Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Numberup AT worldnet.att.net]

Thank you for the inside information. It contrasts with idle speculation 
about the
NWT's translation at Isa 40:26.  It  is refreshing, and the sort of thing 
scholars
should welcome.  In an earlier post, I myself affirmed that the expression 
"dynamic
energy" has no intrinsic connection with physics, nor Einstein's popular 
theorem.  But
"dynamic energy" is an acceptable translation of "'ownim" because it means 
essentially
the same thing as the more common translations of "might, power, force, 
strength,"
etc.  It is a different phrasing, even an innovative phrasing, but the 
meaning does
not change.  I have purchased and read scores of Bible translations over the 
years,
and new ways of saying the same thing, so long as grammatically or 
contextually
warranted, are not solely the feature of one translation.  Nor is it generally
condemned, but commended.  I note that the new Torah translation by Everett 
Fox, _The
Five Books of Moses_ (Schocken, 1995) is lauded specifically for its "fresh 
insights,"
verbal "excitement" and "bracing protest against...bland modernity of all the 
recent
English versions of the Bible." (Jacket)

I think this discussion could have been progressive if it had dealt with 
grammatical
concerns and had avoided thinly disguised theological bias.

Solomon Landers

"Norman E. Swift" wrote:

> Re 'ON
>
> Solomon Landers scripsit
>
> > I would not venture to assume why the NWT uses the term, any more than I 
> > would
> > know  specifically why any other translation uses the terms it uses, 
> > unless I
> > happened to be myself on that body of translators.
>
> I find myself in a unique position to comment, because I proofread the MS of
> that volume of the NW Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures together with its
> page, galley and plate proofs until its release in 1958.  I worked with the
> anonymous translator on a daily basis.  My memories are fond--and keen.
>
> I have a clear recollection of this issue and the translator's aim and
> intent:  a different word or expression to represent a different word choice
> of the author.   Particularly fond of Latinisms, he read Jerome's
> translation "fortitudinis et roboris virtutisque"  but rejected this kind of
> language in favor of the Greek-flavored "dynamic energy," which he felt
> conveyed the sense of the expression.  I assure you he had no physics
> calculus in mind, nor some scientific precognition.
> <snip>