Lesson 8

Adding or subtracting words of the Bible text can change the meaning God had intended. Some changes are made through translation errors of individual words, while other changes come from misunderstanding God’s intended meaning and choosing the wrong word from the language of the translation. It is important to remember that when you read your Bible translation, the words may not always reflect your understanding of them. Cultural, geographic and time period can create large variations in choosing an appropriate word going into a translation. Even within the same language one word can carry several different meanings depending on time and location. In Australia, the word root is a slang word for sex, which is why they find it strange North Americans root for the home team. If you said the people at the party were all gay in 1820 A.D. it would mean they were all happy. If you made that same statement in 2020 it would be talking about their sexual preferance. Understanding the intent of your prefered translation and what God inspired to be used originally is essential. After all, gaining God’s intended message should be the reason for reading his word. The language Jesus probably spoke, as recorded in the New Testament, was most likely a Galilean dialect of Aramaic. He was probably also fluent in Hebrew and the Latin of Rome. The books and letters that make up the New Testament were written in Greek using all capitals, no spaces, or punctuation. Greek is a language born out of a pagan culture that worshiped a pantheon of gods and its words reflect those beliefs. The New Testament authors had to use the best Greek word possible to convey thoughts regardless of the related beliefs those words carried. When translating the Greek into other languages the words chosen should be understood within a God following Hebrew perspective. All of the related beliefs that are associated with the word chosen may not apply, nor should the pagan beliefs be attached to the word chosen. Hell for example, has many layers in pagan thought. The Hebrew concept from a Mosaic understanding is the one Christians should use when reading the word hell. New Testament translators used the word hell to describe the Hebrew belief of dying and going to your grave. Written in old English less than 500 years ago Tyndale’s Bible translation was used for nearly 70% of the KJV Bible. Heralded by scholars as a great translation, it stands as a testament for how languages and words change over time. Do you understand the meaning of the words in the Bible? What research have you done to prove your beliefs are accurate? 

John 3:15-17 TYN
15 that none that beleveth in him perisshe: but have eternall lyfe. 16 For God so loveth the worlde yt he hath geven his only sonne that none that beleve in him shuld perisshe: but shuld have everlastinge lyfe. 17 For God sent not his sonne into the worlde to condepne the worlde: but that the worlde through him might be saved.