Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>]

Steven:

You are quite right to look at “sheker” as the reason for the NAS and other 
newer translations. The basic meaning of “sheker” is “deceptive” and I read 
the context, including the following verses, as indicating that the deceptive 
part is that the people are not following the very law that they are claiming 
is with them, the law that is the reason for claiming that they are wise. But 
I would hesitate using the word “lie” as does NAS, for it could be a case of 
self-deception or deception based on ignorance first.

A very similar passage is Romans 2:17–25 and Paul could very well have been 
thinking of this passage when writing Romans.

Yours, Karl W. Randolph.


----- Original Message -----
From: Schmuel <schmuel AT escape.com>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 22:23:09 -0400
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Jeremiah 8:8 - the pen of the scribes

> Shalom b-hebrew,
> 
> Jeremiah 8:8 (KJB)
> How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us?
> Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. 
> 
> JPS-1985
> Assuredly, for naught has the pen labored, For naught the scribes !
> 
> NAS
> How can you say, 'We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us'? 
> But behold, the lying pen of the scribes Has made {it} into a lie. 
> 
> The NAS (and many modern Christian versions) meaning is much different than 
> the KJB or JPS.
> In one case the pen of the scribes actively lies/deceives, in the other it 
> is in vain, or for naught. 
> 
> Comments on the underlying Hebrew, including ... shehker, and the full 
> constructions ?
> 
> Thanks :-)
> 
> Shalom,
> Steven Avery
> Queens, NY
> 
> schmuel AT escape.com
> 
> Messianic_Apologetic-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Messianic_Apologetic/ 
> 
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