Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 05/03/2004 15:18, Harold R. Holmyard III wrote:

> ...
>  
>
> > I think we have to find ways of effective communication to the modern
> > audience. What about the mention of tables, lamps, torches etc.
> >    
>
> I replied,"That's not a good comparison. Tables have not changed that much
> from ancient Israel. But there were no rockets or explosives back then."
>  

But lamps and torches have. (Remember that British and probably Kenyan 
English "torch" = American "flashlight".) So Chemorion does have a 
point, there are things mentioned in Bible translations which are 
probably very different in form from what the average reader understands 
them to be, although similar in function. Even so, I suspect that 
"missiles" is going too far.

> So it seems an issue of what the Kenyan readers would think of. If they
> know basic English, the word "missile" might only be familiar to them as a
> term in the newspapers for advanced weapons. That would give an
> anachronistic idea to the Bible reader. "Missiles" in its meaning as simply
> something sent through the air, usually to strike a target, is less
> commonly known. Projectiles might be an alternative if you wanted to stress
> the idea of airborne weapons. But if the more general word "weapons" is
> sufficient for the NIV, then it would probably work for Chemorion as well.
> "Weapons" is also the choice of NASB, NLT, NKJV, HCSB, and NRSV. If I
> remember, there is some uncertainty about the word's exact reference.
>
>  
Agreed. The uncertainty is a good reason to choose a rather generic word.


--
Peter Kirk
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peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
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