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The Danger Of Word Studies

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Yeshua1, Aug 16, 2014.

  1. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    While the study of the words in the original language texts can and shoudl be done, there is still a danger that the person would be making assumptions that do not support what their conclusions are regarding how and when to translate the word a certain way each time!
     
  2. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

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    The bigger danger is that a text... communication, cannot be reduced to words. Words connect to themselves (syntax) and make sentences and paragraphs and on and on (discourse). To treat only words in exegesis is like sharpening a hook for fishing as if that is all one is required to do to catch fish.
     
  3. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    That is why we must apply the Grammar/construction/contex of the passage to go along with doing the word studies!

    Think many would be better just studying the passage and using corrct principles to understanding the passage out of a good English version then going off into word study fallacies!
     
  4. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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  5. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    None here posting are against doing valid word studies, but also stating that you must do more then just that to get to what the text is really saying to us!
     
  6. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Van pretends to know better than anyone else --even Greektim.
    It's interesting that the first quote in support of the thesis of the article cited the Watchtower! Talk about an agenda-driven translation!
     
  7. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Wonder why the Nasb/Nkjv/Esv/Niv/Hcsb teams took so long to translaye, as they could have just used van word studies!
     
  8. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Yet another bogus assertion. Find a quote from you, Rippon or Greektim that says "Word studies are useful for study of God's word."

    Since you seem not to know how to do word study, which includes how the word is used within the various contexts in which it appears, your assertion is spurious and absurd.
     
  9. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    I do not, nor have I ever, claimed to know better than anyone else. Strike one.

    Yes, the article, which you seem unable to grasp, demonstrates how word study, in this case "firstborn" refutes the idea that "firstborn" always refers to birth sequence. By looking at how the word is used in context, the second shade of meaning, preeminence, top dog, is sometimes the intended meaning. Strike two.

    Thus those that disavow word studies sometimes do so to protect claimed but errant word meaning they have poured into the text. Strike three.
     
  10. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    what is your motivation in all of these word studies though? To show us where some good translation mistranslate the original language texts or?
     
  11. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Word studies are recommended by several schools offering courses in Bible and hermeneutics. I was frankly quite surprised when three Calvinists attacked word studies. Scripture teaches we are to "study" to show ourselves approved in rightly dividing the Word.

    When I prepare to speak or teach on a verse or passage, I do at least an abbreviated word study of the key words. I think that is a rather orthodox behavior among teachers of the word.
     
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    NONE of us were attcking doing word studies, but just that we have to do diligent work to make sure that we have correct inferences from doing that study!
     
  13. Greektim

    Greektim Well-Known Member

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    Again... I am only attacking insufficient word studies. Let's be honest, a word study is only as good as the sources we used that guide us to make correct conclusions (since we are not native speakers of these languages). A good source is not just giving you options (like a lexicon of gloss meanings), but providing you with the best option (BDAG for example). So if you're going to do a word study, use a commentary. And then hopefully you'll see past words and move into phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and so on.

    BTW... "study" in that verse does not demand word studies. Just sayin'
     
  14. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    better to just use a good English version, and sudy passages with good commentaries/dictionaries/Introductions etc, then just grab your word study list and go!
     
  15. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    I made some corrections. What do you think?
     
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Looks good!
     
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