Homonyms in Hebrew

(Proverbs 26:10 KJV)  The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

This is interesting.  The KJV and the NASB have totally different translations of this verse.

(Proverbs 26:10 NASB)  Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

The differences require more Hebrew than I have.  The transliteration of the key word is [rab] and the root for it is [rabab].  There are two different words that are transliterated the same.  One means “great” (7227) the other means “archer” (7228).  As far as I can tell the Hebrew words are written the same.  In the NASB Concordence (7227) is divided into 7227a and 7227b.

This is not a mistake or a contradiction.  It is a problem of language.  In English we call them homonyms.  These are words that sound the same but have different meanings.  For instance, take the word “lead.”  Does it mean to take someone by the hand and guide them or a metal that used to be in paint and is poisonous?  Only the context can tell you. 

The KJV has some validity if you are thinking in the greater context of Scripture.  Remember the words of Jesus.

(Matthew 5:45 KJV)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

But I would go with the NASB because the verses before and after follow a certain format and the dangerous archer fits in better.

So?  No one ever said study would be easy.  You can never turn your mind off and just coast.  Well, I guess you can, but sooner or later you will crash.  I personally have no problem with Thomas demanding proof to the resurrection.  Read, pray, trust, think.