The Taking Away of The Dots
by MBPSTB
Shabbat, 5th day, 8th month
24 October, 2015
Over the course of time spent in studying the Word, it has become apparent that many dots have been eradicated. If dots cannot be connected, concepts are missed, a fuller understanding of the messages are lost. These missing dots are in the form of omitted verses, parts of verses or changed words and even changing out upper case for lowercase thereby diminishing the proper nouns and names. While many times this happens across the various translations, this also happens within the same version as we shall show.
Other considerations to be aware of are the actual Strong's definitions of words. Typically these will include more than one concept to define any given word. Most people will gravitate toward the first meaning given, especially if the translated English word is part of the first meaning. It implies or gives the student the illusion that since it is listed first, it must be the more correct meaning. While in some cases, it might be, in most it is not.
Also, in many cases, Strong's will show that the word translated stems from yet another Hebrew word and will reference it. In many cases, again, the truer more logical meaning can be found in the word referenced rather than the one shown.
We will introduce the "plug and play" method of studying, which can and does help to clarify misunderstood words and verses. We will show examples to help.
One more thing: In some cases, Strong's will not have any reference to another Hebrew word and in those cases, careful study of the actual Hebrew letters (consonants ONLY) should be considered (perhaps a scribal error). In some cases, there is no definition and when this occurs ( the phrase "of uncertain derivation"), it helps to look at the words preceding that one or following. An example will be shown later.
For the sake of this study, we will be looking at three translations: Stone's, NASB and KJV. While the NIV is notoriously fraught with omissions and changed wording, it appears the NASB (supposed to be a trusted, more direct translation from the Hebrew and Greek.) also has omitted crucial dots. So let's begin.
There is a mysterious and confusing verse found in Acts chapter 9:
(KJV) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
(KJV+) AndG1161 he said,G2036 WhoG5101 artG1488 thou, Lord?G2962 AndG1161 theG3588 LordG2962 said,G2036 IG1473 amG1510 JesusG2424 whomG3739 thouG4771 persecutest:G1377 it is hardG4642 for theeG4671 to kickG2979 againstG4314 the pricks.G2759
G2759 "pricks"
κέντρον
kentron
ken'-tron
From κεντέω kenteō (to prick); a point (“centre”), that is, a sting (figuratively poison) or goad (figuratively divine impulse): - prick, sting.
At first glance into the definition of "pricks", our impulse is to only consider the first definition given, using the logic of placement denotes importance. To sort of "second" that, we also find the word prick as part of that first concept. There are three different concepts for "pricks":
1. (to prick); a point (“centre”)
2. a sting (figuratively poison)
3. or goad (figuratively divine impulse)
Reread the verse using "point" (center)
Reread the verse using "sting" (poison)
Reread the verse using "divine impulse" (goad)
Which one concept and meaning makes more sense? If you picked number 3, you are most likely correct and we will show you why.
In most of the English translations, we find the word "pricks" in Acts 9:5. Some translate it as "goads". While this gives us more information to make the more correct informed choice, if you were strictly studying from the NASB, you wouldn't even know this part of the verse existed. It has been OMITTED. So that you can see that something is missing, we include the next verse (which has also omitted the first part , please COMPARE to the KJV):
(NASB)Acts 9:5: And he said, "Who are You Lord?" And He said "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
9:6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
comparing
(KJV) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
The NASB has declared that it is a more accurate and direct translation from the Hebrew and Greek. While it does appear to be more faithful to the original languages, omission of certain words or phrases stands outside that claim, rendering it a version that should ALWAYS be tested against others.
Sadly, as much as the KJV is a more divinely inspired translation, it too has its problems. Continuing on with this example found in Acts and showing the DOT which is missing, that would have allowed any faithful student to make the connection and grow in understanding and truth.
Next in Ecclesiastes, in the NASB, we find word for word tested as being the same as in the Stone's Edition of the Tanach and also the JPS. The NASB claim to be more faithful to the Hebrew and Greek shines and (sadly) baits us into believing all that should be of the Word, has been faithfully restored and is intact. The above verses in Acts shows us, this is not the case, but getting back to Ecc, we must find the DOT that is missing in the NASB(in Acts 9:5) and changed in the KJV(in Acts 9:5). Please NOTE. Missing vs. changed.
(NASB)
Ecc 12:11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
(KJV)
Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Ecc 12:11 The wordsH1697 of the wiseH2450 are as goads,H1861 and as nailsH4930 fastenedH5193 by the mastersH1167 of assemblies,H627 which are givenH5414 from one shepherd.H4480 H7462 H259
H1861
דּרבון
dorbôn
dor-bone'
Of uncertain derivation; a goad: - goad.
So then, this Strong's Hebrew definition is of no use to us. What now? Let's look at the context in which we find this word in Ecc 12:11:
The words of wise men are like goads
Goads appear to be symbolic of "words of wise men". Wise men in Scripture, were the prophets. We find the word "goads" in this Ecc verse in the NASB (as compared to Stone's) and also in the KJV. Using the law of first mention, brings us to 1Sam 13:21. While on the literal surface it shows us something of an implement or tool, a closer , deeper look at the entire verse in Hebrew using the plug and play and following word trails reveals something else which is too extensive for the purposes of this study and must be looked at in greater detail in its own right. But aside from Ecclesiastes, this is the only other place the word goad is found in the OT. So, again, now what?
When we lookup the Strong's finding nothing of use, we can look at the word listed NEXT to H1861. That would be:
H1862
דּרדּע
darda‛
dar-dah'
Apparently from H1858 and H1843; pearl of knowledge; Darda, an Israelite: - Darda.
Okay. It appears we might be getting closer. "pearl of knowledge". Following the word trail found in H1862, we find something else:
H1843
דּע
dêa‛
day'-ah
From H3045; knowledge: - knowledge, opinion.
Hmm....."knowledge, opinion". Let's dig deeper into H3045:
H3045
ידע
yâda‛
yaw-dah'
A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.): - acknowledge, acquaintance (-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, [un-] awares, can [-not], certainly, for a certainty, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be [ig-] norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to, let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have [knowledge], (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have [understanding], X will be, wist, wit, wot.
Here is our nugget, the precious DOT with which to connect! To confirm this, all we have to do is "plug and play". But truly, we don't really have to do that unless we want to. All we need do is look again at the verse in ECC and the phrase:
The words of wise men are like goads
Then also consider in the Greek G2759(for the word "pricks"):
3. or goad (figuratively divine impulse)
What is a "divine impulse"? WE know that anything DIVINE comes from YHWH.
Who would receive such a thing? The prophets who were considered wise men.
At this point we can glean that if a goad is like the words of wise men, that is, divine impulses received as it is written that the Word of the LORD came to Jeremiah; the Word of the LORD came to Isaiah; then we must revisit that verse in Acts chapter 9:5 and consider that the THIRD concept found in the definition is the RIGHT ONE.
This makes sense in that Paul was a Pharisee, raised in Torah, and the Prophets.
When Jesus said to him:
I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks(goads). ,
essentially, he was saying:
Paul!!! you're going against the words of the wise men, My prophets!!!
Even examining the word "hard" (G4642) in that verse and taking away man's attempts at punctuation, the verse might read as follows:
"I am Jesus whom you are persecuting severely and harshly, against
your own kind even, the words of wise men, My prophets."
Now, with understanding of the word goad, we can clarify that verse. Now, instead of having the milk, we are tasting the meat. Now instead of picturing a man kicking against some sharp pointed object, which on that literal surface means nothing and is confusing, we have something that seems to make much more sense.
Consider that in the KJV, goad in ECC cannot be connected to pricks in Acts. The dot is lost. Even more so in the NASB as it has been removed altogether in Acts including the entire last half of that verse.
However, we're not done. While goad/pricks has been somewhat obscured in meaning, we must also consider that the Word is the Sword of God and swords have points. But without the more in-depth study, realizing that the divine impulses received by the wise men (prophets and teachers) are likened to goads (as is defined in ECC) we have been left with something that was not clarified, so then misunderstood and then sadly, either glossed over or completely dismissed.
Lastly, pointing out also, that in the Stone's (and even the NASB) one will find that the publishers have been even more faithful to the proper nouns and names. While this might seem inconsequential, it is not. How much more impact does this verse have compared to its KJV counterpart?
(NASB)
Ecc 12:11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
(KJV)
Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Please note that the proper noun "Shepherd" compared to "shepherd" makes a definitive downplay and the reader does not SEE the Messianic implication.
While this is but ONE example, there are countless others. In many translations where we find the word "law", "my law", the word", etc; we must be mindful of the proper nouns as they are meant to be. This can only take place when we think and study outside the box. After all, our God could not fit in a box, why should we confine ourselves to the box of dogmatic thinking within just one translation?
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