The Bible in 3D: Discovering Depth from an Original Perspective

Multiple Meanings

We’ve discussed before the wide range of meanings a Hebrew word can cover,

including positive and negative connotations. This can make some passages difficult to

translate.

Multiple meanings: Just like ambiguous pictures – “My Wife and My MIL” by W.E. Hill

1915

 Lack of vowels – example: (mop/map) is helpful – happens at least 40 times in

Job,

 Positive/negative – coming to visit, hesed

 No marker to indicate the subject/object or reference to whom

 Words left out, fill in the blank – especially with poetry

English/Western – which is it, one has to be right (which is the best Bible translation,

which one gets it right? When looking at a variety of options will help us see different

perspectives

Hebrew/Eastern – mystery, sign of the divine, cause for excitement/joy, how are multiple

true?

Goal:

1) Increase awareness of the difficulties Bible translators face and the value that

multiple translations bring.

2) Increase the wonder and mystery of God’s divine Word. Not to limit it, but allow it

to expand our awareness of Him and His grandeur.

Resources for different perspectives/translations:

 JC Studies – weekly studies, classes, and more https://jcstudies.com/

 Bema Podcast: https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/, Marty Solomon, who studied

under Ray Vander Laan who also has many great resources.

 Viewing multiple English translations at once: Google Bible reference followed by

“Bible Gateway.” Click on the result that does not also include a translation. Or

use the following link as a formula, plugging in the book (in blue), chapter (in

yellow), and verse (in green).

https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%20118%3A24

Ps 118:24

Baseline: NLT – This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

or ESV – This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Rough literal: This the day Y made/did, we will be joyful (spin) and we will be happy in

it/him

Reflect: How does the meaning/significance of the verse change if it ends in “him”?

Discussion: Love to discuss/debate, do we rejoice in the day or the Lord who made the

day?

Alternate: (NIV – The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.)

See context of verse: stone rejected = cornerstone, God did it, marvelous in our

eyes

Habakkuk 2:4b

Baseline: CSB – (Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity.) But the righteous one

will live by his faith.

Rough literal: And righteous (one) in his faith/steadfastness will live

Reflect: Who does the “his” refer to? The righteous or God? How does this add

significance?

Discussion: Here we have a righteous person yet the possessive pronoun “his” is used.

Who’s faith? It’s by God’s faithfulness and steadfastness that we live. Also God gives us

faith.

Ruth 4:14-15a

Baseline: NLT – Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has

now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he

restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-

in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Rough literal: And said the women to Naomi, “Blessing Y who did not fail to you a

redeemer this day. And his name will be called out to in Israel. And he will be to you to

restore living body and will maintain/keep/provide/sustain old age (because your DIL

who loves you bore him…)

Reflect: Again, His/he refers to whom? God? The child? What are the implications of

either?

Discuss: Love the double-meaning here, especially as Obed is revealed to be David’s

grandfather, in the line of Christ.

Alternate: ESV – Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left

you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be

to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who

loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”