Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Dave Humpal" <ebedyah AT elite.net>]

Some on this list have taken issue with my statements, <<None of the seven
translators of the NWT had any training in Hebrew or Greek, and it seems
many of the interpretations are intended more for doctrinal purposes than
accuracy.>>

Since some have asked for clarification, let me point out some problems with
the the New World Translation.  It is full of New Testament verses with the
name "Jehovah" in them.  Of course, there is no Jehovah in the Greek, only
kurios.  But since the importance of Jehovah's name is central to Witness
theology, they decided to insert them here and there throughout the NT,
claiming they are simply restoring an unknown version!!!  In Romans 10:9-13
this passage is clearly teaching that Jesus is Lord.  In fact these very
words are given in verse 9.  But in verse 13 NWT translates kurios Jehovah,
not wanting to admit that Jesus is the one who saves.  In Colossians 1:16
the NWT adds the word "other" even though it's not anywhere in the Greek.
The reason -- Jesus couldn't have created all things since Jehovah's
Witnesses believe only Jehovah did that, hence the need to add the word
other.  In Hebrews 1:8 the Greek seems to be clearly stating about Jesus,
"Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever."  This presents a
difficulty to the Witnesses since this is quoting an OT verse that refers to
Jehovah and they don't want to admit that Jesus might be forever, which
would be against their teachings.  So they twist it to make a meaningless
statement, "But with reference to the Son: `God is your throne forever and
ever....'"  There are many other similarly questionable examples.

As far as the translators -- F.W. Franz was presented in a court case
against the Watchtower Society as an official translator.  Under
cross-examiniation, he was forced to admit that he was unable to read
Hebrew.  Klann, who wrote the book Jehovah of the Watchtower, names five of
the translators and makes this statement about them, "None of the committee
members reads New Testament Greek, or, for that matter, Hebrew or Aramaic."
Mantey (the author of the Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament) was
offended when he was misquoted by the Watchtower Society.  So he did some
research and discovered that none of the translators could read Greek or
Hebrew.  He made this statement on the radio program, The Bible Answer Man.
The Watchtower Society refuses to give out the names of the "translators,"
and I wonder why anyone would take seriously a translation when you know
nothing about the translators!

I hope this helps,
Dave Humpal ebedyah AT elite.net
First Christian Church (DOC), Merced, California
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