Oracles of Yah

Translator's Bias

Most of the time I would think that the translators do the very best that they can to make sure that the original intent of the writer of a text is transferred to the new copy. However, we all have personal bias. Even with out that there are certain scriptures that have been translated in a certain way because that is what every one expects. I have also noted that the expected translation sometimes shows up even Strong's Concordance. You can tell when the word or concept is too new to be from old testament times or the first century.

Below are a couple of examples where I think that the translators ignored the original for the expected translation. After all a new translation does not sell well if it does not conform to expected readings of the text. A known example of that is the word that we know as "baptism". Most know that the Greek word baptismo means to immerse or bury and that is how it should be translated. However, that would offend many different groups who practice a "baptism" that is foreign to the actual meaning of the word.

Notice the problem below with the words rest and sabbath.

In the scripture below, Hebrew 4:1-11, the word rest in orange is translated from the greek word: katapausis:G2663, which according to Strong's is:

reposing down, i.e. (by Hebrew) abode:--rest.

However in verse 9 there is a different greek word used even though it is still translated as if it were rest. If the translators had followed the greek word actually in the text which is: sabbatismos:G4520, which according to Strong's is:

a "sabbatism", i.e. (fig.) the repose of Christianity (as a type of heaven):--rest.

The word should have been translated sabbath because that is what the greek says. Now here is the quote.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";
and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."
Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,
again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."
For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

If verse 9 would have been translated properly it would have read:

Hebrews 4:9
"There remains therefore a sabbath for the people of God."

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Oracles of Yah