Romans 10:20: Are all English translations in error?
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Tue Nov 26 15:02:36 EST 2002
Richard asked:
> Although the traditional English translations are grammatically correct
> (as you proved above), I doubt that there is no need to add "(ready) to
> be". Wouldn't it harmonize better with the other leg of the parallelism
> (I was visible/I was to be seen)? The meaning in the original context
> (Isaiah 65:1) seams to plead for the Dutch translation, for the nation
> didn't find God at all. Although God was near and spread out his hands
> towards them, they ignored Him and chose for a life of sin. They didn't
> find Him, but ignored Him. Wasn't exactly that the reason for God's
> recompense in Isaiah 65:6-7?
>
> Do you agree that although the traditional translations of Romans 10:20
> and Isaiah 65:1 are grammatically right, the 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') are to be preferred?
Our internet connections have been down for 24 hours and I am leaving for a
conference tomorrow morning, so just a brief response.
Since you ask, I would have to say: No, I don't think the recent Dutch
translation is to be preferred.
Rom 10:21 starts with PROS DE TON ISRAEL LEGEI
This seems to indicate a contrast to v. 20, and suggests that v. 20 was
directed to the Gentiles. Yes, most of Israel was disobedient, and this was
one reason why God revealed himself to the Gentiles. Also in v. 19, the
EQNOS ASUNETOS appears to refer to non-Jews. In Paul's use of the Isaiah
quotation it seems to me that v. 20 indicates that the Gentiles found God
even though they did not before look for him as did the Jews, and God
revealed himself to those Gentiles who were not asking for him.
If that is correct, it is still a question of what Is 65:1 meant. Paul's
interpretation is apparently to take this as a prophetic past that referred
to the future. Whether this was the (only) intended meaning of Is 65:1 is a
question that goes beyond the grammar of the Greek translation.
Iver Larsen
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