For example:

• "I tell you⁺ the truth" - indicates Jesus is speaking to a group
• "Your⁺ faith has saved you⁺" - indicates addressing multiple people

Implied Plurals in Commands

In some cases, the word 'you' or 'your' is not present in some verses for smoother English style. This was mostly done in imperative (command) sentences. If the word 'you' was plural and the context is not clear, the plus sign will move to the verb.

For example:

• "Do you⁺ not seek these things" becomes "Do⁺ not seek these things."

In such cases, other plural verbs in the same verse may be marked plural as needed to avoid ambiguity. In situations other than these, verbs are not generally marked as to whether they refer to a singular or plural subject.

Why This Matters

In the original biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), there is a clear distinction between singular and plural forms of "you." However, modern English uses the same word "you" for both singular and plural, which can create ambiguity.

By using the plus sign notation, the UPDV Bible preserves this important distinction from the original languages, allowing readers to better understand who is being addressed in a given passage.

Benefit to Readers

This feature of the UPDV Bible helps readers:

• Better understand who is being addressed in a passage
• Recognize when commands or statements are directed to groups versus individuals
• Gain insight into the original meaning that might otherwise be lost in translation
• Avoid misinterpretations that might occur when plural/singular distinctions are unclear