Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

GRAMMAR’S IMPACT ON BIBLE TRANSLATION

The ancient Hebrew language in which the Old Testament was written employs a written indicator of a direct object in a sentence. The linguistic sign is transliterated “eth” and is not translated since it is understood as only a sign or pointer of what is coming next, grammatically. However, no matter what rule may be generally applicable, there will be times and instances when the rule is broken. In case of the direct object sign, it is sometimes translated “with” or “from” or “even” without any clear reasoning except translators thought such translation made the idea clearer in English. I have also noticed that taking such liberty with language may create more problems than those it intends to solve.

Attention is drawn to Genesis 4:1 which states, “And Adam knew (eth) Eve his wife and she conceived and went on to bear a child (eth) Cain; moreover, she said I have gotten a man (eth) Jehovah.” (literal translation). Notice that the direct object sign (eth) is used three times in this verse. In the English Bible, it is (properly) not translated the first two times, but translators assigned the word “from” to the third usage. There is no just or consistent cause for this translation, and if a translation were to be made here it more probably should have been “even” The reason being that the uniform translation of the verse conveys the idea that Eve thought she had given birth to the Messiah of Whom the first couple had been informed, and Whose sacrifice had been portrayed to them to cover their nakedness.

Of course, the coming of Messiah was some four thousand years in the future, but that information was not conveyed to them. The vicissitudes of time was not the point, but belief in God and His Word was the point. Not many references to the span of the ages were made until the prophets Ezekiel, Daniel, and Isaiah. Even those great men of God did not see nor understand the great span of time of the church age.

Of course, Cain was far from being Jehovah. He was a mere sinner, and the first murderer, which soon became evident. So, men have received promises, and in them looked onward, forward, and were not disappointed in the faith. They received the fulfillment of so many promises! Some were so fortunate as to walk and talk with Jehovah (Jesus), and all of us who believe in Him will see His coming again, and be transformed to see Him as He is. We may be so grateful for the faith of mother Eve. Her son was not to be the promised Messiah, but the important thing is that she looked for Him.

FOR THOUGHT: What about you, dear reader? Are you looking for Him? Pause and consider the blessed promise that can be yours in Hebrews 9:28.