Become a Pastor-Translator

In 1523, William Tyndale proposed a new English translation of the Bible derived from the original languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. He was committed to getting God’s Word into the hands of the English-speaking world, so that even the plowboy would know Scripture. His daring work of translation—for which he was ultimately martyred—laid the foundation for many English Bible translations—from the Great Bible of 1539 to the King James Version of 1611 to many translations today.
(Adapted from “Editorial: The Word of God and the Pastor-Theologian,” TMSJ 34, no. 1 [2023]: 1–4)

To explore the life and legacy of William Tyndale, see the following:

Tyndale: The Man who Gave God an English Voice a podcast with David Parsons

William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell

The Master’s Seminary offers courses in The Tyndale Center Translation Track to prepare men to translate the Bible from the original languages. While the courses focus on the translation of the Bible from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into English, the principles of translation could be applied to many contexts in which this work is to be carried out. Five courses comprise the translation curriculum: Introduction to Bible Translation, Introduction to Semantics, Hebrew Readings, Greek Readings, and an Old Testament or a New Testament Exegesis Elective. Upon successful completion of this program, the diploma will indicate that the student fulfilled the requirements of the The Tyndale Center Translation Track.

For more information, contact our admissions department: 818-909-5622 or info@admissions.org.  

For information about a scholarship opportunity with the Tyndale Center, visit The Tyndale Center Scholarship.

The Tyndale Center is designed to help make the Word of God available to as many peoples and languages throughout the world as possible. A main feature of the Tyndale Center is the notes of the translation team of the Legacy Standard Bible. Beginning with the New Testament, these notes will be released book-by-book and will reflect the most pertinent decisions made by the translators.

You can access the notes at The Legacy Standard Bible Translation Notes.

Director of the Tyndale Center 

Iosif J. Zhakevich, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Managing Editor of The Master’s Seminary Journal
After receiving a B.A. at UCLA, and an M.Div. and a Th.M. at The Master’s Seminary, Dr. Zhakevich completed an M.A. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an A.M. and a Ph.D. at Harvard University, where he focused on near eastern languages and civilizations (2016). He served as an Old Testament translator of the Legacy Standard Bible.

Chief Consultants 

Abner Chou, President of The Master’s University and Seminary, John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow, and Professor of Bible Exposition and Languages 
Dr. Chou completed a B.A. in Biblical Languages and Exposition at The Master’s College, an M.Div. and a Th.M. in Old Testament at The Master’s Seminary, and a Th.D. in Old Testament at The Master’s Seminary. During the years of 2006-2008, Dr. Chou taught at IBEX in Jerusalem, Israel. He served as the chief editor and translator of the Legacy Standard Bible.

Nathan LeMaster, Assistant Professor of Old Testament 
After Dr. LeMaster completed an M.Div. at The Master’s Seminary, he pursued an M.A. in linguistics at Arizona State University, an M.A. in comparative Semitics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew linguistics at Cambridge University (2022). Dr. LeMaster has served in pastoral ministry in Colorado as well as in the Middle East.

Mark Zhakevich, Associate Professor of New Testament and New Testament Department Chair  
After completing a B.A. at UCLA, and an M.Div. and a Th.M. at The Master’s Seminary, Dr. Zhakevich received a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in New Testament. During his Ph.D. he focused on and he now specializes in Johannine literature and the Jewish and Roman world of the New Testament. He served as a New Testament translator of the Legacy Standard Bible.