Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God’s provident care]. (Gen 1:14)

Bible readers throughout church history have argued about whether the Trinity is meant here. I don’t think the question can be answered definitively until we know even as also we are known (1 Cor 13:12). But inserting one position into the text is helpful for readers who, like me as a young person, never stopped to ask, “Who’s the ‘us’?” Once again, the Amplified forces you to ask an important interpretive question by answering it. Someone in your Bible study group sitting around your living room should have the Amplified Bible up on his or her iPad. Just skip the preface. I suggest that you view the Amplified as an efficient study Bible, the fruit of deep dedication to the text of Scripture, an interesting oddity of American evangelicalism that puts one of the movement’s healthiest impulses on full display: the desire to understand Scripture. Related articles Grasp the full meaning behind the original Greek and Hebrew texts with the first-of-its-kind Amplified ® Study Bible Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.Take as an example the Greek word pisteuo, which the vast majority of versions render “believe.” That simple translation, however hardly does justice to the many meanings contained in the Greek pisteuo: “to adhere to, cleave to; to trust, to have faith in; to rely on, to depend on.” Consequently, the reader gains understanding through the use of amplification, as in John 11:25: “Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live.” It also includes an index to maps. I’m glad this is included because it makes finding locations much easier. I mentioned this request to an astute friend and diligent Bible student, a grandmother who works full time as a writer-editor. Super sharp. A day later I received this:

Now the updated Amplified translation is even easier to read and better than ever to study and understand. It includes more amplification in the Old Testament and refined amplification in the New Testament. Additionally, the Bible text has been improved to read smoothly with or without amplifications, so that the text may be read either way. It's the same study material that Amplified readers love, now with even clearer wording for deeper understanding. I don’t think I ever stopped to ask myself in Genesis 1:14, “Signs and tokens of what?” The Amplified Bible forces me to ask that question by answering it: the sun, moon, and stars are signs and tokens of God’s providential care. And that looks to me like a good answer. Even if that answer is in no way hidden in the Hebrew, it’s a genuine Bible study help. The Amplified Bible’s] genius lies in its rigorous attempt to go beyond the traditional “word-for-word” concept of translation to bring out the richness of the Hebrew and Greek languages. Its purpose is to reveal, together with the single English word equivalent to each key Hebrew and Greek word, any other clarifying meanings that may be concealed by the traditional translation method. Perhaps for the first time in an English version of the Bible, the full meaning of the key words in the original text is available for the reader. In a sense, the creative use of the amplification merely helps the reader comprehend what the Hebrew and Greek listener instinctively understood. ( preface)

Philemon

I read a passage this morning that might fit your search for translations that clarify text for me without my knowledge of the original languages. I’m not sure if this is the type of thing you are looking for, but it is a verse I would not have understood otherwise. Amplified Study Bible is a unique app which enables you to read the Bible on the go on your smartphone or tablet, even when you are not connected to the Internet. In Exodus 4:19 the Lord tells Moses to go to Egypt and gives directions, but in verse 24 I read that the Lord “sought to kill him.” So why would the Lord give an instruction followed by seeking his death?

practical theological notes draw attention to important doctrinal content in the Bible and explain how to apply it every day Even when the interpretive glosses are controversial, they’re still worth having for certain readers: The Amplified translation gives you a range of words that are alternative to what’s in the text to help in understanding the text. It also gives historical and theological explanations on the text. The updated edition includes more amplifications in the OT and has refined many of the amplifications in the NT. The text has also been improved so it reads smoother than before. It has over 5000 study notes with a focus on application. These are shown as snippets from the text in bold italics. They include information such as people, culture, places, and explanations about the events, etc. Most of the notes are this type of note. It also includes 330 theological notes. These are in bold followed by a dash. These are good for references, but as always I recommend you do your own study.Grasp the full meaning behind the original Greek and Hebrew texts with the first-of-its-kind Amplified Study Bible, featuring verse by verse study notes and the text of the newly revised Amplified translation. Charts show things like covenants, dates, people, between the testaments, parables of Jesus, miracles of Jesus, archaeological finds, etc. They are placed throughout the text. There aren’t a lot of them but those that are here are helpful for study. When Your Knowledge of the Original Languages of the Bible Is Limited and You Don't Want to Lose Anything in the Translation. More than 5000 concise study notes provide helpful, practical, application-oriented comments on passages of Scripture and open the Word for readers to apply it to life The Resource Guide is the most powerful feature in the Olive Tree Bible App. As you read your Bible in the main window, the Resource Guide follows along and displays relevant Bible study information from your study notes, commentaries, maps and more. • Commentary / Study Notes

I’m not saying that words can mean only one thing; words can indeed have various senses. I’m saying what respected evangelical linguist Moisés Silva says (quoting another scholar): “The best meaning is the least meaning.” Silva recommends that Bible interpreters (here he again quotes another scholar) define a word “in such fashion as to make it contribute least to the total message derivable from the passage where it is at home.” ( Biblical Words and Their Meaning, 153–154).It does have quite a few references to help with study. Old Testament quotes and fulfilments are within the text. The standard cross-references are placed in the footer. Here’s a sample of references to help you compare: This is the perfect app for you! With an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, it gives you the chance to read or listen the Holy Bible on your phone.