Category: Bible Translation and Interpretation

Sarah’s or Abraham’s Faith in Hebrews 11:11?

Different translations focus on either Sarah’s faith or Abraham’s faith in Hebrews 11:11. Who is the subject of this verse?

January 7, 2025 14 Comments

Revisiting Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valour”)

I look at the Hebrew word chayil, used in Proverbs 31:10 for an eshet chayil, and at the Greek word andreia (“courageous”), used to describe some Bible and early Christian women.

September 7, 2023 14 Comments

Are the branches lifted up or taken away in John 15:2a?

John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.

September 1, 2022 30 Comments

A Note on Divorce Terminology in the Bible

In this blog post, I give a brief overview of the Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible for divorce.

April 10, 2022 24 Comments

“Brothers and Sisters” (Adelphoi) in Paul’s Letters

The Greek word adelphoi is used over 100 times in Paul’s letters. Is “brothers and sisters” or “siblings” an acceptable translation?

March 25, 2022 36 Comments

Junias and Junia in Early Commentaries of Romans 16:7

Here is a list of over a dozen early and medieval scholars who took Junia’s name in Romans 16:7 to be feminine. Junia was a woman and not Junias, a man.

November 13, 2019 23 Comments

Valiant or Virtuous? by Suzanne McCarthy

Here is a short review of Suzanne McCarthy’s book, Valiant or Virtuous?: Gender Bias in Bible Translation. Her book is on a topic close to my heart.

September 30, 2019 1 Comment

Manhood and Masculinity in the ESV

The word “manhood” occurs twice in the English Standard Version. Does this word convey what Paul wanted to say in Eph. 4:13? In what other ways does the ESV create a masculine bias.

August 11, 2019 37 Comments

Authentein in 1 Timothy 2:12, in a Nutshell

This short post looks at the verb authenteō (authentein) in 1 Tim. 2:12. My claim is that “to have, exercise, usurp authority” is an inadequate and misleading translation.

April 21, 2018 24 Comments

Deuteronomy 22:28–29 and Marrying your Rapist

Though it sounds heartless, even preposterous, to modern Westerners, the Deut. 22:28-29 law, for a rapist to marry his victim, may have benefitted the raped woman. Here’s why.

January 15, 2018 46 Comments

Three Scholars with Two Views on Eve’s Role as Helper

What did Eve do to help Adam? Here are two very different views from three top scholars about Eve’s role as helper in Genesis 2.

October 26, 2017 21 Comments

teshuqah teshuqa desire devotion Genesis 3.16 pexels 1218483

Does Teshuqah mean Desire or Devotion in Genesis 3:16?

Is the Hebrew word teshuqah, traditionally translated as “desire” in Genesis 3:16, better translated as “single-minded concentration” or “devotion”?

October 4, 2016 22 Comments

Likewise women eshet chayil Lemuel's mother

Which Bible translation is best?

Many Christians are dissatisfied with English translations that seem biased towards men when, in fact, many passages are gender-inclusive. So, what is the best Bible translation?

October 1, 2016 148 Comments

God on Divorce (Malachi 2:16)

Here are some better translations of Malachi 2:16 that faithfully reflect the Hebrew grammar and do not have God saying, “I hate divorce.”

May 21, 2016 109 Comments

didaktikos, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:24

What does didaktikos mean in 1 Tim 3:2 and 2 Tim 2:24?

In 1 Timothy 3:2 and in 2 Timothy 2:24 is a rare Greek word, didaktikos. This word is usually translated as “able to teach” but it may mean “teachable.”

December 12, 2015 14 Comments

biblical equality, christian egalitarianism igualitarismo

The Politics of Bible Translations

Scot McKnight observes that the rhetoric about English Bible translations is more about politics than it is about reality.

October 1, 2014 7 Comments

“Workers at home” or “keepers at home” in Titus 2:5?

Titus 2:5 contains a Greek word usually translated as “workers at home,” but the King James Bible has “keepers at home.” Which is the correct? What did Paul mean?

September 23, 2014 24 Comments

Why masculine pronouns can be misleading in English Bibles and in the Church

We need to use gender-accurate and gender-inclusive pronouns so that we do not imply a gender bias in the Bible and in church when none is intended.

September 11, 2014 20 Comments

King James Bible, New Living Translation NLT

7 Things to Know About the King James Bible

The King James Bible is a great English translation, but is it the best? This article looks at 7 aspects of the KJV translation.

December 18, 2013 62 Comments

Barbara Aland and the Nestle-Aland Greek NT

Most modern translations of the New Testament rely on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. One of the editors of recent editions of this Greek New Testament is scholar Barbara Aland. This article provides a brief history of the Nestle-Aland text and a brief biography of Barbara Aland.

December 11, 2013 1 Comment