Hannah’s Prayer, Part 3

Hannah’s prayer continued:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
1 Samuel 2:4, 5 (Tanakh) 1 Samuel 2:4, 5 (NET) 1 Reigns 2:4, 5 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:4, 5 (Elpenor English)

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. The bows of warriors are shattered, but those who stumbled have taken on strength. The bow of the mighty has become weak, and weak ones have girded themselves with might; The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble, and the weak have girded themselves with strength.
They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry have ceased; while the barren hath borne seven, she that had many children hath languished. The well-fed hire themselves out to earn food, but the hungry no longer lack.  Even the barren woman has given birth to seven, but the one with many children has declined. full of bread they suffered loss, and the hungry have forsaken the land, because a barren one has borne seven, and she who is rich in children became weak. They that were full of bread are brought low; and the hungry have forsaken the land; for the barren has born seven, and she that abounded in children has waxed feeble.

In the Tanakh (Table3 below) חָדֵ֑לּוּ was translated have ceased, or ceased in the KJV.  The translators of the NET understood חדלו (châdal) as no longer lack, though the rabbis who translated the Septuagint (Table4 below) chose παρῆκαν γῆν (have forsaken the land).  This variation of meaning was evident in the first occurrence of חדלו (châdal): So HaShem scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off (וַיַּחְדְּל֖וּ) to build the city.[1]  They stopped building in the NET (Table5 below) because few (or none) remained to continue.  The rabbis chose ἐπαύσαντο (Table6 below) the middle voice of παύω which can mean “to stop doing (something)” as well as “to leave” or “to cease to exist.”

In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied (חָדְל֖וּ), and the travellers walked through byways.[2]  The KJV was identical here (Table7 below) while the NET had caravans disappeared (châdal, חדלו).  The Tanakh on chabad.org rendered it caravans ceased.  All conjure an image of depopulation.  The Greek word ἐξέλιπον (Table8 below) was translated they deserted the ways in one version of the Septuagint and kings were lacking in another.

The inhabitants of the villages ceased (חָדְל֧וּ), they ceased (חָדֵ֑לּוּ) in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.[3]  There is some question who ceased or were scarce (Table9 below) or was lacking or failed (Table10 below), but all seemed to be attempting a translation of חדלו (châdal).  I wanted to consider at least one example where the clear intent was to stop something: And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.[4]  Samson promised to quit killing after he got revenge (Table11 below).

Though the rabbis chose different Greek words—παρῆκαν, ἐπαύσαντο, ἐξέλιπον, ἐξέλιπεν and κοπάσ—I’m convinced, except for the BLB version of Judges 15:7 (Table12 below), that some form of חָדַל (châdal) was the Hebrew word in question.  Again, the Tanakh and KJV have the most accurate translation as far as the range of meaning of the word is concerned, but Hannah probably meant something more like the hungry no longer lack or the hungry have forsaken the land.  So the cautious translation—ceased or have ceased—is a tacit admission that the translators of the KJV and Tanakh had no more idea what Hannah actually meant than I do.

I lacked the patience for this kind of ambiguity when I searched the Bible for rules to justify me and condemn you if we disagreed.  Such ambiguity threatened the veracity as well as the harshness of my judgments.  Studying to knowthe only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] sent[5] is another matter entirely.  Lessons on the limitations of the language that carry that knowledge are part of the process.  I won’t spend any more time here trying to crack the code of what Hannah actually meant.  I’m more interested in what she prayed next, something that has enjoyed more universal agreement among translators.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
1 Samuel 2:6 (Tanakh) 1 Samuel 2:6 (NET) 1 Reigns 2:6 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:6 (Elpenor English)

HaShem killeth, and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord both kills and gives life; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord puts to death and brings to life; he brings down to Hades and brings up. The Lord kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and brings up.

This was the first time the Hebrew word ויעל (ʽâlâh; Tanakh: bringeth up) was used to mean resurrection.  It was translated ἀνάγει (a form of ἀνάγω; brings up) in the Septuagint (Table14 below).  Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back (ἀναγαγὼν, another form of ἀνάγω) from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, equip you with every good thing[6] to do his will, working in us[7] what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.[8]  Amen.[9]

The prophet Ezekiel was told (Ezekiel 37:12-14 Tanakh):

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up (וְהַֽעֲלֵיתִ֥י) out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up (וּבְהַֽעֲלוֹתִ֥י) out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Here וְהַֽעֲלֵיתִ֥י (come up) was translated ἀνάξω (another form of ἀνάγω) and וּבְהַֽעֲלוֹתִ֥י (brought…up) was translated ἀναγαγεῗν (another form of ἀνάγω).  I admit I have taken this resurrection literally.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke January 27, 2010 at Auschwitz in Poland, and said:

We, the Jewish nation, who lost a third of our people on Europe’s blood-soaked soil, have learned that the only guarantee for defending our people is a strong State of Israel and the army of Israel…

The Jewish people rose from ashes and destruction, from a terrible pain that can never be healed. Armed with the Jewish spirit, the justice of man, and the vision of the prophets, we sprouted new branches and grew deep roots. Dry bones became covered with flesh, a spirit filled them, and they lived and stood on their own feet.

As Ezekiel prophesized:

“Then He said unto me: These bones are the whole House of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone; we are doomed.’ Prophecy [sic], therefore, and say to them: Thus said the Lord God: I am going to open your graves and lift you out of your graves, O My people, and bring you to the land of Israel.”

Almost three weeks later an anonymous blogger wrote:

Israel came back from the dead in 1948.  In spite of the obviousness of the situation, there are many who continue to deny this and look at this as either an accident of nature, or simply due to Israel’s stubborness.  However, in spite of the all the odds, Israel once again became a nation.  Not only this, but since that time, the language of Hebrew (also dead as a language prior to that point), was resurrected.  This is unheard of that dead languages are resurrected!

Today, continuing against all odds, Israel exists.

It is the kind of activity Hannah credited to God:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
1 Samuel 2:7, 8a (Tanakh) 1 Samuel 2:7, 8a (NET) 1 Reigns 2:7, 8 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:7, 8 (Elpenor English)

HaShem maketh poor, and maketh rich; He bringeth low, He also lifteth up. The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, and he raises on high. The Lord makes poor, and makes rich; he brings low, and lifts up.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dung-hill, to make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory; He lifts the weak from the dust; he raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes–he bestows on them an honored position. He raises up the needy from the ground and lifts the poor from the dunghill, to make them sit with the mighty of the peoples, even making them inherit a throne of glory. He lifts up the poor from the earth, and raises the needy from the dunghill; to seat him with the princes of the people, and causing them to inherit the throne of glory:

As Paul wrote believers in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NET Table):

God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.  God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his presence.

But the Masoretic text continued:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
1 Samuel 2:8b (Tanakh) 1 Samuel 2:8b (NET) 1 Reigns 2:8b (NETS)

1 Kings 2:8b (Elpenor English)

for the pillars of the earth are HaShem’S, and He hath set the world upon them. The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord–he placed the world on them.

The Hebrew word translated pillars was מְצֻ֣קֵי (mâtsûq).  It only occurred one other time: The one crag rose up (מָצ֥וּק) on the north in front of Michmas, and the other on the south in front of Geba.[10]  The rabbis translated this verse in the Septuagint without translating the modifier מָצ֥וּק (mâtsûq).  In the English translations of the Septuagint (Table26 below) the word was was supplied just like מָצ֥וּק (mâtsûq) was translated in the NET (Table25 below).  But a crag or cliff face “pillared up” conjures a mental image not unlike an igneous rock formation called columnar jointing.

An entry titled “The Hexagon Pool” on Milestones Israel online reads:

A fact maybe not widely known is that many of the mountain and rock formations in Israel are volcanic.  The result is beautiful sites such as the Hexagon Pool which can be found in the Yehudiya Forest in northern Israel.

I can easily imagine Hannah describing columnar jointing as pillars of the earth.  The most apparent reason why the rabbis wouldn’t translate it was deference to Greek knowledge of a spherical earth.  Perhaps a world (תֵּבֵֽל) placed on pillars sounded a little too much like a flat earth.  Though this strikes me as more a modern than an ancient concern, the Wikipedia article “Spherical Earthreads:

The Hebrew Bible imagined a three-part world, with the heavens (shamayim) above, Earth (eres) in the middle, and the underworld (sheol) below.[35] After the 4th century BC this was gradually replaced by a Greek scientific cosmology of a spherical Earth surrounded by multiple concentric heavens.[36]

I still wanted to examine the scriptures.  Since I couldn’t pursue מְצֻ֣קֵי, pillars, any further I looked at תֵּבֵֽל (têbêl), worldAnd the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations (מֹסְד֣וֹת) of the world (תֵּבֵ֑ל) were laid bare by the rebuke of HaShem, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.[11]  The rabbis had no problem with this one: And the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations (θεμέλια) of the world (οἰκουμένης) were discovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his anger.[12]  This is repeated with minor variations in Psalm 18:15 (Table29 and Table30 below).  Granted, the rabbis may have perceived David’s song as less literal than Hannah’s prayer.

I began to investigate verses which contained both מֹסְד֣וֹת (foundations) and אֶ֨רֶץ֙ (earth) as a proxy for pillars of the earthFor a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burneth unto the depths of the nether-world, and devoureth the earth (אֶ֨רֶץ֙) with her produce, and setteth ablaze the foundations (מֽוֹסְדֵ֥י) of the mountains.[13]  The rabbis translated this practically verbatim: For a fire has been kindled out of my wrath, it shall burn to hell below; it shall devour the land (γῆν; NETS: earth), and the fruits of it; it shall set on fire the foundations (θεμέλια) of the mountains.[14]  As far as it goes it’s a fairly good description of volcanism, except for attributing volcanism to God’s anger at Israel’s sin and rebellion (Deuteronomy 32:21).

Then the earth (הָאָ֔רֶץ) did shake and quake, the foundations (מוֹסְד֥וֹת) of heaven did tremble; they were shaken, because He was wroth.[15]  The rabbis render it: And the earth (γῆ) was troubled and quaked, and the foundations (θεμέλια) of heaven were confounded and torn asunder, because the Lord was wroth with them.[16]  This theme of earthquakes and God’s anger continued.

Then the earth (הָאָ֗רֶץ) shook and trembled; the foundations (וּמֽוֹסְדֵ֣י) also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.[17]  The rabbis translated it: Then the earth (γῆ) shook and quaked, and the foundations (θεμέλια) of the mountains were disturbed, and were shaken, because God was angry with them.[18]

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations (מ֥וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ) are out of course.[19]  The repetition of this theme is causing me to repent of any tendency to use my admittedly meager knowledge of volcanism and plate tectonics to ascribe such naturalness to them as to scoff at God’s wrath as their cause.  The rabbis translated it: They know not, nor understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations (θεμέλια) of the earth (γῆς) shall be shaken.[20]

Reference

Masoretic Text (Tanakh)

Septuagint (Elpenor English)

Isaiah 24:18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations (מ֥וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ) do shake. And it shall come to pass, [that] he that flees from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that comes up out of the pit shall be caught by the snare: for windows have been opened in heaven, and the foundations (θεμέλια) of the earth (γῆς) shall be shaken,
Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations (מֽוֹסְד֖וֹת) of the earth (הָאָֽרֶץ)? Will ye not know? will ye not hear? has it not been told you of old?  Have ye not known the foundations (θεμέλια) of the earth (γῆς)?
Micah 6:2 Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and ye strong foundations (מֹ֣סְדֵי) of the earth (אָ֑רֶץ): for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Hear ye, O mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and [ye] valleys [even] the foundations (θεμέλια) of the earth (γῆς): for the Lord [has] a controversy with his people, and will plead with Israel.

I saved the final two occurrences of מֹסְד֣וֹת (foundations) and אֶ֨רֶץ֙ (earth) as a transition to considering the alternative that Masoretes added for the pillars of the earth are HaShem’S, and He hath set the world upon them to Hannah’s prayer.

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations (מֽוֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אֶ֖רֶץ) searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.[21]  The Septuagint was significantly different.  Though the sky should be raised to a [greater] height, saith the Lord, and though the ground (ἔδαφος) of the earth (γῆς) should be sunk [lower] beneath, yet I will not cast off the family of Israel, saith the Lord, for all that they have done.[22]

The first thing that leapt out at me was the possibility that μετέωρον (Table46 below) was a copyist’s jumble of μετρέω and μέτρον.  On the other hand, if one considers astronomy and geophysics as fulfilling the conditions specified in the Masoretic text to cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, the rabbis’ translation in the Septuagint might become preferable to those who believe that God is faithful to Israel for the sake of his holy name.

Reference

Masoretic Text (Tanakh)

Septuagint (Elpenor English)

Proverbs 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations (מ֣וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ): and when he strengthened the foundations (θεμέλια) of the earth (γῆς):

This prompts the question afresh: Did the rabbis refuse to translate When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment?  Or was it not there originally to be translated?  I won’t explore that here but will consider that possibility in Hannah’s prayer.

Jacob “Freudenthal’s ultimate conclusion…was that ‘the translation of the so-called Septuagint bears no traces of the inroad of Greek philosophy into Jewish Hellenism.’”[23]  If I wonder whether that might apply to Greek cosmology as well, and consider more seriously that the Masoretes’ “ultimate goal was to uphold the traditions of the Jewish people,”[24] my attention becomes focused on why they would add something to Hannah’s prayer?  My assumption would be for misdirection.  They wanted my attention drawn away from the Savior/Judge Hannah had praised up to that point and onto the Creator.  So I fastened on inherit the throne of glory because of its proximity, preceding the suspected addition.

The Hebrew word translated throne was וְכִסֵּ֥א (kissêʼ) and glory was כָב֖וֹד (kâbôd).  I began with the most notable throne one might inherit, God’s promise to David through the prophet Nathan.

1 Chronicles

Masoretic Text (Tanakh)

Septuagint (Elpenor English)

17:11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. And it shall come to pass when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
17:12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne (כִּסְא֖וֹ) for ever. He shall build me a house, and I will set up his throne (θρόνον) for ever.
17:13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son: and my mercy will I not withdraw from him, as I withdrew [it] from them that were before thee.
17:14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne (וְכִסְא֕וֹ) shall be established for evermore. And I will establish him in my house and in his kingdom for ever; and his throne (θρόνος) shall be set up for ever.

So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!  Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne (θρόνον) of his father David.[25]  He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”[26]

I’ll pick this up in another essay.

Tables comparing 1 Samuel 2:4; 2:5; Genesis 11:8; Judges 5:6; 5:7; 15:7; 1 Samuel 2:6; Ezekiel 37:12; 37:13; 37:14; 1 Samuel 2:7; 2:8; 14:5; 2 Samuel 22:16; Psalm 18:15; Deuteronomy 32:22; 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalm 18:7; 82:5; Isaiah 24:18; 40:21; Micah 6:2; Jeremiah 31:37; Proverbs 8:29; 1 Chronicles 17:11; 17:12; 17:13 and 17:14 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET; and tables comparing 1 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 2:4; 2:5; Genesis 11:8; Judges 5:6; 5:7; 15:7; 1 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 2:6; Ezekiel 37:12; 37:13; 37:14; 1 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 2:7; 2:8; 14:5; 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 22:16; Psalm 18:15 (17:16); Deuteronomy 32:22; 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 22:8; Psalm 18:7 (17:8); 82:5 (81:5); Isaiah 24:18; 40:21; Micah 6:2; Jeremiah 31:35 (38:35; 38:37); Proverbs 8:29; 1 Chronicles (Supplements) 17:11; 17:12; 17:13 and 17:14 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following these are tables comparing Hebrews 13:21 and Luke 1:32 in the NET and KJV.

1 Samuel 2:4 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 2:4 (KJV)

1 Samuel 2:4 (NET)

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. The bows of warriors are shattered, but those who stumbled have taken on strength.

1 Samuel 2:4 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 2:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τόξον δυνατῶν ἠσθένησεν καὶ ἀσθενοῦντες περιεζώσαντο δύναμιν τόξον δυνατῶν ἠσθένησε, καὶ ἀσθενοῦντες περιεζώσαντο δύναμιν

1 Reigns 2:4 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:4 (English Elpenor)

The bow of the mighty has become weak, and weak ones have girded themselves with might; The bow of the mighty has waxed feeble, and the weak have girded themselves with strength.

1 Samuel 2:5 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 2:5 (KJV)

1 Samuel 2:5 (NET)

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry have ceased; while the barren hath borne seven, she that had many children hath languished. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The well-fed hire themselves out to earn food, but the hungry no longer lack. Even the barren woman has given birth to seven, but the one with many children has declined.

1 Samuel 2:5 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 2:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πλήρεις ἄρτων ἠλαττώθησαν καὶ οἱ πεινῶντες παρῆκαν γῆν ὅτι στεῗρα ἔτεκεν ἑπτά καὶ ἡ πολλὴ ἐν τέκνοις ἠσθένησεν πλήρεις ἄρτων ἠλαττώθησαν, καὶ οἱ πεινῶντες παρῆκαν γῆν· ὅτι στεῖρα ἔτεκεν ἑπτά, καὶ ἡ πολλὴ ἐν τέκνοις ἠσθένησε

1 Reigns 2:5 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:5 (English Elpenor)

full of bread they suffered loss, and the hungry have forsaken the land, because a barren one has borne seven, and she who is rich in children became weak. They that were full of bread are brought low; and the hungry have forsaken the land; for the barren has born seven, and she that abounded in children has waxed feeble.

Genesis 11:8 (Tanakh)

Genesis 11:8 (KJV)

Genesis 11:8 (NET)

So HaShem scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off (וַיַּחְדְּל֖וּ) to build the city. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off (ויחדלו) to build the city. So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped (châdal, ויחדלו) building the city.

Genesis 11:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 11:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ διέσπειρεν αὐτοὺς κύριος ἐκεῗθεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπαύσαντο οἰκοδομοῦντες τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὸν πύργον καὶ διέσπειρεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐκεῖθεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπαύσαντο οἰκοδομοῦντες τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὸν πύργον

Genesis 11:8 (NETS)

Genesis 11:8 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city and the tower. And the Lord scattered them thence over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city and the tower.

Judges 5:6 (Tanakh)

Judges 5:6 (KJV)

Judges 5:6 (NET)

In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied (חָדְל֖וּ), and the travellers walked through byways. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied (חדלו), and the travellers walked through byways. In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael caravans disappeared (châdal, חדלו); travelers had to go on winding side roads.

Judges 5:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 5:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐν ἡμέραις Σαμεγαρ υἱοῦ Αναθ ἐν ἡμέραις Ιαηλ ἐξέλιπον βασιλεῗς καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν τρίβους ἐπορεύθησαν ὁδοὺς διεστραμμένας ἐν ἡμέραις Σαμεγὰρ υἱοῦ ᾿Ανάθ, ἐν ἡμέραις ᾿Ιαὴλ ἐξέλιπον ὁδοὺς καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἀτραπούς, ἐπορεύθησαν ὁδοὺς διεστραμμένας

Judges 5:6 (NETS)

Judges 5:6 (English Elpenor)

In the days of Samegar son of Anath, in the days of Iael, kings were lacking, and they traveled paths; they traveled twisting roads. In the days of Samegar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, they deserted the ways, and went in by-ways; they went in crooked paths.

Judges 5:7 (Tanakh)

Judges 5:7 (KJV)

Judges 5:7 (NET)

The inhabitants of the villages ceased (חָדְל֧וּ), they ceased (חָדֵ֑לּוּ) in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. The inhabitants of the villages ceased (חדלו), they ceased (חדלו) in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. Warriors were scarce (châdal, חדלו), they were scarce (châdal, חדלו) in Israel, until you arose, Deborah, until you arose as a motherly protector in Israel.

Judges 5:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 5:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐξέλιπεν φραζων ἐν τῷ Ισραηλ ἐξέλιπεν ἕως οὗ ἐξανέστη Δεββωρα ὅτι ἀνέστη μήτηρ ἐν τῷ Ισραηλ ἐξέλιπον δυνατοὶ ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ, ἐξέλιπον, ἕως οὗ ἀνέστη Δεββώρα, ἕως οὗ ἀνέστη μήτηρ ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ

Judges 5:7 (NETS)

Judges 5:7 (English Elpenor)

A spokesman was lacking in Israel; he was lacking until Debbora rose up, for she arose as a mother in Israel. The mighty men in Israel failed, they failed until Debbora arose, until she arose a mother in Israel.
Judges 15:7 (Tanakh) Judges 15:7 (KJV)

Judges 15:7 (NET)

And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease (אֶחְדָּֽל). And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease (אחדל). Samson said to them, “Because you did this, I will get revenge against you before I quit (châdal, אחדל) fighting.”

Judges 15:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Judges 15:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῗς Σαμψων ἐὰν ποιήσητε οὕτως οὐκ εὐδοκήσω ἀλλὰ τὴν ἐκδίκησίν μου ἐξ ἑνὸς καὶ ἑκάστου ὑμῶν ποιήσομαι καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Σαμψών· ἐὰν ποιήσητε οὕτως ταύτην, ὅτι ἦ μὴν ἐκδικήσω ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ ἔσχατον κοπάσω

Judges 15:7 (NETS)

Judges 15:7 (English Elpenor)

And Samson said to them, “if you act thus, I will not be content unless I take my revenge from each and every one of you.” And Sampson said to them, Though ye may have dealt thus with her, verily I will be avenged of you, and afterwards I will cease.

1 Samuel 2:6 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 2:6 (KJV)

1 Samuel 2:6 (NET)

HaShem killeth, and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up (וַיָּֽעַל). The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up (ויעל). The Lord both kills and gives life; he brings down to the grave and raises up (ʽâlâh, ויעל).

1 Samuel 2:6 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 2:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κύριος θανατοῗ καὶ ζωογονεῗ κατάγει εἰς ᾅδου καὶ ἀνάγει Κύριος θανατοῖ καὶ ζωογονεῖ, κατάγει εἰς ᾅδου καὶ ἀνάγει

1 Reigns 2:6 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:6 (English Elpenor)

The Lord puts to death and brings to life; he brings down to Hades and brings up. The Lord kills and makes alive; he brings down to the grave, and brings up.

Ezekiel 37:12 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 37:12 (KJV)

Ezekiel 37:12 (NET)

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up (וְהַֽעֲלֵיתִ֥י) out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up (והעליתי) out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look, I am about to open your graves and will raise (ʽâlâh, והעליתי) you from your graves, my people.  I will bring you to the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 37:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 37:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ τοῦτο προφήτευσον καὶ εἰπόν τάδε λέγει κύριος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀνοίγω ὑμῶν τὰ μνήματα καὶ ἀνάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῶν μνημάτων ὑμῶν καὶ εἰσάξω ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν τοῦ Ισραηλ διὰ τοῦτο προφήτευσον καὶ εἰπὸν πρὸς αὐτούς· τάδε λέγει Κύριος· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀνοίγω τὰ μνήματα ὑμῶν καὶ ἀνάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῶν μνημάτων ὑμῶν καὶ εἰσάξω ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ

Ezekiel 37:12 (NETS)

Ezekiel 37:12 (English Elpenor)

Therefore prophesy, and say, This is what the Lord says: Behold, I am opening your tombs and will bring you up out of your tombs and bring you into the land of Israel, therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I [will] open your tombs, and will bring you up out of your tombs, and will bring you into the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 37:13 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 37:13 (KJV)

Ezekiel 37:13 (NET)

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up (וּבְהַֽעֲלוֹתִ֥י) out of your graves, And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up (ובהעלותי) out of your graves, Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise (ʽâlâh, ובהעלותי) you from your graves, my people.

Ezekiel 37:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 37:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ἐν τῷ ἀνοῗξαί με τοὺς τάφους ὑμῶν τοῦ ἀναγαγεῗν με ἐκ τῶν τάφων τὸν λαόν μου καὶ γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ἐν τῷ ἀνοῖξαί με τοὺς τάφους ὑμῶν τοῦ ἀναγαγεῖν με ἐκ τῶν τάφων τὸν λαόν μου

Ezekiel 37:13 (NETS)

Ezekiel 37:13 (English Elpenor)

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves so that I might bring my people up out of their graves. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, that I may bring up my people from [their] graves.

Ezekiel 37:14 (Tanakh)

Ezekiel 37:14 (KJV)

Ezekiel 37:14 (NET)

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. I will place my breath in you and you will live; I will give you rest in your own land.  Then you will know that I am the Lord – I have spoken and I will act, declares the Lord.’”

Ezekiel 37:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Ezekiel 37:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ δώσω τὸ πνεῦμά μου εἰς ὑμᾶς καὶ ζήσεσθε καὶ θήσομαι ὑμᾶς ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὑμῶν καὶ γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἐγὼ κύριος λελάληκα καὶ ποιήσω λέγει κύριος καὶ δώσω πνεῦμά μου εἰς ὑμᾶς, καὶ ζήσεσθε, καὶ θήσομαι ὑμᾶς ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὑμῶν, καὶ γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος· λελάληκα καὶ ποιήσω, λέγει Κύριος

Ezekiel 37:14 (NETS)

Ezekiel 37:14 (English Elpenor)

And I will give my spirit into you, and you shall live, and I will place you upon your own land, and you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will act, says the Lord. And I will put my Spirit within you, and ye shall live, and I will place you upon your own land: and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord; I have spoken, and will do [it], saith the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:7 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 2:7 (KJV)

1 Samuel 2:7 (NET)

HaShem maketh poor, and maketh rich; He bringeth low, He also lifteth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts.

1 Samuel 2:7 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 2:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κύριος πτωχίζει καὶ πλουτίζει ταπεινοῗ καὶ ἀνυψοῗ Κύριος πτωχίζει καὶ πλουτίζει, ταπεινοῖ καὶ ἀνυψοῖ

1 Reigns 2:7 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:7 (English Elpenor)

The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, and he raises on high. The Lord makes poor, and makes rich; he brings low, and lifts up.

1 Samuel 2:8 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 2:8 (KJV)

1 Samuel 2:8 (NET)

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dung-hill, to make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are HaShem’S, and He hath set the world upon them. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. He lifts the weak from the dust; he raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes–he bestows on them an honored position.  The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord–he placed the world on them.

1 Samuel 2:8 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 2:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀνιστᾷ ἀπὸ γῆς πένητα καὶ ἀπὸ κοπρίας ἐγείρει πτωχὸν καθίσαι μετὰ δυναστῶν λαῶν καὶ θρόνον δόξης κατακληρονομῶν αὐτοῗς ἀνιστᾷ ἀπὸ γῆς πένητα καὶ ἀπὸ κοπρίας ἐγείρει πτωχὸν καθίσαι μετὰ δυναστῶν λαοῦ καὶ θρόνον δόξης κατακληρονομῶν αὐτοῖς

1 Reigns 2:8 (NETS)

1 Kings 2:8 (English Elpenor)

He raises up the needy from the ground and lifts the poor from the dunghill, to make them sit with the mighty of the peoples, even making them inherit a throne of glory. He lifts up the poor from the earth, and raises the needy from the dunghill; to seat him with the princes of the people, and causing them to inherit the throne of glory:

1 Samuel 14:5 (Tanakh)

1 Samuel 14:5 (KJV)

1 Samuel 14:5 (NET)

The one crag rose up (מָצ֥וּק) on the north in front of Michmas, and the other on the south in front of Geba. The forefront of the one was situate (מצוק) northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. The cliff to the north was (mâtsûq, מצוק) closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.

1 Samuel 14:5 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 14:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ μία ἀπὸ βορρᾶ ἐρχομένῳ Μαχμας καὶ ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἄλλη ἀπὸ νότου ἐρχομένῳ Γαβεε ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ μία ἀπὸ βορρᾶ ἐρχομένῳ Μαχμὰς καὶ ἡ ὁδὸς ἡ ἄλλη ἀπὸ νότου ἐρχομένῳ Γαβαέ

1 Reigns 14:5 (NETS)

1 Kings 14:5 (English Elpenor)

one way from the north was for one going to Machmas, and the other way from the south, for one going to Gabee. The one way [was] northward to one coming to Machmas, and the other way [was] southward to one coming to Gabae.

2 Samuel 22:16 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 22:16 (KJV)

2 Samuel 22:16 (NET)

And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations (מֹסְד֣וֹת) of the world (תֵּבֵ֑ל) were laid bare by the rebuke of HaShem, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations (מסדות) of the world (תבל) were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions (môsâdâh, מסדות) of the world (têbêl, תבל) were uncovered by the Lord’s battle cry, by the powerful breath from his nose.

2 Samuel 22:16 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 22:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὤφθησαν ἀφέσεις θαλάσσης καὶ ἀπεκαλύφθη θεμέλια τῆς οἰκουμένης ἐν τῇ ἐπιτιμήσει κυρίου ἀπὸ πνοῆς πνεύματος θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὤφθησαν ἀφέσεις θαλάσσης, καὶ ἀπεκαλύφθη θεμέλια τῆς οἰκουμένης ἐν τῇ ἐπιτιμήσει Κυρίου, ἀπὸ πνοῆς πνεύματος θυμοῦ αὐτοῦ

2 Reigns 22:16 (NETS)

2 Kings 22:16 (English Elpenor)

And emissions of sea were seen, and foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his anger. And the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his anger.

Psalm 18:15 (Tanakh)

Psalm 18:15 (KJV)

Psalm 18:15 (NET)

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations (מֽוֹסְד֪וֹת) of the world (תֵּ֫בֵ֥ל) were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions (môsâdâh, מוסדות) of the world (têbêl, תבל) were uncovered by your battle cry, Lord, by the powerful breath from your nose.

Psalm 18:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 17:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὤφθησαν αἱ πηγαὶ τῶν ὑδάτων καὶ ἀνεκαλύφθη τὰ θεμέλια τῆς οἰκουμένης ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου κύριε ἀπὸ ἐμπνεύσεως πνεύματος ὀργῆς σου καὶ ὤφθησαν αἱ πηγαὶ τῶν ὑδάτων, καὶ ἀνεκαλύφθη τὰ θεμέλια τῆς οἰκουμένης ἀπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου, Κύριε, ἀπὸ ἐμπνεύσεως πνεύματος ὀργῆς σου

Psalm 17:16 (NETS)

Psalm 17:16 (English Elpenor)

And the springs of the waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your wrath. And the springs of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of thy wrath.

Deuteronomy 32:22 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 32:22 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 32:22 (NET)

For a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burneth unto the depths of the nether-world, and devoureth the earth (אֶ֨רֶץ֙) with her produce, and setteth ablaze the foundations (מֽוֹסְדֵ֥י) of the mountains. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. For a fire has been kindled by my anger, and it burns to lowest Sheol; it consumes the earth (ʼerets, ארץ) and its produce, and ignites the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדי) of the mountains.

Deuteronomy 32:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 32:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι πῦρ ἐκκέκαυται ἐκ τοῦ θυμοῦ μου καυθήσεται ἕως ᾅδου κάτω καταφάγεται γῆν καὶ τὰ γενήματα αὐτῆς φλέξει θεμέλια ὀρέων ὅτι πῦρ ἐκκέκαυται ἐκ τοῦ θυμοῦ μου, καυθήσεται ἕως ᾅδου κάτω, καταφάγεται γῆν καὶ τὰ γενήματα αὐτῆς, φλέξει θεμέλια ὀρέων

Deuteronomy 32:22 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 32:22 (English Elpenor)

For a fire has lit up from my anger and will burn as far as Hades below; it will devour earth and its produce and will light up the foundations of mountains. For a fire has been kindled out of my wrath, it shall burn to hell below; it shall devour the land, and the fruits of it; it shall set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

2 Samuel 22:8 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 22:8 (KJV)

2 Samuel 22:8 (NET)

Then the earth (הָאָ֔רֶץ) did shake and quake, the foundations (מוֹסְד֥וֹת) of heaven did tremble; they were shaken, because He was wroth. Then the earth (הארץ) shook and trembled; the foundations (מוסדות) of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. The earth (ʼerets, הארץ) heaved and shook; the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדות) of the sky trembled.  They heaved because he was angry.

2 Samuel 22:8 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 22:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐταράχθη καὶ ἐσείσθη ἡ γῆ καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τοῦ οὐρανοῦ συνεταράχθησαν καὶ ἐσπαράχθησαν ὅτι ἐθυμώθη κύριος αὐτοῗς καὶ ἐταράχθη καὶ ἐσείσθη ἡ γῆ, καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τοῦ οὐρανοῦ συνεταράχθησαν καὶ ἐσπαράχθησαν, ὅτι ἐθυμώθη Κύριος αὐτοῖς

2 Reigns 22:8 (NETS)

2 Kings 22:8 (English Elpenor)

And the earth was stirred up and quaked, and the foundations of the sky were conunded and torn apart, because the Lord was angrywith them. And the earth was troubled and quaked, and the foundations of heaven were confounded and torn asunder, because the Lord was wroth with them.

Psalm 18:7 (Tanakh)

Psalm 18:7 (KJV)

Psalm 18:7 (NET)

Then the earth (הָאָ֗רֶץ) shook and trembled; the foundations (וּמֽוֹסְדֵ֣י) also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. Then the earth (הארץ) shook and trembled; the foundations (ומוסדי) also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. The earth (ʼerets, הארץ) heaved and shook; the roots (môsâdâh, ומוסדי) of the mountains trembled; they heaved because he was angry.

Psalm 18:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 17:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐσαλεύθη καὶ ἔντρομος ἐγενήθη ἡ γῆ καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τῶν ὀρέων ἐταράχθησαν καὶ ἐσαλεύθησαν ὅτι ὠργίσθη αὐτοῗς ὁ θεός καὶ ἐσαλεύθη καὶ ἔντρομος ἐγενήθη ἡ γῆ, καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τῶν ὀρέων ἐταράχθησαν καὶ ἐσαλεύθησαν, ὅτι ὠργίσθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Θεός

Psalm 17:8 (NETS)

Psalm 17:8 (English Elpenor)

And the earth shook and was atremble, and the foundations of the mountains were disturbed and shook, because God was angry wth them. Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains were disturbed, and were shaken, because God was angry with them.

Psalm 82:5 (Tanakh)

Psalm 82:5 (KJV)

Psalm 82:5 (NET)

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations (מ֥וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ) are out of course. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations (מוסדי) of the earth (ארץ) are out of course. They neither know nor understand. They stumble around in the dark, while all the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדי) of the earth (ʼerets, ארץ) crumble.

Psalm 82:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 81:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οὐδὲ συνῆκαν ἐν σκότει διαπορεύονται σαλευθήσονται πάντα τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οὐδὲ συνῆκαν, ἐν σκότει διαπορεύονται· σαλευθήσονται πάντα τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς

Psalm 81:5 (NETS)

Psalm 81:5 (English Elpenor)

They had neither knowledge nor understanding; in darkness they walk around; all the foundations of the earth will be shaken. They know not, nor understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be shaken.

Isaiah 24:18 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 24:18 (KJV)

Isaiah 24:18 (NET)

And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations (מ֥וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ) do shake. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations (מוסדי) of the earth (ארץ) do shake. The one who runs away from the sound of the terror will fall into the pit; the one who climbs out of the pit, will be trapped by the snare. For the floodgates of the heavens are opened up and the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדי) of the earth (ʼerets, ארץ) shake.

Isaiah 24:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 24:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται ὁ φεύγων τὸν φόβον ἐμπεσεῗται εἰς τὸν βόθυνον ὁ δὲ ἐκβαίνων ἐκ τοῦ βοθύνου ἁλώσεται ὑπὸ τῆς παγίδος ὅτι θυρίδες ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἠνεῴχθησαν καὶ σεισθήσεται τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς καὶ ἔσται ὁ φεύγων τὸν φόβον ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς τὸν βόθυνον, ὁ δὲ ἐκβαίνων ἐκ τοῦ βοθύνου ἁλώσεται ὑπὸ τῆς παγίδος, ὅτι θυρίδες ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἠνεῴχθησαν, καὶ σεισθήσεται τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς

Isaiah 24:18 (NETS)

Isaiah 24:18 (English Elpenor)

And it shall be that the one who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, and the one who gets out of the pit shall be caught by the snare, because windows have been opened out of heaven, and the foundations of the earth will be shaken. And it shall come to pass, [that] he that flees from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that comes up out of the pit shall be caught by the snare: for windows have been opened in heaven, and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken,
Isaiah 40:21 (Tanakh) Isaiah 40:21 (KJV)

Isaiah 40:21 (NET)

Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations (מֽוֹסְד֖וֹת) of the earth (הָאָֽרֶץ)? Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations (מוסדות) of the earth (הארץ)? Do you not know?  Do you not hear?  Has it not been told to you since the very beginning?  Have you not understood from the time the earth’s (ʼerets, הארץ) foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדות) were made?
Isaiah 40:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 40:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ γνώσεσθε οὐκ ἀκούσεσθε οὐκ ἀνηγγέλη ἐξ ἀρχῆς ὑμῗν οὐκ ἔγνωτε τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς οὐ γνώσεσθε; οὐκ ἀκούσεσθε; οὐκ ἀνηγγέλη ἐξ ἀρχῆς ὑμῖν; οὐκ ἔγνωτε τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς

Isaiah 40:21 (NETS)

Isaiah 40:21 (English Elpenor)

Will you not know?  Will you not hear?  Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?  Have you not known the foundations of the earth? Will ye not know? will ye not hear? has it not been told you of old?  Have ye not known the foundations of the earth?

Micah 6:2 (Tanakh)

Micah 6:2 (KJV)

Micah 6:2 (NET)

Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’s controversy, and ye strong foundations (מֹ֣סְדֵי) of the earth (אָ֑רֶץ): for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations (מסדי) of the earth (ארץ): for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Hear the Lord’s accusation, you mountains, you enduring foundations (môsâdâh, מסדי) of the earth (ʼerets, ארץ)!  For the Lord has a case against his people; he has a dispute with Israel!

Micah 6:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Micah 6:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀκούσατε βουνοί τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ αἱ φάραγγες θεμέλια τῆς γῆς ὅτι κρίσις τῷ κυρίῳ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ μετὰ τοῦ Ισραηλ διελεγχθήσεται ἀκούσατε ὄρη, τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ Κυρίου, καὶ αἱ φάραγγες θεμέλια τῆς γῆς, ὅτι κρίσις τῷ Κυρίῳ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ μετὰ τοῦ ᾿Ισραὴλ διελεγχθήσεται

Micah 6:2 (NETS)

Micah 6:2 (English Elpenor)

Hear, you peoples, the judgment of the Lord, and you chasms, foundations of the earth, because the Lord has a case against his people, and he will dispute with Israel. Hear ye, O mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and [ye] valleys [even] the foundations of the earth: for the Lord [has] a controversy with his people, and will plead with Israel.

Jeremiah 31:37 (Tanakh)

Jeremiah 31:37 (KJV)

Jeremiah 31:37 (NET)

Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations (מֽוֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אֶ֖רֶץ) searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations (מוסדי) of the earth (ארץ) searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. The Lord says, “I will not reject all the descendants of Israel because of all that they have done. That could only happen if the heavens above could be measured or the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדי) of the earth (ʼerets, ארץ) below could all be explored,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:35 (Septuagint BLB)

Jeremiah 38:35 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν ὑψωθῇ ὁ οὐρανὸς εἰς τὸ μετέωρον φησὶν κύριος καὶ ἐὰν ταπεινωθῇ τὸ ἔδαφος τῆς γῆς κάτω καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀποδοκιμῶ τὸ γένος Ισραηλ φησὶν κύριος περὶ πάντων ὧν ἐποίησαν ᾿Εὰν ὑψωθῇ ὁ οὐρανὸς εἰς τὸ μετέωρον, φησὶ Κύριος, καὶ ἐὰν ταπεινωθῇ τὸ ἔδαφος τῆς γῆς κάτω, καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀποδοκιμῶ τὸ γένος ᾿Ισραήλ, φησὶ Κύριος, περὶ πάντων, ὧν ἐποίησαν.

Jeremiah 38:35 (NETS)

Jeremiah 38:37 (English Elpenor)

If the sky be elevated to midair, quoth the Lord, and if the floor of the earth be brought low, even then I will not reject the race of Israel, quoth the Lord, because of all they have done. Though the sky should be raised to a [greater] height, saith the Lord, and though the ground of the earth should be sunk [lower] beneath, yet I will not cast off the family of Israel, saith the Lord, for all that they have done.

Proverbs 8:29 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 8:29 (KJV)

Proverbs 8:29 (NET)

When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations (מ֣וֹסְדֵי) of the earth (אָֽרֶץ): When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations (מוסדי) of the earth (ארץ): when he gave the sea his decree that the waters should not pass over his command, when he marked out the foundations (môsâdâh, מוסדי) of the earth (ʼerets, ארץ),

Proverbs 8:29 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 8:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἰσχυρὰ ἐποίει τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς καὶ ἰσχυρὰ ἐποίει τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς

Proverbs 8:29 (NETS)

Proverbs 8:29 (English Elpenor)

when he made strong the foundations of the earth, and when he strengthened the foundations of the earth:

1 Chronicles 17:11 (Tanakh)

1 Chronicles 17:11 (KJV)

1 Chronicles 17:11 (NET)

And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:11 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Chronicles 17:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται ὅταν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ ἡμέραι σου καὶ κοιμηθήσῃ μετὰ τῶν πατέρων σου καὶ ἀναστήσω τὸ σπέρμα σου μετὰ σέ ὃς ἔσται ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας σου καὶ ἑτοιμάσω τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔσται ὅταν πληρωθῶσιν ἡμέραι σου καὶ κοιμηθήσῃ μετὰ τῶν πατέρων σου, καὶ ἀναστήσω τὸ σπέρμα σου μετὰ σέ, ὃς ἔσται ἐκ τῆς κοιλίας σου, καὶ ἑτοιμάσω τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ

1 Supplements 17:11 (NETS)

1 Chronicles 17:11 (English Elpenor)

And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, also I will raise up your seed after you, he who shall be from your belly, and I will establish his kingdom. And it shall come to pass when thy days shall be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 17:12 (Tanakh)

1 Chronicles 17:12 (KJV)

1 Chronicles 17:12 (NET)

He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne (כִּסְא֖וֹ) for ever. He will be the builder of my house, and I will make the seat of his authority (כסאו) certain for ever. He will build me a house, and I will make his dynasty (kissêʼ, כסאו) permanent.

1 Chronicles 17:12 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Chronicles 17:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

αὐτὸς οἰκοδομήσει μοι οἶκον καὶ ἀνορθώσω τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος αὐτὸς οἰκοδομήσει μοι οἶκον, καὶ ἀνορθώσω τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος

1 Supplements 17:12 (NETS)

1 Chronicles 17:12 (English Elpenor)

It is he who shall build me a house, and I will set up his throne forever. He shall build me a house, and I will set up his throne for ever.

1 Chronicles 17:13 (Tanakh)

1 Chronicles 17:13 (KJV)

1 Chronicles 17:13 (NET)

I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you.

1 Chronicles 17:13 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Chronicles 17:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν καὶ τὸ ἔλεός μου οὐκ ἀποστήσω ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀπέστησα ἀπὸ τῶν ὄντων ἔμπροσθέν σου ἐγὼ ἔσομαι αὐτῷ εἰς πατέρα, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται μοι εἰς υἱόν· καὶ τὸ ἔλεός μου οὐκ ἀποστήσω ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀπέστησα ἀπὸ τῶν ὄντων ἔμπροσθέν σου

1 Supplements 17:13 (NETS)

1 Chronicles 17:13 (English Elpenor)

I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.  And I will not withdraw my mercy from him as I withdrew it from those before you. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son: and my mercy will I not withdraw from him, as I withdrew [it] from them that were before thee.

1 Chronicles 17:14 (Tanakh)

1 Chronicles 17:14 (KJV)

1 Chronicles 17:14 (NET)

But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne (וְכִסְא֕וֹ) shall be established for evermore. But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne (וכסאו) shall be established for evermore. I will put him in permanent charge of my house and my kingdom; his dynasty (kissêʼ, וכסאו) will be permanent.

1 Chronicles 17:14 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Chronicles 17:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ πιστώσω αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ μου καὶ ἐν βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος καὶ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ ἔσται ἀνωρθωμένος ἕως αἰῶνος καὶ πιστώσω αὐτὸν ἐν οἴκῳ μου καὶ ἐν βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ ἕως αἰῶνος, καὶ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ ἔσται ἀνωρθωμένος ἕως αἰῶνος

1 Supplements 17:14 (NETS)

1 Chronicles 17:14 (English Elpenor)

And I will confirm him in my house and in his reign forever.  And his throne shall be established forever. And I will establish him in my house and in his kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be set up for ever.

Hebrews 13:21 (NET)

Hebrews 13:21 (KJV)

equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.  Amen. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιῶν ἐν ἡμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας  ἀμήν καταρτισαι υμας εν παντι εργω αγαθω εις το ποιησαι το θελημα αυτου ποιων εν υμιν το ευαρεστον ενωπιον αυτου δια ιησου χριστου ω η δοξα εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων αμην καταρτισαι υμας εν παντι εργω αγαθω εις το ποιησαι το θελημα αυτου ποιων εν υμιν το ευαρεστον ενωπιον αυτου δια ιησου χριστου ω η δοξα εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων αμην

Luke 1:32 (NET)

Luke 1:32 (KJV)

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὗτος ἔσται μέγας καὶ υἱὸς ὑψίστου κληθήσεται καὶ δώσει αὐτῷ κύριος ὁ θεὸς τὸν θρόνον Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ουτος εσται μεγας και υιος υψιστου κληθησεται και δωσει αυτω κυριος ο θεος τον θρονον δαβιδ του πατρος αυτου ουτος εσται μεγας και υιος υψιστου κληθησεται και δωσει αυτω κυριος ο θεος τον θρονον δαυιδ του πατρος αυτου

[1] Genesis 11:8 (Tanakh)

[2] Judges 5:6 (Tanakh)

[3] Judges 5:7 (Tanakh)

[4] Judges 15:7 (Tanakh) אֶחְדָּֽל

[5] John 17:3 (NET)

[6] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εργω (KJV: work) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[7] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἡμῖν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υμιν (KJV: you).

[8] The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων (KJV: for ever and ever) here.  The NET parallel Greek text had simply αἰῶνας.

[9] Hebrews 13:20, 21 (NET)

[10] 1 Samuel 14:5 (Tanakh)

[11] 2 Samuel 22:16 (Tanakh)

[12] 2 Kings 22:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[13] Deuteronomy 32:22 (Tanakh)

[14] Deuteronomy 32:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[15] 2 Samuel 22:8 (Tanakh)

[16] 2 Kings 22:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[17] Psalm 18:7 (Tanakh)

[18] Psalm 17:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[19] Psalm 82:5 (Tanakh)

[20] Psalm 81:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[21] Jeremiah 31:37 (Tanakh)

[22] Jeremiah 38:37 (Septuagint Elpenor)

[23] Who Am I? Part 10

[24] Who Am I? Part 10

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

[26] Luke 1:30-33 (NET)

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 assessment of the Jewish authorities (Ἰουδαῖοι) as an answer to how the Father seeking his own is not self-seeking.  I don’t know the official status of the “Jewish authorities.”

The  Ἰουδαῖοι (translated, Jewish leaders) sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask [John the Baptist], “Who are you?”[2]  I’ve assumed that the Ἰουδαῖοι called out the big guns (though they may have sent their servants to do their bidding).  In the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman John explained, For Jews ( Ἰουδαῖοι) use nothing in common with Samaritans.[3]  This sounds like a description of “Jewishness.”  The  Ἰουδαῖοι (translated, Jewish leaders) said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and you are not permitted to carry your mat.”[4]  The healed man didn’t immediately drop his mat, but he didn’t blow off the Ἰουδαῖοι completely either.  He felt obliged to answer their charges in some fashion, at least to turn their gaze (and wrath) toward Jesus.

I certainly think of the Jewishness of the moment as the true adversary in this story (and perhaps all of John’s gospel narrative).  I might be more accurate to call these “authorities” accepted exemplars of then current Jewishness, but I’ll probably stick with  Ἰουδαῖοι for now.

It’s getting pretty deep here.  I need to remind myself what is at stake just to follow through with this level of detail.  First is my own issue:  Rules leap off the page and dance lewdly before my eyes.  Love and grace have always been more difficult for me to see in the Bible.  I’ve already written about how 1 Corinthians served to undo almost everything I thought I had learned in Romans.  Perceiving Romans 12:9-21 as rules to be obeyed clearly began that process.

My reason these days almost shouts, “Of course these are definitions of love.  How could the one who said of God’s law—no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law[5]—turn back, institute his own rules and expect any sane person to take him seriously?”  My experience of human nature, however, argues that we perceive that fault in others of which we are most guilty.  It makes perfect sense then that one who accused others of ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness[6] would deny the efficacy of God’s law vis-a-vis righteousness only to establish his own rules of righteousness.  These arguments are mutually canceling.  I need to do the work studying the words to find the love and grace embedded in these apparent rules.

Here I want to recount what Jesus said about the Ἰουδαῖοι of the only God-ordained religion on the planet[7]:

1) You people have never heard [the Father’s] voice nor seen his form at any time, nor do you have his word residing in you, because you do not believe the one whom he sent.[8]

2) You study the scriptures thoroughlyit is these same scriptures that testify about me, but you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.[9]

3) If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.[10]

On point number 3 I want to clarify my own thinking.  The Bible begins: In the beginning ʼĕlôhı̂ym created the heavens and the earth.[11]  Then in chapter 2 one [Addendum (April 26, 2023): Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Part 7] of the ʼĕlôhı̂ym is specified: This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created – when the yehôvâh ʼĕlôhı̂ym made the earth and heavens.[12]  From this point on the Bible becomes his story.  If you believe (as I did) that yehôvâh ʼĕlôhı̂ym corresponds to the Father in the New Testament, Eric Chabot has an article online detailing the few times Moses wrote about Jesus.

These days I am thinking that yehôvâh ʼĕlôhı̂ym corresponds to the Son in the New Testament.  I think that was Jesus’ point when He said, I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am![13]  God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) said to Moses, “I am (hâyâh) that I am.”  And he said, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I am (hâyâh) has sent me to you.’”  God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) also said to Moses, “You must say this to the Israelites, ‘The Lord (yehôvâh)– the God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) of your fathers, the God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) of Abraham, the God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) of Isaac, and the God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym) of Jacob – has sent me to you.  This is my name forever, and this is my memorial from generation to generation.’”[14]

I think this was John’s point when he penned: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.  The Word was with God in the beginning.  All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.[15]  Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us.  We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.[16]

And I think this was Paul’s point when he prophesied of Jesus: who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.  He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!  As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.[17]

What this means to me here is that I take Eric Chabot’s list and add virtually everything else Moses wrote to it.  In this light I’ll continue to look into the feeding of the five thousand men plus women and children.

Jesus and his disciples left by boat for an isolated place outside of BethsaidaBut when the crowd heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns, and arrived there ahead of them.  John added the reason they followed Him: they were observing (ἐθεώρουν, a form of θεωρέω) the miraculous signs (σημεῖα, a form of σημεῖον) he was performing on the sick.

Matthew Mark Luke

John

Now when Jesus heard this he went away from there privately in a boat to an isolated place.

Matthew 14:13a (NET)

Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.  He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat).  So they went away by themselves in a boat to some remote place.

Mark 6:30-32 (NET)

When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done.  Then he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.

Luke 9:10 (NET)

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias).

John 6:1 (NET)

But when the crowd heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

 Matthew 14:13b (NET)

But many saw them leaving and recognized them, and they hurried on foot from all the towns and arrived there ahead of them.

Mark 6:33 (NET)

But when the crowds found out, they followed him.

Luke 9:11a (NET) Table

A large crowd was following him because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick.

John 6:2 (NET)

Though Jesus had gone away with his disciples for rest and perhaps an opportunity to grieve,[18] when He got out of the boat he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on themHe welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.  He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (ποιμένα, a form of ποιμήν).

Matthew

Mark

Luke

As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14 (NET)

As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  So he taught them many things.

Mark 6:34 (NET)

He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.

Luke 9:11b (NET) Table

The people had many  Ἰουδαῖοι who did not have God’s word residing in them,  though the  Ἰουδαῖοι studied the Old Testament scriptures thoroughly, because they thought in them they possessed eternal life.  The  Ἰουδαῖοι functioned as thought police not as shepherds of the people.  Thought police exert their influence from the outside.  Shepherds feed the sheep.

I didn’t always recognize this distinction.  I remembered that the good shepherd breaks the legs of lambs that wander away from the flock.  I had to decide whether I would believe the shepherd lore I was taught as a child or the Word of God, as shepherds must decide whether they will feed the lambs shepherd lore or the Word of God (John 21:15-17 NET). Table

Then when they had finished breakfast [that Jesus had prepared for them], Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (ἀγαπᾷς, a form of ἀγαπάω) me more than these do?”  He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love (φιλῶ, a form of φιλέω) you.”  Jesus told him, “Feed (βόσκε, a form of βόσκω) my lambs.”  Jesus said a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (ἀγαπᾷς, a form of ἀγαπάω) me?”  He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love (φιλῶ, a form of φιλέω) you.”  Jesus told him, “Shepherd (ποίμαινε, a form of ποιμαίνω) my sheep.”  Jesus said a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (φιλεῖς, another form of φιλέω) me?”  Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love (φιλεῖς, another form of φιλέω) me?” and said, “Lord, you know everything.  You know that I love (φιλῶ, a form of φιλέω) you.”  Jesus replied, “Feed (βόσκε, a form of βόσκω) my sheep.

The Word of God does its work from the inside, unleashing the power of God (Hebrews 13:20, 21 NET):

Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd (ποιμένα, a form of ποιμήν) of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, equip (καταρτίσαι, a form of καταρτίζω) you with every good thing (ἀγαθῷ, a form of ἀγαθός) to do (ποιῆσαι, a form of ποιέω) his will, working (ποιῶν, another form of ποιέω; in other words doing) in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.  Amen.

And, of course, every shepherd must decide for himself whether he trusts God’s power enough to forego leg-breaking and thought police (Hebrews 13:20, 21 CEV).

God gives peace, and he raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death.  Now Jesus is like a Great Shepherd whose blood was used to make God’s eternal agreement with his flock.  I pray that God will make you ready to obey him and that you will always be eager to do right.  May Jesus help you do what pleases God.  To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever!  Amen.

Here, I think, is a prime example of Bible translation as interpretation tailored to fit a lesser[19] confidence in God’s power.  My obedience is the real key.  And I think it entirely fair to ask why Jesus, who only mayhelp, should rob me of my glory for my obedience.  This is the second-chance-gospel I grew up believing, a second chance to keep the law.  It is not God Himself doing in us what is pleasing before Him.

When evening arrived, [Jesus’] disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late.  Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  But he replied, “They don’t need to go.  You give them something to eat.”  On this Matthew, Mark and Luke agree.

Matthew Mark

Luke

When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late.  Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”  But he replied, “They don’t need to go.  You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 14:15, 16 (NET)

When it was already late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is an isolated place and it is already very late.  Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.”  But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”

Mark 6:35-37a (NET)

Now the day began to draw to a close, so the twelve came and said to Jesus, “Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and food, because we are in an isolated place.”  But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

Luke 9:12, 13a (NET)

It left me with the impression that after Jesus spent a long day doing the will of the one who sent[20] Him, having food to eat that they knew nothing about,[21] it fell to his disciples to consider the practical matter of feeding so many hungry people.  But as I turn to John’s Gospel narrative I think this is precisely the false impression he wrote to correct.

John didn’t reiterate that Jesus healed the sick or taught the people many things about the kingdom of God.  That had been written already.  He wrote that Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples.[22]  Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?”  (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.)[23]

Jesus was concerned about feeding the people from the very moment he saw them following him because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick.  It is exactly what He had promised them in the name of his Father (Matthew 6:25-33 NET):

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?  Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Aren’t you more valuable than they are?  And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?  Why do you worry about clothing?  Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!  And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith (ὀλιγόπιστοι, a form of ὀλιγόπιστος)?  So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’  For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I’ll take this up again in the next essay.


[1] Romans 12:11 (NET) Table

[2] John 1:19 (NET)

[3] John 4:9b (NET) Table

[4] John 5:10  (NET) Table

[5] Romans 3:20a (NET)

[6] Romans 10:3a (NET)

[7] I am beginning to think that might be overstated.  Don Richardson, for instance, might argue that with me.  I would listen to him, but for now I will stick with this understanding of the Old Testament.

[8] John 5:37b, 38 (NET)

[9] John 5:39, 40 (NET)

[10] John 5:46 (NET)

[11] Genesis 1:1 (NET)

[12] Genesis 2:4 (NET)

[13] John 8:58 (NET) Table

[14] Exodus 3:14, 15 (NET)

[15] John 1:1-3 (NET)

[16] John 1:14 (NET)

[17] Philippians 2:6-11 (NET)

[18] John 14:10-13 (NET)

[19] 2 Timothy 3:5 (NET)

[20] John 4:34 (NET) Table

[21] John 4:32 (NET)

[22] John 6:3 (NET)

[23] John 6:5, 6 (NET)