An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Where Do They Get These Translators

(Pro 27:7 KJV) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Translators continue to puzzle me.  Compare this verse in the NASB and KJV.
(Pro 27:7 NAS77) A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
Neither one reaches down to the real words.  Start with the word “sated” (7649) in the NASB.  It is “full” in the KJV, which is much more literal.  It means full or satisfied and this is the only place where it is used with its negative sense of stuffed to being senseless.  It is actually a good thing to be.

Then we have “soul” (5315) [nephesh].  The KJV wins here.  This is a much deeper concept than just the “man” of the NASB.  This is not just a reference to physical gratification. 

On “loaths” (947) both strike out.  The meaning of the word is to trample or reject.  I am sure that loath would cover that but in this context it gives it a superficial feel that will go away in a few minutes when the stomach has digested its overload.  I find it is time for a Pumice Pathetic Paraphrase.
(Pro 27:7 PPP) A satisfied soul finds it easy to walk past temptation.
So?  The best way to reject the temptations of life is to be filled with the things of God. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Interesting, I would never have gotten that precise meaning from that verse.

Pumice said...

Glad to be of service but keep in mind I call it a Pathetic Paraphrase.

Grace and peace