Why you should learn Hebrew...
I'm looking at a passage across Bible translations: Hosea 11:5
NIV: Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?
ESV: They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
TNIV: “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?
NRSV: They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
RSV: They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me.
ASV: They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.
Now, when you look at the Hebrew, it begins with a Lo which is the Hebrew word for no or not. So the NRSV and the RSV are thrown out right there.
And the first verb is Yashoov which is a third masculine singular verb for return or turn. That's he or it. Not they. That just throws out all the remaining translations. The verse actually appears to translate to me as
He/It will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria will rule him/it because he/it turned from me.
But I sit here scratching my head on where all these translations are getting a third common plural translation. And wondering if I'm mistaken...
Labels: Biblical Studies, school
posted by Gary @ 6:46 PM
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
I'm guessing that the 3p is used to align the verse with the context of the previous verse which does use the plural.
Ah I see, thanks!
Go with the ESV.
My totally biased advice!
Yeah. I agree with you on the ESV. I have that Literary Study Bible but its so huge that I don't want to take it to class. I just pre-purchased the ESV Reference Bible with the 2007 update that comes out at the end of January.
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