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I have no special credentials to pursue this, except that I'm not on any religion's payroll. I have no formal religious training. I have no visions or dreams to speak of. I have a kind of compulsion to study the Bible. I blame it on my father. Over and over he quoted Proverbs 4:7 to me as I grew up: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. I didn't always listen to my father when I was young. But now that I am old I am apparently incapable of not running his programing.

Romans, Part 41

Posted on February 28, 2013 by admin

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles, Paul continued. Seeing that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry [Table], if somehow I could provoke my people to jealousy (παραζηλώσω, a form of παραζηλόω) and save some of them.¹ Here Paul referred back to the Lord’s prophesy through Moses, I will make you jealous (παραζηλώσω, a form of παραζηλόω) by those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger.²

The complete verse reads, They have made me jealous (Septuagint: παρεζήλωσάν, another form of παραζηλόω) with false gods, enraging me with their worthless gods; so I will make them jealous (Septuagint: παραζηλώσω, a form of παραζηλόω) with a people they do not recognize, with a nation slow to learn I will enrage them.³ And so I have the karmic reason: Israel made God jealous with false gods, so He made them jealous with senseless, slow to learn or foolish people. But Paul alluded to a grace reason as well: I ask then, [Israel] did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they? Absolutely not! But by their transgression [e.g., making God jealous with false gods] salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous (παραζηλῶσαι, another form of παραζηλόω).⁴ And so Paul hoped to provoke [his] people to jealousy (παραζηλώσω, a form of παραζηλόω) and save some of them.

For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, Paul continued, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?⁵ Then he said something odd: If the first portion of the dough offered is holy, then the whole batch is holy…⁶ The phrase the first portion of the dough offered is one word in Greek, ἀπαρχὴ, firstfruits. At first I thought Paul was referencing the firstfruits offering from the law.

You must offer up a cake of the first (rē’šîṯ, רֵאשִׁית; Septuagint: ἀπαρχὴν) of your finely ground flour as a raised offering; as you offer the raised offering of the threshing floor, so you must offer it up. You must give to the Lord some of the first (rē’šîṯ, מֵרֵאשִׁית; Septuagint: ἀπαρχὴν) of your finely ground flour as a raised offering in your future generations.⁷ But the firstfruits belonged to the priests and their immediate families: All the best of the olive oil and all the best of the wine and of the wheat, the first fruits (rē’šîṯ, רֵאשִׁיתָם; Septuagint: ἀπαρχὴ) of these things that they give to the Lord, I have given to you. And whatever first ripe fruit in their land they bring to the Lord will be yours; everyone who is ceremonially clean in your household may eat of it.⁸

So if the whole batch became holy because of the offering of the firstfruits, the people would have starved, because the whole batch would have belonged to the priests and their immediate families. Paul used the word ἀπαρχὴ in another context in 1 Corinthians. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits (ἀπαρχὴ) of those who have fallen asleep.⁹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man [Table]. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits (ἀπαρχὴ); then when Christ comes, those who belong to him [Table].¹⁰

So I think Christ was the fristfruits (ἀπαρχὴ) Paul wrote about, and making the whole batch… holy was not something true of, or done by, the law. It is accomplished through Christ. Later in Romans Paul wrote that the people of Israel are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.¹¹ I don’t think he meant that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were of such special merit that their merit would be extended to their descendants. I think he referenced the promises the Lord Jesus made to them, about their descendants, as Yahweh. As Paul wrote earlier, Let God be proven true, and every human being shown up as a liar, just as it is written: “so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged.”¹²

And Paul continued, if the root is holy, so too are the branches.¹³ Here again the Lord Jesus is the root: At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. At that time the sovereign master will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people…¹⁴ The Lord Jesus is holy and all who spring forth from him are holy, too.

Then Paul began to describe the attitude Gentile believers should have toward the people of Israel. Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and participated in the richness of the olive root [Table], do not boast over the branches [Table].¹⁵ “I am part of a senseless nation grafted in to make Israel jealous!” is not much to brag about anyway. But if you boast, Paul continued, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you [Table]. Then you will say, “The branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in” [Table].¹⁶ Here is a good place to review why the branches were broken off (Jeremiah 11:15-17 NET).

The Lord says to the people of Judah, “What right do you have to be in my temple, my beloved people? Many of you have done wicked things. Can your acts of treachery be so easily canceled by sacred offerings that you take joy in doing evil even while you make them? I, the Lord, once called you a thriving olive tree, one that produced beautiful fruit. But I will set you on fire, fire that will blaze with a mighty roar. Then all your branches will be good for nothing. For though I, the Lord who rules over all, planted you in the land, I now decree that disaster will come on you because the nations of Israel and Judah have done evil and have made me angry by offering sacrifices to the god Baal.”

Granted! Paul continued. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear (φοβοῦ, a form of φοβέω)!¹⁷ This word φοβοῦ in this form occurs most often in the New Testament as the divine greeting to the fearful flesh of Adam: Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ)!¹⁸ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ), Zechariah…¹⁹ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ), Mary…²⁰ Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ)…”²¹ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ), little flock…²² Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ), people²³ of Zion…²⁴ The Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, “Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ)…”²⁵ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ), Paul!²⁶ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ) of the things you are about to suffer.²⁷ But Paul used it twice in Romans to say, But if you do wrong, be in fear (φοβοῦ)…²⁸ For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.²⁹

I must be an adulteress ³⁰ at heart. I can’t count how many times I came to this place in Paul’s letter to the Romans, ignored everything I had heard thus far, and ran back to the law. It was like an all-consuming lust that blinded me and made me deaf to everything Paul had said about the law: For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous.³¹

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed – namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe [Table].³²

For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law.³³ Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law.³⁴ For the law brings wrath…³⁵ Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase…³⁶ For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace [Table]. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! [Table]³⁷

Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of the marriage. So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is alive, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she is joined to another man, she is not an adulteress. So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you could be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, to bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the law, because we have died to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code.³⁸

Despite all this when Paul said, Do not be arrogant, but fear (φοβοῦ), I fled in terror from Jesus my Savior back to the law. A Baal worshiper may have thought that he was worshipping the true God. I’m sure I did at the time. A Baal worshiper may have thought that he had found a better god. But I was worshiping myself and my own ability to keep the law, even after years of practical experience and empirical proofs that I could not keep it. Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ); just believe.³⁹ Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ); just believe…⁴⁰

Notice therefore the kindness and harshness of God, Paul continued, harshness toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off [Table]. And even they – if they do not continue in their unbelief – will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again [Table]. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree?⁴¹

Addendum: January 15, 2026
According to a note (8) in the NET Paul quoted from Psalm 51:4 in Romans 3:4. The following table compares the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 3:4b (NET Parallel Greek)	Psalm 51:4b (Septuagint BLB) Table	Psalm 50:6b (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὅπως ἂν δικαιωθῇς ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου καὶ νικήσεις ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαι σε	ὅπως ἂν δικαιωθῇς ἐν τοῗς λόγοις σου καὶ νικήσῃς ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαί σε	ὅπως ἂν δικαιωθῇς ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου, καὶ νικήσῃς ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαί σε
Romans 3:4b (NET)	Psalm 50:6b (NETS)	Psalm 50:6b (English Elpenor)
so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged	so that you may be justified in your words and be victorious when you go to law.	that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

According to a note (31) in the NET John quoted from Zechariah 9:9 in John 12:15. The following table compares the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

John 12:15 (NET Parallel Greek)	Zechariah 9:9 (Septuagint BLB) Table	Zechariah 9:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
μὴ φοβοῦ, θυγάτηρ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται, καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου	χαῖρε σφόδρα θύγατερ Σιων… ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεταί…ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον καὶ πῶλον νέον	Χαῖρε σφόδρα, θύγατερ Σιών… ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεὺς σου ἔρχεταί…ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον καὶ πῶλον νέον
John 12:15 (NET)	Zechariah 9:9 (NETS)	Zechariah 9:9 (English Elpenor)
Do not be afraid, people of Zion; look, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt!	Rejoice greatly, O daughter Sion…Behold, your king comes…riding on a beast of burden and a young foal.	Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion…Look! Your king is coming…riding on a donkey—on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.

Tables comparing Numbers 15:20; 15:21; 18:12; 18:13; Isaiah 11:10; 11:11; Jeremiah 11:15; 11:16; 11:17 and Zechariah 9:9 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Numbers 15:20; 15:21; 18:12; 18:13; Isaiah 11:10; 11:11; Jeremiah 11:15; 11:16; 11:17 and Zechariah 9:9 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing 1 Corinthians 15:20; Revelation 1:17; John 12:15; Revelation 2:10 and Romans 4:15 in the NET and KJV follow.

Numbers 15:20 (Tanakh)	Numbers 15:20 (KJV)	Numbers 15:20 (NET)
Of the first of your dough ye shall set apart a cake for a gift; as that which is set apart of the threshing-floor, so shall ye set it apart.	Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.	You must offer up a cake of the first of your finely ground flour as a raised offering; as you offer the raised offering of the threshing floor, so you must offer it up.

Numbers 15:20 (Septuagint BLB)	Numbers 15:19b, 20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀπαρχὴν φυράματος ὑμῶν ἄρτον ἀφαίρεμα ἀφοριεῖτε αὐτό ὡς ἀφαίρεμα ἀπὸ ἅλω οὕτως ἀφελεῖτε αὐτόν	ἀπαρχὴν φυράματος ὑμῶν (20) ἄρτον ἀφοριεῖτε ἀφαίρεμα αὐτό· ὡς ἀφαίρεμα ἀπὸ ἅλω, οὕτως ἀφελεῖτε αὐτόν
Numbers 15:20 (NETS)	Numbers 15:19b, 20 (English Elpenor)
as the first fruit of your dough, a loaf. As an advance deduction you shall set it apart; as an advance deduction from the threshing floor, so you shall remove it,	the first-fruits of your dough. (20) Ye shall offer your bread a heave-offering: as a heave-offering from the threshing-floor, so shall ye separate it,

Numbers 15:21 (Tanakh)	Numbers 15:21 (KJV)	Numbers 15:21 (NET)
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto HaShem a portion for a gift throughout your generations.	Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.	You must give to the Lord some of the first of your finely ground flour as a raised offering in your future generations.

Numbers 15:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Numbers 15:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀπαρχὴν φυράματος ὑμῶν καὶ δώσετε κυρίῳ ἀφαίρεμα εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν	ἀπαρχὴν φυράματος ὑμῶν, καὶ δώσετε Κυρίῳ ἀφαίρεμα εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν
Numbers 15:21 (NETS)	Numbers 15:21 (English Elpenor)
as the first fruit of your dough, and you shall give to the Lord an advance deduction for your generations.	even the first-fruits of your dough, and ye shall give the Lord a heave-offering throughout your generations.

Numbers 18:12 (Tanakh)	Numbers 18:12 (KJV)	Numbers 18:12 (NET)
All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the corn, the first part of them which they give unto HaShem, to thee have I given them.	All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.	“All the best of the olive oil and all the best of the wine and of the wheat, the firstfruits of these things that they give to the Lord, I have given to you.

Numbers 18:12 (Septuagint BLB)	Numbers 18:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
πᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ ἐλαίου καὶ πᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ οἴνου καὶ σίτου ἀπαρχὴ αὐτῶν ὅσα ἂν δῶσι τῷ κυρίῳ σοὶ δέδωκα αὐτά	πᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ ἐλαίου καὶ πᾶσα ἀπαρχὴ οἴνου καὶ σίτου, ἀπαρχὴ αὐτῶν, ὅσα ἂν δῶσι τῷ Κυρίῳ, σοὶ δέδωκα αὐτά
Numbers 18:12 (NETS)	Numbers 18:12 (English Elpenor)
Every first fruit of oil and every first fruit of wine and of grain, their first fruit, as much as they may give to the Lord, to you I have given them.	Every first-offering of oil, and every first-offering of wine, their first-fruits of corn, whatsoever they may give to the Lord, to thee have I given them.

Numbers 18:13 (Tanakh)	Numbers 18:13 (KJV)	Numbers 18:13 (NET)
The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring unto HaShem, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thy house may eat thereof.	And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.	And whatever first ripe fruit in their land they bring to the Lord will be yours; everyone who is ceremonially clean in your household may eat of it.

Numbers 18:13 (Septuagint BLB)	Numbers 18:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τὰ πρωτογενήματα πάντα ὅσα ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν ὅσα ἂν ἐνέγκωσιν κυρίῳ σοὶ ἔσται πᾶς καθαρὸς ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου ἔδεται αὐτά	τὰ πρωτογεννήματα πάντα, ὅσα ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν, ὅσα ἂν ἐνέγκωσι Κυρίῳ, σοὶ ἔσται· πᾶς καθαρὸς ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου ἔδεται αὐτά
Numbers 18:13 (NETS)	Numbers 18:13 (English Elpenor)
All the first products, as many as are in their land, as many as they may bring to the Lord, shall be yours; everyone who is clean in your house shall eat them.	All the first-fruits that are in their land, whatsoever they shall offer to the Lord, shall be thine: every clean person in thy house shall eat them.

Isaiah 11:10 (Tanakh)	Isaiah 11:10 (KJV)	Isaiah 11:10 (NET)
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.	And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.	At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic.

Isaiah 11:10 (Septuagint BLB)	Isaiah 11:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἡ ῥίζα τοῦ Ιεσσαι καὶ ὁ ἀνιστάμενος ἄρχειν ἐθνῶν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσιν καὶ ἔσται ἡ ἀνάπαυσις αὐτοῦ τιμή	Καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἡ ρίζα τοῦ ᾿Ιεσσαὶ καὶ ὁ ἀνιστάμενος ἄρχειν ἐθνῶν, ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ἔθνη ἐλπιοῦσι, καὶ ἔσται ἡ ἀνάπαυσις αὐτοῦ τιμή
Isaiah 11:10 (NETS)	Isaiah 11:10 (English Elpenor)
And there shall be on that day the root of Iessai, even the one who stands up to rule nations; nations shall hope in him, and his rest shall be in honor.	And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall arise to rule over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust, and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 11:11 (Tanakh)	Isaiah 11:11 (KJV)	Isaiah 11:11 (NET)
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.	And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.	At that time the Lord will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts.

Isaiah 11:11 (Septuagint BLB)	Isaiah 11:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔσται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ προσθήσει κύριος τοῦ δεῖξαι τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τοῦ ζηλῶσαι τὸ καταλειφθὲν ὑπόλοιπον τοῦ λαοῦ ὃ ἂν καταλειφθῇ ἀπὸ τῶν Ἀσσυρίων καὶ ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου καὶ Βαβυλωνίας καὶ Αἰθιοπίας καὶ ἀπὸ Αιλαμιτῶν καὶ ἀπὸ ἡλίου ἀνατολῶν καὶ ἐξ Ἀραβίας	καὶ ἔσται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνη προσθήσει Κύριος τοῦ δεῖξαι τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τοῦ ζηλῶσαι τὸ καταλειφθὲν ὑπόλοιπον τοῦ λαοῦ, ὃ ἂν καταλειφθῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ᾿Ασσυρίων καὶ ἀπὸ Αἰγύπτου καὶ Βαβυλωνίας καὶ Αἰθιοπίας καὶ ἀπὸ ᾿Ελαμιτῶν καὶ ἀπὸ ἡλίου ἀνατολῶν καὶ ἐξ ᾿Αραβίας
Isaiah 11:11 (NETS)	Isaiah 11:11 (English Elpenor)
And it shall be on that day that the Lord will further display his hand to show zeal for the remnant that is left of the people, whatever is left from the Assyrians, and from Egypt and Babylonia and Ethiopia and from the Ailamites and from where the sun rises and out of Arabia.	And it shall be in that day, [that] the Lord shall again shew his hand, to be zealous for the remnant that is left of the people, which shall be left by the Assyrians, and [that] from Egypt, and from the country of Babylon, and from Ethiopia, and from the Elamites, and from the rising of the sun, and out of Arabia.

Jeremiah 11:15 (Tanakh)	Jeremiah 11:15 (KJV)	Jeremiah 11:15 (NET)
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.	What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.	The Lord says to the people of Judah, “What right do you have to be in my temple, my beloved people? Many of you have done wicked things. Can your acts of treachery be so easily canceled by sacred offerings that you take joy in doing evil even while you make them?

Jeremiah 11:15 (Septuagint BLB)	Jeremiah 11:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τί ἡ ἠγαπημένη ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ μου ἐποίησεν βδέλυγμα μὴ εὐχαὶ καὶ κρέα ἅγια ἀφελοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ τὰς κακίας σου ἢ τούτοις διαφεύξῃ	τί ἡ ἠγαπημένη ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ μου ἐποίησε βδέλυγμα; μὴ εὐχαὶ καὶ κρέα ἅγια ἀφελοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ τὰς κακίας σου, ἢ τούτοις διαφεύξῃ
Jeremiah 11:15 (NETS)	Jeremiah 11:15 (English Elpenor)
Why has the beloved done an abomination in my house? Surely vows and holy flesh will not remove from you your wickedness, or will you escape by means of these things?	Why has [my] beloved wrought abomination in my house? will prayers and holy offerings take away thy wickedness from thee, or shalt thou escape by these things?

Jeremiah 11:16 (Tanakh)	Jeremiah 11:16 (KJV)	Jeremiah 11:16 (NET)
The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.	The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.	I, the Lord, once called you a thriving olive tree, one that produced beautiful fruit. But I will set you on fire, fire that will blaze with a mighty roar. Then all your branches will be good for nothing.

Jeremiah 11:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Jeremiah 11:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐλαίαν ὡραίαν εὔσκιον τῷ εἴδει ἐκάλεσεν κύριος τὸ ὄνομά σου εἰς φωνὴν περιτομῆς αὐτῆς ἀνήφθη πῦρ ἐπ᾽ αὐτήν μεγάλη ἡ θλῖψις ἐπὶ σέ ἠχρεώθησαν οἱ κλάδοι αὐτῆς	ἐλαίαν ὡραίαν, εὔσκιον τῷ εἴδει ἐκάλεσε Κύριος τὸ ὄνομά σου· εἰς φωνὴν περιτομῆς αὐτῆς ἀνήφθη πῦρ ἐπ’ αὐτήν, μεγάλη ἡ θλῖψις ἐπὶ σέ, ἠχρεώθησαν οἱ κλάδοι αὐτῆς
Jeremiah 11:16 (NETS)	Jeremiah 11:16 (English Elpenor)
The Lord called your name a beautiful olive tree, well shaded in appearance; at the sound of its pruning the affliction was great on you; its branches were rendered useless.	The Lord called thy name a fair olive tree, of a goodly shade in appearance, at the noise of its being lopped, fire was kindled against it; great is the affliction [coming] upon thee: her branches are become good for nothing.

Jeremiah 11:17 (Tanakh)	Jeremiah 11:17 (KJV)	Jeremiah 11:17 (NET)
For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.	For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.	For though I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, planted you in the land, I now decree that disaster will come on you because the nations of Israel and Judah have done evil and have made me angry by offering sacrifices to the god Baal.”

Jeremiah 11:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Jeremiah 11:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ κύριος ὁ καταφυτεύσας σε ἐλάλησεν ἐπὶ σὲ κακὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κακίας οἴκου Ισραηλ καὶ οἴκου Ιουδα ὅτι ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς τοῦ παροργίσαι με ἐν τῷ θυμιᾶν αὐτοὺς τῇ Βααλ	καὶ Κύριος ὁ καταφυτεύσας σε ἐλάλησεν ἐπὶ σὲ κακὰ ἀντὶ τῆς κακίας οἴκου ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ οἴκου ᾿Ιούδα, ὅτι ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς τοῦ παροργίσαι με ἐν τῷ θυμιᾶν αὐτοὺς τῇ Βάαλ.
Jeremiah 11:17 (NETS)	Jeremiah 11:17 (English Elpenor)
And the Lord, who planted you, pronounced evil against you, in return for the evil of the house of Israel and the house of Iouda, because they have done this to themselves to provoke me to anger by offering incense to the goddess Baal.	And the Lord that planted thee has pronounced evils against thee, because of the iniquity of the house of Israel and the house of Juda, whatsoever they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger by burning incense to Baal.

Zechariah 9:9 (Tanakh)	Zechariah 9:9 (KJV)	Zechariah 9:9 (NET)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.	Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.	Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: He is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey—on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.

Zechariah 9:9 (Septuagint BLB)	Zechariah 9:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
χαῖρε σφόδρα θύγατερ Σιων κήρυσσε θύγατερ Ιερουσαλημ ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεταί σοι δίκαιος καὶ σῴζων αὐτός πραῢς καὶ ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον καὶ πῶλον νέον	Χαῖρε σφόδρα, θύγατερ Σιών· κήρυσσε, θύγατερ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεὺς σου ἔρχεταί σοι, δίκαιος καὶ σῴζων αὐτός, πραΰς καὶ ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ ὑποζύγιον καὶ πῶλον νέον
Zechariah 9:9 (NETS)	Zechariah 9:9 (English Elpenor)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Sion! Proclaim, O daughter Ierousalem! Behold, your king comes to you, just and salvific is he, meek and riding on a beast of burden and a young foal.	Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion; proclaim [it] aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King is coming to thee, just, and a Saviour; he is meek and riding on an ass, and a young foal.

1 Corinthians 15:20 (NET)	1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.	But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:20 (NET Parallel Greek)	1 Corinthians 15:20 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	1 Corinthians 15:20 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Νυνὶ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀπαρχὴ τῶν κεκοιμημένων	νυνι δε χριστος εγηγερται εκ νεκρων απαρχη των κεκοιμημενων εγενετο	νυνι δε χριστος εγηγερται εκ νεκρων απαρχη των κεκοιμημενων εγενετο

Revelation 1:17 (NET)	Revelation 1:17 (KJV)
When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,	And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation 1:17 (NET Parallel Greek)	Revelation 1:17 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Revelation 1:17 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Καὶ ὅτε εἶδον αὐτόν, ἔπεσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡς νεκρός, καὶ ἔθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ λέγων· μὴ φοβοῦ· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος	και οτε ειδον αυτον επεσα προς τους ποδας αυτου ως νεκρος και επεθηκεν την δεξιαν αυτου χειρα επ εμε λεγων μοι μη φοβου εγω ειμι ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος	και οτε ειδον αυτον επεσα προς τους ποδας αυτου ως νεκρος και εθηκεν την δεξιαν αυτου επ εμε λεγων μη φοβου εγω ειμι ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος

John 12:15 (NET)	John 12:15 (KJV)
Do not be afraid, people of Zion; look, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt!”	Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

John 12:15 (NET Parallel Greek)	John 12:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	John 12:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)
μὴ φοβοῦ, θυγάτηρ Σιών· ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται, καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου	μη φοβου θυγατερ σιων ιδου ο βασιλευς σου ερχεται καθημενος επι πωλον ονου	μη φοβου θυγατερ σιων ιδου ο βασιλευς σου ερχεται καθημενος επι πωλον ονου

Revelation 2:10 (NET)	Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.	Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 (NET Parallel Greek)	Revelation 2:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Revelation 2:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)
\|μηδὲν\| φοβοῦ ἃ μέλλεις πάσχειν. ἰδοὺ μέλλει βάλλειν ὁ διάβολος ἐξ ὑμῶν εἰς φυλακὴν ἵνα πειρασθῆτε καὶ \|ἕξετε\| θλῖψιν ἡμερῶν δέκα. γίνου πιστὸς ἄχρι θανάτου, καὶ δώσω σοι τὸν στέφανον τῆς ζωῆς	μηδεν φοβου α μελλεις πασχειν ιδου μελλει βαλειν εξ υμων ο διαβολος εις φυλακην ινα πειρασθητε και εξετε θλιψιν ημερων δεκα γινου πιστος αχρι θανατου και δωσω σοι τον στεφανον της ζωης	μηδεν φοβου α μελλεις πασχειν ιδου δη μελλει βαλειν ο διαβολος εξ υμων εις φυλακην ινα πειρασθητε και εξετε θλιψιν ημερων δεκα γινου πιστος αχρι θανατου και δωσω σοι τον στεφανον της ζωης

Romans 4:15 (NET)	Romans 4:15 (KJV)
For the law brings wrath, because where there is no law there is no transgression either.	Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 4:15 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 4:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 4:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὁ γὰρ νόμος ὀργὴν κατεργάζεται· οὗ δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νόμος οὐδὲ παράβασις	ο γαρ νομος οργην κατεργαζεται ου γαρ ουκ εστιν νομος ουδε παραβασις	ο γαρ νομος οργην κατεργαζεται ου γαρ ουκ εστιν νομος ουδε παραβασις

Romans, Part 42

¹ Romans 11:13, 14 (NET)

² Romans 10:19 (NET) Table See Saul and Barnabas, Part 3 for a table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

³ Deuteronomy 32:21 (NET) Table

⁴ Romans 11:11 (NET)

⁵ Romans 11:15 (NET) Table

⁶ Romans 11:16a (NET)

⁷ Numbers 15:20, 21 (NET)

⁸ Numbers 18:12, 13 (NET)

⁹ The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εγενετο (KJV: and become) at the end of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

¹⁰ 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (NET)

¹¹ Romans 11:28b (NET)

¹² Romans 3:4 (NET) Table

¹³ Romans 11:16b (NET)

¹⁴ Isaiah 11:10, 11a (NET)

¹⁵ Romans 11:17, 18a (NET)

¹⁶ Romans 11:18b, 19 (NET)

¹⁷ Romans 11:20 (NET) Table

¹⁸ Revelation 1:17 (NET)

¹⁹ Luke 1:13 (NET)

²⁰ Luke 1:30 (NET)

²¹ Luke 5:10 (NET)

²² Luke 12:32 (NET)

²³ The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had θυγατερ (KJV: daughter) here, a vocative form of θυγάτηρ, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had θυγάτηρ, which may also be understood in the vocative case.

²⁴ John 12:15 (NET)

²⁵ Acts 18:9 (NET)

²⁶ Acts 27:24 (NET)

²⁷ Revelation 2:10 (NET)

²⁸ Romans 13:4 (NET)

²⁹ Romans 11:21 (NET) Table

³⁰ Is Sin Less Than Sin? Part 4

³¹ Romans 2:13 (NET) Table

³² Romans 3:19-22a (NET)

³³ Romans 3:28 (NET) Table

³⁴ Romans 3:31 (NET) Table

³⁵ Romans 4:15a (NET)

³⁶ Romans 5:20a (NET)

³⁷ Romans 6:14, 15 (NET)

³⁸ Romans 7:1-6 (NET)

³⁹ Mark 5:36 (NET) Table

⁴⁰ Luke 8:50 (NET) Table

⁴¹ Romans 11:22-24 (NET)

You Must Be Gentle, Part 4

Posted on February 27, 2013 by admin

I saw “The Seventh Seal” on Blu-ray: the Knight, the Squire, Mia, Jof and their baby, Lisa and the Smith, Raval the Seminarian turned thief. But my favorite character was the nameless girl.

She was the last of her village to survive, or not to flee, the plague. The Squire saved her when Raval would have raped and possibly murdered her. He decided against raping her himself. “I’ve grown tired of that kind of love,” the Crusade-weary Squire said. “It gets a little dry in the end.” But he wanted her as his housekeeper. “I saved your life,” he said when she hesitated. “You owe me a great deal.” The nameless girl considered a moment more, then turned and followed after him. He had persuaded her to go a mile, and the second time I watched the movie I realized she would probably go two.

She would have given cold water to Raval, dying of the plague, if the Squire hadn’t physically restrained her. As Death entered the Knight’s castle to claim their lives, the nameless girl looked to the brightening light streaming through a portal. She greeted death silently and reverently, believing “Death will open a door, not close it, provide some passage to a brighter world,” according to film historian Peter Cowie in his commentary. He also pointed out that it was the nameless girl along with the Knight’s faithful wife who were absent from Jof’s vision of the dance of Death.

The nameless girl is the woman Peter described as subject to her own husband so that even if some are disobedient to the word [or, not persuaded by the word], they will be won over without a word by the way you live…¹ That Bergman put her in this film surrounded by so much unbelief and fear endears him to me even more. He knew she exists. He knew she must be there. Yet he didn’t presume to know her well enough to put words in her mouth. Except for her hopeful longing, “It is finished,”² we know her only by her deeds.

“Many years later,” Peter Cowie ended his commentary, “Bergman was asked at a press conference about his true feelings on death. And he answered, ‘I was afraid of this enormous emptiness…My personal view is that when we die, we die, and we go from a state of something to a state of absolute nothingness. And I don’t believe for a second that there is anything above or beyond or anything like that. And this makes me enormously secure.’”

Among the special features on the DVD of Bergman’s “Wild Strawberries,” however, was another interview, “Ingmar Bergman on Life and Work.” He was much older. His wife Ingrid (Ingrid von Rosen, not the famous actress) had died. Perhaps he remembered the same incident with the anesthesia differently, or perhaps it was a different incident. He described it in Swedish through an interpreter as “an overdose of anesthesia.” This time he was out for eight hours rather than six.

“The interesting thing was that for me those eight hours were no hours at all, not a minute, not a second. I was completely gone. I was completely switched off. So that was eight hours that were completely gone from my life. And that felt extraordinarily comforting when I thought that such is death. First, you’re something, and then you’re no longer anything. You’re nonexistent. You just aren’t any more. You’re like a candle that’s blown out.”

“That gave me an enormous feeling of security. What complicated the feeling of security and total extinction is Ingrid’s death. I have incredible difficulty in thinking, in imagining, that I won’t meet her again. That’s an unbearable thought. Therefore, two modes of thought have come into violent conflict with one another. I’ve tried to write about it, but I can’t do it yet, and it may be a while. What’s more, I often experience Ingrid’s presence…Not as a ghost. But I know that in some way she’s quite close to me.”

¹ 1 Peter 3:1 (NET) Table

² John 19:30 (NKJV)

Son of God – John, Part 3

Posted on February 26, 2013 by admin

This is round two of my attempt to determine whether that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light¹ is the judgment/condemnation God did not send his Son into the world to do² and has been done already to the one who does not believe,³ or the basis for judging,⁴ and the rationale or justification for another unspecified judgment/condemnation. Secondly, assuming that this unspecified judgment/condemnation is to burn in hell for all eternity, I am attempting to discover whether John 3:16-21 offers any scriptural support for the gospel I was socialized into: believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or burn in hell for all eternity.

Jesus certainly taught his disciples about hell (γέεννα). The note (27) in the NET provides a brief historical sketch: “The word translated hell is ‘Gehenna’ (γέεννα, geenna), a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew words ge hinnom (‘Valley of Hinnom’). This was the valley along the south side of Jerusalem. In OT times it was used for human sacrifices to the pagan god Molech (cf. Jer 7:31; 19:5-6; 32:35), and it came to be used as a place where human excrement and rubbish were disposed of and burned. In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. 1 En. 27:2, 90:26; 4 Ezra 7:36).”

Jesus said, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.⁵ Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!⁶ Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You cross land and sea to make one convert, and when you get one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves!⁷ You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?⁸

He made the following comparisons: It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell [Table].⁹ It is better for you¹⁰ to enter into life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, to the unquenchable fire.¹¹ It is better¹² to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.¹³ It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into fiery hell.¹⁴ It is better¹⁵ to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,¹⁶ where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched.¹⁷ And finally Jesus said, whoever says “Fool” will be sent to fiery hell.¹⁸

That is some strong language. It lends credence to the NET translation, Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light…¹⁹ After all, this section begins with the statement that God gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.²⁰ The Greek word translated will…perish is ἀπόληται (a form of ἀπόλλυμι). (The negation is μὴ.) One of the metaphorical definitions of ἀπόληται according to the NET online Bible is: “1e) metaph. to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell.” It is translated lose in Matthew 5:29, 30 (NET).

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose (ἀπόληται) one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose (ἀπόληται) one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell [Table].

It was translated be lost in the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10, 12-14 NET).

See that you do not disdain one of these little ones [who believe in me²¹]. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven…What do you think? If someone owns a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go look for the one that went astray? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing (οὐκ ἔστιν θέλημα) that one of these little ones be lost (ἀπόληται) [Table].

It was translated will perish when Jesus foretold his disciples’ future (Luke 21:10-19 NET):

Nation will rise up in arms against²² nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. But before all²³ this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the²⁴ synagogues and prisons. You will be brought²⁵ before kings and governors because of my name. This²⁶ will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. Therefore be resolved²⁷ not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense. For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none²⁸ of your adversaries will be able to withstand or²⁹ contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish (ἀπόληται). By your endurance you will gain your lives.

When they were all satisfied, after Jesus fed 5,000 or more people with five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted (ἀπόληται).”³⁰ But ἀπόληται was translated to perish once again in John’s Gospel when Caiaphas prophesied (John 11:49-53 NET).

Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is more to your advantage to have one man die for the people than for the whole nation to perish (ἀπόληται).” (Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation [Table], and not for the Jewish nation only, but to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered.) So from that day they planned together to kill him [Table].

“He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In humiliation justice (κρίσις) was taken from him. Who can describe his posterity? For his life was taken away from the earth.”³¹ This was the passage from Isaiah that the Ethiopian eunuch read (aloud presumably) when Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to accompany his chariot on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Then the eunuch said to Philip, “Please tell me, who is the prophet saying this about – himself or someone else?” So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him.³²

This translation of κρίσις as justice leads me back to the translation of κρίσις as the basis for judging, for what is justice if not a basis for judging? Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.³³ Viewed this way people were not condemned to be given over to eternal misery in hell because they loved the darkness rather than the light, but because loving the darkness rather than the light demonstrated that their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.³⁴

One of the definitions of πονηρὰ (a form of πονηρός), the word translated evil in verse 19, is “evil wicked, bad.” And one of the definitions of φαῦλα (a form of φαῦλος), the word translated evil deeds in verse 20, is “bad, base, wicked.”

Addendum: December 14, 2025
According to a note (85) in the NET Acts 8:32b, 33 was a quotation from Isaiah 53:7, 8. The following tables compare the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Acts 8:32b (NET Parallel Greek)	Isaiah 53:7b (Septuagint BLB) Table	Isaiah 53:7b (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ \|κείραντος\| αὐτὸν ἄφωνος, οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ	ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ	ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος, οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα
Acts 8:32b (NET)	Isaiah 53:7b (NETS)	Isaiah 53:7b (English Elpenor)
“He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.	like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before the one shearing it, so he does not open his mouth.	he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

Acts 8:33 (NET Parallel Greek)	Isaiah 53:8a (Septuagint BLB) Table	Isaiah 53:8a (Septuagint Elpenor)
Ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη· τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται; ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ	ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ	ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη· τὴν δὲ γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται; ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ
Acts 8:33 (NET)	Isaiah 53:8a (NETS)	Isaiah 53:8a (English Elpenor)
In humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his posterity? For his life was taken away from the earth.”	In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who will describe his generation? Because his life is being taken from the earth,	In [his] humiliation his judgment was taken away: who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken away from the earth:

Tables comparing Isaiah 53:7 and 53:8 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Isaiah 53:7 and 53:8 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and comparing Mark 9:43; 9:45; 9:47; Luke 21:10 and 21:12-15 in the KJV and NET follow.

Isaiah 53:7 (Tanakh)	Isaiah 53:7 (KJV)	Isaiah 53:7 (NET)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.	He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.	He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7 (Septuagint BLB)	Isaiah 53:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ αὐτὸς διὰ τὸ κεκακῶσθαι οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ	καὶ αὐτὸς διὰ τὸ κεκακῶσθαι οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ· ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος, οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα
Isaiah 53:7 (NETS)	Isaiah 53:7 (English Elpenor)
And he, because he has been ill-treated, does not open his mouth; like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before the one shearing it, so he does not open his mouth.	And he, because of his affliction, opens not his mouth: he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:8 (Tanakh)	Isaiah 53:8 (KJV)	Isaiah 53:8 (NET)
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.	He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.	He was led away after an unjust trial—but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded.

Isaiah 53:8 (Septuagint BLB)	Isaiah 53:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνομιῶν τοῦ λαοῦ μου ἤχθη εἰς θάνατον	ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη· τὴν δὲ γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται; ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνομιῶν τοῦ λαοῦ μου ἤχθη εἰς θάνατον
Isaiah 53:8 (NETS)	Isaiah 53:8 (English Elpenor)
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who will describe his generation? Because his life is being taken from the earth, he was led to death on account of the acts of lawlessness of my people.	In [his] humiliation his judgment was taken away: who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken away from the earth: because of the iniquities of my people he was led to death.

Mark 9:43 (NET)	Mark 9:43 (KJV)
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, to the unquenchable fire.	And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:43 (NET Parallel Greek)	Mark 9:43 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Mark 9:43 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Καὶ ἐὰν \|σκανδαλίζῃ\| σε ἡ χείρ σου, ἀπόκοψον αὐτήν· καλόν ἐστίν σε κυλλὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν ἢ τὰς δύο χεῖρας ἔχοντα ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν γέενναν, εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἄσβεστον	και εαν σκανδαλιζη σε η χειρ σου αποκοψον αυτην καλον σοι εστιν κυλλον εις την ζωην εισελθειν η τας δυο χειρας εχοντα απελθειν εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον	και εαν σκανδαλιζη σε η χειρ σου αποκοψον αυτην καλον σοι εστιν κυλλον εις την ζωην εισελθειν η τας δυο χειρας εχοντα απελθειν εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον

Mark 9:45 (NET)	Mark 9:45 (KJV)
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.	And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:45 (NET Parallel Greek)	Mark 9:45 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Mark 9:45 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ ἐὰν ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε, ἀπόκοψον αὐτόν· καλόν ἐστίν σε εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωὴν χωλὸν ἢ τοὺς δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς τὴν γέενναν	και εαν ο πους σου σκανδαλιζη σε αποκοψον αυτον καλον εστιν σοι εισελθειν εις την ζωην χωλον η τους δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον	και εαν ο πους σου σκανδαλιζη σε αποκοψον αυτον καλον εστιν σοι εισελθειν εις την ζωην χωλον η τους δυο ποδας εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν εις το πυρ το ασβεστον

Mark 9:47 (NET)	Mark 9:47 (KJV)
If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out! It is better to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,	And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Mark 9:47 (NET Parallel Greek)	Mark 9:47 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Mark 9:47 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ ἐὰν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου σκανδαλίζῃ σε, ἔκβαλε αὐτόν· καλόν σέ ἐστιν μονόφθαλμον εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ δύο ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντα βληθῆναι εἰς \|τὴν\| γέενναν	και εαν ο οφθαλμος σου σκανδαλιζη σε εκβαλε αυτον καλον σοι εστιν μονοφθαλμον εισελθειν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου η δυο οφθαλμους εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν του πυρος	και εαν ο οφθαλμος σου σκανδαλιζη σε εκβαλε αυτον καλον σοι εστιν μονοφθαλμον εισελθειν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου η δυο οφθαλμους εχοντα βληθηναι εις την γεενναν του πυρος

Luke 21:10 (NET)	Luke 21:10 (KJV)
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.	Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luke 21:10 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 21:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 21:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Τότε ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἐγερθήσεται ἔθνος ἐπ᾿ ἔθνος καὶ βασιλεία ἐπὶ βασιλείαν	τοτε ελεγεν αυτοις εγερθησεται εθνος επι εθνος και βασιλεια επι βασιλειαν	τοτε ελεγεν αυτοις εγερθησεται εθνος επι εθνος και βασιλεια επι βασιλειαν

Luke 21:12-15 (NET)	Luke 21:12-15 (KJV)
But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.	But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

Luke 21:12 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 21:12 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 21:12 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Πρὸ δὲ τούτων πάντων ἐπιβαλοῦσιν ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν καὶ διώξουσιν, παραδιδόντες εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς καὶ φυλακάς, ἀπαγομένους ἐπὶ βασιλεῖς καὶ ἡγεμόνας ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματος μου	προ δε τουτων απαντων επιβαλουσιν εφ υμας τας χειρας αυτων και διωξουσιν παραδιδοντες εις συναγωγας και φυλακας αγομενους επι βασιλεις και ηγεμονας ενεκεν του ονοματος μου	προ δε τουτων παντων επιβαλουσιν εφ υμας τας χειρας αυτων και διωξουσιν παραδιδοντες εις συναγωγας και φυλακας αγομενους επι βασιλεις και ηγεμονας ενεκεν του ονοματος μου

This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Luke 21:13 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 21:13 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 21:13 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἀποβήσεται ὑμῖν εἰς μαρτύριον	αποβησεται δε υμιν εις μαρτυριον	αποβησεται δε υμιν εις μαρτυριον

Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense.

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Luke 21:14 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 21:14 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 21:14 (Byzantine Majority Text)
θέτε οὖν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν μὴ προμελετᾶν ἀπολογηθῆναι	θεσθε ουν εις τας καρδιας υμων μη προμελεταν απολογηθηναι	θεσθε ουν εις τας καρδιας υμων μη προμελεταν απολογηθηναι

For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Luke 21:15 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 21:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 21:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἐγὼ γὰρ δώσω ὑμῖν στόμα καὶ σοφίαν ᾗ οὐ δυνήσονται ἀντιστῆναι ἢ ἀντειπεῖν ἅπαντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι ὑμῖν	εγω γαρ δωσω υμιν στομα και σοφιαν η ου δυνησονται αντειπειν ουδε αντιστηναι παντες οι αντικειμενοι υμιν	εγω γαρ δωσω υμιν στομα και σοφιαν η ου δυνησονται αντειπειν ουδε αντιστηναι παντες οι αντικειμενοι υμιν

Son of God – John, Part 4

Back to A Door of Hope, Part 1

Back to The Lost Son of Perdition, Part 2

Back to Keep Yourselves From Idols, Part 3

¹ John 3:19 (NET)

² John 3:17 (NET) Table

³ John 3:18 (NET)

⁴ John 3:19 (NET)

⁵ Matthew 10:28 (NET) Table

⁶ Luke 12:5 (NET)

⁷ Matthew 23:15 (NET)

⁸ Matthew 23:33 (NET)

⁹ Matthew 5:29, 30 (NET)

¹⁰ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had σε here in the accusative case, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σοι in the dative case.

¹¹ Mark 9:43b (NET)

¹² The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had σε in the accusative case following It is better, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σοι (KJV: for thee) in the dative case.

¹³ Mark 9:45b (NET) The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις το πυρ το ασβεστον (KJV: into the fire that never shall be quenched) following hell. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

¹⁴ Matthew 18:9 (NET)

¹⁵ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had σε in the accusative case following It is better, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σοι (KJV: for thee) in the dative case.

¹⁶ The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had του πυρος (KJV: fire) following hell. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

¹⁷ Mark 9:47b, 48 (NET)

¹⁸ Matthew 5:22b (NET) Table

¹⁹ John 3:19 (NET)

²⁰ John 3:16 (NET) Table

²¹ Matthew 18:6 (NET) Table

²² The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ἐπ᾿ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επι.

²³ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had πάντων here, a form of πᾶς, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απαντων, a form of ἅπας.

²⁴ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had τὰς preceding synagogues. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

²⁵ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ἀπαγομένους here, a form of ἀπάγω, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αγομενους (KJV: being brought), a form of ἄγω.

²⁶ The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: And) near the beginning of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

²⁷ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had θέτε here, a form of τίθημι in the active voice and ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις in the dative case, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had θεσθε in the middle voice followed by εις τας καρδιας (KJV: Settle it…in your hearts) in the accusative case.

²⁸ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ἅπαντες here, a form of ἅπας, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παντες (KJV: all) a form of πᾶς. Apparently, the NET translators applied οὐ, the negative particle preceding will be able, to ἅπαντες (NET: none…will be able). The translators of the KJV did not apply the negative particle to παντες (KJV: all…shall not be able).

²⁹ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had the conjunction ἢ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the adverb ουδε (KJV: nor).

³⁰ John 6:12 (NET)

³¹ Acts 8:32, 33 (NET)

³² Acts 8:34, 35 (NET)

³³ John 3:19 (NET)

³⁴ John 3:20, 21 (NET)

Fear – Exodus, Part 1

Posted on February 24, 2013 by admin

In Egypt the Israelites were fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power over Egypt.¹ The new king feared that the Israelite people might join with his enemies in time of war. So he put foremen over the Israelites to oppress them with hard labor.²

When he was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams Joseph acknowledged, It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.³ And it was through God’s Spirit that Joseph interpreted the dreams and warned Pharaoh of seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. But I think I’m safe to say that Joseph’s advice to Pharaoh was not of God, because its execution differed so dramatically from the economic system God ordained for Israel in the law.⁴

So now Pharaoh should look for a wise and discerning man and give him authority over all the land of Egypt…he should appoint officials throughout the land to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming…This food should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt [Table].⁵

It seemed like a good idea to Pharaoh and his officials, so Joseph was put in charge: I am Pharaoh, but without your permission no one will move his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt,⁶ Pharaoh said to Joseph. When the seven years of famine came Joseph sold grain back to the people. Joseph collected all the money that could be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan as payment for the grain they were buying.⁷ Later Joseph said, “If your money is gone, bring your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.”⁸ When their livestock was gone the Egyptians said, Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we, with our land, will become Pharaoh’s slaves.⁹ So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh,¹⁰ and, Joseph made all the people slaves from one end of Egypt’s border to the other end of it.¹¹

The land must not be sold without reclaim because the land belongs to me, the Lord said, for you are foreigners and residents with me. In all your landed property you must provide for the right of redemption of the land. If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his near redeemer is to come to you and redeem what his brother sold. If a man has no redeemer, but he prospers and gains enough for its redemption, he is to calculate the value of the years it was sold, refund the balance to the man to whom he had sold it, and return to his property. If he has not prospered enough to refund a balance to him, then what he sold will belong to the one who bought it until the jubilee year [every fiftieth year], but it must revert in the jubilee and the original owner may return to his property.¹²

If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, the Lord continued, you must support him; he must live with you like a foreign resident. Do not take interest or profit from him, but you must fear your God and your brother must live with you. You must not lend him your money at interest and you must not sell him food for profit. I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan – to be your God.¹³

If your brother becomes impoverished with regard to you so that he sells himself to you, the Lord added, you must not subject him to slave service. He must be with you as a hired worker, as a resident foreigner; he must serve with you until the year of jubilee, but then he may go free, he and his children with him, and may return to his family and to the property of his ancestors. Since they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they must not be sold in a slave sale. You must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God.¹⁴

So when a new king put foremen over the Israelites to oppress them with hard labor it sounds like karma, what goes around comes around. Karma is never mentioned by name in the Bible, but one can certainly find it there. What I recognize as karma is codified in the law: I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me [Table], and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments [Table].¹⁵ I want to address it directly here because I’ve confused karma for justice, and have thought at times that God was beholden to, rather than the dealer of, karma, whether good or bad.

I don’t suspect Joseph of any particular malice. I’m sure he thought he was doing a good job for Pharaoh. It was just good business. But I believe now that he was wrong, just like I was wrong to confuse the tit-for-tat of karma for justice. The law according to Jesus was about justice and mercy and faithfulness ¹⁶ and love for God.¹⁷ And though visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations,¹⁸ sounds like bad karma to me, Yahweh is the One who looked my idea of karma right in the eyes and declared, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.¹⁹

And so I’ll amend my original statement that Joseph’s advice was not of God. The Egyptians were not able to eat with Hebrews, for the Egyptians think it is disgusting to do so.²⁰ Perhaps it was part of their karma from the hand of God to be enslaved by a Hebrew slave. I don’t know. But it came with a price for Israel, too, or an opportunity to walk a mile in the Egyptians’ shoes. But clearly God is not beholden to karma. To break the wheel of karma one need only look to the One who said I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²¹

The new king of Egypt hoped that hard labor would kill the Israelites off and diminish their population. But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread.²² Instant karma.²³ So he made their service harder. And, The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you assist the Hebrew women in childbirth, observe at the delivery: If it is a son, kill him, but if it is a daughter, she may live.” But the midwives feared (yārē’, וַתִּירֶאןָ) God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.²⁴

I was actually surprised that the rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose ἐφοβήθησαν (a form of φοβέω) here. I suppose I expected something that was more clearly reverence for God. The next occurrence of ἐφοβήθησαν in the New Testament was in response to Jesus’ telling the chief priests, elders and Pharisees that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit (καρποὺς, a form of καρπός).²⁵

For me that is a sobering statement. Am I allowing Him to justify his word in me? Is the fruit (καρπὸς) of [his] Spirit which flows so graciously into me, flowing out in worthy proportion as his love, his joy, his peace, his patience, his kindness, his goodness, his faithfulness, his gentleness, and his self-control [Table]?²⁶ The chief priests and Pharisees had a different reaction. They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid (ἐφοβήθησαν, a form of φοβέω) of the crowds, because²⁷ the crowds regarded him as²⁸ a prophet.²⁹

I doubt they wanted “to reverence, venerate, to treat [the crowds] with deference or reverential obedience.” I suspect that they feared or hesitated “to do something (for fear of harm).” That may be what the rabbis had in mind concerning the Hebrew midwives’ motives. Perhaps they hesitated (or feared) to kill baby boys because they thought that God would, or could, visit them with worse karma than the new king of Egypt.

And because the midwives feared (yārē’, יָרְאוּ) God, he made households for them.³⁰ Good karma followed upon their fear. Here the rabbis chose ἐφοβοῦντο. Jesus said, The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.³¹ His disciples did not understand this statement and were afraid (ἐφοβοῦντο, another form of φοβέω) to ask him.³² It was a fear that seemed like respect, but lacked the knowledge or the faith of reverence. And the Hebrew midwives I think also exhibited that kind of fear.

Addendum: November 27, 2025
The English translations of Genesis 47:21 in the Masoretic text and Septuagint diverge here. It seems possible that the Septuagint explains a Hebrew idiom.

Masoretic Text		Septuagint
Genesis 47:21 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:21 (NET)	Genesis 47:21 (NETS)	Genesis 47:21 (English Elpenor)
And as for the people, he removed (הֶֽעֱבִ֥יר) them city by city (לֶֽעָרִ֑ים), from one end of the border of Egypt even to the other end thereof.	Joseph made (ʿāḇar, העביר) all the people slaves (ʿîr, לערים) from one end of Egypt’s border to the other end of it.	and the people he subjugated (κατεδουλώσατο) to him as slaves (παῖδας) from the furthest boundaries of Egypt to the furthest—	And he brought the people into bondage (κατεδουλώσατο) to him, for servants (παῖδας), from one extremity of Egypt to the other,

So rather than nomadic shepherds wandering freely with their herds, or even agrarian freeholders, Joseph “enslaved” the Egyptians as dependents in cities, as he “elevated” the office of Pharaoh from chieftain to god-king. Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power over Egypt,³³ may well be an understated critique of the unreliability of Egyptian “history.” And my own focus on history, political science and sociology probably obfuscates the meaning of the story of Joseph (and Abraham) in the Bible.

My focus is natural to me: History, political science and sociology are some of the academic pursuits that lead people astray, some of the sources of my own objections to faith in God and his word through Jesus Christ. Yes, a Pharaoh’s lust for Sarai, enriched Abram materially and made him like a king. And here a great-grandson of Abraham enriched and empowered another Pharaoh beyond anything he might ask or think. But the point is God’s care of, and provision for, his people: Abraham first and then the children of Israel. Through Joseph the Lord created a space in Egypt to incubate the relatively small population of Israel until they were more numerous and stronger than³⁴ the Egyptians.

Tables comparing Exodus 1:7; 1:8; 1:11; Genesis 41:16; 41:33; 41:34; 41:35; 41:44; 47:14; 47:16; 47:19; 47:20; 47:21; Leviticus 25:23; 25:24; 25:25; 25:26; 25:27; 25:28; 25:35; 25:36; 25:37; 25:38; 25:39; 25:40; 25:41; 25:42; 25:43; Genesis 43:32; Exodus 1:12; 1:15; 1:16; 1:17; 1:21 and 1:9 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Exodus 1:7; 1:8; 1:11; Genesis 41:16; 41:33; 41:34; 41:35; 41:44; 47:14; 47:16; 47:19; 47:20; 47:21; Leviticus 25:23; 25:24; 25:25; 25:26; 25:27; 25:28; 25:35; 25:36; 25:37; 25:38; 25:39; 25:40; 25:41; 25:42; 25:43; Genesis 43:32 (43:31); Exodus 1:12; 1:15; 1:16; 1:17; 1:21 and 1:9 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and a table comparing Matthew 21:46 in the KJV and NET follow.

Exodus 1:7 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:7 (KJV)	Exodus 1:7 (NET)
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.	And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.	The Israelites, however, were fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Exodus 1:7 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ηὐξήθησαν καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν καὶ χυδαῖοι ἐγένοντο καὶ κατίσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα ἐπλήθυνεν δὲ ἡ γῆ αὐτούς	οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ ηὐξήθησαν καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν καὶ χυδαῖοι ἐγένοντο. καὶ κατίσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα, ἐπλήθυνε δὲ ἡ γῆ αὐτούς
Exodus 1:7 (NETS)	Exodus 1:7 (English Elpenor)
But the sons of Israel increased and multiplied and became common and were growing very, very strong. Now the land kept multiplying them.	And the children of Israel increased and multiplied, and became numerous and grew exceedingly strong, and the land multiplied them.

Exodus 1:8 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:8 (KJV)	Exodus 1:8 (NET)
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.	Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.	Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power over Egypt.

Exodus 1:8 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀνέστη δὲ βασιλεὺς ἕτερος ἐπ᾽ Αἴγυπτον ὃς οὐκ ᾔδει τὸν Ιωσηφ	᾿Ανέστη δὲ βασιλεὺς ἕτερος ἐπ᾿ Αἴγυπτον, ὃς οὐκ ᾔδει τὸν ᾿Ιωσήφ
Exodus 1:8 (NETS)	Exodus 1:8 (English Elpenor)
Now another king arose over Egypt, who did not know Ioseph.	And there arose up another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

Exodus 1:11 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:11 (KJV)	Exodus 1:11 (NET)
Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Raamses.	Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.	So they put foremen over the Israelites to oppress them with hard labor. As a result they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.

Exodus 1:11 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐπέστησεν αὐτοῖς ἐπιστάτας τῶν ἔργων ἵνα κακώσωσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις καὶ ᾠκοδόμησαν πόλεις ὀχυρὰς τῷ Φαραω τήν τε Πιθωμ καὶ Ραμεσση καὶ Ων ἥ ἐστιν Ἡλίου πόλις	καὶ ἐπέστησεν αὐτοῖς ἐπιστάτας τῶν ἔργων, ἵνα κακώσωσιν αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις· καὶ ᾠκοδόμησαν πόλεις ὀχυρὰς τῷ Φαραώ, τήν τε Πειθὼ καὶ Ῥαμεσσῆ καὶ ῎Ων, ἥ ἐστιν ῾Ηλιούπολις
Exodus 1:11 (NETS)	Exodus 1:11 (English Elpenor)
And he set over them overseers of tasks in order to afflict them in the tasks. And they built fortified cities for Pharao, both Pithom and Ramesses and On, which is Heliopolis.	And he set over them task-masters, who should afflict them in their works; and they built strong cities for Pharao, both Pitho, and Ramesses, and On, which is Heliopolis.

Genesis 41:16 (Tanakh)	Genesis 41:16 (KJV)	Genesis 41:16 (NET)
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying: ‘It is not in me; G-d will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.’	And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.	Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”

Genesis 41:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 41:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Ιωσηφ τῷ Φαραω εἶπεν ἄνευ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἀποκριθήσεται τὸ σωτήριον Φαραω	ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τῷ Φαραὼ εἶπεν· ἄνευ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐκ ἀποκριθήσεται τὸ σωτήριον Φαραώ
Genesis 41:16 (NETS)	Genesis 41:16 (English Elpenor)
And Ioseph said to Pharao in reply, “Without God the safety of Pharao will not be answered.”	And Joseph answered Pharao and said, Without God an answer of safety shall not be given to Pharao.

Genesis 41:33 (Tanakh)	Genesis 41:33 (KJV)	Genesis 41:33 (NET)
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.	Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.	“So now Pharaoh should look for a wise and discerning man and give him authority over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:33 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 41:33 (Septuagint Elpenor)
νῦν οὖν σκέψαι ἄνθρωπον φρόνιμον καὶ συνετὸν καὶ κατάστησον αὐτὸν ἐπὶ γῆς Αἰγύπτου	νῦν οὖν σκέψαι ἄνθρωπον φρόνιμον καὶ συνετὸν καὶ κατάστησον αὐτὸν ἐπὶ γῆς Αἰγύπτου
Genesis 41:33 (NETS)	Genesis 41:33 (English Elpenor)
Now then search out a man, sensible and intelligent, and appoint him over the land of Egypt.	And Joseph answered Pharao and said, Without God an answer of safety shall not be given to Pharao.

Genesis 41:34 (Tanakh)	Genesis 41:34 (KJV)	Genesis 41:34 (NET)
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven years of plenty.	Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.	Pharaoh should do this—he should appoint officials throughout the land to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.

Genesis 41:34 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 41:34 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ποιησάτω Φαραω καὶ καταστησάτω τοπάρχας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἀποπεμπτωσάτωσαν πάντα τὰ γενήματα τῆς γῆς Αἰγύπτου τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐτῶν τῆς εὐθηνίας	καὶ ποιησάτω Φαραὼ καὶ καταστησάτω τοπάρχας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἀποπεμπτωσάτωσαν πάντα τὰ γεννήματα τῆς γῆς Αἰγύπτου τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐτῶν τῆς εὐθηνίας
Genesis 41:34 (NETS)	Genesis 41:34 (English Elpenor)
And let Pharao make and appoint district governors over the land, and let them take one-fifth of all the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of plenty,	And let Pharao make and appoint local governors over the land; and let them take up a fifth part of all the produce of the land of Egypt for the seven years of the plenty.

Genesis 41:35 (Tanakh)	Genesis 41:35 (KJV)	Genesis 41:35 (NET)
And let them gather all the food of these good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it.	And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.	They should gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. By Pharaoh’s authority they should store up grain so the cities will have food, and they should preserve it.

Genesis 41:35 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 41:35 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ συναγαγέτωσαν πάντα τὰ βρώματα τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐτῶν τῶν ἐρχομένων τῶν καλῶν τούτων καὶ συναχθήτω ὁ σῖτος ὑπὸ χεῖρα Φαραω βρώματα ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν φυλαχθήτω	καὶ συναγαγέτωσαν πάντα τὰ βρώματα τῶν ἑπτὰ ἐτῶν τῶν ἐρχομένων τῶν καλῶν τούτων, καὶ συναχθήτω ὁ σῖτος ὑπὸ χεῖρα Φαραώ, βρώματα ἐν ταῖς πόλεσι φυλαχθήτω
Genesis 41:35 (NETS)	Genesis 41:35 (English Elpenor)
and let them gather all the provisions of these seven good years that are coming, and let the grain be gathered under the authority of Pharao; let provisions be kept in the cities.	And let Pharao make and appoint local governors over the land; and let them take up a fifth part of all the produce of the land of Egypt for the seven years of the plenty.

Genesis 41:44 (Tanakh)	Genesis 41:44 (KJV)	Genesis 41:44 (NET)
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph: ‘I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.’	And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.	Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission no one will move his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:44 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 41:44 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ Φαραω τῷ Ιωσηφ ἐγὼ Φαραω ἄνευ σοῦ οὐκ ἐξαρεῖ οὐθεὶς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πάσῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτου	εἶπε δὲ Φαραὼ τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ· ἐγὼ Φαραώ, ἄνευ σοῦ οὐκ ἐξαρεῖ οὐδεὶς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου
Genesis 41:44 (NETS)	Genesis 41:44 (English Elpenor)
And Pharao said to Ioseph, “I am Pharao; without you no one shall lift up a hand in reference to all the land of Egypt.”	And Pharao said to Joseph, I am Pharao; without thee no one shall lift up his hand on all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 47:14 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:14 (KJV)	Genesis 47:14 (NET)
And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.	And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.	Joseph collected all the money that could be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan as payment for the grain they were buying. Then Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s palace.

Genesis 47:14 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
συνήγαγεν δὲ Ιωσηφ πᾶν τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εὑρεθὲν ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐν γῇ Χανααν τοῦ σίτου οὗ ἠγόραζον καὶ ἐσιτομέτρει αὐτοῖς καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν Ιωσηφ πᾶν τὸ ἀργύριον εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραω	συνήγαγε δὲ ᾿Ιωσὴφ πᾶν τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εὑρεθὲν ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐν γῇ Χαναὰν τοῦ σίτου, οὗ ἠγόραζον, καὶ ἐσιτομέτρει αὐτοῖς, καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν ᾿Ιωσὴφ πᾶν τὸ ἀργύριον εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραώ
Genesis 47:14 (NETS)	Genesis 47:14 (English Elpenor)
Then Ioseph collected all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Chanaan for the grain that they would buy, and he would measure out grain to them, and Ioseph brought all the money into Pharao’s house.	And Joseph gathered all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and the land of Chanaan, [in return for] the corn which they bought, and he distributed corn to them; and Joseph brought all the money into the house of Pharao.

Genesis 47:16 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:16 (KJV)	Genesis 47:16 (NET)
And Joseph said: ‘Give your cattle, and I will give you bread for your cattle, if money fail.’	And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail.	Then Joseph said, “If your money is gone, bring your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.”

Genesis 47:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ιωσηφ φέρετε τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν καὶ δώσω ὑμῖν ἄρτους ἀντὶ τῶν κτηνῶν ὑμῶν εἰ ἐκλέλοιπεν τὸ ἀργύριον	εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ᾿Ιωσήφ· φέρετε τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν, καὶ δώσω ὑμῖν ἄρτους ἀντὶ τῶν κτηνῶν ὑμῶν, εἰ ἐκλέλοιπε τὸ ἀργύριον ὑμῶν
Genesis 47:16 (NETS)	Genesis 47:16 (English Elpenor)
And Ioseph said to them, “Bring your livestock, and I will give you bread loaves in exchange for your livestock, if the money has failed.”	And Joseph said to them, Bring your cattle, and I will give you bread for your cattle, if your money is spent.

Genesis 47:19 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:19 (KJV)	Genesis 47:19 (NET)
Wherefore should we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be bondmen unto Pharaoh; and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, and that the land be not desolate.’	Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.	Why should we die before your very eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we, with our land, will become Pharaoh’s slaves. Give us seed that we may live and not die. Then the land will not become desolate.”

Genesis 47:19 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἵνα οὖν μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν ἐναντίον σου καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐρημωθῇ κτῆσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ τὴν γῆν ἡμῶν ἀντὶ ἄρτων καὶ ἐσόμεθα ἡμεῖς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἡμῶν παῖδες Φαραω δὸς σπέρμα ἵνα σπείρωμεν καὶ ζῶμεν καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν καὶ ἡ γῆ οὐκ ἐρημωθήσεται	ἵνα οὖν μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν ἐναντίον σου καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐρημωθῇ, κτῆσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ τὴν γῆν ἡμῶν ἀντὶ ἄρτων, καὶ ἐσόμεθα ἡμεῖς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἡμῶν παῖδες τῷ Φαραώ· δὸς σπέρμα, ἵνα σπείρωμεν καὶ ζῶμεν καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν καὶ ἡ γῆ οὐκ ἐρημωθήσεται
Genesis 47:19 (NETS)	Genesis 47:19 (English Elpenor)
So lest we die in your presence and the land be desolated, acquire us and our land in exchange for bread loaves, and we with our land will be Pharao’s slaves; grant seed in order that we may sow and live and not die, and the land will not be desolated.”	In order, then, that we die not before thee, and the land be made desolate, buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants to Pharao: give seed that we may sow, and live and not die, so our land shall not be made desolate.

Genesis 47:20 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:20 (KJV)	Genesis 47:20 (NET)
So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine was sore upon them; and the land became Pharaoh’s.	And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.	So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each of the Egyptians sold his field, for the famine was severe. So the land became Pharaoh’s.

Genesis 47:20 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐκτήσατο Ιωσηφ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν τῶν Αἰγυπτίων τῷ Φαραω ἀπέδοντο γὰρ οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν τῷ Φαραω ἐπεκράτησεν γὰρ αὐτῶν ὁ λιμός καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ γῆ Φαραω	καὶ ἐκτήσατο ᾿Ιωσὴφ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν τῶν Αἰγυπτίων τῷ Φαραώ· ἀπέδοντο γὰρ οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν τῷ Φαραώ, ἐπεκράτησε γὰρ αὐτῶν ὁ λιμός· καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ γῇ τῷ Φαραώ
Genesis 47:20 (NETS)	Genesis 47:20 (English Elpenor)
And Ioseph acquired all the land of the Egyptians for Pharao. For the Egyptians sold their land to Pharao, because the famine gained mastery over them. And the land became Pharao’s—	And Joseph bought all the land of the Egyptians, for Pharao; for the Egyptians sold their land to Pharao; for the famine prevailed against them, and the land became Pharao’s.

Genesis 47:21 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:21 (KJV)	Genesis 47:21 (NET)
And as for the people, he removed them city by city, from one end of the border of Egypt even to the other end thereof.	And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof.	Joseph made all the people slaves from one end of Egypt’s border to the other end of it.

Genesis 47:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τὸν λαὸν κατεδουλώσατο αὐτῷ εἰς παῖδας ἀπ᾽ ἄκρων ὁρίων Αἰγύπτου ἕως τῶν ἄκρων	καὶ τὸν λαὸν κατεδουλώσατο αὐτῷ εἰς παῖδας ἀπ᾿ ἄκρων ὁρίων Αἰγύπτου ἕως τῶν ἄκρων
Genesis 47:21 (NETS)	Genesis 47:21 (English Elpenor)
and the people he subjugated to him as slaves from the furthest boundaries of Egypt to the furthest—	And he brought the people into bondage to him, for servants, from one extremity of Egypt to the other,

Leviticus 25:23 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:23 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:23 (NET)
And the land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and settlers with Me.	The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.	The land must not be sold without reclaim because the land belongs to me, for you are foreign residents, temporary settlers, with me.

Leviticus 25:23 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἡ γῆ οὐ πραθήσεται εἰς βεβαίωσιν ἐμὴ γάρ ἐστιν ἡ γῆ διότι προσήλυτοι καὶ πάροικοι ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐναντίον μου	καὶ ἡ γῆ οὐ πραθήσεται εἰς βεβαίωσιν. ἐμὴ γάρ ἐστιν ἡ γῆ, διότι προσήλυτοι καὶ πάροικοι ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐναντίον μου
Leviticus 25:23 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:23 (English Elpenor)
And the land shall not be sold irrevocably, for the land is mine, because before me you are guests and resident aliens.	And the land shall not be sold for a permanence; for the land is mine, because ye are strangers and sojourners before me.

Leviticus 25:24 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:24 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:24 (NET)
And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.	And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land.	In all your landed property you must provide for the right of redemption of the land.

Leviticus 25:24 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν γῆν κατασχέσεως ὑμῶν λύτρα δώσετε τῆς γῆς	καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν γῆν κατασχέσεως ὑμῶν λύτρα δώσετε τῆς γῆς
Leviticus 25:24 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:24 (English Elpenor)
And on the basis of all the land of your holding, you shall provide ransom for the land.	And in every land of your possession, ye shall allow ransoms for the land.

Leviticus 25:25 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:25 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:25 (NET)
If thy brother be waxen poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall his kinsman that is next unto him come, and shall redeem that which his brother hath sold.	If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.	“‘If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his near redeemer is to come to you and redeem what his brother sold.

Leviticus 25:25 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν δὲ πένηται ὁ ἀδελφός σου ὁ μετὰ σοῦ καὶ ἀποδῶται ἀπὸ τῆς κατασχέσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλθῃ ὁ ἀγχιστεύων ἐγγίζων ἔγγιστα αὐτοῦ καὶ λυτρώσεται τὴν πρᾶσιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ	ἐὰν δὲ πένηται ὁ ἀδελφός σου ὁ μετὰ σοῦ καὶ ἀποδῶται ἀπὸ τῆς κατασχέσεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔλθῃ ὁ ἀγχιστεύων ὁ ἐγγίζων αὐτῷ, καὶ λυτρώσεται τὴν πρᾶσιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ
Leviticus 25:25 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:25 (English Elpenor)
But if your brother who is with you should become poor and should sell some of what he holds and the next of kin who is nearest should come, then he shall redeem the sale of his brother.	And if thy brother who is with thee be poor, and should have sold [part] of his possession, and his kinsman who is nigh to him come, then he shall redeem the possession which his brother has sold.

Leviticus 25:26 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:26 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:26 (NET)
And if a man have no one to redeem it, and he be waxen rich and find sufficient means to redeem it;	And if the man have none to redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;	If a man has no redeemer, but he prospers and gains enough for its redemption,

Leviticus 25:26 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ τινι ὁ ἀγχιστεύων καὶ εὐπορηθῇ τῇ χειρὶ καὶ εὑρεθῇ αὐτῷ τὸ ἱκανὸν λύτρα αὐτοῦ	ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ᾖ τινι ὁ ἀγχιστεύων καὶ εὐπορηθῇ τῇ χειρὶ καὶ εὑρεθῇ αὐτῷ τὸ ἱκανὸν λύτρα αὐτοῦ
Leviticus 25:26 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:26 (English Elpenor)
But if someone does not have one who is next of kin and has plenty in hand and finds for himself what is sufficient for his ransom,	And if one have no near kinsman, and he prosper with his hand, and he find sufficient money, [even] his ransom;

Leviticus 25:27 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:27 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:27 (NET)
then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; and he shall return unto his possession.	Then let him count the years of the sale thereof, and restore the overplus unto the man to whom he sold it; that he may return unto his possession.	he is to calculate the value of the years it was sold, refund the balance to the man to whom he had sold it, and return to his property.

Leviticus 25:27 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ συλλογιεῖται τὰ ἔτη τῆς πράσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀποδώσει ὃ ὑπερέχει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ᾧ ἀπέδοτο ἑαυτὸν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν αὐτοῦ	καὶ συλλογιεῖται τὰ ἔτη τῆς πράσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀποδώσει ὃ ὑπερέχει τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, ᾧ ἀπέδοτο αὐτὸ αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν αὐτοῦ
Leviticus 25:27 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:27 (English Elpenor)
then he shall compute the years of his sale and give back what he has over to the person who sold it to him, and he shall depart to his holding.	then shall he calculate the years of his sale, and he shall give what is due to the man to whom he sold it, and he shall return to his possession.

Leviticus 25:28 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:28 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:28 (NET)
But if he have not sufficient means to get it back for himself, then that which he hath sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee; and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.	But if he be not able to restore it to him, then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile: and in the jubile it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession.	If he has not prospered enough to refund a balance to him, then what he sold will belong to the one who bought it until the Jubilee year, but it must revert in the Jubilee and the original owner may return to his property.

Leviticus 25:28 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ εὐπορηθῇ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ τὸ ἱκανὸν ὥστε ἀποδοῦναι αὐτῷ καὶ ἔσται ἡ πρᾶσις τῷ κτησαμένῳ αὐτὰ ἕως τοῦ ἕκτου ἔτους τῆς ἀφέσεως καὶ ἐξελεύσεται τῇ ἀφέσει καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν αὐτοῦ	ἐὰν δὲ μὴ εὐπορηθῇ αὐτοῦ ἡ χεὶρ τὸ ἱκανόν, ὥστε ἀποδοῦναι αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔσται ἡ πρᾶσις τῷ κτησαμένῳ αὐτὰ ἕως τοῦ ἕκτου ἔτους τῆς ἀφέσεως· καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἐν τῇ ἀφέσει, καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν αὐτοῦ
Leviticus 25:28 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:28 (English Elpenor)
But if his hand does not find what is sufficient to give it back to him, then the sale shall belong to the one who acquired them until the year of release, and at the release it shall expire, and he shall depart to his holding.	But if his hand have not prospered sufficiently, so as that he should restore the money to him, then he that bought the possessions shall have them till the sixth year of the release; and it shall go out in the release, and the owner shall return to his possession.

Leviticus 25:35 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:35 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:35 (NET)
And if thy brother be waxen poor, and his means fail with thee; then thou shalt uphold him: as a stranger and a settler shall he live with thee.	And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.	“‘If your brother becomes impoverished and is indebted to you, you must support him; he must live with you like a foreign resident.

Leviticus 25:35 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:35 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν δὲ πένηται ὁ ἀδελφός σου καὶ ἀδυνατήσῃ ταῖς χερσὶν παρὰ σοί ἀντιλήμψῃ αὐτοῦ ὡς προσηλύτου καὶ παροίκου καὶ ζήσεται ὁ ἀδελφός σου μετὰ σοῦ	᾿Εὰν δὲ πένηται ὁ ἀδελφός σου ὁ μετὰ σοῦ καὶ ἀδυνατήσῃ ταῖς χερσὶ παρὰ σοί, ἀντιλήψῃ αὐτοῦ ὡς προσηλύτου καὶ παροίκου καὶ ζήσεται ὁ ἀδελφός σου μετὰ σοῦ
Leviticus 25:35 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:35 (English Elpenor)
Now if your brother is needy and with you becomes weak in his hands, you shall help him as a guest and a resident alien, and your brother shall live with you.	And if thy brother who is with thee become poor, and he fail in resources with thee, thou shalt help him as a stranger and a sojourner, and thy brother shall live with thee.

Leviticus 25:36 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:36 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:36 (NET)
Take thou no interest of him or increase; but fear thy G-d; that thy brother may live with thee.	Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.	Do not take interest or profit from him, but you must fear your God, and your brother must live with you.

Leviticus 25:36 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:36 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οὐ λήμψῃ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ τόκον οὐδὲ ἐπὶ πλήθει καὶ φοβηθήσῃ τὸν θεόν σου ἐγὼ κύριος καὶ ζήσεται ὁ ἀδελφός σου μετὰ σοῦ	οὐ λήψῃ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ τόκον, οὐδὲ ἐπὶ πλήθει· καὶ φοβηθήσῃ τὸν Θεόν σου, ἐγὼ Κύριος, καὶ ζήσεται ὁ ἀδελφός σου μετὰ σοῦ
Leviticus 25:36 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:36 (English Elpenor)
You shall not take interest from him, not even in any amount, and you shall fear your God; I am the Lord. And your brother shall live with you.	Thou shalt not receive from him interest, nor increase: and thou shalt fear thy God: I [am] the Lord: and thy brother shall live with thee.

Leviticus 25:37 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:37 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:37 (NET)
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon interest, nor give him thy victuals for increase.	Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.	You must not lend him your money at interest, and you must not sell him food for profit.

Leviticus 25:37 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:37 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τὸ ἀργύριόν σου οὐ δώσεις αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τόκῳ καὶ ἐπὶ πλεονασμὸν οὐ δώσεις αὐτῷ τὰ βρώματά σου	τὸ ἀργύριόν σου οὐ δώσεις αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τόκῳ καὶ ἐπὶ πλεονασμῷ οὐ δώσεις αὐτῷ τὰ βρώματά σου
Leviticus 25:37 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:37 (English Elpenor)
You shall not give him your money at interest; neither shall you give him your food in excess.	Thou shalt not lend thy money to him at interest, and thou shalt not lend thy meat to him to be returned with increase.

Leviticus 25:38 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:38 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:38 (NET)
I am HaShem your G-d, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be your G-d.	I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.	I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan—to be your God.

Leviticus 25:38 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:38 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν ὁ ἐξαγαγὼν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν γῆν Χανααν ὥστε εἶναι ὑμῶν θεός	ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν, ὁ ἐξαγαγὼν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, δοῦναι ὑμῖν τὴν γῆν Χαναάν, ὥστε εἶναι ὑμῶν Θεός
Leviticus 25:38 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:38 (English Elpenor)
I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to give you the land Chanaan in order to be your God.	I [am] the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Chanaan, so as to be your God.

Leviticus 25:39 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:39 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:39 (NET)
And if thy brother be waxen poor with thee, and sell himself unto thee, thou shalt not make him to serve as a bondservant.	And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:	“‘If your brother becomes impoverished with regard to you so that he sells himself to you, you must not subject him to slave service.

Leviticus 25:39 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:39 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν δὲ ταπεινωθῇ ὁ ἀδελφός σου παρὰ σοὶ καὶ πραθῇ σοι οὐ δουλεύσει σοι δουλείαν οἰκέτου	᾿Εὰν δὲ ταπεινωθῇ ὁ ἀδελφός σου παρὰ σοί, καὶ πραθῇ σοι, οὐ δουλεύσει σοι δουλείαν οἰκέτου
Leviticus 25:39 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:39 (English Elpenor)
Now if your brother with you is humbled and is sold to you, he shall not be subject to you with the subjection of a domestic.	And if thy brother by thee be lowered, and be sold to thee, he shall not serve thee with the servitude of a slave.

Leviticus 25:40 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:40 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:40 (NET)
As a hired servant, and as a settler, he shall be with thee; he shall serve with thee unto the year of jubilee.	But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:	He must be with you as a hired worker, as a resident foreigner; he must serve with you until the Year of Jubilee,

Leviticus 25:40 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:40 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὡς μισθωτὸς ἢ πάροικος ἔσται σοι ἕως τοῦ ἔτους τῆς ἀφέσεως ἐργᾶται παρὰ σοί	ὡς μισθωτὸς ἢ πάροικος ἔσται σοι, ἕως τοῦ ἔτους τῆς ἀφέσεως ἐργᾶται παρὰ σοί
Leviticus 25:40 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:40 (English Elpenor)
He shall be to you as a hired laborer or a resident alien. He shall work with you until the year of release.	He shall be with thee as a hireling or a sojourner, he shall work for thee till the year of release:

Leviticus 25:41 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:41 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:41 (NET)
Then shall he go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.	And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.	but then he may go free, he and his children with him, and may return to his family and to the property of his ancestors.

Leviticus 25:41 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:41 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐξελεύσεται τῇ ἀφέσει καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν τὴν πατρικὴν ἀποδραμεῖται	καὶ ἐξελεύσεται τῇ ἀφέσει καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπελεύσεται εἰς τὴν γενεὰν αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὴν κατάσχεσιν τὴν πατρικὴν ἀποδραμεῖται
Leviticus 25:41 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:41 (English Elpenor)
And he and his children with him shall go forth at the release, and he shall go away to his kin; he shall depart to his ancestral holding.	and he shall go out in the release, and his children with him; and he shall go to his family, he shall hasten back to his patrimony.

Leviticus 25:42 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:42 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:42 (NET)
For they are My servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bondmen.	For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.	Since the Israelites are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they must not be sold in a slave sale.

Leviticus 25:42 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:42 (Septuagint Elpenor)
διότι οἰκέται μού εἰσιν οὗτοι οὓς ἐξήγαγον ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου οὐ πραθήσεται ἐν πράσει οἰκέτου	διότι οἰκέται μού εἰσιν οὗτοι, οὓς ἐξήγαγον ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου· οὐ πραθήσεται ἐν πράσει οἰκέτου
Leviticus 25:42 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:42 (English Elpenor)
For they are my domestics, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; he shall not be sold in a sale of a domestic.	Because these are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; such an one shall not be sold as a [common] servant.

Leviticus 25:43 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 25:43 (KJV)	Leviticus 25:43 (NET)
Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy G-d.	Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.	You must not rule over them harshly, but you must fear your God.

Leviticus 25:43 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 25:43 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οὐ κατατενεῖς αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ μόχθῳ καὶ φοβηθήσῃ κύριον τὸν θεόν σου	οὐ κατατενεῖς αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ μόχθῳ, καὶ φοβηθήσῃ Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου
Leviticus 25:43 (NETS)	Leviticus 25:43 (English Elpenor)
You shall not abuse him with toil, and you shall fear the Lord your God.	Thou shalt not oppress him with labour, and shalt fear the Lord thy God.

Genesis 43:32 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:32 (KJV)	Genesis 43:32 (NET)
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, that did eat with him, by themselves; because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.	And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.	They set a place for him, a separate place for his brothers, and another for the Egyptians who were eating with him. (The Egyptians are not able to eat with Hebrews, for the Egyptians think it is disgusting to do so.)

Genesis 43:32 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ παρέθηκαν αὐτῷ μόνῳ καὶ αὐτοῖς καθ᾽ ἑαυτοὺς καὶ τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις τοῖς συνδειπνοῦσιν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καθ᾽ ἑαυτούς οὐ γὰρ ἐδύναντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι συνεσθίειν μετὰ τῶν Εβραίων ἄρτους βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστιν τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις	καὶ παρέθηκαν αὐτῷ μόνῳ καὶ αὐτοῖς καθ᾿ ἑαυτοὺς καὶ τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις τοῖς συνδειπνοῦσι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καθ᾿ ἑαυτούς· οὐ γὰρ ἐδύναντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι συνεσθίειν μετὰ τῶν ῾Εβραίων ἄρτους, βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστι τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις
Genesis 43:32 (NETS)	Genesis 43:31 (English Elpenor)
And they served him alone and them by themselves, for the Egyptians could not eat bread loaves together with the Hebrews, for it is an abomination to the Egyptians.	And they set on [bread] for him alone, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians feasting with him by themselves, for the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for it is an abomination to the Egyptians.

Exodus 1:12 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:12 (KJV)	Exodus 1:12 (NET)
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were adread because of the children of Israel.	But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.	But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread. As a result the Egyptians loathed the Israelites,

Exodus 1:12 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καθότι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐταπείνουν τοσούτῳ πλείους ἐγίνοντο καὶ ἴσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα καὶ ἐβδελύσσοντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ	καθότι δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐταπείνουν, τοσούτῳ πλείους ἐγίγνοντο, καὶ ἴσχυον σφόδρα σφόδρα· καὶ ἐβδελύσσοντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραήλ
Exodus 1:12 (NETS)	Exodus 1:12 (English Elpenor)
But as much as they were humbling them, by so much the more they kept becoming more numerous and stronger, and the Egyptians were disgusted with the sons of Israel.	But as they humbled them, by so much they multiplied, and grew exceedingly strong; and the Egyptians greatly abhorred the children of Israel.

Exodus 1:15 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:15 (KJV)	Exodus 1:15 (NET)
And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah;	And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:	The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah,

Exodus 1:15 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ταῖς μαίαις τῶν Εβραίων τῇ μιᾷ αὐτῶν ᾗ ὄνομα Σεπφωρα καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς δευτέρας Φουα	Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ταῖς μαίαις τῶν ῾Εβραίων· τῇ μιᾷ αὐτῶν ὄνομα Σεπφώρα, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τῆς δευτέρας Φουά
Exodus 1:15 (NETS)	Exodus 1:15 (English Elpenor)
And the king of the Egyptians spoke to the Hebrews’ midwives, to one of them whose name was sepphora, and the name of the second was Phoua,	And the king of the Egyptians spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews; the name of the one was, Sepphora; and the name of the second, Phua.

Exodus 1:16 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:16 (KJV)	Exodus 1:16 (NET)
and he said: ‘When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, ye shall look upon the birthstool: if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.’	And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.	“When you assist the Hebrew women in childbirth, observe at the delivery: If it is a son, kill him, but if it is a daughter, she may live.”

Exodus 1:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν ὅταν μαιοῦσθε τὰς Εβραίας καὶ ὦσιν πρὸς τῷ τίκτειν ἐὰν μὲν ἄρσεν ᾖ ἀποκτείνατε αὐτό ἐὰν δὲ θῆλυ περιποιεῖσθε αὐτό	καὶ εἶπεν· ὅταν μαιοῦσθε τὰς ῾Εβραίας καὶ ὦσι πρὸς τῷ τίκτειν, ἐὰν μὲν ἄρσεν ᾖ, ἀποκτείνατε αὐτό, ἐὰν δὲ θῆλυ, περιποιεῖσθε αὐτό
Exodus 1:16 (NETS)	Exodus 1:16 (English Elpenor)
and he said, “Whenever you act as midwives to the Hebrew women and they should be at the birthing stage, if then it may be male, kill it, but if female, preserve it alive.”	And he said, When ye do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and they are about to be delivered, if it be a male, kill it; but if a female, save it.

Exodus 1:17 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:17 (KJV)	Exodus 1:17 (NET)
But the midwives feared G-d, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive.	But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.	But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.

Exodus 1:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐφοβήθησαν δὲ αἱ μαῖαι τὸν θεὸν καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησαν καθότι συνέταξεν αὐταῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐζωογόνουν τὰ ἄρσενα	ἐφοβήθησαν δὲ αἱ μαῖαι τὸν Θεὸν καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησαν καθότι συνέταξεν αὐταῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἐζωογόνουν τὰ ἄρσενα
Exodus 1:17 (NETS)	Exodus 1:17 (English Elpenor)
But the midwives feared God, and they did not do as the king of Egypt instructed them and tried to keep the males alive.	But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt appointed them; and they saved the male children alive.

Exodus 1:21 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:21 (KJV)	Exodus 1:21 (NET)
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared G-d, that He made them houses.	And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.	And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them.

Exodus 1:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐπειδὴ ἐφοβοῦντο αἱ μαῖαι τὸν θεόν ἐποίησαν ἑαυταῖς οἰκίας	ἐπεὶ δὲ ἐφοβοῦντο αἱ μαῖαι τὸν Θεόν, ἐποίησαν ἑαυταῖς οἰκίας
Exodus 1:21 (NETS)	Exodus 1:21 (English Elpenor)
Because the midwives were fearing God, they made families for themselves.	And as the midwives feared God, they established for themselves families.

Exodus 1:9 (Tanakh)	Exodus 1:9 (KJV)	Exodus 1:9 (NET)
And he said unto his people: ‘Behold, the people of the children of Israel are too many and too mighty for us;	And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:	He said to his people, “Look at the Israelite people, more numerous and stronger than we are!

Exodus 1:9 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 1:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ τὸ γένος τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ μέγα πλῆθος καὶ ἰσχύει ὑπὲρ ἡμᾶς	εἶπε δὲ τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ· ἰδοὺ τὸ γένος τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ μέγα πλῆθος καὶ ἰσχύει ὑπὲρ ἡμᾶς
Exodus 1:9 (NETS)	Exodus 1:9 (English Elpenor)
Now he said to his nation, “Look, the race of the sons of Israel is a great multitude and is becoming stronger than we.	And he said to his nation, Behold, the race of the children of Israel is a great multitude, and is stronger than we:

Matthew 21:46 (NET)	Matthew 21:46 (KJV)
They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds because the crowds regarded him as a prophet.	But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Matthew 21:46 (NET Parallel Greek)	Matthew 21:46 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Matthew 21:46 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ ζητοῦντες αὐτὸν κρατῆσαι ἐφοβήθησαν τοὺς ὄχλους, ἐπεὶ εἰς προφήτην αὐτὸν εἶχον	και ζητουντες αυτον κρατησαι εφοβηθησαν τους οχλους επειδη ως προφητην αυτον ειχον	και ζητουντες αυτον κρατησαι εφοβηθησαν τους οχλους επειδη ως προφητην αυτον ειχον

Fear – Exodus, Part 2

Back to Fear – Genesis, Part 6

Back to Jephthah

Back to Romans, Part 41

Back to Romans, Part 20

¹ Exodus 1:7, 8 (NET)

² Exodus 1:11 (NET)

³ Genesis 41:16 (NET)

⁴ Leviticus 25, Exodus 22:25-27, Exodus 23:10-12, Leviticus 23:22 (NET)

⁵ Genesis 41:33-36 (NET)

⁶ Genesis 41:44 (NET)

⁷ Genesis 47:14 (NET)

⁸ Genesis 47:16 (NET)

⁹ Genesis 47:19 (NET)

¹⁰ Genesis 47:20 (NET)

¹¹ Genesis 47:21 (NET)

¹² Leviticus 25:23-28 (NET)

¹³ Leviticus 25:35-38 (NET)

¹⁴ Leviticus 25:39-43 (NET)

¹⁵ Exodus 20:5, 6 (NET)

¹⁶ Matthew 23:23 (NET) Table

¹⁷ Luke 11:42 (NET) Table

¹⁸ Exodus 20:5 (NKJV) Table

¹⁹ Exodus 33:19b (NET) Table

²⁰ Genesis 43:32b (NET)

²¹ Matthew 11:28 (NET)

²² Exodus 1:12 (NET)

²³ Instant Karma lyrics

²⁴ Exodus 1:15-17 (NET)

²⁵ Matthew 21:43 (NET)

²⁶ Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET)

²⁷ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ἐπεὶ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επειδη.

²⁸ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had εἰς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ως (KJV: for).

²⁹ Matthew 21:46 (NET)

³⁰ Exodus 1:21 (NET)

³¹ Mark 9:31 (NET) Table

³² Mark 9:32 (NET)

³³ Exodus 1:8 (NET)

³⁴ Exodus 1:9b (NET)

Romans, Part 40

Posted on February 23, 2013 by admin

So I ask, Paul continued, God has not rejected his people, has he? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω)!¹ The word προέγνω leads me directly back to Romans 8:28-30 (NET):

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω) he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Do you not know (οἴδατε, a form of εἴδω; literally see) what the scripture says about Elijah, Paul continued, how he pleads (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) with God against Israel?² “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they³ have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!”⁴ To plead against is certainly a valid translation. But to fully appreciate Paul’s sarcasm I think I must revisit the other two times he used ἐντυγχάνει in Romans, as well as the story when the Lord determined that Elisha would replace Elijah as prophet.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness, Paul wrote, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings [Table]. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) on behalf of the saints according to God’s will [Table].⁵ And, Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) for us.⁶ So I begin to see the contrast that Elijah sounded more like an accuser than an intercessor, Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!

The Lord strengthened and helped Elijah flee from Jezebel for forty days. But after he had spent the night in a cave at Horeb, the Lord spoke to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?”⁷ I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord, the sovereign God, Elijah answered, even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.⁸

After a demonstration where Elijah saw that the Lord was not in a mighty wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but a soft whisper,⁹ He gave him another chance to answer the same question, Why are you here, Elijah?¹⁰ But Elijah gave exactly the same answer. So Elijah’s prophetic ministry was close to its end, at least for the time being. Go back the way you came and then head for the Desert of Damascus, the Lord told him. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet.¹¹

He doesn’t seem to be angry with Elijah. The Lord simply recognized that Elijah had reached the end of that measure of faith He had distributed to him: For by the grace given to me, Paul wrote the Romans, I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.¹²

Elijah thought he had performed the ultimate empirical test before all Israel, proving once and for all, The Lord is the true God!¹³ He didn’t understand that, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,¹⁴ the soft whisper rather than the cacophony of wind, earthquake or fire. But the Lord said to him, I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.¹⁵

But what was the divine response to [Elijah]? Paul continued in Romans, “I have kept for myself seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal.” So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen (ἐκλογὴν, a form of ἐκλογή) by grace. And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.¹⁶ Earlier Paul wrote, when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac – even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election [ἐκλογὴν, a form of ἐκλογή] would stand, not by works but by his calling [καλοῦντος, a form of καλέω]) – it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger [Table],” just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”¹⁷

The word translated calling above, καλοῦντος in Greek, is a form of καλέω, as is ἐκάλεσεν translated called in, And those he predestined, he also called (ἐκάλεσεν, another form of καλέω); and those he called (ἐκάλεσεν, another form of καλέω), he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.¹⁸ And Paul described God as the One who makes the dead alive and summons (καλοῦντος, a form of καλέω) the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.¹⁹

What then? Paul continued. Israel failed to obtain what²⁰ it was diligently seeking, but the elect (ἐκλογὴ; i.e., ἐκλογὴν χάριτος, those chosen by grace) obtained it. The rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day” [Table comparing quote to Septuagint] And David²¹ says, “Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.”²²

But why? Why would God do this to his chosen people? For this is what the Lord has commanded us, Paul and Barnabas said in Pisidian Antioch, “I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”²³ And to the Romans Paul wrote, I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they? Absolutely not! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.²⁴

Even in Acts Luke made it plain, When the Gentiles [in Pisidian Antioch] heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed (τεταγμένοι, a form of τάσσω) for eternal life believed.²⁵ This knowledge that God calls people to salvation “in a certain order” should fill one with hope. Now if [Israel’s] transgression means riches for the world, Paul continued, and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration (πλήρωμα) bring?²⁶

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, Jesus said, because the patch (πλήρωμα, or filling) will pull away from the garment and the tear will be worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise²⁷ the skins burst and the wine is spilled out and the skins are destroyed.²⁸ Instead they put new wine into new wineskins and both²⁹ are preserved.³⁰ This was Jesus’ answer to a question asked by John the Baptist’s disciples, why Jesus’ disciples did not adhere to their religious norms, and those of the Pharisees.

Addendum: November 14, 2025
According to a note (1) in the NET, Paul quoted from 1 Kings 19:10, 14 in Romans 11:3. The following tables compare the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 11:3 (NET Parallel Greek)	1 Kings 19:10b (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:10b (Septuagint Elpenor)
τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν, τὰ θυσιαστήρια σου κατέσκαψαν, καγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος καὶ ζητοῦσιν τὴν ψυχήν μου	τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου	τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ, καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου
Romans 11:3 (NET)	3 Reigns 19:10b (NETS)	3 Kings 19:10b (English Elpenor)
they have killed your prophets; they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life!	they threw down your altars and killed your prophets with a sword, and I alone am a remnant, and they are seeking my life	they have digged down thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword; and I only am left alone, and they seek my life

Romans 11:3 (NET Parallel Greek)	1 Kings 19:14b (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:14b (Septuagint Elpenor)
τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν, τὰ θυσιαστήρια σου κατέσκαψαν, καγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος καὶ ζητοῦσιν τὴν ψυχήν μου	τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου καθεῖλαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου	καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου καθεῖλαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ, καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου
Romans 11:3 (NET)	3 Reigns 19:14b (NETS)	3 Kings 19:14b (English Elpenor)
they have killed your prophets; they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life!	they tore down your altars and killed your prophets with a sword, and I alone am a remnant, and they are seeking my life	and they have overthrown thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword! and I am left entirely alone, and they seek my life

According to a note (4) in the NET, Paul quoted from 1 Kings 19:18 in Romans 11:4. The following table compares the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 11:4b (NET Parallel Greek)	1 Kings 19:10b (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:10b (Septuagint Elpenor)
Κατέλιπον…ἑπτακισχιλίους ἄνδρας, οἵτινες οὐκ ἔκαμψαν γόνυ τῇ Βάαλ	Καταλείψεις…ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν πάντα γόνατα ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βααλ	Καταλείψεις…ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν, πάντα γόνατα, ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βάαλ
Romans 11:4b (NET)	3 Reigns 19:10b (NETS)	3 Kings 19:10b (English Elpenor)
I have kept…7,000 people who have not bent the knee to Baal	you will leave seven thousand men…all the knees that did not bow a knee to Baal	thou shalt leave…seven thousand men, all the knees which had not bowed themselves to Baal

According to a note (7) in the NET, Paul quoted from Psalm 69:22, 23 in Romans 11:9b, 10. The following tables compare the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 11:9b (NET Parallel Greek)	Psalm 69:22 (Septuagint BLB)	Psalm 68:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)
γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς θήραν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδομα αὐτοῖς	γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον	γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον
Romans 11:9b (NET)	Psalm 68:23 (NETS)	Psalm 68:23 (English Elpenor)
Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;	Let their table become a trap before them, and a retribution and a stumbling block.	Let their table before them be for a snare, and for a recompense, and for a stumbling-block.

Romans 11:10 (NET Parallel Greek)	Psalm 69:23 (Septuagint BLB) Table	Psalm 68:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)
σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύγκαμψον	σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύγκαμψον	σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν, καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διαπαντὸς σύγκαμψον
Romans 11:10 (NET)	Psalm 68:24 (NETS)	Psalm 68:24 (English Elpenor)
let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.	Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their back permanently.	Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.

Tables comparing 1 Kings 19:10; 19:14; 19:9; 19:12; 19:13; 19:15; 19:16; 19:18; Psalm 69:22 and 69:23 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of 1 Kings (3 Reigns, 3 Kings) 19:10; 19:14; 19:9; 19:12; 19:13; 19:15; 19:16; 19:18; Psalm 69:22 (68:23) and 69:23 (68:24) in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Romans 11:2; 11:3; 11:6; 11:7; 11:9, 10 and Matthew 9:17 in the KJV and NET follow.

1 Kings 19:10 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:10 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:10 (NET)
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.	And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.	He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”

1 Kings 19:10 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπόν σε οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν	καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ηλιού· ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ Κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπόν σε οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραήλ· τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου κατέσκαψαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ, καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν
3 Reigns 19:10 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:10 (English Elpenor)
And Eliou said, “Being zealous, I have been zealous for the Lord Almighty, for the sons of Israel forsook you; they threw down your altars and killed your prophets with a sword, and I alone am a remnant, and they are seeking my life, to take it.”	And Eliu said, I have been very jealous for the Lord Almighty, because the children of Israel have forsaken thee: they have digged down thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword; and I only am left alone, and they seek my life to take it.

1 Kings 19:14 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:14 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:14 (NET)
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.	And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.	He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”

1 Kings 19:14 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπον τὴν διαθήκην σου οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου καθεῖλαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν	καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ηλιού· ζηλῶν ἐζήλωκα τῷ Κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι, ὅτι ἐγκατέλιπον τὴν διαθήκην σου οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραήλ· καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήριά σου καθεῖλαν καὶ τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ, καὶ ὑπολέλειμμαι ἐγὼ μονώτατος, καὶ ζητοῦσι τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν
3 Reigns 19:14 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:14 (English Elpenor)
And Eliou said, “Being zealous, I have been zealous for the Lord Almighty, for the sons of Israel forsook your covenant; they tore down your altars and killed your prophets with a sword, and I alone am a remnant, and they are seeking my life, to take it.”	And Eliu said, I have been very jealous for the Lord Almighty; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, and they have overthrown thine altars, and have slain thy prophets with the sword! and I am left entirely alone, and they seek my life to take it.

1 Kings 19:9 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:9 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:9 (NET)
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?	And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?	He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:9 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον καὶ κατέλυσεν ἐκεῖ καὶ ἰδοὺ ῥῆμα κυρίου πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα Ηλιου	καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον καὶ κατέλυσεν ἐκεῖ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ρῆμα Κυρίου πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε· τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα, ᾿Ηλιού
3 Reigns 19:9 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:9 (English Elpenor)
And he entered into a cave and lodged there. And behold, a word of the Lord came to him and said, “Why are you here, Eliou?”	And he entered there into a cave, and rested there; and, behold, the word of the Lord [came] to him, and he said, What [doest] thou here, Eliu?

1 Kings 19:12 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:12 (NET)
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.	And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.	After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper.

1 Kings 19:12 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ μετὰ τὸν συσσεισμὸν πῦρ οὐκ ἐν τῷ πυρὶ κύριος καὶ μετὰ τὸ πῦρ φωνὴ αὔρας λεπτῆς κἀκεῖ κύριος	καὶ μετὰ τὸν συσσειμὸν πῦρ, οὐκ ἐν τῷ πυρὶ Κύριος· καὶ μετὰ τὸ πῦρ φωνὴ αὔρας λεπτῆς, κἀκεῖ Κύριος
3 Reigns 19:12 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:12 (English Elpenor)
and after the seismic upheaval a fire; the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire the sound of a light breeze, and the Lord was there.	and after the earthquake a fire; [but] the Lord [was] not in the fire: and after the fire the voice of a gentle breeze.

1 Kings 19:13 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:13 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:13 (NET)
And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?	And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?	When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?”

1 Kings 19:13 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν Ηλιου καὶ ἐπεκάλυψεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ μηλωτῇ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ ἐξῆλθεν καὶ ἔστη ὑπὸ τὸ σπήλαιον καὶ ἰδοὺ πρὸς αὐτὸν φωνὴ καὶ εἶπεν τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα Ηλιου	καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν ᾿Ηλιού, καὶ ἐπεκάλυψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ μηλωτῇ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξῆλθε καὶ ἔστη ὑπὸ σπήλαιον· καὶ ἰδοὺ πρὸς αὐτὸν φωνὴ καὶ εἶπε· τί σὺ ἐνταῦθα ᾿Ηλιού
3 Reigns 19:13 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:13 (English Elpenor)
And it happened, when Eliou heard it, that he wrapped his face in his hairy mantle and went out and stood by the cave, and behold, there came a voice to him, and it said, “Why are you here, Eliou?”	And it came to pass when Eliu heard, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went forth and stood in the cave: and, behold, a voice [came] to him and said, What [doest] thou here, Eliu?

1 Kings 19:15 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:15 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:15 (NET)
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:	And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:	The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the wilderness of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria.

1 Kings 19:15 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν πορεύου ἀνάστρεφε εἰς τὴν ὁδόν σου καὶ ἥξεις εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν ἐρήμου Δαμασκοῦ καὶ χρίσεις τὸν Αζαηλ εἰς βασιλέα τῆς Συρίας	καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν· πορεύου, ἀνάστρεφε εἰς τὴν ὁδόν σου καὶ ἥξεις εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν ἐρήμου Δαμασκοῦ καὶ ἥξεις καὶ χρίσεις τὸν ᾿Αζαὴλ εἰς βασιλέα τῆς Συρίας
3 Reigns 19:15 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:15 (English Elpenor)
And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way, and you will come to the way of the wilderness of Damascus, and you shall anoint Hazael as king of Syria,	And the Lord said to him, Go, return, and thou shalt come into the way of the wilderness of Damascus: and thou shalt go and anoint Azael to be king over Syria.

1 Kings 19:16 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:16 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:16 (NET)
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.	And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.	You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet.

1 Kings 19:16 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τὸν Ιου υἱὸν Ναμεσσι χρίσεις εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ τὸν Ελισαιε υἱὸν Σαφατ ἀπὸ Αβελμαουλα χρίσεις εἰς προφήτην ἀντὶ σοῦ	καὶ τὸν ᾿Ιοὺ υἱὸν Ναμεσσὶ χρίσεις εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ ᾿Ισραήλ· καὶ τὸν ῾Ελισαιὲ υἱὸν Σαφὰτ χρίσεις εἰς προφήτην ἀντὶ σοῦ
3 Reigns 19:16 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:16 (English Elpenor)
and you shall anoint Iou son of Namessi as king over Israel, and you shall anoint Elisaie son of Saphat from Abelmaoula as prophet in your stead.	And Ju the son of Namessi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisaie the son of Saphat shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

1 Kings 19:18 (Tanakh)	1 Kings 19:18 (KJV)	1 Kings 19:18 (NET)
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.	Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.	I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.”

1 Kings 19:18 (Septuagint BLB)	3 Kings 19:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ καταλείψεις ἐν Ισραηλ ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν πάντα γόνατα ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βααλ καὶ πᾶν στόμα ὃ οὐ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ	καὶ καταλείψεις ἐν ᾿Ισραὴλ ἑπτὰ χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν, πάντα γόνατα, ἃ οὐκ ὤκλασαν γόνυ τῷ Βάαλ, καὶ πᾶν στόμα, ὃ οὐ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ
3 Reigns 19:18 (NETS)	3 Kings 19:18 (English Elpenor)
And you will leave seven thousand men in Israel, all the knees that did not bow a knee to Baal and every mouth that did not do obeisance to him.”	And thou shalt leave in Israel seven thousand men, all the knees which had not bowed themselves to Baal, and every mouth which had not worshipped him.

Psalm 69:22 (Tanakh)	Psalm 69:22 (KJV)	Psalm 69:22 (NET)
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.	Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.	May their dining table become a trap before them. May it be a snare for that group of friends.

Psalm 69:22 (Septuagint BLB)	Psalm 68:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)
γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον	γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδοσιν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον
Psalm 68:23 (NETS)	Psalm 68:23 (English Elpenor)
Let their table become a trap before them, and a retribution and a stumbling block.	Let their table before them be for a snare, and for a recompense, and for a stumbling-block.

Psalm 69:23 (Tanakh)	Psalm 69:23 (KJV)	Psalm 69:23 (NET)
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.	Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.	May their eyes be blinded. Make them shake violently.

Psalm 69:23 (Septuagint BLB)	Psalm 68:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)
σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύγκαμψον	σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν, καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διαπαντὸς σύγκαμψον
Psalm 68:24 (NETS)	Psalm 68:24 (English Elpenor)
Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their back permanently.	Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.

Romans 11:2 (NET)	Romans 11:2 (KJV)
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew! Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?	God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

Romans 11:2 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)
οὐκ ἀπώσατο ὁ θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ὃν προέγνω. ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ἐν Ἠλίᾳ τί λέγει ἡ γραφή, ὡς ἐντυγχάνει τῷ θεῷ κατὰ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ	ουκ απωσατο ο θεος τον λαον αυτου ον προεγνω η ουκ οιδατε εν ηλια τι λεγει η γραφη ως εντυγχανει τω θεω κατα του ισραηλ λεγων	ουκ απωσατο ο θεος τον λαον αυτου ον προεγνω η ουκ οιδατε εν ηλια τι λεγει η γραφη ως εντυγχανει τω θεω κατα του ισραηλ λεγων

Romans 11:3 (NET)	Romans 11:3 (KJV)
“Lord, they have killed your prophets; they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life!”	Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

Romans 11:3 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)
κύριε, τοὺς προφήτας σου ἀπέκτειναν, τὰ θυσιαστήρια σου κατέσκαψαν, καγὼ ὑπελείφθην μόνος καὶ ζητοῦσιν τὴν ψυχήν μου	κυριε τους προφητας σου απεκτειναν και τα θυσιαστηρια σου κατεσκαψαν καγω υπελειφθην μονος και ζητουσιν την ψυχην μου	κυριε τους προφητας σου απεκτειναν και τα θυσιαστηρια σου κατεσκαψαν καγω υπελειφθην μονος και ζητουσιν την ψυχην μου

Romans 11:6 (NET)	Romans 11:6 (KJV)
And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.	And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Romans 11:6 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)
εἰ δὲ χάριτι, οὐκέτι ἐξ ἔργων, ἐπεὶ ἡ χάρις οὐκέτι γίνεται χάρις	ει δε χαριτι ουκετι εξ εργων επει η χαρις ουκετι γινεται χαρις ει δε εξ εργων ουκετι εστιν χαρις επει το εργον ουκετι εστιν εργον	ει δε χαριτι ουκετι εξ εργων επει η χαρις ουκετι γινεται χαρις ει δε εξ εργων ουκετι εστιν χαρις επει το εργον ουκετι εστιν εργον

Romans 11:7 (NET)	Romans 11:7 (KJV)
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was diligently seeking, but the elect obtained it. The rest were hardened,	What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Romans 11:7 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Τί οὖν; ὃ ἐπιζητεῖ Ἰσραήλ, τοῦτο οὐκ ἐπέτυχεν, ἡ δὲ ἐκλογὴ ἐπέτυχεν· οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ ἐπωρώθησαν	τι ουν ο επιζητει ισραηλ τουτου ουκ επετυχεν η δε εκλογη επετυχεν οι δε λοιποι επωρωθησαν	τι ουν ο επιζητει ισραηλ τουτο ουκ επετυχεν η δε εκλογη επετυχεν οι δε λοιποι επωρωθησαν

Romans 11:9, 10 (NET)	Romans 11:9, 10 (KJV)
And David says, “Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;	And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

Romans 11:9 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:9 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ Δαυὶδ λέγει· γενηθήτω ἡ τράπεζα αὐτῶν εἰς παγίδα καὶ εἰς θήραν καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλον καὶ εἰς ἀνταπόδομα αὐτοῖς	και δαβιδ λεγει γενηθητω η τραπεζα αυτων εις παγιδα και εις θηραν και εις σκανδαλον και εις ανταποδομα αυτοις	και δαυιδ λεγει γενηθητω η τραπεζα αυτων εις παγιδα και εις θηραν και εις σκανδαλον και εις ανταποδομα αυτοις

let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.”

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Romans 11:10 (NET Parallel Greek)	Romans 11:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Romans 11:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)
σκοτισθήτωσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ τὸν νῶτον αὐτῶν διὰ παντὸς σύγκαμψον	σκοτισθητωσαν οι οφθαλμοι αυτων του μη βλεπειν και τον νωτον αυτων διαπαντος συγκαμψον	σκοτισθητωσαν οι οφθαλμοι αυτων του μη βλεπειν και τον νωτον αυτων διαπαντος συγκαμψον

Matthew 9:17 (NET)	Matthew 9:17 (KJV)
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the skins burst and the wine is spilled out and the skins are destroyed. Instead they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”	Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Matthew 9:17 (NET Parallel Greek)	Matthew 9:17 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Matthew 9:17 (Byzantine Majority Text)
οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς· εἰ δὲ μή γε, ρήγνυνται οἱ ἀσκοὶ καὶ ὁ οἶνος ἐκχεῖται καὶ οἱ ἀσκοὶ ἀπόλλυνται· ἀλλὰ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς καινούς, καὶ ἀμφότεροι συντηροῦνται	ουδε βαλλουσιν οινον νεον εις ασκους παλαιους ει δε μηγε ρηγνυνται οι ασκοι και ο οινος εκχειται και οι ασκοι απολουνται αλλα βαλλουσιν οινον νεον εις ασκους καινους και αμφοτερα συντηρουνται	ουδε βαλλουσιν οινον νεον εις ασκους παλαιους ει δε μηγε ρηγνυνται οι ασκοι και ο οινος εκχειται και οι ασκοι απολουνται αλλα βαλλουσιν οινον νεον εις ασκους καινους και αμφοτεροι συντηρουνται

Romans, Part 41

Back to Romans, Part 42

Back to Son of God – John, Part 5

Back to Romans, Part 43

Back to Fear – Numbers, Part 3

Back to Justice and Mercy Revisited, Part 4

¹ Romans 11:1, 2a (NET)

² The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λεγων (KJV: saying) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

³ The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the conjunction και (KJV: and) beginning this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

⁴ Romans 11:2b, 3 (NET)

⁵ Romans 8:26, 27 (NET)

⁶ Romans 8:33, 34 (NET) Table

⁷ 1 Kings 19:9 (NET)

⁸ 1 Kings 19:10 (NET)

⁹ 1 Kings 19:12 (NET)

¹⁰ 1 Kings 19:13 (NET)

¹¹ 1 Kings 19:15, 16 (NET)

¹² Romans 12:3 (NET)

¹³ 1 Kings 18:39 (NET) Table

¹⁴ Romans 10:17 (NKJV) Table

¹⁵ 1 Kings 19:18 (NET)

¹⁶ Romans 11:4-6 (NET) The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ει δε εξ εργων ουκετι εστιν χαρις επει το εργον ουκετι εστιν εργον (KJV: But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

¹⁷ Romans 9:10-13 (NET) Table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

¹⁸ Romans 8:30 (NET)

¹⁹ Romans 4:17b (NET)

²⁰ The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text had τοῦτο here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had τουτου (KJV: that).

²¹ In the NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text David was spelled Δαυὶδ, and δαβιδ in the Stephanus Textus Receptus.

²² Romans 11:7-10 (NET) The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had διὰ παντὸς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had διαπαντος (KJV: alway).

²³ Acts 13:47 (NET)

²⁴ Romans 11:11 (NET)

²⁵ Acts 13:48 (NET) Table

²⁶ Romans 11:12 (NET)

²⁷ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had εἰ δὲ μή γε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ει δε μηγε (KJV: else).

²⁸ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ἀπόλλυνται here, a form of the verbs ἀπόλλυμι, ἀπόλλω, ἀπολλύω in the present tense, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απολουνται (KJV: perish) in the future tense.

²⁹ The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text had ἀμφότεροι here, the masculine form of the adjective ἀμφότερος in the present tense, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the neuter form αμφοτερα.

³⁰ Matthew 9:16, 17 (NET)

Fear – Genesis, Part 8

Posted on February 20, 2013 by admin

So Judah and his brothers came back to Joseph’s house.¹ Suddenly Judah, though not the eldest, has taken the lead in the narrative. He and his brothers threw themselves to the ground before² Joseph. We are now my lord’s slaves, we and the one in whose possession the cup was found,³ Judah said. But Joseph refused: The man in whose hand the cup was found will become my slave, but the rest of you may go back to your father in peace.⁴ Then Judah, the man credited with the plan to profit from Joseph’s sale as a slave,⁵ approached Joseph and related the tale of Jacob’s love for Rachel’s sons (Genesis 44:27-34 NET):

“Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife gave me two sons. The first disappeared and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and an accident happens to him, then you will bring down my gray hair in tragedy to the grave.’ So now, when I return to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us – his very life is bound up in his son’s life. When he sees the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father in sorrow to the grave. Indeed, your servant pledged security for the boy with my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame before my father all my life.’ So now, please let your servant remain as my lord’s slave instead of the boy. As for the boy, let him go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see my father’s pain.”

Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!”⁶ Then he said to his brothers, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.⁷ What follows is one of the most beautiful expressions of forgiveness in the Bible: Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!⁸ I admit, I want to reach back in time and say to Joseph, “Next time? Lead with that.” But I can believe that it took some time to come to that conclusion. Maybe he even needed to hear Judah’s changed heart before he could fully understand that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…⁹

God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance, Joseph continued. So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God.¹⁰ As far as Joseph was concerned, Though [his brothers’ sin was] like scarlet, [the Lord had made it] as white as snow; Though [it was] red like crimson, [He had made it] as wool.¹¹ Then Joseph sent his brothers home with provisions to bring their father and all their families back to Egypt. When he heard the news, Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them. But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived. Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”¹² Once again the pattern holds: Jacob was unbelieving but Israel was persuaded and ready to go.

On the journey God spoke to Jacob’s unbelief, Jacob, Jacob…I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid (yârêʼ, תירא) to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there. Joseph will close your eyes.¹³ The rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose φοβοῦ (a form of φοβέω) here. Now Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing around him to hear¹⁴ the word of God.¹⁵

There were two boats onshore owned by Peter and his business partners James and John. Jesus got into Peter’s boat and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then¹⁶ Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.¹⁷ After He finished teaching He told Peter to put out into deeper water for a catch of fish. Peter was tired. He had been up all night and hadn’t caught a thing. But he did as Jesus said. He caught so many fish the net was tearing and he needed help from the other boat. Peter fell down at Jesus’¹⁸ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”¹⁹ It is an odd way to react to a benefactor, but I think it illustrates the fearfulness of those born only of the flesh of Adam.

“Do not be afraid (φοβοῦ),” Jesus said to him, “from now on you will be catching people.” So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.²⁰

Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years.²¹ Then he died there with Joseph as God had promised him. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay us in full for all the harm we did to him?”²² And so, prompted by this fear, they lied and concocted the following scheme: they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave these instructions before he died: ‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept. Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.”²³

But Joseph’s forgiveness, offered so many years earlier, was sincere. “Don’t be afraid (yârêʼ, תִּירָאוּ),” he said. “Am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day [Table]. So now, don’t be afraid (yârêʼ, תִּירָאוּ). I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.²⁴ In the Septuagint fear was φοβεῖσθε (another form of φοβέω) again.

In the previous essay I discussed Matthew 10:28-31 (NET). Here I will simply quote it.

Do not be afraid (φοβεῖσθε) of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear (φοβεῖσθε) the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Table]. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid (φοβεῖσθε); you are more valuable than many sparrows [Table].

[Addendum October 21, 2025: The verb φοβεῖσθε might be understood as a command in the imperative mood as it is above, or it might be understood as a fact, a promise, in the indicative mood: You don’t fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, you fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So you are not afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Recently, I have begun to hear these “dual possibilities” as intentional, an opportunity to hear a “multiplexed” verb “as a command to the lawless and disobedient (the old human), or in the indicative mood as a fact of, and a promise to, the just (the new human)” Exploration, Part 15.]

And Jesus said to Nicodemus, I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God [Table]…What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, “You must all be born from above.”²⁵

Addendum: October 22, 2025
The translation of the Masoretic text and Septuagint diverge in Genesis 50:19.

Masoretic Text		Septuagint
Genesis 50:19 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:19 (NET)	Genesis 50:19 (NETS)	Genesis 50:19 (English Elpenor)
And Joseph said unto them: ‘Fear not; for (כִּ֛י) am I (אָֽנִי) in the place (הֲתַ֥חַת) of G-d (אֱלֹהִ֖ים)?	But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I [NET note 24: “For (kî, כי) am I (‘ănî, אני)”] in the place (taḥaṯ, התחת) of God (‘ĕlōhîm, אלהים)?	And Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for (γὰρ) I (ἐγώ) am (εἰμι) God’s (τοῦ…θεοῦ).	And Joseph said to them, Fear not, for (γὰρ) I (ἐγώ) am (εἰμι) God’s (τοῦ…Θεοῦ).

The English translators of the Masoretic text understood הֲתַ֥חַת, a form of תַּחַת (taḥaṯ), followed by אֱלֹהִ֖ים (‘ĕlōhîm) as in the place of God (Tanakh, KJV, NET), where the translators of the Greek Septuagint understood this as “under God”—τοῦ Θεοῦ, God’s (NETS, English Elpenor). The Greek is τοῦ γὰρ Θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ: literally, “for of God am I,” for I am God’s (NETS, English Elpenor).

Tables comparing Genesis 44:14; 44:16; 44:17; 44:27; 44:28; 44:29; 44:30; 44:31; 44:32; 44:33; 44:34; 45:1; 45:4; 45:5; 45:7; 45:8; 45:26; 45:27; 45:28; 46:2; 46:3; 46:4; 47:28; 50:15; 50:16; 50:17; 50:18; 50:19 and 50:21 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Genesis 44:14; 44:16; 44:17; 44:27; 44:28; 44:29; 44:30; 44:31; 44:32; 44:33; 44:34; 45:1; 45:4; 45:5; 45:7; 45:8; 45:26; 45:27; 45:28; 46:2; 46:3; 46:4; 47:28; 50:15; 50:16; 50:17; 50:18; 50:19 and 50:21 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Luke 5:1; 5:3 and 5:8 in the NET and KJV follow.

Genesis 44:14 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:14 (KJV)	Genesis 44:14 (NET)
And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house, and he was yet there; and they fell before him on the ground.	And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.	So Judah and his brothers came back to Joseph’s house. He was still there, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.

Genesis 44:14 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Ιουδας καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πρὸς Ιωσηφ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ὄντος ἐκεῖ καὶ ἔπεσον ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν	εἰσῆλθε δὲ ᾿Ιούδας καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πρὸς ᾿Ιωσήφ, ἔτι αὐτοῦ ὄντος ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἔπεσον ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν
Genesis 44:14 (NETS)	Genesis 44:14 (English Elpenor)
Then Ioudas and his brothers came in to Ioseph while he was still there, and they fell on the ground before him.	And Judas and his brethren came in to Joseph, while he was yet there, and fell on the ground before him.

Genesis 44:16 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:16 (KJV)	Genesis 44:16 (NET)
And Judah said: ‘What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? G-d hath found out the iniquity of thy servants; behold, we are my lord’s bondmen, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found.’	And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.	Judah replied, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has exposed the sin of your servants! We are now my lord’s slaves, we and the one in whose possession the cup was found.”

Genesis 44:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ Ιουδας τί ἀντεροῦμεν τῷ κυρίῳ ἢ τί λαλήσωμεν ἢ τί δικαιωθῶμεν ὁ δὲ θεὸς εὗρεν τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν παίδων σου ἰδού ἐσμεν οἰκέται τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν καὶ ἡμεῖς καὶ παρ᾽ ᾧ εὑρέθη τὸ κόνδυ	εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιούδας· τί ἀντεροῦμεν τῷ κυρίῳ, ἢ τί λαλήσομεν, ἢ τί δικαιωθῶμεν; ὁ Θεὸς δὲ εὗρε τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν παίδων σου. ἰδού ἐσμεν οἰκέται τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, καὶ ἡμεῖς καὶ παρ᾿ ᾧ εὑρέθη τὸ κόνδυ
Genesis 44:16 (NETS)	Genesis 44:16 (English Elpenor)
And Ioudas said, “What shall we say in answer to our lord or what should we speak or how should we justify ourselves? But God has found out the injustice of your servants. Here we are, our lord’s domestics, both we and the one with whom the cup has been found.”	And Judas said, What shall we answer to our lord, or what shall we say, or wherein should we be justified? whereas God has discovered the unrighteousness of thy servants; behold, we are slaves to our lord, both we and he with whom the cup has been found.

Genesis 44:17 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:17 (KJV)	Genesis 44:17 (NET)
And he said: ‘Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the goblet is found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.’	And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.	But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose hand the cup was found will become my slave, but the rest of you may go back to your father in peace.”

Genesis 44:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ μή μοι γένοιτο ποιῆσαι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ὁ ἄνθρωπος παρ᾽ ᾧ εὑρέθη τὸ κόνδυ αὐτὸς ἔσται μου παῖς ὑμεῖς δὲ ἀνάβητε μετὰ σωτηρίας πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν	εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιωσήφ· μή μοι γένοιτο ποιῆσαι τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο· ὁ ἄνθρωπος, παρ᾿ ᾧ εὑρέθη τὸ κόνδυ αὐτὸς ἔσται μου παῖς. ὑμεῖς δὲ ἀνάβητε μετὰ σωτηρίας πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν
Genesis 44:17 (NETS)	Genesis 44:17 (English Elpenor)
But Ioseph said, “Heaven forbid for me to carry out this matter! The person with whom the cup was found, he shall be my slave, but as for you, go up in safety to your father.”	And Joseph said, Far be it from me to do this thing; the man with whom the cup has been found, he shall be my servant; but do ye go up with safety to your father.

Genesis 44:27 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:27 (KJV)	Genesis 44:27 (NET)
And thy servant my father said unto us: Ye know that my wife bore me two sons;	And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:	“Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife gave me two sons.

Genesis 44:27 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ ὁ παῖς σου ὁ πατὴρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ὑμεῖς γινώσκετε ὅτι δύο ἔτεκέν μοι ἡ γυνή	εἶπε δὲ ὁ παῖς σου, ὁ πατὴρ ἡμῶν πρὸς ἡμᾶς· ὑμεῖς γινώσκετε ὅτι δύο ἔτεκέ μοι ἡ γυνή
Genesis 44:27 (NETS)	Genesis 44:27 (English Elpenor)
Then your servant our father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two.	And thy servant our father said to us, Ye know that my wife bore me two [sons];

Genesis 44:28 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:28 (KJV)	Genesis 44:28 (NET)
and the one went out from me, and I said: Surely he is torn in pieces; and I have not seen him since;	And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:	The first disappeared and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” I have not seen him since.

Genesis 44:28 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ εἷς ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ εἴπατε ὅτι θηριόβρωτος γέγονεν καὶ οὐκ εἶδον αὐτὸν ἔτι καὶ νῦν	καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ εἷς ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, καὶ εἴπατε ὅτι θηριόβρωτος γέγονε, καὶ οὐκ εἶδον αὐτὸν ἄχρι νῦν
Genesis 44:28 (NETS)	Genesis 44:28 (English Elpenor)
And the one went away from me, and you said that he had come to be eaten by wild beasts, and I have not seen him ever since.	and one is departed from me; and ye said that he was devoured of wild beasts, and I have not seen him until now.

Genesis 44:29 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:29 (KJV)	Genesis 44:29 (NET)
and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.	And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.	If you take this one from me too and an accident happens to him, then you will bring down my gray hair in tragedy to the grave.’

Genesis 44:29 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν οὖν λάβητε καὶ τοῦτον ἐκ προσώπου μου καὶ συμβῇ αὐτῷ μαλακία ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου	ἐὰν οὖν λάβητε καὶ τοῦτον ἐκ τοῦ προσώπου μου καὶ συμβῇ αὐτῷ μαλακία ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου
Genesis 44:29 (NETS)	Genesis 44:29 (English Elpenor)
So if you take this one also from my presence and sickness befall him on the way, then you will bring down my old age with sorrow to Hades.’	If then ye take this one also from my presence, and an affliction happen to him by the way, then shall ye bring down my old age with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:30 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:30 (KJV)	Genesis 44:30 (NET)
Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us; seeing that his soul is bound up with the lad’s soul;	Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;	“So now, when I return to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us—his very life is bound up in his son’s life.

Genesis 44:30 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:30 (Septuagint Elpenor)
νῦν οὖν ἐὰν εἰσπορεύωμαι πρὸς τὸν παῖδά σου πατέρα δὲ ἡμῶν καὶ τὸ παιδάριον μὴ ᾖ μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν ἡ δὲ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐκκρέμαται ἐκ τῆς τούτου ψυχῆς	νῦν οὖν ἐὰν εἰσπορεύωμαι πρὸς τὸν παῖδά σου, πατέρα δὲ ἡμῶν, καὶ τὸ παιδίον μὴ ᾖ μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, ἡ δὲ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐκκρέμαται ἐκ τῆς τούτου ψυχῆς
Genesis 44:30 (NETS)	Genesis 44:30 (English Elpenor)
So now if I go in to your servant, our father, and the youngster be not with us (now his soul depends upon the soul of this one),	Now then, if I should go in to thy servant, and our father, and the boy should not be with us, (and his life depends on this [lad’s] life)

Genesis 44:31 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:31 (KJV)	Genesis 44:31 (NET)
it will come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die; and thy servants will bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.	It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.	When he sees the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father in sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:31 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν μὴ ὂν τὸ παιδάριον μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν τελευτήσει καὶ κατάξουσιν οἱ παῖδές σου τὸ γῆρας τοῦ παιδός σου πατρὸς δὲ ἡμῶν μετ᾽ ὀδύνης εἰς ᾅδου	καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν μὴ ὂν τὸ παιδίον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, τελευτήσει, καὶ κατάξουσιν οἱ παῖδές σου τὸ γῆρας τοῦ παιδός σου, πατρὸς δὲ ἡμῶν, μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου
Genesis 44:31 (NETS)	Genesis 44:31 (English Elpenor)
then it shall be that when he sees the youngster is not with us, he will perish, and your servants will bring down the old age of your servant, our father, with grief to Hades.	— it shall even come to pass, when he sees the boy is not with us, [that] he will die, and thy servants will bring down the old age of thy servant, and our father, with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:32 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:32 (KJV)	Genesis 44:32 (NET)
For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying: If I bring him not unto thee, then shall I bear the blame to my father for ever.	For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.	Indeed, your servant pledged security for the boy with my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame before my father all my life.’

Genesis 44:32 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:32 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ γὰρ παῖς σου ἐκδέδεκται τὸ παιδίον παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς λέγων ἐὰν μὴ ἀγάγω αὐτὸν πρὸς σὲ καὶ στήσω αὐτὸν ἐναντίον σου ἡμαρτηκὼς ἔσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας	ὁ γὰρ παῖς σου παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐκδέδεκται τὸ παιδίον λέγων· ἐὰν μὴ ἀγάγω αὐτὸν πρὸς σὲ καὶ στήσω αὐτὸν ἐνώπιόν σου, ἡμαρτηκὼς ἔσομαι εἰς τὸν πατέρα πάσας τάς ἡμέρας
Genesis 44:32 (NETS)	Genesis 44:32 (English Elpenor)
For your servant has become surety for the child with my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him to you and set him before you, I will have failed towards my father for all days.’	For thy servant has received the boy [in charge] from his father, saying, If I bring him not to thee, and place him before thee, I shall be guilty towards my father for ever.

Genesis 44:33 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:33 (KJV)	Genesis 44:33 (NET)
Now therefore, let thy servant, I pray thee, abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.	Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.	“So now, please let your servant remain as my lord’s slave instead of the boy. As for the boy, let him go back with his brothers.

Genesis 44:33 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:33 (Septuagint Elpenor)
νῦν οὖν παραμενῶ σοι παῖς ἀντὶ τοῦ παιδίου οἰκέτης τοῦ κυρίου τὸ δὲ παιδίον ἀναβήτω μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν	νῦν οὖν παραμενῶ σοι παῖς ἀντὶ τοῦ παιδίου, οἰκέτης τοῦ κυρίου· τὸ δὲ παιδίον ἀναβήτω μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ
Genesis 44:33 (NETS)	Genesis 44:33 (English Elpenor)
So now I will remain with you as a slave, my lord’s domestic, in place of the child, but let the child go up with his brothers.	Now then I will remain a servant with thee instead of the lad, a domestic of my lord; but let the lad go up with his brethren.

Genesis 44:34 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:34 (KJV)	Genesis 44:34 (NET)
For how shall I go up to my father, if the lad be not with me? lest I look upon the evil that shall come on my father.’	For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.	For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see my father’s pain.”

Genesis 44:34 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:34 (Septuagint Elpenor)
πῶς γὰρ ἀναβήσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα τοῦ παιδίου μὴ ὄντος μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν ἵνα μὴ ἴδω τὰ κακά ἃ εὑρήσει τὸν πατέρα μου	πῶς γὰρ ἀναβήσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, τοῦ παιδίου μὴ ὄντος μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν; ἵνα μὴ ἴδω τὰ κακά, ἃ εὑρήσει τὸν πατέρα μου
Genesis 44:34 (NETS)	Genesis 44:34 (English Elpenor)
For how shall I go up to my father, if the child is not with us?—lest I see the evils that will find my father!”	For how shall I go up to my father, the lad not being with us? lest I behold the evils which will befall my father.

Genesis 45:1 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:1 (KJV)	Genesis 45:1 (NET)
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried: ‘Cause every man to go out from me.’ And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.	Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.	Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!” No one remained with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

Genesis 45:1 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο Ιωσηφ ἀνέχεσθαι πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων αὐτῷ ἀλλ᾽ εἶπεν ἐξαποστείλατε πάντας ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐ παρειστήκει οὐδεὶς ἔτι τῷ Ιωσηφ ἡνίκα ἀνεγνωρίζετο τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ	ΚΑΙ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀνέχεσθαι πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾿ εἶπεν· ἐξαποστείλατε πάντας ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. καὶ οὐ παρειστήκει οὐδεὶς τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, ἡνίκα ἀνεγνωρίζετο τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ
Genesis 45:1 (NETS)	Genesis 45:1 (English Elpenor)
And Ioseph could not bear with all those who were standing by him, but said, “Send all away from me.” And no one stood by Ioseph any longer when he was making himself known to his brothers.	AND Joseph could not refrain himself when all were standing by him, but said, Dismiss all from me; and no one stood near Joseph, when he made himself known to his brethren.

Genesis 45:4 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:4 (KJV)	Genesis 45:4 (NET)
And Joseph said unto his brethren: ‘Come near to me, I pray you.’ And they came near. And he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.	And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.	Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

Genesis 45:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐγγίσατε πρός με καὶ ἤγγισαν καὶ εἶπεν ἐγώ εἰμι Ιωσηφ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὃν ἀπέδοσθε εἰς Αἴγυπτον	εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιωσὴφ πρὸς τούς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ· ἐγγίσατε πρός με, καὶ ἤγγισαν. καὶ εἶπεν· ἐγώ εἰμι ᾿Ιωσὴφ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, ὃν ἀπέδοσθε εἰς Αἴγυπτον
Genesis 45:4 (NETS)	Genesis 45:4 (English Elpenor)
Then Ioseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me.” And they came near. And he said, “I am you brother Ioseph, whom you sold into Egypt.	And Joseph said to his brethren, Draw nigh to me; and they drew nigh; and he said, I am your brother Joseph, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Genesis 45:5 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:5 (KJV)	Genesis 45:5 (NET)
And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for G-d did send me before you to preserve life.	Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.	Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!

Genesis 45:5 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)
νῦν οὖν μὴ λυπεῖσθε μηδὲ σκληρὸν ὑμῖν φανήτω ὅτι ἀπέδοσθέ με ὧδε εἰς γὰρ ζωὴν ἀπέστειλέν με ὁ θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν	νῦν οὖν μὴ λυπεῖσθε, μηδὲ σκληρὸν ὑμῖν φανήτω, ὅτι ἀπέδοσθέ με ὧδε· εἰς γὰρ ζωὴν ἀπέστειλέ με ὁ Θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν
Genesis 45:5 (NETS)	Genesis 45:5 (English Elpenor)
Now therefore do not be distressed nor let it seem hard to you that you sold me here, for God sent me before you for life.	Now then be not grieved, and let it not seem hard to you that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you for life.

Genesis 45:7 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:7 (KJV)	Genesis 45:7 (NET)
And G-d sent me before you to give you a remnant on the earth, and to save you alive for a great deliverance.	And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.	God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 45:7 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀπέστειλεν γάρ με ὁ θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν ὑπολείπεσθαι ὑμῶν κατάλειμμα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐκθρέψαι ὑμῶν κατάλειψιν μεγάλην	ἀπέστειλε γάρ με ὁ Θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν, ὑπολείπεσθαι ὑμῖν κατάλειμμα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐκθρέψαι ὑμῶν κατάλειψιν μεγάλην
Genesis 45:7 (NETS)	Genesis 45:7 (English Elpenor)
For God sent me before you, to leave behind a remnant of you on the earth and to nourish a great posterity of you.	For God sent me before you, that there might be left to you a remnant upon the earth, even to nourish a great remnant of you.

Genesis 45:8 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:8 (KJV)	Genesis 45:8 (NET)
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but G-d; and He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.	So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.	So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:8 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
νῦν οὖν οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἀπεστάλκατε ὧδε ἀλλ᾽ ἢ ὁ θεός καὶ ἐποίησέν με ὡς πατέρα Φαραω καὶ κύριον παντὸς τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντα πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου	νῦν οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἀπεστάλκατε ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ὁ Θεός, καὶ ἐποίησέ με ὡς πατέρα Φαραὼ καὶ κύριον παντὸς τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντα πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου
Genesis 45:8 (NETS)	Genesis 45:8 (English Elpenor)
Now therefore it is not you who have sent me here, but rather God, and he made me as a father to Pharao and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.	Now then ye did not send me hither, but God; and he hath made me as a father of Pharao, and lord of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:26 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:26 (KJV)	Genesis 45:26 (NET)
And they told him, saying: ‘Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.’ And his heart fainted, for he believed them not.	And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.	They told him, “Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.

Genesis 45:26 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες ὅτι ὁ υἱός σου Ιωσηφ ζῇ καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχει πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐξέστη ἡ διάνοια Ιακωβ οὐ γὰρ ἐπίστευσεν αὐτοῖς	καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες· ὅτι ὁ υἱός σου ᾿Ιωσὴφ ζῇ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχει πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου. καὶ ἐξέστη τῇ διανοίᾳ ᾿Ιακώβ· οὐ γὰρ ἐπίστευσεν αὐτοῖς
Genesis 45:26 (NETS)	Genesis 45:26 (English Elpenor)
and told him, saying, “Your son Ioseph is alive, and he rules over all the land of Egypt!” And Iakob’s mind was confounded, for he did not believe them.	And they reported to him, saying, Thy son Joseph is living, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt; and Jacob was amazed, for he did not believe them.

Genesis 45:27 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:27 (KJV)	Genesis 45:27 (NET)
And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them; and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.	And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:	But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived.

Genesis 45:27 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐλάλησαν δὲ αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ ῥηθέντα ὑπὸ Ιωσηφ ὅσα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἰδὼν δὲ τὰς ἁμάξας ἃς ἀπέστειλεν Ιωσηφ ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτόν ἀνεζωπύρησεν τὸ πνεῦμα Ιακωβ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν	ἐλάλησαν δὲ αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ ρηθέντα ὑπὸ ᾿Ιωσήφ, ὅσα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς. ἰδὼν δὲ τὰς ἁμάξας, ἃς ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιωσὴφ ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτόν, ἀνεζωπύρησε τὸ πνεῦμα ᾿Ιακὼβ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν
Genesis 45:27 (NETS)	Genesis 45:27 (English Elpenor)
And they spoke to him all the things said by Ioseph, as many as he had said to them. And when he saw the wagons that Ioseph had sent so as to take him up, the spirit of their father Iakob was rekindled.	But they spoke to him all the words uttered by Joseph, whatsoever he said to them; and having seen the chariots which Joseph sent to take him up, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.

Genesis 45:28 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:28 (KJV)	Genesis 45:28 (NET)
And Israel said: ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive; I will go and see him before I die.’	And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.	Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

Genesis 45:28 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ Ισραηλ μέγα μοί ἐστιν εἰ ἔτι Ιωσηφ ὁ υἱός μου ζῇ πορευθεὶς ὄψομαι αὐτὸν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με	εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ισραήλ· μέγα μοί ἐστιν, εἰ ἔτι ᾿Ιωσὴφ ὁ υἱός μου ζῇ· πορευθεὶς ὄψομαι αὐτὸν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν με
Genesis 45:28 (NETS)	Genesis 45:28 (English Elpenor)
Then Israel said, “It is a great thing for me if my son Ioseph is still alive. I will go see him before I die.”	And Israel said, It is a great thing for me if Joseph my son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die.

Genesis 46:2 (Tanakh)	Genesis 46:2 (KJV)	Genesis 46:2 (NET)
And G-d spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said: ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said: ‘Here am I.’	And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.	God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He replied, “Here I am!”

Genesis 46:2 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 46:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ἐν ὁράματι τῆς νυκτὸς εἴπας Ιακωβ Ιακωβ ὁ δὲ εἶπεν τί ἐστιν	εἶπε δὲ ὁ Θεὸς τῷ ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐν ὁράματι τῆς νυκτός, εἰπών· ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακώβ, ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τί ἐστιν
Genesis 46:2 (NETS)	Genesis 46:2 (English Elpenor)
Then God said to Israel in a vision of the night (when he had said, “Iakob, Iakob,” and he had said, “What is it?”),	And God spoke to Israel in a night vision, saying, Jacob, Jacob; and he said, What is it?

Genesis 46:3 (Tanakh)	Genesis 46:3 (KJV)	Genesis 46:3 (NET)
And He said: ‘I am G-d, the G-d of thy father; fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation.	And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:	He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

Genesis 46:3 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 46:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
λέγων ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου μὴ φοβοῦ καταβῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον εἰς γὰρ ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω σε ἐκεῖ	ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου· μὴ φοβοῦ καταβῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον· εἰς γὰρ ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω σε ἐκεῖ
Genesis 46:3 (NETS)	Genesis 46:3 (English Elpenor)
saying, “I am the God of your fathers; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there,	And he says to him, I am the God of thy fathers; fear not to go down into Egypt, for I will make thee there a great nation.

Genesis 46:4 (Tanakh)	Genesis 46:4 (KJV)	Genesis 46:4 (NET)
I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again; and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.’	I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.	I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there. Joseph will close your eyes.”

Genesis 46:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 46:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐγὼ καταβήσομαι μετὰ σοῦ εἰς Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐγὼ ἀναβιβάσω σε εἰς τέλος καὶ Ιωσηφ ἐπιβαλεῖ τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου	καὶ ἐγὼ καταβήσομαι μετὰ σοῦ εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἐγὼ ἀναβιβάσω σε εἰς τέλος, καὶ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἐπιβαλεῖ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου
Genesis 46:4 (NETS)	Genesis 46:4 (English Elpenor)
and it is I who will go down with you to Egypt, and it is I who will bring you up totally, and Ioseph shall lay his hands on your eyes.”	And I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will bring thee up at the end; and Joseph shall put his hands on thine eyes.

Genesis 47:28 (Tanakh)	Genesis 47:28 (KJV)	Genesis 47:28 (NET)
And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred forty and seven years.	And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.	Jacob lived in the land of Egypt 17 years; the years of Jacob’s life were 147 in all.

Genesis 47:28 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 47:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐπέζησεν δὲ Ιακωβ ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ δέκα ἑπτὰ ἔτη ἐγένοντο δὲ αἱ ἡμέραι Ιακωβ ἐνιαυτῶν τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ἑκατὸν τεσσαράκοντα ἑπτὰ ἔτη	ἐπέζησε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ δεκαεπτὰ ἔτη· καὶ ἐγένοντο αἱ ἡμέραι ᾿Ιακὼβ ἐνιαυτῶν τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ἑκατὸν τεσσαρακονταεπτὰ ἔτη
Genesis 47:28 (NETS)	Genesis 47:28 (English Elpenor)
And Iakob survived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, and Iakob’s days of years of his life amounted to one hundred forty-seven years.	And Jacob survived seventeen years in the land of Egypt; and Jacob’s days of the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven years.

Genesis 50:15 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:15 (KJV)	Genesis 50:15 (NET)
And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said: ‘It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.’	And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.	When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay us in full for all the harm we did to him?”

Genesis 50:15 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ιωσηφ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν εἶπαν μήποτε μνησικακήσῃ ἡμῖν Ιωσηφ καὶ ἀνταπόδομα ἀνταποδῷ ἡμῖν πάντα τὰ κακά ἃ ἐνεδειξάμεθα αὐτῷ	᾿Ιδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν, εἶπαν· μή ποτε μνησικακήσῃ ἡμῖν ᾿Ιωσὴφ καὶ ἀνταπόδομα ἀνταποδῷ ἡμῖν πάντα τὰ κακά, ἃ ἐνεδειξάμεθα εἰς αὐτόν
Genesis 50:15 (NETS)	Genesis 50:15 (English Elpenor)
Now when Ioseph’s brothers saw that their father had died, they said, “Perhaps Ioseph may bear a grudge against us and requite us a requital for all the evils that we showed him.”	And when the brethren of Joseph saw that their father was dead, they said, [Let us take heed], lest at any time Joseph remember evil against us, and recompense to us all the evils which we have done against him.

Genesis 50:16 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:16 (KJV)	Genesis 50:16 (NET)
And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying: ‘Thy father did command before he died, saying:	And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,	So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave these instructions before he died:

Genesis 50:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ παρεγένοντο πρὸς Ιωσηφ λέγοντες ὁ πατήρ σου ὥρκισεν πρὸ τοῦ τελευτῆσαι αὐτὸν λέγων	καὶ παραγενόμενοι πρὸς ᾿Ιωσὴφ εἶπαν· ὁ πατήρ σου ὥρκισε πρὸ τοῦ τελευτῆσαι αὐτὸν λέγων
Genesis 50:16 (NETS)	Genesis 50:16 (English Elpenor)
And approaching Ioseph they said, “Your father administered an oath before he expired, saying,	And they came to Joseph, and said, Thy father adjured [us] before his death, saying,

Genesis 50:17 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:17 (KJV)	Genesis 50:17 (NET)
So shall ye say unto Joseph: Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the G-d of thy father.’ And Joseph wept when they spoke unto him.	So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.	‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept.

Genesis 50:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οὕτως εἴπατε Ιωσηφ ἄφες αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀδικίαν καὶ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν ὅτι πονηρά σοι ἐνεδείξαντο καὶ νῦν δέξαι τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν θεραπόντων τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ πατρός σου καὶ ἔκλαυσεν Ιωσηφ λαλούντων αὐτῶν πρὸς αὐτόν	οὕτως εἴπατε ᾿Ιωσήφ· ἄφες αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀδικίαν καί τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν, ὅτι πονηρά σοι ἐνεδείξαντο· καὶ νῦν δέξαι τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν θεραπόντων τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ πατρός σου. καὶ ἔκλαυσεν ᾿Ιωσὴφ λαλούντων αὐτῶν πρὸς αὐτόν
Genesis 50:17 (NETS)	Genesis 50:17 (English Elpenor)
Say thus to Ioseph: Forgive them their injustice and fault, seeing that they showed you painful things.’ And now accept the injustice of the attendants of the God of your father.” And Ioseph wept as they were speaking to him.	Thus say ye to Joseph, Forgive them their injustice and their sin, forasmuch as they have done thee evil; and now pardon the injustice of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept while they spoke to him.

Genesis 50:18 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:18 (KJV)	Genesis 50:18 (NET)
And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said: ‘Behold, we are thy bondmen.’	And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.	Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.”

Genesis 50:18 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐλθόντες πρὸς αὐτὸν εἶπαν οἵδε ἡμεῖς σοι οἰκέται	καὶ ἐλθόντες πρὸς αὐτὸν εἶπαν· οἵδε ἡμεῖς σοὶ ἱκέται
Genesis 50:18 (NETS)	Genesis 50:18 (English Elpenor)
And coming to him they said, “We here are your domestics.”	And they came to him and said, We, these [persons], are thy servants.

Genesis 50:19 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:19 (KJV)	Genesis 50:19 (NET)
And Joseph said unto them: ‘Fear not; for am I in the place of G-d?	And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?	But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

Genesis 50:19 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ιωσηφ μὴ φοβεῖσθε τοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ	καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ᾿Ιωσήφ· μὴ φοβεῖσθε, τοῦ γὰρ Θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ
Genesis 50:19 (NETS)	Genesis 50:19 (English Elpenor)
And Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I am God’s.	And Joseph said to them, Fear not, for I am God’s.

Genesis 50:21 (Tanakh)	Genesis 50:21 (KJV)	Genesis 50:21 (NET)
Now therefore fear ye not; I will sustain you, and your little ones.’ And he comforted them, and spoke kindly unto them.	Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.	So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 50:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἐγὼ διαθρέψω ὑμᾶς καὶ τὰς οἰκίας ὑμῶν καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν	καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ἐγὼ διαθρέψω ὑμᾶς καὶ τὰς οἰκίας ὑμῶν. καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν
Genesis 50:21 (NETS)	Genesis 50:21 (English Elpenor)
And he said to them, “Have no fear; it is I who will sustain you and your households.” And he reassured them and spoke to their heart.	And he said to them, Fear not, I will maintain you, and your families: and he comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

Luke 5:1 (NET)	Luke 5:1 (KJV)
Now Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing around him to hear the word of God.	And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

Luke 5:1 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 5:1 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 5:1 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ τὸν ὄχλον ἐπικεῖσθαι αὐτῷ καὶ ἀκούειν τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἑστὼς παρὰ τὴν λίμνην Γεννησαρέτ	εγενετο δε εν τω τον οχλον επικεισθαι αυτω του ακουειν τον λογον του θεου και αυτος ην εστως παρα την λιμνην γεννησαρετ	εγενετο δε εν τω τον οχλον επικεισθαι αυτω του ακουειν τον λογον του θεου και αυτος ην εστως παρα την λιμνην γεννησαρετ

Luke 5:3 (NET)	Luke 5:3 (KJV)
He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.	And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Luke 5:3 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 5:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 5:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἐμβὰς δὲ εἰς ἓν τῶν πλοίων, ὃ ἦν Σίμωνος, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἐπαναγαγεῖν ὀλίγον· καθίσας δὲ ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου ἐδίδασκεν τοὺς ὄχλους	εμβας δε εις εν των πλοιων ο ην του σιμωνος ηρωτησεν αυτον απο της γης επαναγαγειν ολιγον και καθισας εδιδασκεν εκ του πλοιου τους οχλους	εμβας δε εις εν των πλοιων ο ην του σιμωνος ηρωτησεν αυτον απο της γης επαναγαγειν ολιγον και καθισας εδιδασκεν εκ του πλοιου τους οχλους

Luke 5:8 (NET)	Luke 5:8 (KJV)
But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”	When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Luke 5:8 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 5:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 5:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἰδὼν δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος προσέπεσεν τοῖς γόνασιν Ἰησοῦ λέγων· ἔξελθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, κύριε	ιδων δε σιμων πετρος προσεπεσεν τοις γονασιν του ιησου λεγων εξελθε απ εμου οτι ανηρ αμαρτωλος ειμι κυριε	ιδων δε σιμων πετρος προσεπεσεν τοις γονασιν ιησου λεγων εξελθε απ εμου οτι ανηρ αμαρτωλος ειμι κυριε

Fear – Exodus, Part 1

Back to Jedidiah, Part 4

Back to Jedidiah, Part 5

Back to Romans, Part 43

¹ Genesis 44:14a (NET)

² Genesis 44:14b (NET)

³ Genesis 44:16b (NET)

⁴ Genesis 44:17 (NET)

⁵ Genesis 37:26, 27 (NET)

⁶ Genesis 45:1a (NET)

⁷ Genesis 45:4b

⁸ Genesis 45:5 (NET)

⁹ Romans 8:28 (NET)

¹⁰ Genesis 45:7, 8a (NET)

¹¹ Paraphrase of Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) Table

¹² Genesis 45:26b-28 (NET)

¹³ Genesis 46:2b-4 (NET)

¹⁴ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had the conjunction καὶ (“and so,” not translated in the NET) preceding to hear, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article του.

¹⁵ Luke 5:1 (NET)

¹⁶ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had the conjunction δὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And).

¹⁷ Luke 5:3 (NET)

¹⁸ The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article του preceding Jesus’. The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

¹⁹ Luke 5:8 (NET)

²⁰ Luke 5:10, 11 (NET)

²¹ Genesis 47:28a (NET)

²² Genesis 50:15 (NET)

²³ Genesis 50:16-18 (NET)

²⁴ Genesis 50:19-21 (NET)

²⁵ John 3:3, 6, 7 (NET)

Son of God – John, Part 2

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

The next occurrence of Son of God (υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ) in John’s Gospel is found in verse 18 of the third chapter.

	KJV	NAS	NET
3:18	He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.	“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.	The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

The first thing I noticed here is that the KJV has believeth on the Son of God where the NAS and NET have believes in the Son of God. The Greek word is εἰς which is to or into. Believe into the Son of God is an interesting image of entering in to the Son of God or the life of the Son of God, everyone who believes in (εἰς) him will…have eternal life.¹ In Romans 10:11 below the Greek word is ἐπ᾿ (a form of ἐπί) which is on or upon, but the NAS and NET translators still rendered it in.

	KJV	NAS	NET
10:11	For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.	For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”	For the scripture says, “**Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame**.”

This is also an interesting image of resting upon the Son of God: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on (ἐπὶ) bedrock.² Apparently the translators picked one of these two images and stuck with it.

Again, in John 3:18 κρίνεται (another form of κρίνω) was translated condemned in the KJV and NET and judged in the NAS. Whatever God did not send his Son into (εἰς) the world to do in verse 17 was not done to the one who believes in (εἰς) Him. The one who does not believe has been condemned already.³ The Greek word translated condemned in the KJV and NET and judged in the NAS is κέκριται (another form of κρίνω). So whatever God did not send his Son into (εἰς) the world to do is done already to the one who does not believe…because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.⁴ So what is it that God did not send his Son into the world to do, that was not done to those who believe in the Son of God, but done already to those who do not believe? Here is where the three translations diverge.

	KJV	NAS	NET
3:19	And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.	“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.	Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

In the KJV and NAS the condemnation or judgment that God did not send his Son into the world to do, that was not done to those who believe in the Son of God, but was done already to those who do not believe was that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light (KJV), and that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light (NAS) respectively. In the NET the condemnation is not clearly defined, only that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light is the basis for making an unspecified condemnation (or, judgment, as the case may be).

Here the Greek word is κρίσις. The translators of the KJV and NAS treated κρίσις as if it were the noun of the verb κρίνω. The translators of the NET did not. The translators of the NET are probably about my age. I assume they were socialized into a gospel similar to mine: believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or burn in hell for all eternity. Their translation of John 3:16-19 certainly supports that gospel. The unspecified condemnation, then, would be to burn in hell for all eternity. It is just; it is justice because light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light. In other words, Jesus has been here and gone and people prefer their sins to Jesus’ righteousness. Why are people like this? Because their deeds [are] evil. So people loving darkness rather than light when light has come into the world is a basis for judging them. It makes perfect sense relative to the gospel I was socialized into, but is it what the Scripture says?

I was surprised to discover that John 3:1-15 didn’t necessarily support ⁵ “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or burn in hell for all eternity.” But I could let it go because I was confident that John 3:16-21 was completely clear on the matter. Now that confidence is shaken and it is that much more difficult for me to let go. Every thought, every word comes slowly. But I will consider the alternative implications of κρίσις being the noun that is equivalent to the verb κρίνω.

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (κρίνῃ, another form of κρίνω; NET condemn) the world…”

John 3:17a (NAS) Table

“Do not judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) so that you will not be judged (κριθῆτε, another form of κρίνω). For by the standard you judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) you will be judged (κριθήσεσθε, another form of κρίνω), and the measure you use will be the measure you receive” [Table].

Matthew 7:1, 2 (NET)

Now this is the basis for judging (κρίσις): that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19 (NET)

Speak and act as those who will be judged (κρίνεσθαι, another form of κρίνω) by a law that gives freedom. For judgment (κρίσις) is merciless⁶ for the one who has shown no mercy. But⁷ mercy⁸ triumphs over judgment (κρίσεως, a form of κρίσις).

James 2:12, 13 (NET)

In this round I began with the NAS translation, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (κρίνῃ; NET condemn) the world…”⁹ The word κρίνῃ (a form of κρίνω) was only used once in the New Testament. I can’t say that judge is a better translation than condemn. I can only observe the symmetries if judge were accepted as the better translation. If the Father did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, then it makes perfect sense that Jesus taught his disciples not to judge: “Do not judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) so that you will not be judged (κριθῆτε, another form of κρίνω). For by the standard you judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) you will be judged (κριθήσεσθε, another form of κρίνω), and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”¹⁰

The Greek words κρίνετε, κριθῆτε and κριθήσεσθε are also forms of κρίνω and are translated do judge and you judge, and you will be judged in the NET. The negation comes from Μὴ in the first instance of κρίνετε (Μὴ κρίνετε, Do not judge) and μὴ κριθῆτε (you will not be judged [‘Μ’ is the uppercase and ‘μ’ the lowercase of the letter ‘mu’ in the Greek alphabet]). And this is a “qualified negation” according to Strong’s Concordance as compared to the “absolute denial” of οὐ, the negation used in God did not (οὐ) send his Son into the world to condemn (or, judge) the world,¹¹ and, The one who believes in him is not (οὐ) condemned (or, judged).¹²

It also makes sense to me that Jesus’ half-brother James would have a handle on judging, judgment and mercy from growing up in the home with his elder brother, while Paul the former Pharisee had to learn that lesson sometime after he wrote 1 Corinthians 5 and before Galatians 6:1-5. Another thing worth noting is that the NET translators treated κρίσις as if it were the noun for the verb κρίνεσθαι (another form of κρίνω): Speak and act as those who will be judged (κρίνεσθαι) by a law that gives freedom. For judgment (κρίσις) is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment (κρίσεως).¹³ And finally, κρίσις was translated simply judgment. There is nothing intrinsic to the word ending that justifies translating it the basis for judging in John 3:19 (NET).

Addendum: September 30, 2025
According to a note (13) in the NET Paul quoted from Isaiah 28:16 in Romans 10:11. The following table compares the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 10:11b (NET Parallel Greek)	Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint BLB) Table	Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint Elpenor)
πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οὐ καταισχυνθήσεται	ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ	ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ
Romans 10:11b (NET)	Isaiah 28:16b (NETS)	Isaiah 28:16b (English Elpenor)
Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame	the one who believes in him will not be put to shame	he that believes [on him] shall by no means be ashamed

Tables comparing Luke 6:48 and James 2:13 in the KJV and NET follow.

Luke 6:48 (NET)	Luke 6:48 (KJV)
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built.	He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luke 6:48 (NET Parallel Greek)	Luke 6:48 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	Luke 6:48 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὅμοιος ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδομοῦντι οἰκίαν ὃς ἔσκαψεν καὶ ἐβάθυνεν καὶ ἔθηκεν θεμέλιον ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν· πλημμύρης δὲ γενομένης προσέρηξεν ὁ ποταμὸς τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσεν σαλεῦσαι αὐτὴν διὰ τὸ καλῶς οἰκοδομῆσθαι αὐτήν	ομοιος εστιν ανθρωπω οικοδομουντι οικιαν ος εσκαψεν και εβαθυνεν και εθηκεν θεμελιον επι την πετραν πλημμυρας δε γενομενης προσερρηξεν ο ποταμος τη οικια εκεινη και ουκ ισχυσεν σαλευσαι αυτην τεθεμελιωτο γαρ επι την πετραν	ομοιος εστιν ανθρωπω οικοδομουντι οικιαν ος εσκαψεν και εβαθυνεν και εθηκεν θεμελιον επι την πετραν πλημμυρας δε γενομενης προσερρηξεν ο ποταμος τη οικια εκεινη και ουκ ισχυσεν σαλευσαι αυτην τεθεμελιωτο γαρ επι την πετραν

James 2:13 (NET)	James 2:13 (KJV)
For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.	For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

James 2:13 (NET Parallel Greek)	James 2:13 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	James 2:13 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἡ γὰρ κρίσις ἀνέλεος τῷ μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος· κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως	η γαρ κρισις ανιλεως τω μη ποιησαντι ελεος και κατακαυχαται ελεος κρισεως	η γαρ κρισις ανελεος τω μη ποιησαντι ελεος κατακαυχαται ελεον κρισεως

Son of God – John, Part 3

Back to Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 4

Back to A Door of Hope, Part 1

Back to Keep Yourselves From Idols, Part 3

¹ John 3:16b (NET) Table

² Luke 6:48 (NET)

³ John 3:18b (NET)

⁴ John 3:18b (NET)

⁵ I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter (εἰσελθεῖν) the kingdom of God (John 3:5 NET [Table]), may provide support for “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or burn in hell for all eternity.” On the other hand it may have been Jesus’ way of turning a phrase when Nicodemus said, He cannot enter (εἰσελθεῖν) his mother’s womb and be born a second time (John 3:4 NET).

⁶ The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text had the adjective ἀνέλεος here, which could be masculine or feminine, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the feminine adjective ανιλεως (KJV: without mercy). Both modify the noun κρίσις, judgment, which is feminine.

⁷ The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the conjunction και (KJV: and) here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

⁸ The NET parallel Greek text, NA²⁸ and Stephanus Textus Receptus had ἔλεος in the nominative case here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had ελεον in the accusative case.

⁹ John 3:17a (NAS) Table

¹⁰ Matthew 7:1, 2 (NET) Table

¹¹ John 3:17a (NET) Table

¹² John 3:18a (NET)

¹³ James 2:12, 13 (NET)

Romans, Part 39

Posted on February 17, 2013 by admin

Paul wrote that the Lord richly blesses all who call (ἐπικαλουμένους, a form of ἐπικαλέω) on him.¹ When he was sent by the Lord to Paul (then called Saul) Ananias said, Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on (ἐπικαλουμένους, a form of ἐπικαλέω) your name!² As Paul [Saul] began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God (υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ).” All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on (ἐπικαλουμένους, a form of ἐπικαλέω) this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?”³

For everyone who calls (ἐπικαλέσηται, another form of ἐπικαλέω) on the name of the Lord will be saved,⁴ Paul continued in Romans, quoting the same verse from the prophet Joel that Peter quoted in his first sermon on Pentecost.⁵ Then he asked a series of rhetorical questions: How are they to call on (ἐπικαλέσωνται, another form of ἐπικαλέω) one they have not believed in (ἐπίστευσαν, a form of πιστεύω)? And how are they to believe (πιστεύσωσιν, another form of πιστεύω) in one they have not heard of (ἤκουσαν, a form of ἀκούω)? And how are they to hear (ἀκούσωσιν, another form of ἀκούω) without someone preaching (κηρύσσοντος, a form of κηρύσσω) to them? And how are they to preach (κηρύξωσιν, another form of κηρύσσω) unless they are sent (ἀποσταλῶσιν, a form of ἀποστέλλω)?⁶

To put this back into temporal order: 1) The Lord sent Apostles to preach. 2) The Apostles preached to those who heard. 3) Those who heard believed. 4) Those who believed called on the name of the Lord. 5) [E]veryone who calls (ἐπικαλέσηται, another form of ἐπικαλέω) on the name of the Lord will be saved. Then Paul capped off this section with what has always sounded to me like a eulogy of the Apostles’ feet, but the NET translators cracked the idiom and present it as a eulogy of God’s timing: How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.⁷ But I think to really grasp what Paul was wrestling with I have to add another step, his assumption that 6) all Israel will be saved, as it is written…⁸

But not all have obeyed (ὑπήκουσαν, a form of ὑπακούω) the good news,⁹ Paul continued. To translate ὑπήκουσαν obeyed here, disrupts the obvious flow of Paul’s thought. Paul referred back to step 3) above, And how are they to believe (πιστεύσωσιν, another form of πιστεύω) in one they have not heard of (ἤκουσαν, a form of ἀκούω)? Here are the possible definitions of ὑπήκουσαν in the NET online Bible: “1) to listen, to harken 1a) of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is, (the duty of a porter) 2) to harken to a command 2a) to obey, be obedient to, submit to.” I think Paul deliberately equated ὑπήκουσαν with ἤκουσαν. But not all have [listened to] the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed (ἐπίστευσεν, another form of πιστεύω) our report (ἀκοῇ, a form of ἀκοή)?”¹⁰

Consequently faith (πίστις) comes from what is heard (ἀκοῆς, another form of ἀκοὴ), Paul continued, and what is heard (ἀκοὴ) comes through the…word (ρήματος, a form of ῥῆμα) of Christ.¹¹ I deliberately left out the word preached (preached word of Christ) because as I said elsewhere I believe that Paul meant something like what is heard comes through the word (or, utterance) of Christ (or, God). The note (21) in the NET reads: “The genitive could be understood as either subjective (‘Christ does the speaking’) or objective (‘Christ is spoken about’), but the latter is more likely here.” And I am contending, more likely to whom? to Paul?

Two men heard the same Gospel preached by the same Apostle. The πόρνος believed. The Pharisee did not. It is common to assume that the difference was something intrinsic to the believer, some wisdom, some virtue. After all we call the believer good and the unbeliever evil. The good believe and are saved. The evil do not believe and are not saved. But Paul knew that he was not looking for Christ when he was arrested on the road to Damascus. Christ’s salvation was what happened to him while he was busy making other plans.¹²

I don’t think Paul was looking to the human individual for a reason why some believe and some do not, but to God. I think Paul wrote that faith comes from what is heard, the Gospel he preached, and what is heard comes through the…word of Christ, that is Christ (or God) saying something like, “hear…now.” Perhaps this becomes clearer in the negative in the next chapter when Paul wrote about a remnant chosen by grace:¹³ The rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”¹⁴

The first thing that came to my mind when I began to hear Paul that way was, “Why does [God] still find fault? For who has ever resisted his will?”¹⁵ Of course, Paul already knew my objection and countered it in the previous chapter (Romans 9:20-23 NET):

But who indeed are you – a mere human being – to talk back to God?¹⁶ Does what is molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?”¹⁶ Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use? But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? And what if he is willing to make known the wealth of his glory on the objects of mercy that he has prepared beforehand for glory…

But I ask, have they not heard (ἤκουσαν, a form of ἀκούω)?¹⁷ Paul continued. And his answer was, Yes, they have (μενοῦνγε),¹⁸ in the sense that the message has gone out and they were “endowed with the faculty of hearing;” they were “not deaf.” Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.¹⁹ But there are other meanings listed in the NET online Bible for ἤκουσαν: “1) to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf 2) to hear 2b) to attend to, consider what is or has been said 2c) to understand, perceive the sense of what is said 3) to hear something 3a) to perceive by the ear what is announced in one’s presence 3b) to get by hearing learn 3c) a thing comes to one’s ears, to find out, learn 3d) to give ear to a teaching or a teacher 3e) to comprehend, to understand.” I doubt that Paul meant definitions 2b) through 3e), with the possible exception of 3) and 3a). What they lacked was that ρήματος Χριστοῦ (word of Christ)

But again I ask, didn’t Israel understand (ἔγνω, a form of γινώσκω)? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger.” And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.”²⁰ Here Paul allowed the expected negative response to his question to stand, and reinforced his first question: Yes, they were told what to expect by Moses and Isaiah, but no, they did not understand the message. For ignoring (ἀγνοοῦντες, a form of ἀγνοέω literally, being ignorant of) the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.²¹

But about Israel [Isaiah] says, Paul concluded, “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient (ἀπειθοῦντα, a form of ἀπειθέω) and stubborn (ἀντιλέγοντα, a form of ἀντίλεγω) people!”²² I’ll conclude this essay with the definitions from the NET online Bible.

ἀπειθοῦντα: “1) not to allow one’s self to be persuaded 1a) to refuse or withhold belief 1b) to refuse belief and obedience 2) not to comply with.”

ἀντιλέγοντα: “1) to speak against, gainsay, contradict 2) to oppose one’s self to one, decline to obey him, declare one’s self against him, refuse to have anything to do with him.”

Addendum: September 15, 2025
According to a note (6) in the NET, Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10 in Romans 11:8. The following tables compare the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Romans 11:8b (NET Parallel Greek)	Deuteronomy 29:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Deuteronomy 29:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα κατανύξεως, ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν, ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας	οὐκ ἔδωκεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῖν καρδίαν εἰδέναι καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης	οὐκ ἔδωκε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῖν καρδίαν εἰδέναι καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
Romans 11:8b (NET)	Deuteronomy 29:4 (NETS)	Deuteronomy 29:3 (English Elpenor)
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”	to this day the Lord God has not given you a heart to know and eyes to see and ears to hear.	the Lord God has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, until this day.

Romans 11:8b (NET Parallel Greek)	Isaiah 29:10 (Septuagint BLB) Table	Isaiah 29:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα κατανύξεως, ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν, ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας	ὅτι πεπότικεν ὑμᾶς κύριος πνεύματι κατανύξεως καὶ καμμύσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν οἱ ὁρῶντες τὰ κρυπτά	ὅτι πεπότικεν ὑμᾶς Κύριος πνεύματι κατανύξεως καὶ καμμύσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν, οἱ ὁρῶντες τὰ κρυπτά
Romans 11:8b (NET)	Isaiah 29:10 (NETS)	Isaiah 29:10 (English Elpenor)
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”	Because the Lord has made you drink with a spirit of deep sleep; he will close your eyes and those of their prophets and of their rulers—	For the Lord has made you to drink a spirit of deep sleep; and he shall close their eyes, and [the eyes] of their prophets and of their rulers, who see secret things.

Tables comparing Deuteronomy 29:4 (29:3) and Isaiah 29:10 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Deuteronomy 29:4 (29:3) and Isaiah 29:10 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Deuteronomy 29:3 (Tanakh)	Deuteronomy 29:4 (KJV)	Deuteronomy 29:4 (NET)
but HaShem hath not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.	Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.	But to this very day the Lord has not given you an understanding mind, perceptive eyes, or discerning ears!

Deuteronomy 29:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Deuteronomy 29:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῖν καρδίαν εἰδέναι καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης	καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῖν καρδίαν εἰδέναι καὶ ὀφθαλμοὺς βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
Deuteronomy 29:4 (NETS)	Deuteronomy 29:3 (English Elpenor)
But to this day the Lord God has not given you a heart to know and eyes to see and ears to hear.	Yet the Lord God has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, until this day.

Isaiah 29:10 (Tanakh)	Isaiah 29:10 (KJV)	Isaiah 29:10 (NET)
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.	For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.	For the Lord has poured out on you a strong urge to sleep deeply. He has shut your eyes (you prophets), and covered your heads (you seers).

Isaiah 29:10 (Septuagint BLB)	Isaiah 29:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὅτι πεπότικεν ὑμᾶς κύριος πνεύματι κατανύξεως καὶ καμμύσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν οἱ ὁρῶντες τὰ κρυπτά	ὅτι πεπότικεν ὑμᾶς Κύριος πνεύματι κατανύξεως καὶ καμμύσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν προφητῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν, οἱ ὁρῶντες τὰ κρυπτά
Isaiah 29:10 (NETS)	Isaiah 29:10 (English Elpenor)
Because the Lord has made you drink with a spirit of deep sleep; he will close your eyes and those of their prophets and of their rulers—	For the Lord has made you to drink a spirit of deep sleep; and he shall close their eyes, and [the eyes] of their prophets and of their rulers, who see secret things.

Romans, Part 40

Back to Romans, Part 13

Back to Son of God – John, Part 5

Back to Saving Demons, Part 1

Back to Romans, Part 49

Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 4

Back to Atonement, Part 11

¹ Romans 10:12b (NET)

² Acts 9:13, 14 (NET) Table

³ Acts 9:20, 21 (NET)

⁴ Romans 10:13 (NET) Quote Comparison

⁵ Acts 2:21 (NET)

⁶ Romans 10:14, 15a (NET) Table

⁷ Romans 10:15b (NET) Table Quote Comparison

⁸ Romans 11:26a (NET) Table

⁹ Romans 10:16a (NET)

¹⁰ Romans 10:16 (NET)

¹¹ Romans 10:17 (NET) Table

¹² From Quote Origin: Life is What Happens To You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans on Quote Investigator online.

¹³ Romans 11:5b (NET)

¹⁴ Romans 11:7b, 8 (NET)

¹⁵ Romans 9:19 (NET) Table

¹⁶ Quote Comparison

¹⁷ Romans 10:18a (NET)

¹⁸ NET Note 24: “Here the particle μενοῦνγε (menounge) is correcting the negative response expected by the particle μή (mh) in the preceding question. Since the question has been translated positively, the translation was changed here to reflect that rendering.”

¹⁹ Romans 10:18b (NET) Quote Comparison

²⁰ Romans 10:19, 20 (NET) Table Quote Comparison

²¹ Romans 10:3 (NET)

²² Romans 10:21 (NET) Quote Comparison

Fear – Genesis, Part 7

Posted on February 16, 2013 by admin

The grain Joseph’s brothers brought back from Egypt didn’t outlast the famine. “Return, buy us a little more food,” their father said. But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother [Joseph’s younger brother Benjamin] with us, we’ll go down and buy food for you. But if you will not send him, we won’t go down there because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”¹

At first Jacob (also called Israel by God) remained reluctant. When Judah reminded him how the Egyptian [their brother Joseph] had questioned them, and promised to be surety for Benjamin, their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take a gift down to the man – a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. Take double the money with you; you must take back the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks – perhaps it was an oversight.”² This reminds me of the strategy Jacob employed when he returned home and met his estranged brother Esau.³

But Israel continued, “Take your brother too, and go right away to the man. May the sovereign God grant you mercy before the man so that he may release your other brother and Benjamin! As for me, if I lose my children I lose them.”⁴

You are making me childless! Jacob had complained to his sons. Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want to take Benjamin! Everything is against me.⁵ But Israel was willing to trust the sovereign God with the outcome. Yes, they are the same man, but it reminds me of those born of the flesh of Adam and born from above of the Spirit of God. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, Paul wrote the Galatians, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.⁶

Joseph’s brothers returned with Benjamin to Egypt. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, “Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon.” The man did just as Joseph said; he brought the men into Joseph’s house.⁷ Joseph invited his brothers to a meal, but the men were afraid (yārē’, וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ) when they were brought to Joseph’s house. They said, “We are being brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks last time. He wants to capture us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys!”⁸ As far as I can tell the rabbis who translated the Septuagint left this particular fear out of their Greek translation.

Joseph’s brothers approached the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. They said, “My lord, we did indeed come down the first time to buy food. But when we came to the place where we spent the night, we opened our sacks and each of us found his money – the full amount – in the mouth of his sack. So we have returned it. We have brought additional money with us to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks!”⁹

“Everything is fine,” the man in charge of Joseph’s household told them. “Don’t be afraid (yârêʼ, תִּירָ֗אוּ). Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.¹⁰ In Greek in the Septuagint afraid was φοβεῖσθε (a form of φοβέω). Do not be afraid (φοβεῖσθε) of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, Jesus told his disciples. Instead, fear¹¹ (φοβεῖσθε) the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.¹² Jesus was sending them to their deaths. That sounds ominous, but Jesus is sending all of us to our deaths whether we believe Him or not. One may die a martyr serving the Savior, another may choke out his last breath from advanced emphysema or heart failure or a brain tumor, but (with the possible exception of those alive and trusting Christ at the time of His return) we are all going to die, or sleep as the New Testament writers seemed to prefer to call it.

The one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell is either God the Father, or the Lord Jesus Himself if I take his teaching literally: For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. Furthermore, the Father does not judge anyone, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him [Table].¹³ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me [Table], Jesus said. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit [Table], teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age [Table].¹⁴

So Matthew 10:28 contains a New Testament occurrence of the fear of the Lord. It’s also a no-win scenario for Bible translators. The first part of Jesus’ statement is fairly clear: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Jesus doesn’t want his followers to be terrified into fleeing from, or struck with fear by, those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. He doesn’t want that fear to stop one from believing or even professing faith in Him.

Still there are other definitions of φοβεῖσθε listed in the NET online Bible. There may be plenty of good reason to be “startled by strange sights or occurrences,” “struck with amazement,” even “to fear” or “be afraid of one” posing some irrational threat of violence. It is wise at times “to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm).” It is necessary for conscience’ sake “to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience” those in authority, even those who would kill the body for professing faith in Jesus Christ. And the negation in this quotation is μὴ, the qualified as opposed to the absolute negation according to Strong’s Concordance.

Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell,¹⁵ Jesus continued. It is fairly obvious that Jesus was not telling his disciples to flee in terror from Him, but to “reverence, venerate, to treat [Him] with deference or reverential obedience.” Of course if the translators had translated φοβεῖσθε reverence here, I might have complained that they were obscuring the fact that both words were φοβεῖσθε. Jesus made his point perfectly clear as He continued, Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid¹⁶ (φοβεῖσθε); you are more valuable than many sparrows.¹⁷ And again, the negation is μὴ, the qualified as opposed to the absolute negation so as not to conflict with the command to fear or reverence Him.

Up to this point in the story Joseph’s brothers feared God’s punishment: Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, they had said to one another, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!¹⁸ But I think something changed in them after everything they’d been through, when Joseph’s steward said: Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.¹⁹

So that day they ate and drank with Joseph until they all became drunk.²⁰ But Joseph still didn’t reveal his identity. In fact, he tormented them again. He had his servant return all their money in their sacks, and hide the cup he used for divination in Benjamin’s sack. They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to the servant who was over his household, “Pursue the men at once! When you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?’”²¹ This time, however, the brothers were indignant rather than fearful.

“Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! Look, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If one of us has it, he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves!”²²

“You have suggested your own punishment!” Joseph’s servant replied. “The one who has it will become my slave, but the rest of you will go free.”²³ This, I think, is the tipoff to Joseph’s plan. His servant knew Joseph wanted Benjamin alive even though he had no suspicion why. Joseph, after seeing Benjamin, had to leave the room again, for he was overcome by affection for his brother and was at the point of tears.²⁴ And Joseph knew the famine would continue, for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting,²⁵ he said. By arresting Benjamin Joseph could both spend time with him and guarantee his brothers’ return for more grain. But his brothers upended his scheme.

When Joseph’s servant found the divination cup exactly where he had placed it in Benjamin’s sack, his brothers did not abandon their younger sibling to his fate. They all tore their clothes! [a sign of mourning or repentance] Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.²⁶

Addendum: September 3, 2025
Tables comparing Genesis 43:2; 43:3; 43:4; 43:5; 43:11; 43:12; 43:13; 43:16; 43:17; 43:18; 43:19; 43:20; 43:21; 43:22; 43:23; 43:34; 44:4; 44:7; 44:8; 44:9; 44:10; 43:30; 45:6 and 44:13 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Genesis 43:2 (43:1); 43:3 (43:2); 43:4 (43:3); 43:5 (43:4); 43:11 (43:10); 43:12 (43:11); 43:13 (43:12); 43:16 (43:15); 43:17 (43:16); 43:18 (43:17); 43:19 (43:18); 43:20 (43:19); 43:21 (43:20); 43:22 (43:21); 43:23 (43:22); 43:34 (43:33); 44:4; 44:7; 44:8; 44:9; 44:10; 43:30 (43:29); 45:6 and 44:13 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and a table comparing Matthew 10:31 in the NET and KJV follow.

Genesis 43:2 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:2 (KJV)	Genesis 43:2 (NET)
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, that their father said unto them: ‘Go again, buy us a little food.’	And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.	When they finished eating the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Return, buy us a little more food.”

Genesis 43:2 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα συνετέλεσαν καταφαγεῖν τὸν σῖτον ὃν ἤνεγκαν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν πάλιν πορευθέντες πρίασθε ἡμῖν μικρὰ βρώματα	ΕΓΕΝΕΤΟ δὲ ἡνίκα συνετέλεσαν καταφαγεῖν τὸν σῖτον, ὃν ἤνεγκαν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν· πάλιν πορευθέντες πρίασθε ἡμῖν μικρὰ βρώματα
Genesis 43:2 (NETS)	Genesis 43:1 (English Elpenor)
And it came about when they had finished eating up the grain that they had brought from Egypt, that then their father said to them, “Again go purchase a few provisions for us.”	And it came to pass, when they had finished eating the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, that their father said to them, Go again; buy us a little food.

Genesis 43:3 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:3 (KJV)	Genesis 43:3 (NET)
And Judah spoke unto him, saying: ‘The man did earnestly forewarn us, saying: Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.	And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.	But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Genesis 43:3 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ Ιουδας λέγων διαμαρτυρίᾳ διαμεμαρτύρηται ἡμῖν ὁ ἄνθρωπος λέγων οὐκ ὄψεσθε τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ᾖ	εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ᾿Ιούδας λέγων· διαμαρτυρίᾳ μεμαρτύρηται ἡμῖν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς λέγων· οὐκ ὄψεσθε τὸ πρόσωπόν μου, ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ᾖ·
Genesis 43:3 (NETS)	Genesis 43:2 (English Elpenor)
But Ioudas spoke to him, saying, “With a solemn declaration the man has solemnly declared to us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your younger brother be with you.’	And Judas spoke to him, saying, The man, the lord of the country, positively testified to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, unless your younger brother be with you.

Genesis 43:4 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:4 (KJV)	Genesis 43:4 (NET)
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food;	If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:	If you send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy food for you.

Genesis 43:4 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἰ μὲν οὖν ἀποστέλλεις τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν καταβησόμεθα καὶ ἀγοράσωμέν σοι βρώματα	εἰ μὲν οὖν ἀποστέλλῃς τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, καταβησόμεθα, καὶ ἀγοράσομέν σοι βρώματα
Genesis 43:4 (NETS)	Genesis 43:3 (English Elpenor)
If, therefore, you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you provisions,	If, then, thou send our brother with us, we will go down, and buy thee food;

Genesis 43:5 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:5 (KJV)	Genesis 43:5 (NET)
but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down, for the man said unto us: Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.’	But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.	But if you will not send him, we won’t go down there because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

Genesis 43:5 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀποστέλλεις τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν οὐ πορευσόμεθα ὁ γὰρ ἄνθρωπος εἶπεν ἡμῖν λέγων οὐκ ὄψεσθέ μου τὸ πρόσωπον ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ᾖ	εἰ δὲ μὴ ἀποστέλλῃς τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἡμῶν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, οὐ πορευσόμεθα. ὁ γὰρ ἄνθρωπος εἶπεν ἡμῖν, λέγων· οὐκ ὄψεσθέ μου τὸ πρόσωπον, ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ᾖ
Genesis 43:5 (NETS)	Genesis 43:4 (English Elpenor)
but if you do not send our brother with us, we will not go, for the man spoke to us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your younger brother be with you.’”	but if thou send not our brother with us, we will not go: for the man spoke to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, unless your younger brother be with you.

Genesis 43:11 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:11 (KJV)	Genesis 43:11 (NET)
And their father Israel said unto them: ‘If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and ladanum, nuts, and almonds;	And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:	Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take a gift down to the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.

Genesis 43:11 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ισραηλ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν εἰ οὕτως ἐστίν τοῦτο ποιήσατε λάβετε ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς ἐν τοῖς ἀγγείοις ὑμῶν καὶ καταγάγετε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ δῶρα τῆς ῥητίνης καὶ τοῦ μέλιτος θυμίαμα καὶ στακτὴν καὶ τερέμινθον καὶ κάρυα	εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ᾿Ισραὴλ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν· εἰ οὕτως ἐστί, τοῦτο ποιήσατε· λάβετε ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς ἐν τοῖς ἀγγείοις ὑμῶν καὶ καταγάγετε τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ δῶρα τῆς ρητίνης καὶ τοῦ μέλιτος, θυμίαμά τε καὶ στακτὴν καὶ τερέβινθον καὶ κάρυα
Genesis 43:11 (NETS)	Genesis 43:10 (English Elpenor)
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it is so, do this: take some of the fruits of the land in your containers, and bring down presents to the man, some pine resin and some honey, incense and oil and myrrh and terebinth and nuts.	And Israel, their father, said to them, If it be so, do this; take of the fruits of the earth in your vessels, and carry down to the man presents of gum and honey, and frankincense, and stacte, and turpentine, and walnuts.

Genesis 43:12 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:12 (KJV)	Genesis 43:12 (NET)
and take double money in your hand; and the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks carry back in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight;	And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:	Take double the money with you; you must take back the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks—perhaps it was an oversight.

Genesis 43:12 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον δισσὸν λάβετε ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ὑμῶν τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ ἀποστραφὲν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ὑμῶν ἀποστρέψατε μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν μήποτε ἀγνόημά ἐστιν	καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον δισσὸν λάβετε ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ὑμῶν· καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ ἀποστραφὲν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ὑμῶν ἀποστρέψατε μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν· μή ποτε ἀγνόημά ἐστι
Genesis 43:12 (NETS)	Genesis 43:11 (English Elpenor)
And take twice the money in your hands; bring back with you that money that was returned in your bags; perhaps it is a mistake.	And take double money in your hands, and the money that was returned in your sacks, carry back with you, lest peradventure it is a mistake.

Genesis 43:13 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:13 (KJV)	Genesis 43:13 (NET)
take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man;	Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:	Take your brother too, and go right away to the man.

Genesis 43:13 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν λάβετε καὶ ἀναστάντες κατάβητε πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον	καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν λάβετε καὶ ἀναστάντες κατάβητε πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον
Genesis 43:13 (NETS)	Genesis 43:12 (English Elpenor)
Take your brother also and rise, go down to the man.	And take your brother; and arise, go down to the man.

Genesis 43:16 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:16 (KJV)	Genesis 43:16 (NET)
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house: ‘Bring the men into the house, and kill the beasts, and prepare the meat; for the men shall dine with me at noon.’	And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.	When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, “Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon.”

Genesis 43:16 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶδεν δὲ Ιωσηφ αὐτοὺς καὶ τὸν Βενιαμιν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν ὁμομήτριον καὶ εἶπεν τῷ ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ εἰσάγαγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ σφάξον θύματα καὶ ἑτοίμασον μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ γὰρ φάγονται οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἄρτους τὴν μεσημβρίαν	εἶδε δὲ ᾿Ιωσὴφ αὐτοὺς καὶ τὸν Βενιαμὶν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν ὁμομήτριον καὶ εἶπε τῷ ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ· εἰσάγαγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ σφάξον θύματα καὶ ἑτοίμασον· μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ γὰρ φάγονται οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἄρτους τὴν μεσημβρίαν
Genesis 43:16 (NETS)	Genesis 43:15 (English Elpenor)
And Ioseph saw them and his brother Beniamin, and he said to the one in charge of his household, “Bring the men in to the house, and slaughter animals, and make ready, for the men shall eat bread loaves with me during the noon hour.”	And Joseph saw them and his brother Benjamin, born of the same mother; and he said to the steward of his household, Bring the men into the house, and slay beasts and make ready, for the men are to eat bread with me at noon.

Genesis 43:17 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:17 (KJV)	Genesis 43:17 (NET)
And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.	And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.	The man did just as Joseph said; he brought the men into Joseph’s house.

Genesis 43:17 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐποίησεν δὲ ὁ ἄνθρωπος καθὰ εἶπεν Ιωσηφ καὶ εἰσήγαγεν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς τὸν οἶκον Ιωσηφ	ἐποίησε δὲ ὁ ἄνθρωπος, καθὰ εἶπεν ᾿Ιωσήφ, καὶ εἰσήγαγε τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς τὸν οἶκον ᾿Ιωσήφ
Genesis 43:17 (NETS)	Genesis 43:16 (English Elpenor)
And the man did just as Ioseph said, and he brought the men in to the house of Ioseph.	And the man did as Joseph said; and he brought the men into the house of Joseph.

Genesis 43:18 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:18 (KJV)	Genesis 43:18 (NET)
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said: ‘Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.’	And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.	But the men were afraid when they were brought to Joseph’s house. They said, “We are being brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks last time. He wants to capture us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys!”

Genesis 43:18 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἄνθρωποι ὅτι εἰσήχθησαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον Ιωσηφ εἶπαν διὰ τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ ἀποστραφὲν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ἡμῶν τὴν ἀρχὴν ἡμεῖς εἰσαγόμεθα τοῦ συκοφαντῆσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπιθέσθαι ἡμῖν τοῦ λαβεῖν ἡμᾶς εἰς παῖδας καὶ τοὺς ὄνους ἡμῶν	ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἄνδρες ὅτι εἰσήχθησαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ᾿Ιωσήφ, εἶπαν· διὰ τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ ἀποστραφὲν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ἡμῶν τὴν ἀρχὴν ἡμεῖς εἰσαγόμεθα τοῦ συκοφαντῆσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐπιθέσθαι ἡμῖν τοῦ λαβεῖν ἡμᾶς εἰς παῖδας καὶ τοὺς ὄνους ἡμῶν
Genesis 43:18 (NETS)	Genesis 43:17 (English Elpenor)
Now when the men saw that they were brought in to Ioseph’s house, they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our bags at first we are being brought in so that he may accuse us falsely and set upon us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”	And the men, when they perceived that they were brought into the house of Joseph, said, We are brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first; even in order to inform against us, and lay it to our charge; to take us for servants, and our asses.

Genesis 43:19 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:19 (KJV)	Genesis 43:19 (NET)
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke unto him at the door of the house,	And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,	So they approached the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.

Genesis 43:19 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
προσελθόντες δὲ πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ οἴκου Ιωσηφ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ πυλῶνι τοῦ οἴκου	προσελθόντες δὲ πρὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ πυλῶνι τοῦ οἴκου
Genesis 43:19 (NETS)	Genesis 43:18 (English Elpenor)
And going to the man who was in charge of Ioseph’s house, they spoke with him in the gateway of the house,	And having approached the man who was over the house of Joseph, they spoke to him in the porch of the house,

Genesis 43:20 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:20 (KJV)	Genesis 43:20 (NET)
and said: ‘Oh my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food.	And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:	They said, “My lord, we did indeed come down the first time to buy food.

Genesis 43:20 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
λέγοντες δεόμεθα κύριε κατέβημεν τὴν ἀρχὴν πρίασθαι βρώματα	λέγοντες· δεόμεθα, κύριε, κατέβημεν τὴν ἀρχὴν πρίασθαι βρώματα
Genesis 43:20 (NETS)	Genesis 43:19 (English Elpenor)
saying, “We plead, lord; we came down at first to purchase provisions.	saying, We pray [thee], Sir; we came down at first to buy food.

Genesis 43:21 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:21 (KJV)	Genesis 43:21 (NET)
And it came to pass, when we came to the lodging-place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; and we have brought it back in our hand.	And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.	But when we came to the place where we spent the night, we opened our sacks and each of us found his money—the full amount—in the mouth of his sack. So we have returned it.

Genesis 43:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα ἤλθομεν εἰς τὸ καταλῦσαι καὶ ἠνοίξαμεν τοὺς μαρσίππους ἡμῶν καὶ τόδε τὸ ἀργύριον ἑκάστου ἐν τῷ μαρσίππῳ αὐτοῦ τὸ ἀργύριον ἡμῶν ἐν σταθμῷ ἀπεστρέψαμεν νῦν ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν	ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα ἤλθομεν εἰς τὸ καταλῦσαι καὶ ἠνοίξαμεν τοὺς μαρσίππους ἡμῶν, καὶ τόδε τὸ ἀργύριον ἑκάστου ἐν τῷ μαρσίππῳ αὐτοῦ· τὸ ἀργύριον ἡμῶν ἐν σταθμῷ ἀπεστρέψαμεν νῦν ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν
Genesis 43:21 (NETS)	Genesis 43:20 (English Elpenor)
Now it came about when we came to the lodging and opened our bags, that then there was the money of each one in his bag! Our money by weight we have now brought back in our hands,	And it came to pass, when we came to unlade, and opened our sacks, [there was] also this money of each in his sack; we have now brought back our money by weight in our hands.

Genesis 43:22 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:22 (KJV)	Genesis 43:22 (NET)
And other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food. We know not who put our money in our sacks.’	And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.	We have brought additional money with us to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks!”

Genesis 43:22 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἀργύριον ἕτερον ἠνέγκαμεν μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν ἀγοράσαι βρώματα οὐκ οἴδαμεν τίς ἐνέβαλεν τὸ ἀργύριον εἰς τοὺς μαρσίππους ἡμῶν	καὶ ἀργύριον ἕτερον ἠνέγκαμεν μεθ᾿ ἑαυτῶν ἀγοράσαι βρώματα· οὐκ οἴδαμεν, τίς ἐνέβαλε τὸ ἀργύριον εἰς τοὺς μαρσίππους ἡμῶν
Genesis 43:22 (NETS)	Genesis 43:21 (English Elpenor)
and we have brought with ourselves other money to buy provisions. We do not know who put our money into our bags.”	And we have brought other money with us to buy food; we know not who put the money into our sacks.

Genesis 43:23 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:23 (KJV)	Genesis 43:23 (NET)
And he said: ‘Peace be to you, fear not; your G-d, and the G-d of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.’ And he brought Simeon out unto them.	And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.	“Everything is fine,” the man in charge of Joseph’s household told them. “Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Genesis 43:23 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς ἵλεως ὑμῖν μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ὑμῶν τὸ δὲ ἀργύριον ὑμῶν εὐδοκιμοῦν ἀπέχω καὶ ἐξήγαγεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν Συμεων	εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· ἵλεως ὑμῖν, μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ὑμῶν, καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ὑμῶν εὐδοκιμοῦν ἀπέχω. καὶ ἐξήγαγε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν Συμεὼν
Genesis 43:23 (NETS)	Genesis 43:22 (English Elpenor)
But he said to them, “May he be gracious to you; do not be afraid; your God and the God of your fathers gave you treasures in your bags, but I have your good money in full.” And he brought Symeon out to them.	And he said to them, [God deal] mercifully with you; be not afraid; your God, and the God of your fathers, has given you treasures in your sacks, and I have enough of your good money. And he brought Symeon out to them.

Genesis 43:34 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:34 (KJV)	Genesis 43:34 (NET)
And portions were taken unto them from before him; but Benjamin’s portion was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.	And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.	He gave them portions of the food set before him, but the portion for Benjamin was five times greater than the portions for any of the others. They drank with Joseph until they all became drunk.

Genesis 43:34 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:33 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἦραν δὲ μερίδας παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτούς ἐμεγαλύνθη δὲ ἡ μερὶς Βενιαμιν παρὰ τὰς μερίδας πάντων πενταπλασίως πρὸς τὰς ἐκείνων ἔπιον δὲ καὶ ἐμεθύσθησαν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ	ᾖραν δὲ μερίδας παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτούς· ἐμεγαλύνθη δὲ ἡ μερὶς Βενιαμὶν παρὰ τὰς μερίδας πάντων πενταπλασίως πρὸς τὰς ἐκείνων, ἔπιον δὲ καὶ ἐμεθύσθησαν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ
Genesis 43:34 (NETS)	Genesis 43:33 (English Elpenor)
And they carried portions to them from him, but Beniamin’s portion was magnified beyond the portions of all, five-fold in comparison to the ones of those. And they drank and became intoxicated with him.	And they took their portions from him to themselves; but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as the portions of [the others]. And they drank and were filled with drink with him.

Genesis 44:4 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:4 (KJV)	Genesis 44:4 (NET)
And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward: ‘Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them: Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?	And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?	They had not gone very far from the city when Joseph said to the servant who was over his household, “Pursue the men at once! When you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?

Genesis 44:4, 5a (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐξελθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν τὴν πόλιν οὐκ ἀπέσχον μακράν καὶ Ιωσηφ εἶπεν τῷ ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ ἀναστὰς ἐπιδίωξον ὀπίσω τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ καταλήμψῃ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτοῖς τί ὅτι ἀνταπεδώκατε πονηρὰ ἀντὶ καλῶν (44:5a) ἵνα τί ἐκλέψατέ μου τὸ κόνδυ τὸ ἀργυροῦν	ἐξελθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν τὴν πόλιν, οὐκ ἀπέσχον μακράν, καὶ ᾿Ιωσὴφ εἶπε τῷ ἐπὶ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ· ἀναστὰς ἐπιδίωξον ὀπίσω τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ καταλήψῃ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτοῖς· τί ὅτι ἀνταπεδώκατε πονηρὰ ἀντὶ καλῶν; ἱνατί ἐκλέψατέ μου τὸ κόνδυ τὸ ἀργυροῦν
Genesis 44:4 (NETS)	Genesis 44:4, 5a (English Elpenor)
Now when they had gone from the city, they were not far off, and Ioseph said to the one in charge of his household, “Rise, pursue after the men, and you shall overtake them and say to them, ‘Why is it that you returned evil for good? Why did you steal my silver cup?	And when they had gone out of the city, [and] were not far off, then Joseph said to his steward, Arise, and pursue after the men; and thou shalt overtake them, and say to them, Why have ye returned evil for good? (5a) Why have ye stolen my silver cup?

Genesis 44:7 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:7 (KJV)	Genesis 44:7 (NET)
And they said unto him: ‘Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing.	And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:	They answered him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!

Genesis 44:7 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ ἵνα τί λαλεῖ ὁ κύριος κατὰ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα μὴ γένοιτο τοῖς παισίν σου ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο	οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· ἱνατί λαλεῖ ὁ κύριος κατὰ τὰ ρήματα ταῦτα; μὴ γένοιτο τοῖς παισί σου ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο
Genesis 44:7 (NETS)	Genesis 44:7 (English Elpenor)
Then they said to him, “Why does our lord speak according to these words? Heaven forbid for your servants to do according to this word!	And they said to him, Why does our lord speak according to these words? far be it from thy servants to do according to this word.

Genesis 44:8 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:8 (KJV)	Genesis 44:8 (NET)
Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought back unto thee out of the land of Canaan; how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?	Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?	Look, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?

Genesis 44:8 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
εἰ τὸ μὲν ἀργύριον ὃ εὕρομεν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ἡμῶν ἀπεστρέψαμεν πρὸς σὲ ἐκ γῆς Χανααν πῶς ἂν κλέψαιμεν ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ κυρίου σου ἀργύριον ἢ χρυσίον	εἰ τὸ μὲν ἀργύριον, ὁ εὕρομεν ἐν τοῖς μαρσίπποις ἡμῶν, ἀπεστρέψαμεν πρὸς σὲ ἐκ γῆς Χαναάν, πῶς ἂν κλέψαιμεν ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ κυρίου σου ἀργύριον ἢ χρυσίον
Genesis 44:8 (NETS)	Genesis 44:8 (English Elpenor)
If indeed the money that we found in our bags we brought back to you from the land of Chanaan, how would we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house?	If we brought back to thee out of the land of Chanaan the money which we found in our sacks, how should we steal silver or gold out of the house of thy lord?

Genesis 44:9 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:9 (KJV)	Genesis 44:9 (NET)
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.’	With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.	If one of us has it, he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves!”

Genesis 44:9 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
παρ᾽ ᾧ ἂν εὑρεθῇ τὸ κόνδυ τῶν παίδων σου ἀποθνῃσκέτω καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἐσόμεθα παῖδες τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν	παρ᾿ ᾧ ἂν εὕρῃς τὸ κόνδυ τῶν παίδων σου, ἀποθνησκέτω· καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἐσόμεθα παῖδες τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν
Genesis 44:9 (NETS)	Genesis 44:9 (English Elpenor)
As for the one among your servants with whom the cup should be found, let him die, but as for us, we will be slaves to our lord.”	With whomsoever of thy servants thou shalt find the cup, let him die; and, moreover, we will be servants to our lord.

Genesis 44:10 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:10 (KJV)	Genesis 44:10 (NET)
And he said: ‘Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my bondman; and ye shall be blameless.’	And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.	He replied, “You have suggested your own punishment! The one who has it will become my slave, but the rest of you will go free.”

Genesis 44:10 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν καὶ νῦν ὡς λέγετε οὕτως ἔσται ὁ ἄνθρωπος παρ᾽ ᾧ ἂν εὑρεθῇ τὸ κόνδυ αὐτὸς ἔσται μου παῖς ὑμεῖς δὲ ἔσεσθε καθαροί	ὁ δὲ εἶπε· καὶ νῦν ὡς λέγετε, οὕτως ἔσται· παρ᾿ ᾧ ἂν εὑρεθῇ τὸ κόνδυ, ἔσται μου παῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἔσεσθε καθαροί
Genesis 44:10 (NETS)	Genesis 44:10 (English Elpenor)
And he said, “Even now, as you say thus it shall be: the one with whom the cup should be found shall be my slave, but as for you, you shall be clear.”	And he said, Now then it shall be as ye say; with whomsoever the cup shall be found, he shall be my servant, and ye shall be clear.

Genesis 43:30 (Tanakh)	Genesis 43:30 (KJV)	Genesis 43:30 (NET)
And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned toward his brother; and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.	And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.	Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother and was at the point of tears. So he went to his room and wept there.

Genesis 43:30 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 43:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐταράχθη δὲ Ιωσηφ συνεστρέφετο γὰρ τὰ ἔντερα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐζήτει κλαῦσαι εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὸ ταμιεῖον ἔκλαυσεν ἐκεῖ	ἐταράχθη δὲ ᾿Ιωσήφ, συνεστρέφετο γὰρ τὰ ἔγκατα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐζήτει κλαῦσαι· εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὸ ταμεῖον ἔκλαυσεν ἐκεῖ
Genesis 43:30 (NETS)	Genesis 43:29 (English Elpenor)
Abd Ioseph was troubled, for his insides were twisting up over his brother, and he was seeking to weep. And going into the chamber he wept there.	And Joseph was troubled, for his bowels yearned over his brother, and he sought to weep; and he went into his chamber, and wept there.

Genesis 45:6 (Tanakh)	Genesis 45:6 (KJV)	Genesis 45:6 (NET)
For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest.	For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.	For these past two years there has been famine in the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.

Genesis 45:6 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 45:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τοῦτο γὰρ δεύτερον ἔτος λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἔτι λοιπὰ πέντε ἔτη ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔσται ἀροτρίασις οὐδὲ ἄμητος	τοῦτο γὰρ δεύτερον ἔτος λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἔτι λοιπὰ πέντε ἔτη, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν ἀροτρίασις οὐδὲ ἄμητος
Genesis 45:6 (NETS)	Genesis 45:6 (English Elpenor)
For famine is on the earth this second year, and there are still five years remaining in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.	For this second year there is famine on the earth, and there are yet five years remaining, in which there is to be neither ploughing, nor mowing.

Genesis 44:13 (Tanakh)	Genesis 44:13 (KJV)	Genesis 44:13 (NET)
And they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.	Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.	They all tore their clothes! Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Genesis 44:13 (Septuagint BLB)	Genesis 44:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπέθηκαν ἕκαστος τὸν μάρσιππον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν ὄνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν	καὶ διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπέθηκαν ἕκαστος τὸν μάρσιππον αὐτοῦ ἐπί τὸν ὄνον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν
Genesis 44:13 (NETS)	Genesis 44:13 (English Elpenor)
And they tore their clothes, and each one put his bag on his donkey, and they returned to the city.	And they rent their garments, and laid each man his sack on his ass, and returned to the city.

Matthew 10:31 (Septuagint BLB)	Matthew 10:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)
So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.	Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:31 (Tanakh)	Matthew 10:31 (KJV)	Matthew 10:31 (NET)
μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε· πολλῶν στρουθίων διαφέρετε ὑμεῖς	μη ουν φοβηθητε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις	μη ουν φοβηθητε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις

Fear – Genesis, Part 8

Back to Son of God – John, Part 3

Back to Fear – Numbers, Part 4

¹ Genesis 43:2b-5 (NET)

² Genesis 43:11, 12 (NET)

³ Genesis 32-33 (NET)

⁴ Genesis 43:13, 14 (NET)

⁵ Genesis 42:36 (NET) Table

⁶ Galatians 5:17 (NET) Table

⁷ Genesis 43:16, 17 (NET)

⁸ Genesis 43:18 (NET)

⁹ Genesis 43:19-22 (NET)

¹⁰ Genesis 43:23 (NET)

¹¹ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had φοβεῖσθε here, a form of φοβέω in the present tense, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had φοβηθητε in the aorist tense.

¹² Matthew 10:28 (NET) Table

¹³ John 5:20-23 (NET)

¹⁴ Matthew 28:18-20 (NET)

¹⁵ Matthew 10:28b (NET) Table

¹⁶ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had φοβεῖσθε here, a form of φοβέω in the indicative or imperative mood, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had φοβηθητε in the imperative mood.

¹⁷ Matthew 10:29-31 (NET)

¹⁸ Genesis 42:21 (NET)

¹⁹ Genesis 43:23a (NET)

²⁰ Genesis 43:34b (NET)

²¹ Genesis 44:4 (NET)

²² Genesis 44:7-9 (NET)

²³ Genesis 44:10 (NET)

²⁴ Genesis 43:30 (NET)

²⁵ Genesis 45:6 (NET)

²⁶ Genesis 44:13 (NET)

Son of God – John, Part 1

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

The first time the phrase Son of God (υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ) occurs in John’s Gospel account is in the story when Nathaniel first met Jesus (John 1:47-49 NET).

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, “Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!” [Table]

Earlier Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses¹ wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about – Jesus of Nazareth, the son² of Joseph.” Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip³ replied, “Come and see.”⁴ Nathaniel put his prejudice aside and did exactly that. But it says to me that he already had a preconceived notion that the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, the king of Israel, was also the Son of God. Even Jesus seemed a bit surprised at how easily Nathaniel believed: Because I told you that⁵ I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see⁶ greater things than these.⁷

For this is the way God loved the world, the next time there is mention of God’s Son in John’s Gospel began, He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.⁸ I want to compare the King James Version (KJV), and the New American Standard Bible (NAS) with the New English Translation (NET).

	KJV	NAS	NET
3:16	For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.	“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.	For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The first thing I noticed was that the KJV and NAS share the phrase only begotten Son (τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ) where the NET has one and only Son. The note in the NET explains: “Although this word is often translated ‘only begotten,’ such a translation is misleading, since in English it appears to express a metaphysical relationship. The word in Greek was used of an only child (a son [Luke 7:12, 9:38] or a daughter [Luke 8:42]). It was also used of something unique (only one of its kind) such as the mythological Phoenix (1 Clement 25:2). From here it passes easily to a description of Isaac (Heb 11:17 and Josephus, Ant. 1.13.1 [1.222]) who was not Abraham’s only son, but was one-of-a-kind because he was the child of the promise. Thus the word means ‘one-of-a-kind’ and is reserved for Jesus in the Johannine literature of the NT. While all Christians are children of God (τέκνα θεοῦ, tekna theou), Jesus is God’s Son in a unique, one-of-a-kind sense. The word is used in this way in all its uses in the Gospel of John (1:14, 1:18, 3:16, and 3:18).”

I am unclear what the term “metaphysical relationship” meant, so I want to repeat what Luke’s Gospel said about Jesus’ ‘one-of-a-kind’ relationship to his Father. When Mary Jesus’ mother was visited by the angel Gabriel and told of his birth, she asked, “How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon (ἐπελεύσεται, a form of ἐπέρχομαι) you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow (ἐπισκιάσει, a form of ἐπισκιάζω) you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God (υἱὸς θεοῦ).⁹

While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, Matthew wrote, but before they came together (συνελθεῖν, a form of συνέρχομαι), she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived (γεννηθὲν, a form of γεννάω) in her is from the Holy Spirit.”¹⁰

The next thing I noticed was that the KJV has no quotation marks. The translators proposed no theory of who was speaking in John 3:16-21. The NAS translators on the other hand used quotation marks to indicate their belief that Jesus was still speaking to Nicodemus. The NET translators ended Jesus’ quotation marks at verse 15, indicating their belief that John was speaking.

	KJV	NAS	NET
3:17	For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.	“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”	For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him [Table].

Here I noticed that the KJV and NET have condemn where the NAS has judge for the Greek word κρίνῃ. For clarity I’ll work through the NET definitions of κρίνῃ. God did not send his Son into the world 1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, or choose the world; God did not send his Son into the world 2) to approve, esteem, or to prefer the world; God did not send his Son into the world 3) to be of the world’s opinion, or to deem, or think like the world; God did not send his Son into the world 4) to determine, resolve, or decree the world; God did not send his Son into the world 5) to judge the world or 5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong 5a1) or to summon the world to trial or 5b) to pronounce judgment upon, or to subject the world to censure or 5b1) to act the part of judge or arbiter in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others; God did not send his Son into the world 6) to rule, or govern the world or 6a) to preside over it with the power of giving judicial decisions; God did not send his Son into the world 7) to contend together, as a warrior or combatant with the world; or 7a) to dispute with it or 7b1) have suit at law with the world.

Ordinarily I soar over this rugged terrain at about 30,000 feet. I already know what it means. I know most people die and go to hell. This was Jesus, or John, certainly the Holy Spirit, vindicating God of the destruction of so many souls: God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world. Let God be proven true, Paul wrote, and every human being shown up as a liar, just as it is written: “so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged.”¹¹ But as I sit here now, a relativist, gazing up at this majestic rocky cliff face of absolute negation, I begin to wonder, “Is that all it means? Is it really just God saving face? What did God send his Son into the world to do?”

God sent his Son into the world that the world should be saved through him. Here I noticed that the KJV and NAS have might be where the NET had should be saved. The Greek is ἀλλ᾿ ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι᾿ αὐτοῦ: ἀλλ᾿ (but) ἵνα (that) σωθῇ (to save) ὁ (the) κόσμος (world) δι᾿ (through) αὐτοῦ (him). I know I’m no Greek scholar, but I don’t find any might be or should be in this text. Is one or the other of them really contained within the word ending? Is it a theological interpretation? Is it just to make the English flow better? I admit I don’t know, but I’m willing to keep on searching.

[Addendum: July 20, 2019] The Greek verb σωθῇ (should be saved) is in the subjunctive mood. According to the “Greek Verbs (Shorter Definitions)” at ntgreek.org: “The subjunctive mood indicates probability or objective possibility. The action of the verb will possibly happen, depending on certain objective factors or circumstances. It is oftentimes used in conditional statements (i.e. ‘If…then…’ clauses) or in purpose clauses. However if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.” How one translates σωθῇ here depends then on whether one considers it to be in a “result clause” or not.

Addendum: August 26, 2025
With a few more years under my belt I say that σωθῇ is in a purpose or result clause because of the conjunction ἵνα. But a translators’ note (55) in the NET on 1 John 4:21 added a new wrinkle: “It makes better sense to understand this ἵνα clause as (3) epexegetical to the pronoun ταύτην (tautēn)…” And so, they translated a verb in the indicative or subjunctive mood as an imperative.

Tables comparing John 1:45, 46 and 1:50 in the KJV and NET follow.

John 1:45, 46 (NET)	John 1:45, 46 (KJV)
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”	Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

John 1:45 (NET Parallel Greek)	John 1:45 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	John 1:45 (Byzantine Majority Text)
εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψεν Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται εὑρήκαμεν, Ἰησοῦν υἱὸν τοῦ Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ	ευρισκει φιλιππος τον ναθαναηλ και λεγει αυτω ον εγραψεν μωσης εν τω νομω και οι προφηται ευρηκαμεν ιησουν τον υιον του ιωσηφ τον απο ναζαρετ	ευρισκει φιλιππος τον ναθαναηλ και λεγει αυτω ον εγραψεν μωσης εν τω νομω και οι προφηται ευρηκαμεν ιησουν τον υιον του ιωσηφ τον απο ναζαρετ

Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied, “Come and see.”

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

John 1:46 (NET Parallel Greek)	John 1:46 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	John 1:46 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναται τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ [ὁ] Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε	και ειπεν αυτω ναθαναηλ εκ ναζαρετ δυναται τι αγαθον ειναι λεγει αυτω φιλιππος ερχου και ιδε	και ειπεν αυτω ναθαναηλ εκ ναζαρετ δυναται τι αγαθον ειναι λεγει αυτω φιλιππος ερχου και ιδε

John 1:50 (NET)	John 1:50 (KJV)
Jesus said to him, “Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”	Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

John 1:50 (NET Parallel Greek)	John 1:50 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)	John 1:50 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπον σοι ὅτι εἶδον σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψῃ	απεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτω οτι ειπον σοι ειδον σε υποκατω της συκης πιστευεις μειζω τουτων οψει	απεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτω οτι ειπον σοι ειδον σε υποκατω της συκης πιστευεις μειζω τουτων οψει

Son of God – John, Part 2

Back to Son of God – John, Part 5

Back to A Door of Hope, Part 1

Back to Keep Yourselves From Idols, Part 3

¹ In the NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ Moses was spelled Μωϋσῆς, and μωσης in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

² The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τον preceding son. The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ did not.

³ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had the article ὁ (in brackets) preceding Philip. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

⁴ John 1:45, 46 (NET)

⁵ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ὅτι here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

⁶ The NET parallel Greek text and NA²⁸ had ὄψῃ here, a form of ὁράω, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οψει (KJV: thou shalt see). These seem to be the same part of speech on the Koine Greek Lexicon online. On Blue Letter Bible online οψει is listed as a form of ὀπτάνομαι.

⁷ John 1:50 (NET)

⁸ John 3:16 (NET) Table

⁹ Luke 1:34, 35 (NET)

¹⁰ Matthew 1:18b-20 (NET) Table

¹¹ Romans 3:4 (NET) Table

The Gospel and the Religious Mind

An attempt to distinguish the mind of Christ from the ordinary religious mind.

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Romans, Part 41

You Must Be Gentle, Part 4

Son of God – John, Part 3

Fear – Exodus, Part 1

Romans, Part 40

Fear – Genesis, Part 8

Son of God – John, Part 2

Romans, Part 39

Fear – Genesis, Part 7

Son of God – John, Part 1