Romans 10:20: Are all English translations in error?

Richard r.vandenhengel at hetnet.nl
Sun Dec 1 05:03:10 EST 2002


Steven wrote:

> Richard:
> 
> I think it is important at this point to honestly address what is 
> happening. You are convinced that unless Paul (and the translator of 
> Isaiah 65.1) is saying exactly what *you* think the *Hebrew* text of 
> Isaiah 65.1 is saying, that he must be in error. That is unacceptable 
> to you (as it is to me, though I think you have constructed a false 
> dichotomy that I do not accept). So let's face this situation squarely:
> In light of this presupposition, there is no amount of lexical, 
> syntactic, and structural evidence that could possibly sway you.

Thanks again for your contribution, Steven. I agree we _both_ should
concentrate on Biblical Greek instead of writing about exegesis.

Sure there is a lot of evidence that allows to translate hEUREQHN with 'I
was to be found'. I found the following examples (English translations
from the RSV):
- 2 Peter 3:14 SPOUDASATE ASPILOI KAI AMWMHTOI AUTW EUREQHNAI EN EIRHNH:
be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
- Hebrews 11:5 writes about Enoch: KAI OUK HURISKETO DIOTI: and he was not
found. The translation 'and he was not to be found' lies at hand.
- Revelation 16:20: KAI PASA NHSOS EYUGEN KAI ORH OUX EUREQHSAN: And every
island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.
- Revelation 18:21: says about Babylon: KAI OU MH EURETH ETI: and shall be
found no more.
Revelation 20:15: KAI EI TIS EUREQH TH BIBLW THS ZWHS GEGRAMMENOS: and if
any one’s name was not found written in the book of life. The translation
"was not to be found" lies at hand.

In some examples the RSV has already chosen for translating 'to be found'.

What do you think of this evidence? Do these examples give way for the
some recent Dutch translations: 'I was to be found for those who did not
seek Me; I was to be seen for those who did not ask for Me'?

Kind regards,
R. van den Hengel,
The Netherlands.



More information about the B-Greek mailing list