Translation

What does it mean to "quench the Spirit"? Do you use the word "quench" other than to quench your thirst? Do you quench a candle? Satan's fiery arrows?

The traditional translation is that Jesus' star arose "in the East," but the primary meaning of the word is "rising." Of course, stars appear on the eastern horizon as the earth spins. Part of the reasoning for a translation, though, is tied up[in what you think the star was. Can a start point not only to Israel but to Bethlehem, and even to where Jesus was?

Concordance is the practice of using the same English word to translate the same Greek or Hebrew word. At times it can help, and at other times it is poor English style and can actually get in the way of understanding the passage. Here is a Hebrew and a Greek example.

Jesus' ambiguous answer to Judas' question about not being the betrayer is very clever. Judas knows that Jesus knows, and Jesus is giving him one last chance to change his mind by answering in such a way that the other disciples would not understand.

We all recognize that there is not necessarily a Greek word behind every English word. Sometimes they are implied by another Greek word, or sometimes they are necessary so the translation does not miscommunicate. When Paul says that we are not to look after our own interests in Phil 2:4, does he really mean that?

Every once in a while I see a translation where there is no Greek in any form behind the English. I know at times this is necessary for convey meaning, but every once in a while I suspect something else is in play.

If you translate word-for-word in Acts 6:2, you miscommunicate. The Apostles were not wanting to stop being waiters, they weren't asking to stop “waiting on tables.” They understand that their "service" is different." They understand that their "service" is different.

Translating units of money can be tricky. We don't use drachmas any more, and the amount earned on average per day is different. So most translations become somewhat interpretive.

Dynamic equivalent translations are not overly concerned with concordance, i.e., translating the same Greek word with the same English word. But if it is possible to find the right English word that matches all the different uses of the Greek word, it can be a good thing. Yet that task can be more difficult than you might think. And the Greek of Acts 7:19 is a bit treacherous.

Many people do not use certain gender terms properly, which creates confusion in the discussion of translation theory. What is “gender neutral,” “gender inclusive,” and “gender accurate"? Why is this even an issue?