Now I find woman more bitter than death; she is all traps, her hands are fetters and her heart is snares. He who is pleasing to God escapes her, and he who is displeasing is caught by her. Ecclesiastes 7:26 JPS More bitter – We are often disturbed with some of Paul’s statements about women….
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. 1 Kings 5:4 Adversary – As I travel the world, I am privileged to observe first-hand the incredible diversity of culture. From Asia to Africa, from Europe to Central America, each group seems to have a…
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. 1 Kings 11:7 NASB Built – The women got him. At least that’s the way most of us were taught (if we…
When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came. 2 Samuel 16:5 NASB Shimei – David’s last words seem to be nothing but payback. Just before…
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Proverbs 31:10 NASB Excellent – By now we all realize that any translation of ‘eshet hayil that shifts the meaning toward internal qualities leads us in the wrong direction. ‘eshet hayil is the Hebrew expression often translated “excellent wife,” “virtuous wife,” “wife…
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NASB In earlier times – Ah, the problems on syntax. English does not work like Greek. In Greek we have one word, proegraphe, that requires five English…
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. John 2:24-25 NASB Not entrusting – The NASB translation accidentally hides the fact that the Greek verb here is pisteuo,…
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 NASB Opportunity – Everyone must deal with forks. No, not eating utensils. I mean forks in the roads we travel. We have to decide which way to go,…
“How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth—a woman will encompass a man.” Jeremiah 31:22 NASB Encompass – I don’t like this choice of translation for the Hebrew tesovav (from the root sabab). “Encompass” makes it sound like a woman…
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4 NASB Not wholly devoted – The Hebrew for “not wholly devoted” is lo hayah levavo shalem (“not…
