mighty mountains - actually elohim ps 36:6

Subject: mighty mountains - actually elohim ps 36:6 Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:31 am

"Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD."

well... the ESV translates this the mountains of God,
but there are a few that translate it the mighty mountains - and thats the version Third Day uses in one of their songs (which is how it is imprinted in my head)....

anyhow. I was just looking at this verse and discrepancy for hebrew class as I've only started hebrew somewhat recently...

my question is... am I going to just keep running into things I disagree with? I dont want to become cynical of the translations I use. I want to read the word and enjoy it... trusting that the people who do the translation generally know more than me...

ya'll who spend a lot of time in the original languages, are you encouraged or always discouraged by the english translations, and do you find yourself always questioning what you're reading in english? wondering if the original language agrees? or is this a ridiculous fear?
_________________
"sometimes a little more than you think you want is still a little less than you actually need"
"brilliance seems too often masked by stupid people"

Xenophile Joined : 09 May 2008 Posts : 147

I encounter this almost every single time, however I find it fascinating.
_________________
\_ My blog: Discipulus Scripturae

Subject: Re: mighty mountains - actually elohim ps 36:6 Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:47 pm

Subject: Re: mighty mountains - actually elohim ps 36:6 Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:51 am

Accept that what you are reading (in English) is a translation and unavoidably subject to difference.

Decide whether truth is found in the syntax (words, grammar, sentence structure, etc.) or in the semantics (the meaning of the words) of the original languages.

If you lean toward syntax, learn the original languages or get the most literal English translation you're comfortable with.

If you lean toward semantics, get the English translation with the language and style that you're most comfortable with.

I used to be a syntax guy, but not any more. I now believe that God's message is found on a semantic level, not limited to the words of the original languages. I enjoy the freedom of dynamic translations and the variety of ways that God's message is communicated.

If Jesus Christ can interpret the meaning of the Law into two commandments and be the fulfillment of truth, then surely we can find similarity not difference in "the mountains of God" vs. "the mighty mountains".
_________________
ElShaddai Edwards
http://heissufficient.net

Xenophile Joined : 09 May 2008 Posts : 147

Subject: Re: mighty mountains - actually elohim ps 36:6 Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:22 pm

Xenophile Joined : 09 May 2008 Posts : 147

I think a lot of it is mindset. You have to approach the Bible as an ancient text and get over some of the notions you are raised with. At least that is what I ended up doing. Pre-mis-conceptions messed with me for a while, but once you let go of the baggage it becomes much more enjoyable I think. Also, it is just amazing to consider how many approaches there are to any given topic. In fact, the only times I get discouraged are when I realize just how many resources are out there and I know that I will never touch even a fraction of them in my lifetime. I think it is a bit tragic that there is so much available, but people don't even bother to read the Bible much less the extra materials. Instead it's Left Behind, Da Vinci Code or whatever the latest tripe being pushed out. /rant

[edit]
w00t 100th post!
_________________
\_ My blog: Discipulus Scripturae