Month: February 2011

Bible Translations and Mistranslations

What We Learn from the Tower in Proverbs 18:10

Bill Mounce has a post (also here) about the “strong” tower in Proverbs 18:10. He notes that the NIV 2010 (following the TNIV) changes the familiar translation “strong tower” into “fortified tower,” thereby mucking with the text of a familiar hymn. Dr. Mounce concludes that the change from “strong” to “fortified” is nonetheless warranted because…
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February 17, 2011 8

Why Chiasmus Matters in Proverbs 14:31

Jeff (at Scripture Zealot) wonders about Proverbs 14:31: Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (ESV) Jeff’s question is whether “his” in the first half of the verse is “the oppressor’s” or “the poor man’s.” As it happens, about a decade of linguistics research…
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February 15, 2011 2

Translation Challenge: Snow and Ice in Psalm 147

With much of the U.S. buried under snow and ice (myself included), I thought I’d turn to the end of Psalm 147. The NRSV translates Psalm 147:15-18 as follows: [15] He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. [16] He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. [17] He…
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February 2, 2011 5

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Lives

Recent posts from my Ancient Wisdom, Modern Lives:

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