Forgiven or Passed Over? Part 2

I studied ʽâbar through Genesis.  Nothing so far justifies translating it forgiven in Nathan’s response to David’s confession—Yes, and the Lord has forgiven (ʽâbar, העביר; Septuagint: παρεβίβασεν) your sin.[1]  But ʽâbar kept some evocative company for anyone studying...

Appendix 1

pânı̂ym – Genesis Reference Hebrew NET NKJV Septuagint Genesis 1:2 פני surface of the watery deep face of the deep ἐπάνω (above) Genesis 1:2 פני surface of the water face of the waters ἐπάνω (above) Genesis 1:20 פני across the expanse of the sky face of the...

Deuteronomy, Part 1

I intend to do a detailed study of Deuteronomy.  It coincided with my reading of an article in Newsweek, but I don’t know yet if that is anything more than a coincidence.  This is what Moses said to the assembly of Israel in the Transjordanian wastelands,[1] the book...

Romans, Part 55

I am continuing my attempt to view—Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord[1]—as a definition of love (ἀγάπη) rather than as rules.  This particular essay is focused on the story of Jesus feeding five thousand plus people in the light of his...

Apostles and Prophets, Part 3

Lori Eldridge’s[1] argument “Why there are no Apostles today”[2] continued: The apostles claimed to be eyewitnesses:     Acts 5:32, Peter and the other apostles stated, “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who...

Forgiven or Passed Over? Part 1

Revisiting an essay—David’s Forgiveness, Part 1—I realized I had put an inordinate emphasis on the word forgiven without looking into the meaning of the original Hebrew word.  My suspicion of Bible translators feels at times like a paranoid schizophrenic’s fear of the...