Comments on: Q&A: Straightening the Crooked Paths in Isaiah 40:3

By: Marshall Massey

Marshall Massey — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:48:56 +0000

This essay was actually an eye-opener for me. Thank you!

By: Joel H.

Joel H. — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:50:49 +0000

Not that I know of, but this is another translation example where understanding language isn’t enough. Someone who knows about the ancient technologies for making roads might know that a certain word is used technically.

A modern example comes from “set,” which generally just means “place” and doesn’t refer to any particular technology. But “setting type” is a certain technical process (which, as it happens, no longer involves the old physical process that used to be called “setting type.”)

Similarly, it’s possible that these words were used for technical aspects of road-making that I’m unaware of.

(There is a verb “pave,” which — obviously — doesn’t mean the modern process of covering with blacktop, but it may have involved machinery. We see it elsewhere in connection with God’s roads, but not here.)

By: WoundedEgo

WoundedEgo — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:36:19 +0000

My memory can’t be trusted on this, but I seem to remember that either the Greek or the Hebrew had some suggestion in the word choice of “using equipment” in building the road. Is there anything to this at all?

Thanks.

By: Joel H.

Joel H. — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:28:48 +0000

Yes. Thanks. I’ve fixed it.

(At least I spelled all the words right this time. I think.)

By: Gary Simmons

Gary Simmons — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:34:31 +0000

Thank you so much! Since my focus is the Greek NT (and my Hebrew is terrible), whatever the NT quotes is what leads me astray on crooked paths.

By: John

John — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:22:15 +0000

I suppose you mean Isaiah 40:3, not Isaiah 1:3 in that one place.