The Single Most Important Word in the Entire Old Testament! Pt. 3

The Single Most Important Word in the Entire Old Testament! Pt. 3

Brad Reiches

Nov 22 2006 10:31PM

I originally published this series December 8-13, 2005.  Because it was published prior to our transition to InJesus.com, it has not previously been available in our archives.  Since December of last year God has added to our numbers dramatically and it is my desire (and I believe "leading of the Holy Spirit") to now make it available to the thousands of our new subscribers, as well as a permanent online resource for the body of Christ at large.  Since the original publication, I've received meaningful testimonies from many pastors and Bible study leaders that the influence of this study has been widespread and significant, even to the extent of influencing the choice of Bible translations.  May our Lord continue to "cause the voice of My authority to be heard," and "Watch over My word to perform it."

Pastor Brad

        

Thanksgiving Day,  2006

GodThoughts Wired!

"The Single Most Significant Word

in the Entire Old Testament!"

PART 3

NASB:  "I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice."

NIV:  "I delight in mercy, not sacrifice."

Hosea 6:6

Did you pick up on the difference between the "paraphrased" (thought for thought) NIV:  "I desire mercy, not sacrifice..." and the literal translation:  NASB:   "I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice..."  The difference between "mercy" and "loyalty" is RADICAL.  The meaning, and therefore, our understanding of Hosea 6:6 is RADICALLY ALTERED by the Bible we choose to read from.  Is the NIV wrong?  Well, no, not technically.  The problem is,

"No word-for-word translation can be fully 'literal' and still express

 all the nuances of the original language.   Rather, the purpose is to help the reader find the English word which most correctly expresses

the original Hebrew word in that particular context."

-The Complete Biblical Library, Old Testament Study Bible, Daniel-Malachi, p. 7

I would argue that, although both translations are "technically" correct, only one translation is the "inspired word of God."  If "word-for-word" (i.e. New American Standard, NASB) translations have difficulty identifying the "richness" of the Hebrew language, how much more the "paraphrased" (i.e. New International Version, NIV), or (thought for thought) versions.  As we have seen, it is "technically correct" to include "mercy" in the meaning of hesed, but as we are about to see, "mercy" COMPLETELY MISSES the author's intended meaning as understood by the book of Hosea itself, and the specific context of Hosea 6: 1-7.  Indeed, this context clearly shows us that God's concern is with our lack of faithfulness, and/or devotion, and/or loyalty.  Further, the book of Hosea is all about FAITHFULNESS AND DEVOTION AND LOYALTY.

"Go and learn what Hosea 6:6 means" (Matthew 9:13; 12:7)*  -Jesus

And that's exactly what we're doing!  Isn't this fun?  "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding" (Proverbs 10:23).

*A Curious note:  When you go back to the book of Matthew and reflect on this study of translations, the context of Matthew 12:7 is clear that the best rendering is "loyalty or faithfulness."  However, a close look at the context of Matthew 9:13 certainly seems to allow for a rendering of "compassion, or mercy," nontheless, the one constant in both of these passages is the contrast that Jesus is making with "sacrifice."  The Bible contrasts loyalty and faithfulness and obedience, with "sacrifice,"  throughout scripture (see also, 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6-8; Jeremiah 7:22-23), but the contrast between mercy/compassion with "sacrifice" makes little sense.