Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
John 1:1 is all about capitalization and the tiny word “a,” which in grammar is called the indefinite article. And yet, this clause has been the most debated verse for centuries. So, was the Word “God” or “a god”?
There is a single article (the) preceding two nouns of the same case (God, Savior) that are joined by the conjunction “and.” More than 140 years ago, Granville Sharp developed what became known as “the Granville Sharp rule,” applying it in such constructions. It claims that, since the article (the) is not duplicated before the second noun (Savior), the two nouns have to refer to the same person or subject.
The divine name יהוה (JHVH) is used some six thousand eight hundred and twenty-three times in the Masoretic Text. Six thousand five hundred and eighteen times the name is marked to be pronounced יְהֹוָה (Hebrew) J'hõh-vãh' 3068). Three hundred and five times the name is marked to be pronounced יֱהֹוִה (Hebrew Jehõh-vih' 3069). Not once is the divine...
In arguing against the use of Jehovah, sacred namers [those preferring Yahweh] claim that this name was unknown in Biblical times. They insist that the name Jehovah is a recent invention, concocted in the 1500s by a Catholic priest. They quote well-known Biblical writers and editors who support this view. One sacred name publication states,...
The first symbol representing both "i" and "j" appeared around 800 A.D. This symbol was invented by French monks, who adapted it from Roman writings. In 1066 the symbol was transported to Saxon England by William the Conqueror. Thus the first symbol representing the "j" sound was introduced to the English-speaking peoples more than nine hundred years ago--nearly five...
Unlike Yiddish, which modern Jews speak, the Hebrew language that was spoken by Abraham and Moses and that is preserved in the Scriptures does have the "j" sound. From ancient times, the "j" sound has been represented by the letter jod (in ancient Hebrew ___, and in Biblical Hebrew י). Although Ashkenazi Jews have changed...
Bible translation goes back to 280 to 150 B.C.E., when (seventy-two, according to tradition) translators gave us the Hebrew Old Testament books in Greek. From those days forward, translators have lived hazardous lives in trying to bring us the Word of God in the common languages of man. This has often been from the religious organizations themselves, who have caused the suffering and death of many translators. Is it any different today? How so?
What Is God’s personal name? Not surprisingly, the bulk of the 2 billion+ members of the churches of Christianity would likely find that question difficult to answer. And of those who can answer it, they have likely heard the common myth that has been passed down for centuries.
John 8:58 is one of the most hotly debated verses in the Bible, so our investigation is likely to offend someone.