DO NOT USE (deprecated)
4
votes
1answer
109 views
What has changed in Biblical scholarship since the Jerusalem Bible (1966) was published?
I have been reading through the Jerusalem Bible, published by the Roman Catholic Church, and have found a lot of pleasure in the copious footnotes and the surprisingly readable text. Obviously the ...
2
votes
2answers
125 views
What's the root definition of the word “judge” in Matthew 7:1?
What is the root definition of the word judge in the below scripture? Does it correlate to the currently accepted definition of judge?
Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 KJV)
...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
What kind of theological meaning does “pantokrator” carry?
Revelation 4:8 refers to God as κύριος, ὁ θεός, ὁ παντοκράτωρ, generally rendered Lord God Almighty. I'm interested in the last word: ὁ παντοκράτωρ. Would this have connoted omnipotence as the English ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Red Heifer or Heifer of Soil
How could we know if
פרה אדמה
in Num 19:2 refers either to
a red cow (parah edumah)
vs a cow of the soil (parah adamah)?
I would like someone to analyse the issue morphologically, ...
11
votes
4answers
303 views
Is there an English equivalent for Nephilim of Genesis 6:4?
Genesis 6:4 (NIV)Emphasis added
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes ...
12
votes
3answers
406 views
Does the original Hebrew support the NLT of Genesis 6:3?
Genesis 6:3 refers to when God set humans' lifespans to (approximately) 120 years. However, the NLT (the translation I prefer) has a slightly different translation for the 120-years part.
Genesis ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
Psalm 23 - long long pursuit of the house of the LORD
I am puzzled by translations of the 23rd Psalm. I wish to bring those my puzzlement to your attention. Perhaps, someone could comment on it.
ינחני במעגלי צדק
The accepted translations are saying
...
5
votes
2answers
219 views
Can “שָׂנֵא” mean “rejected”?
I have posted a question about the translation of μισέω in Romans 9:15, which quotes Malachi 1:2-3. To further dig into the question of whether "rejected" is a correct translation, I would like to ...
7
votes
1answer
181 views
Is LXX “Enoch pleased God” a reasonable idiomatic translation of Hebrew “Enoch walked with God”?
The Septuagint translates the Hebrew phrase
וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ חֲנֹוךְ אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים
"Enoch walked with God," from Genesis 5:22 as
εὐηρέστησεν δὲ ενωχ τῷ θεῷ
"Enoch pleased God." I would have ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Translation of “οἰκονομίαν”
Οἰκονομία is often glossed stewardship; the UBS 4th edition Greek New Testament renders it management of a household in the glossary. However, I find it is often difficult to translate in a sentence. ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Connotation of πλεονεξία in Colossians 3:5
Looking at Colossians 3:5 in Greek:
Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν ἀκαθαρσίαν πάθος ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία.
Πλεονεξία, often translated ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views
Who were the “poor among the saints” in Jerusalem?
Near the end of Romans there are details about financial relationships between churches. It's never really occurred to me to read it as anything but the face value in English:
Romans 15:25-26 ...
6
votes
4answers
417 views
Misleading “but” in Matthew 5:22 KJV?
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: ...
3
votes
2answers
134 views
What is the referent for “brother” in 1 John 4:20-21?
1 John 4:20-21
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this ...
5
votes
3answers
619 views
How should ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) be translated in Romans 3:25?
The word ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) is often translated in Romans 3:25 as "propiation," "atonement," or "sacrifice [of atonement]" in Western conservative biblical translations. In Hebrews 9:5 it is ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Who is judging who in Revelation 20:4?
The following verse towards the end of Revalation has an interesting turn of phrase:
Revelation 20:4 (ESV) (emphasis mine)
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
What does it mean for someone to be another person's “portion”?
Searching for the word "portion" brings up a lot of results in the Bible. Sometimes it means a portion of food or of money. But what exactly does it mean in the following context:
LORD, you alone ...
5
votes
1answer
213 views
Translation of “this generation will not pass away” in Matthew 24:34?
I'm curious specifically regarding the translation of the word "generation" here in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32.
Matthew 24:34 (NIV)
Truly I tell you, this generation will ...
4
votes
2answers
259 views
Psalms 46 - Be still or relax?
In Psalms 46-10 (Christian versions) or 46:11 (in Jewish versions), is the phrase
הרפו ודעו כי אנכי אלֹהים
In most English Bible translations הרפו is translated as
Be still .
With the ...
1
vote
2answers
58 views
Who is the good and beautiful person in Zechariah 9:17?
There seem to be two main variants of English translations of Zechariah 9:17a:
The newer one, of which the NLT is a prime representative:
16On that day the Lord their God will rescue his people,
...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
Should קהלת actually translate to “Preacher”
Ecclesiastes starts with - words of קהלת son of David.
In Hebrew it does not say - the words of the קהלת.
Nor - words of the קהלת.
But simply - words of קהלת.
How do we know that קהלת translates to ...
2
votes
1answer
25 views
Is there a general way to know if a psalm or prophecy is talking about a tribe, a person or a mythical beast?
For example:
You rule the raging sea; you still its swelling waves.
You crush Rahab with a mortal blow; with your strong arm you scatter your foes.
Yours are the heavens, yours the ...
4
votes
4answers
274 views
Does the phrase “born of water and the Spirit” refer to one, or two births?
In John 3:5, Jesus says that we must be "born of water and the Spirit".
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of ...
14
votes
2answers
613 views
Translation of “Selah” (סֶלָה)
What is the current scholarly opinion on the possible translations for "Selah" (סֶלָה) as used in the Psalms?
5
votes
1answer
118 views
1 Pet 3:3 (NASB) “Your adornment must not be *merely* external”
1 Pet 3:3
Net Bible Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes
NIV Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Did God shut up Satan before he had the chance to accuse Yeshua?
Growing up with the the New Living Translation, I had alway thought that Zechariah 3:1 said that Satan was accusing Yeshua:
Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the ...
2
votes
2answers
356 views
Is El-Shaddai “Sky God” where Sky==Breasts?
I found the name "El-Shaddai" mysterious, but while going over Genesis, found the following passage (Gen 49) Wikisource translation
From the god of your fathers, and he will help you, and the ...
10
votes
2answers
524 views
How can I identify puns in the Hebrew Bible?
The Bible sometimes uses words with multiple meanings to the effect of an intentional pun or wordplay. Punning seems especially common in Hebrew. I think that being aware of these literary devices ...
3
votes
1answer
198 views
Translation of κοπιῶντες in Matthew 11:28
The word κοπιῶντες in Matt. 11:28 is translated differently in the NASB and the ESV:
NASB:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
ESV:
Come to me, all who ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
The meaning of “I” in Zechariah 7:3
Zechariah 7:2-3 (with my emphasis)
The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech, together with their men, to entreat the LORD by asking the priests of the house of the LORD Almighty ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
What does “Jealous” mean in Exodus 34:14?
Most translations seem to agree that "Jealous" is the best translation for this passage. For example:
Exodus 34:14 (NASB)
—for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is ...
7
votes
2answers
90 views
Is the usual translation of “ηὐχόμην” as “I could wish” justified in Romans 9:3?
In the early part of Romans 9, Paul speaks fervently of his hope and anguish concerning his fellow-countrymen, even contemplating losing his own salvation if it could gain theirs:
1I am speaking ...
15
votes
2answers
363 views
Understanding Numbers 11:25
As I am studying, I have encountered different renderings of the last phrase in this verse, which describes the prophesying of the seventy elders of Israel after the Spirit was placed on them. An ...
4
votes
1answer
120 views
Is the death of the pious precious in the eyes of God?
How does one understand the word yakar in Psalms 116:15? Classic Jewish commentators explain the word in context to mean "difficult". However, that is not how is it commonly used nor is it in ...
6
votes
1answer
888 views
What does the term “principalities and powers” mean?
In some translations, I see the term "principalities and powers." To what does this refer?
This will not be exhaustive, but for example, consider the KJV's translation of Romans 8:38-39:
For I ...
2
votes
1answer
234 views
Meaning of στοιχεῖον (stoicheion)
What does Paul mean by the word στοιχεῖον, and in particular the phrase τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου? Here is a list of occurrences of the word in the New Testament. Feel free to add discussion about the ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
What is Shesh Mashzar?
The Hebrew words occuring all over the latter parts of Exodus:
שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר
mean some sort of fancy fabric. Is it reasonable to think of this as silk? I was thinking this might be derived from ...
6
votes
1answer
489 views
Why does the King James have “turtle” in Song of Solomon 2:12?
Ernie Harwell was famous for starting his first baseball broadcast of the Detroit Tigers spring with the following quote:
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (KJV)
11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain ...
6
votes
1answer
133 views
How should Galatians 5:10 be translated?
Galatians 5:10 seems to have fairly separate meanings in modern translations
The NIV says that Paul is "confident in the Lord" that the Galatians will stay away from false teachings. I understand ...
4
votes
2answers
148 views
What are the four types of “wise men” in Daniel 2?
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar has dealings with four types of "wise men". NIV and NLT render them "magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers." The ESV does something rather confusing and renders ...
6
votes
1answer
159 views
Is the ESV rendering “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever” in Genesis 6:3 accurate?
I am reading through Genesis in the ESV for the first time and was struck by some unfamiliar wording in Genesis 6:3. It reads: "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days ...
6
votes
2answers
122 views
Brothers *and sisters* in modern translations
In the New Century Version, passages in the New Testament that were addressed to "brothers" are now "brothers and sisters". For example:
"Brothers and sisters, in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit ...
8
votes
3answers
279 views
Is Revelation 3:14 saying that Christ was created by God?
Revelation 3:14 (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Most ...
5
votes
1answer
59 views
Does Mark 1:32 indicate two separate time periods?
The NET Bible reads:
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed.—Mark 1:32 (NET)
Two time references are present:
"When it was evening" ...
3
votes
1answer
43 views
What exactly does מִכְנָס (miknac) mean?
Researching a related question, I came across passages like:
You shall also make for them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; they shall extend from the hips to the thighs.—Exodus 28:42 ...
5
votes
3answers
118 views
What does Exodus 26:27 say?
I was reading through Exodus the other day and thought that the translation of Exodus 26:26-27 was odd.
OSB:
"You shall make bars of incorruptible wood: five for the posts on one side of the ...
0
votes
2answers
143 views
Who is an authority on what can be called a “Bible”?
(I'm not entirely sure whether this question is in scope of this SE, but this appears to be the SE closest to the issue)
In Poland, there is a region called Silesia, which is inhabited by people ...
6
votes
1answer
72 views
To whom did God subject everything in Hebrews 2:8?
In most translations, the verse goes something like "In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subjected to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." (NIV 1984, ...
8
votes
3answers
258 views
Does the Hebrew in Judges 4:4 explicitly identify Deborah as a woman?
I have no skill at reading Hebrew, so I was using some tool to try and parse the sentence in Judges 4:4. I noticed that the definition given for the second word (אִשָּׁה) is "woman"; but what I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
308 views
Translation of “ἐλπίς”
Ἐλπίς is a theologically important word in the New Testament. It is glossed hope, but I have often heard it emphasized that this does not mean hope in the sense of a positive wish or feeling which is ...
