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The fine-tuning of Hebrews 11:12
#1
Shlama Akhay,

Along with the Peshitta text being more plain than the Greek text on many occasions, there is a certain 'pin-pointing' or expressing exactly what is meant in no uncertain terms that one runs into. The Greek text lags behind in that regard in Hebrews 11:12. William Norton points this out in his book. I'll show Grk.-Eng. and Aram.-Eng. translations (including Norton's own of both) to emphasize his observation of the Peshitta's superiority concerning this verse.

(ASV) wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.


{Unfortunately, George Lamsa follows the Greek too close}
Therefore, there sprang from one who was as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in number and as the grains of sand which is on the sea shore, innumerable.

{William Norton translates the Greek text and the Aramaic text----Here's his rendering of the Greek text}
Therefore, even by one, and by him when partly dead, there were begotten as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and like the sands which are on the sea-shore, which cannot be numbered.

{Norton's rendering of the Aramaic text}
For this reason, by one who was incapable from age, were begotten as many as the stars which are in heaven, and as the sands which are on the sea-shore, which are numberless.

{James Murdock reinforces the observation that Lamsa misses}
12Therefore, from one man failing through age, numbers were born, like the stars in the heavens, and like the sand on the shore of the sea which is innumerable.

{John Wesley Etheridge backs up both Norton and Murdock}
Therefore from one who had failed from old age, were there begotten multitudes as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon the shores of the sea, which have no number.

{Victor Alexander has a different approach (linguistically speaking) to this problem of not being able to impregnate a wife due to old age}
Because of that from one who was retired through old age, were born many, like the star in heaven and like the sand at the edge of the sea that is beyond number.

How's the 'Norton-approach' looking so far, akhi Paul? <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey
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#2
Hmmm very interesting Larry! Has Norton translated the whole text of the NT or just bits?

By the way, welcome to the forum, lol.
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#3
Shlama Akhi Dave,

Unfortunately, Norton's translation work only has Hebrews, James, 1st Peter, and 1st John. His very lengthy introduction more than makes up for it, though!
He also has the places in Scripture where the Peshitta text and the Revised Greek text of 1881 (Westcott & Hort) do not agree followed by verses where they do agree...all catalogued and organized very nicely. <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile --> Good book!

Quote:By the way, welcome to the forum, lol.

Thanks akh, I'm #185 on page 4 of the Memberlist. What a growing family! I wonder if we can all fly in to Chicago for breakfast with the Younans. Donna could fix us up some 'flapjacks 'n sorghum' with razorback steaks! <!-- s:bigups: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bigups.gif" alt=":bigups:" title="Big Ups" /><!-- s:bigups: --> <!-- s:biggrin: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/biggrin.gif" alt=":biggrin:" title="Big Grin" /><!-- s:biggrin: -->

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey
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#4
Now thats an idea Larry!! Would be a lot of pancakes though!?!?!

I want Eggs with my steak also Paul!
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#5
Anytime, Anytime.

Dean Dana just spent the weekend with us, he's enjoying pancakes right now as we speak. (those L.A. vegetarians!)
+Shamasha Paul bar-Shimun de'Beth-Younan
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