Often there is not as much difference as it may first appear in English. I think mostly what we are witnessing is the difference between the MT and the LXX. However, there are also some rare ancient language words that are difficult to define. In addition, there are some subjective choices made in English even when Hebrew and Greek words with similar meanings are rendered. The KJV translators perhaps could have justified further the synchronizing of the words in these two passages.
The KJV translation of Isaiah 61:1,2a is displayed line-by-line above Luke 4:18,19 (and Brenton's 1851 English LXX beneath them) --
The Spirit of the Lord God upon me;Where text is parallel (OT and NT), the wording is virtually the same in the original languages. Unsupported text in the NT caused the major difference. Could this have just been the NT author's parenthetical thought inserted?
The Spirit of the Lord upon me,
Apparent differences: 1
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Hebrew Yehovih ("God" Strongs' #3069): used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah'
Greek: no parallel word follows kyrios (Strong's #2962) a title used for God
Comment: possibly included, unnecessary, or even redundent
Significant differences in meaning: 0
because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;
Apparent differences: 3
because he has anointed me; he has sent me* to preach glad tidings to the poor,
Hebrew Yehovih ("Lord" Strongs' #3069): used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah'
Greek: no actual parallel word; masculine pronoun implied and is supplied by translators
Comment: essentially synonymous
Hebrew basar ("good tidings" Strong's #1319): to bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, show forth
Greek euaggelizo ("gospel"Strong's #2097): to bring good news, to announce glad tidings
Comment: synonymous
Hebrew 'anav ("meek" Strong's #6035): poor, humble, afflicted, meek
Greek ptochos ("poor" Strong's #4434): educed to beggary, begging, asking alms
Comment: synonymous
Significant differences in meaning: 0
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,
Apparent differences: 3
*{he has sent me} to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
Hebrew chabash ("bind up" Strong's #2280): to tie, bind, bind on, bind up, saddle, restrain, bandage, govern
Greek iaomai ("heal" Strong's #2390): to cure, heal
Comment: mending by putting pieces back together (setting a broken bone), immobilization (such as a cast or sling)
Hebrew qara' ("proclaim" Strong's #7121): to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
Greek kerysso ("preach" Strong's #2784): to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
Comment: essentially synonymous
Hebrew derowr ("liberty" Strong's #1865): a flowing, free run, liberty
Greek aphesis ("deliverance" Strong's #859): release from bondage or imprisonment
Comment: essentially synonymous
Significant differences in meaning: 0 ?
and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Apparent differences: 4
and recovery of sight to the blind;
Hebrew peqach-qowach ("opening of the prison" Strong's #6495): opening {of eyes}, wide
Greek anablepsis ("recovery of sight" Strong's #309): recovery of sight
Comment: essentially synonymous; these are the only occurrences of these words in scripture
Hebrew: no parallel word
Greek typhlos ("blind" Strong's #5185): blind, mentally blind
Comment: additional word not supported by MT
Hebrew: no parallel words
Greek aphesis ("liberty" Strong's #859): release from bondage or imprisonment
Comment: additional phrase not supported by either MT or LXX
Hebrew 'acar ("bound" Strong's #631): to tie, bind, imprison
Greek thrauo ("bruised" Strong's #2352): to break, break in pieces, shatter, smite through
Comment: both words could indicate oppression; the only occurrence of the Greek word in NT
Significant differences in meaning: 3
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Apparent differences: 1
to declare the acceptable year of the Lord,
Hebrew qara' (Strong's #7121): to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
Greek kerysso (Strong's #2784): to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
Comment: essentially synonymous
Significant differences in meaning: 0
Serious Question for Translational Perfectionist
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by NaasPreacher (C4K), Jan 28, 2008.
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