The Hebrew Repetition

[maxmammon]

The redundancy of the Greek ages of the ages and its English forever and ever is intentional. Some scholars claim they cannot find this grammatical repetition in classical Greek, which makes sense, since it came down from the Hebrew. In English we use the superlative: the greatest; the most glorious; most powerful, etc. Though not technically a superlative, the Hebrews repeated words for emphasis.

The first occurrence I know of is in Genesis 2:17, when Adam was warned in the day he ate of the tree: dying you shall die. Another occurrence is in Psalm 110:1, the most often quoted OT verse in the NT: The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord (Adonai), sit at my right hand until I put your enemies underfoot of your feet. Unfortunately, these two repetitions are almost universally translated in English as "surely die" and "footstool."

Paul used the repetition ages of the ages in some of his letters, usually of God's glory and power. John also used it for many of God's attributes in Revelation, but one of John's repetitions has passed down unscathed into English. It was printed in the original 1611 KJV in large caps/small caps. Later it was changed to all caps. So the KJV, in spite of its many many flaws, not only retained but booted up the Hebrew emphasis of KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

[marie glen]

That's very interesting! I didn't know that.. I'm reminded of how Jesus often said "I say to you, truly, truly" .."verily, verily" or actually "amen, amen.."

So the KJV, in spite of its many many flaws, not only retained but booted up the Hebrew emphasis of KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Thank Goodness! :hithere:

[rosered]

  Thanks Max ,
  Good to know .
  I love   to check out all the versions and compare them to one another   on Bible gateway   or Bible hub .

  I am not good at Greek or Hebrew  versions  though  :laughing7:   

  :friendstu:

[maxmammon]

I do not have a reproduction of John Wycliffe's hand-written English Bible, from Latin. I do have a gravure print copy of the opening page of Acts, from the Gutenberg Bible. It's a large beautiful work of art printed in Latin. The real ones are priceless and kept in museums.

I have a facsimile of the first printed English NT: William Tyndale's 1534 version from the Greek, but edited with modern spelling. After he was imprisoned, then garroted and burned at the stake in Antwerp, his associate, Miles Coverdale, finished the OT to print the first complete English Bible. Even Middle English Bibles are hard to read; never mind Old English. The KJV has been through many spelling updates, using newer fonts, with the original introduction and Apocrypha removed. Mine is familiar and filled with notes/corrections.

I encourage people to check many versions for understanding. We have about 30 English versions at home. Rotherham's Emphasized Bible is a literal translation and very consistent, but choppy to read. The Tanakh is a current Jewish OT. Its name is a combination of Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Kethuvim (Writings), the divisions you see mentioned near the end of Luke's Gospel. My wife uses a parallel Bible: KJV / NAS / Amplified. We don't use annotated Bibles much anymore.

I agree with others that, in general, the English versions are getting more accurate over time. I am using more online references now, since I'm on a computer anyway.

Martin Luther's life seriously changed when he read a verse in Romans that the righteousness of God is revealed..... as it was written: the just shall live by faith. Paul's citation was from Habakkuk. The Septuagint (LXX) actually reads: the just shall live by faith in me (GOD). Luther had been tormented because he sought God's righteousness by the works of the Law, instead of by faith. Paul wrote that was Israel's big problem. Works are not the cause of God's righteousness, but the result.

[rosered]

  That was awesome bro  Max ,

  I agree  , when you are stuck in your stubbornness , not willing  ,  your get stuck in your own mind   , and cannot grow in truth and grace .

I was once  such a  fearful creature  of habit and tradition s of men .

  We are to   get off that  broad path and seek the  lonely path  , it is ours to follow Jesus  into Life .

  Blessings , Rose