I have a question about the proper translation of the Hebrew word nacham (H5162) found in the OT.
Each translation has a meaning that is quite different. Does it mean mercy, regret, repent, pity, comfort, sigh, etc? Is the true meaning to be found from the from the context? It looks like the translators chose words that fit their ideas, biases, opinions and concepts. So is there a suitable English equivalent word for nacham?
Definitions into English of Strong's- H5162:
nâcham
naw-kham'
A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)
KJV Usage: comfort (self), ease [one's self], repent (-er, -ing, self).
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions
1. to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted
a. (Niphal)
1. to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion
2. to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent
3. to comfort oneself, be comforted
4. to comfort oneself, ease oneself
b. (Piel) to comfort, console
c. (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled
d. (Hithpael)
1. to be sorry, have compassion
2. to rue, repent of
3. to comfort oneself, be comforted
4. to ease oneself
Note the many and varied meanings ascribed to this Hebrew word. The translated versions of the bible in English are inconsistent, not only from one version to another but within a version itself. The Hebrew word nacham (H5162) appears over a 100 times in the OT. The KJV translates Strongs H5162 in the following manner: comfort 57 times, repent 41 times, comforter 9 times and, ease once.
Also the "literal" translations such as the CLV, Rotherhams and Young's are inconsistent in translating the word. The only version that is consistent is the exeGeses Companion Bible which translates the word into the English word "sighs". IMO this is the closest rendering, but perhaps others could shed more light on the meaning. Maybe Ronen?
To examine this topic more thoroughly, look at the account concerning Moses convincing God to repent and change His mind about the fate of the nation of Israel, as some translations state (Exodus 32: 9-14).
The reason I raise it is because a friend who is with a Church of God group was discussing universal salvation with me and he is holding to the view of man has free will so man can reject salvation. He uses Ex. 32:9-12 to try to show me how a mere man (Moses) can change God's mind and with his own free moral agency is able to act independently of God.
He is implying that the goodness and reasoning ability of Moses can change God's mind. This line of thinking may lead to the conclusion that what God did in calling out the nation of Israel was a mistake on God's part. Sadly, this would indicate that God miscalculated and made a bad decision. So God had to be shown true love and righteousness by a Moses. So it took His own creature to show Him the way? So are we to assume that Moses had more wisdom than God Almighty? Are we to think that Moses was more mature about the situation and was successful in showing God the error of His way? If so, then God is fallible.
Here is a way of looking at this account without resorting to seeing Him as a capricious God, One who repents.
God wanted Moses to come to the rescue of Israel. God set him up for this very thing. God knew that Moses would come to the defense of his people, and this is precisely what God knew that Moses would do. God needed to make Moses understand how he (Moses) truly felt about the Israelites. God was helping Moses see how much he (Moses) loved them, so he would be willing to do all he had to go through to help them. God had no intention of destroying Israel at that time. This in fact was the act of a loving God.
Simple logic would tell us that God had a plan from the foundation of the world, a Savoir that would come from the lineage of David.
There is no plan B. It is plan A and has been plan A from the beginning.
So God does not repent. And yet we find in Ex 32:14 the following according to various translations of the word nacham :
Rotherham(i) 14 So then Yahweh was grieved (H5162),—over the calamity—which he had spoken of inflicting on his people.
YLT(i) 14 and Jehovah repenteth (H5162) of the evil which He hath spoken of doing to His people.
CLV(i) 14 So Yahweh showed mercy (H5162) concerning the evil which He spoke of doing to His people.
ECB(i) 14 - and Yah Veh sighs (H5162) of the evil he worded to work to his people.
KJV Exo 32:14 And the LORD repented (H5162) of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
The CLV uses the word "mercy": for nacham (H5162) in Ex. 32:14. This is inconsistent and is never thus translated anywhere else in the OT CLV version
Note these verses from some translations of Num 23:19:
CLV(i) 19 El is not a man that He should lie. Nor a son of humanity that He should feel regret (H5162). Does He say it and then not do it? Or speak and then not carry it out?
Rotherham(i) 19 GOD is, not a man, that he should lie, Nor a son of Adam, that he should repent (H5162),—Hath, he, said, and will not perform? Yea spoken, and will not make it stand fast?
YLT(i) 19 God is not a man—and lieth, And a son of man—and repenteth (H5162)! Hath He said—and doth He not do it ? And spoken—and doth He not confirm it?
ECB(i) 19 El is neither a man, that he lies; nor the son of humanity, that he sighs (H5162): Says he ever, and not work? Or words he ever, and it not rise?
KJV(i) 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent (H5162): has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
So what can we deduce from this?
My suggestion is that the pure (root) meaning of nacham is "sigh". If this is reasonable then we can gain further insight by looking at the context of the particular verse in which nacham (sigh) is used.
So, based on the context and content of a verse, could not nacham (sigh) signify an expression of:
sighing to indicate comfort or consoling
sighing to indicate pity or compassion
sighing to indicate wrath or disdain
sighing to indicate power/perfection (as in Num 23:19)
Sighing is a expression of a thought and may not result in an action. Also the sigh of comfort is most often used in verses talking about humans, whereas the sigh of other attributes is used in verses referring to God.
Gary Amirault has written that the original language of the OT (Hebrew) is a highly exaggerative language, sometimes even to the point of what would appear to be lying from a Western point of view. Most Bible translations and Bible teachers do not point this out clearly enough. He also said that Bible translations that try to maintain a literal word-for-word approach are usually the most guilty for not transmitting the true meaning behind the original languages. That is because one cannot get the true meaning behind the hundreds of figures of speech in the Bible which cannot be transferred into English using a word-for-word approach and still convey the true meaning.
My main point is that God does not ever change His mind, or repent. Nacham has been abused by translators of the bible. Free will is just a tool of Satan to make man, who is carnal (a beast), on sitting in the throne of his own mind, his own ruler.
I would only say that context, especially in regards to Hebrew translation, is extremely important.
God can change His mind..if ye have seen the son,ye have seen the Father. Consider Jesus reply to
the gentile woman,'it is not meet to give the bread of the little children unto their little dogs"
her reply to him resulted in him casting out the demons from her daughter.
there are other scriptures,too. David was hoping God would change his mind about the death
decreed forhis and Bathsheba's child.2 Samuel 12;16
one of the prophets didn't want to eat his bread cooked over human dung...andthe Lord made
a concession to him. Our Father considers us, our feelings.
His heart can be moved[love does this] He says..if my people will repent,humble themselves
andseek my face...then I will heal their land...
love relationship behaves this way...Love doesn't seek just it's own will and desire..love
lays down it's own life.God listened to Moses,too.
and as far as your'e friend and his reasoning[which is off,imo] do we not know it is God who
causes us to will and desire and do His good pleasure.
God pours out a spirit of supplication onto His people...that causes them to ask for what He
desires to give them. Zechariah 12;10 and I will pour out on the house of David and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.
hpefully the brothers will help you more practically with this,than I have joetekay..but I just
wanted to share what I have with you,because to me it is so wonderful the way Father is
with us in relationship....reconciliation is all about relationship. :friendstu:
Shalom Joe,
You are on the right track, as far as the word 'nacham' essentially meaning 'to sigh'. The Nun and Chet give this basic meaning, with a Mem added to give nuance to the basic root word.
As far as the theology of it all, my understanding may raise more questions than it answers, but it is a Semitic way of thinking, which is this:
From our point of view, God changes his mind depending on various circumstances, such as man's response, as Sheila shared.
From God's own point of view, he never changes his mind, but always does exactly what he intends.
This is a tension that many cannot or will not accept, but it is what I believe best expresses how he, being unchangeable, relates to a world in constant change.
Here is a video I put together 4 years ago bearing witness to your conclusion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKLR0qY-xk&list=PL46821BED906A4CDB&index=25 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKLR0qY-xk&list=PL46821BED906A4CDB&index=25)
Ronen
As I see it, God changes His mind based on the imperatives of His unchangeable character. When the scriptures speak of the unchangeableness of God- it references His character. In terms of when God changes His mind, as Ronen pointed out, I agree these are actions response to man's actions and responses.
But man's character changes. His motivations change. His perceptions change. His faithfulness ebbs and flows.
God is a rock of love out of which flows the water of life. His character, motivations, perceptions and faithfulness never change.
I really enjoyed the Word study Joe and to you all ,,and Ronen your you tube study and Shelia's addition and Johns addition
I love the idea of a root word being concrete or solid , Like building a foundation and Build on no other but Christ & His testimony /witness
Just as the Word says be careful how you build and consider the costs
Careful how you hear
Understanding is is so helpful , not trying to change the subject but ,
I was thinking of how many times we can see the relationship between God and man and what Gods asked when looking into the word nacham
is acknowledgement of His authority and praise , a thankful heart to His mercy and ability to help and comfort in ways like no other