Psalm 22, Part 13

This is a continuing look into Psalm 22 as the music in Jesus’ heart as He endured the cross. The tone of the psalm seems to change abruptly.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 22:22 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 22:22 (NET)

Psalm 21:23 (NETS)

Psalm 21:23 (English Elpenor)

I will declare thy name unto my brethren (לְאֶחָ֑י): in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. I will declare your name to my countrymen (‘āḥ, לאחי). In the middle of the assembly I will praise you. I will tell of your name to my kindred (τοῗς ἀδελφοῗς μου); in the midst of an assembly I will sing a hymn to you: I will declare thy name to my brethren (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου): in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee.

The Hebrew word translated my brethren (Tanakh, KJV) and my countrymen (NET) was לְאֶחָ֑י (‘āḥ). It was translated τοῗς ἀδελφοῗς μου (BLB) and τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου (Elpenor) in the Septuagint.

For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters (ἀδελφοὺς, a form of ἀδελφός), saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers (ἀδελφοῖς, another form of ἀδελφός); in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.”1

Paul wrote (Romans 8:28, 29 NET):

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (ἀδελφοῖς, another form of ἀδελφός).

And Matthew wrote (Matthew 28:1-10 NET):

Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary2 Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and3 rolled away the stone4 and sat on it. His appearance5 was like lightning, and his clothes were white as6 snow. The guards were shaken and became7 like8 dead men because they were so afraid of him. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he9 was lying. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you!” So they left10 the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. But11 Jesus12 met13 them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”14

Then go quickly and tell his disciples (τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ), the angel said. It was accurate and descriptive. The women knew who he meant. They ran to tell his disciples (τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ), Matthew wrote. In the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text Matthew repeated one more time: And as they went to tell his disciples (τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ), behold, Jesus met them.15 But Jesus said, Go and tell my brothers (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου).

This was before the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost. This is when I might have imagined some kind of reprimand or rebuke. Granted, Jesus actually believed the Scripture that said, “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’16 He was probably less likely to reprove his disciples for their “failure” to man up and disobey this Scripture than my misplaced pride and ego would be.

Of course, He didn’t call his disciples my brothers (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου) because of anything they had done, but because of what He had faithfully accomplished for them on the cross. There appears to have been some confusion about what happened that morning (Mark 16:8-11 NET):

Then [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome] went out and ran from the tomb, for17 terror and bewilderment had seized them. And they said18 nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Early on the first day of the week, after he arose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons. She went out and told those who were with him, while they were mourning19 and weeping. And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Luke added (Luke 24:8-12 NET):

Then the women remembered [Jesus’] words, and when they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the20 mother of James, and the other women with them who21 told these things to the apostles. But these words seemed like pure nonsense to them, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent down and saw only the strips of linen cloth; then he went home, wondering what had happened [Table].

John filled in many of the details (John 20:1-17 NET):

Now very early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been moved away from the entrance. So she went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” Then Peter and the other disciple set out to go to the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon22 Peter, who had been following him, arrived and went right into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, and the face cloth, which had been around Jesus’ head, not lying with the strips of linen cloth but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, came in, and he saw and believed. (For they did not yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead.)

So the disciples went back to their homes.23 But Mary stood outside the tomb24 weeping. As she wept, she bent down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been lying, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” Mary replied, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!” When25 she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.26

Jesus27 said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Because she thought he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.” Jesus28 said to her, “Mary.”29 She turned and said to him in Aramaic,30 “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus31 replied, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my32 Father. Go to my brothers (τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου) and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father (τὸν πατέρα μου) and your Father (πατέρα ὑμῶν), to my God and your God.’”

I pause here to highlight that Jesus called his disciples my brothers (τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου). Beyond this he called God my Father (τὸν πατέρα μου) and your Father (πατέρα ὑμῶν). This is quite different from what He said to those Judeans who had believed him:33 You people are from your father the devil (ὑμεῖς ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς τοῦ διαβόλου), and you want to do what your father (τοῦ πατρὸς ὑμῶν) desires.34 Here, too, it is not because of anything his disciples had done but what Jesus had accomplished for them on the cross.

John continued (John 20:18-22 NET):

Mary35 Magdalene came and informed the disciples, “I have seen36 the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord [Table]. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

I pause here to highlight how Jesus reprised the scene from creation when the Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.37 So also it is written, Paul contrasted these events, “The first man, Adam, became a living person”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.38

John continued, quoting Jesus (John 20:23 NET):

If you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) anyone’s sins, they are forgiven (ἀφέωνται); if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”

Jesus taught us to pray: and forgive (ἄφες) us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven (ἀφήκαμεν, another form of ἀφίημι) our debtors.39 Then He explained: For if you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you. But if you do not forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others, your Father will not forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins [Table].40

John continued (John 20:24-29 NET):

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came [Table]. The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the wounds from the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the wounds from the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe it!”

Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and examine my hands. Extend your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue in your unbelief, but believe.” Thomas41 replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?42 Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Mark wrote (Mark 16:14 NET):

Then43 he appeared to the Eleven themselves, while they were eating, and he rebuked (ὠνείδισεν, a form of ὀνειδίζω) them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen him resurrected.

I’ve heard that Peter was the source for Mark’s Gospel account. It is interesting to consider that Peter, who did not make any mental connection to Jesus’ teaching when he entered the empty tomb, recalled Jesus’ rebuke for unbelief while John, who believed when he entered the empty tomb, illustrated the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,44 showing how often Jesus intervened with personal appearances to cause his unbelieving brothers to believe.

Likewise, only Mark’s Gospel reveals that the women said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.45 This was presumably before they encountered Jesus and left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.46 Putting these accounts together helps me see that Jesus’ love for his female brothers who came early that Sunday morning to the tomb was the same. He didn’t wait around for his brothers to meet Him in Galilee: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”47 Going to Galilee to meet Jesus was not the act that defined Jesus’ brothers.

Jesus spoke the words, “my brothers,” and made it so, overwhelming their unbelief (even Mary Magdalene came at the appointed time seeking a corpse rather than a living God) with his presence. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,48 Paul wrote. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, Jesus promised, will draw all people to myself.49

Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NET):

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters (ἀδελφοί, another form of ἀδελφός), the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures [Table], and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep [Table]. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but50 the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, this is the way we preach and this is the way you believed.

A table comparing the Greek of Hebrews 2:12 and that of Psalm 22:22 (21:23) in the Septuagint follows:

Hebrews 2:12 (NET Parallel Greek)

Psalm 22:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 21:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀπαγγελῶ τὸ ὄνομα σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῗς ἀδελφοῗς μου ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε

Hebrews 2:12 (NET)

Psalm 21:23 (NETS)

Psalm 21:23 (English Elpenor)

I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you. I will tell of your name to my kindred; in the midst of an assembly I will sing a hymn to you: I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee.

A table comparing the Greek of Matthew 26:31b and that of Zechariah 13:7 in the Septuagint follows:

Matthew 26:31b (NET Parallel Greek)

Zechariah 13:7b (Septuagint BLB)

Zechariah 13:7b (Septuagint Elpenor)

πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα, καὶ διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης πατάξατε τοὺς ποιμένας καὶ ἐκσπάσατε τὰ πρόβατα πατάξατε τοὺς ποιμένας καὶ ἐκσπάσατε τὰ πρόβατα

Matthew 26:31b (NET)

Zechariah 13:7b (NETS)

Zechariah 13:7b (English Elpenor)

I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. Smite the shepherds, and remove the sheep smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep

Tables comparing Psalm 22:22 and Zechariah 13:7 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Psalm 22:22 (21:23) and Zechariah 13:7 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Matthew 28:1-4; 28:6; 28:8-10; Mark 16:8; 16:10; Luke 24:10; John 20:6; 20:10, 11; 20:14-17; 20:18; 20:28, 29; Mark 16:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:10 in the NET and KJV follow.

Psalm 22:22 (Tanakh)

Psalm 22:22 (KJV)

Psalm 22:22 (NET)

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. I will declare your name to my countrymen. In the middle of the assembly I will praise you.

Psalm 22:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 21:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῗς ἀδελφοῗς μου ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε διηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε

Psalm 21:23 (NETS)

Psalm 21:23 (English Elpenor)

I will tell of your name to my kindred; in the midst of an assembly I will sing a hymn to you: I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee.

Zechariah 13:7 (Tanakh)

Zechariah 13:7 (KJV)

Zechariah 13:7 (NET)

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike the shepherd that the flock may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the insignificant ones.

Zechariah 13:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Zechariah 13:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ῥομφαία ἐξεγέρθητι ἐπὶ τοὺς ποιμένας μου καὶ ἐπ᾽ ἄνδρα πολίτην μου λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ πατάξατε τοὺς ποιμένας καὶ ἐκσπάσατε τὰ πρόβατα καὶ ἐπάξω τὴν χεῗρά μου ἐπὶ τοὺς ποιμένας Ῥομφαία ἐξεγέρθητι ἐπὶ τοὺς ποιμένας μου καὶ ἐπὶ ἄνδρα πολίτην μου, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ· πατάξατε τοὺς ποιμένας καὶ ἐκσπάσατε τὰ πρόβατα, καὶ ἐπάξω τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ τοὺς ποιμένας

Zechariah 13:7 (NETS)

Zechariah 13:7 (English Elpenor)

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherds and against his fellow citizen,” says the Lord Almighty. Smite the shepherds, and remove the sheep, and I will bring my hand against the shepherds. Awake, O sword, against my shepherds, and against the man [who is] my citizen, saith the Lord Almighty: smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep: and I will bring mine hand upon the little ones.

Matthew 28:1-4 (NET)

Matthew 28:1-4 (KJV)

Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων ἦλθεν |Μαριὰμ| ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ ἡ ἄλλη Μαρία θεωρῆσαι τὸν τάφον οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον οψε δε σαββατων τη επιφωσκουση εις μιαν σαββατων ηλθεν μαρια η μαγδαληνη και η αλλη μαρια θεωρησαι τον ταφον
Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἰδοὺ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας· ἄγγελος γὰρ κυρίου καταβὰς ἐξ οὐρανοῦ καὶ προσελθὼν ἀπεκύλισεν τὸν λίθον καὶ ἐκάθητο ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ και ιδου σεισμος εγενετο μεγας αγγελος γαρ κυριου καταβας εξ ουρανου προσελθων απεκυλισεν τον λιθον απο της θυρας και εκαθητο επανω αυτου και ιδου σεισμος εγενετο μεγας αγγελος γαρ κυριου καταβας εξ ουρανου προσελθων απεκυλισεν τον λιθον απο της θυρας και εκαθητο επανω αυτου
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἦν δὲ ἡ εἰδέα αὐτοῦ ὡς ἀστραπὴ καὶ τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ λευκὸν ὡς χιών ην δε η ιδεα αυτου ως αστραπη και το ενδυμα αυτου λευκον ωσει χιων ην δε η ιδεα αυτου ως αστραπη και το ενδυμα αυτου λευκον ωσει χιων
The guards were shaken and became like dead men because they were so afraid of him. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ φόβου αὐτοῦ ἐσείσθησαν οἱ τηροῦντες καὶ ἐγενήθησαν ὡς νεκροί απο δε του φοβου αυτου εσεισθησαν οι τηρουντες και εγενοντο ωσει νεκροι απο δε του φοβου αυτου εσεισθησαν οι τηρουντες και εγενοντο ωσει νεκροι

Matthew 28:6 (NET)

Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἠγέρθη γὰρ καθὼς εἶπεν· δεῦτε ἴδετε τὸν τόπον ὅπου ἔκειτο ουκ εστιν ωδε ηγερθη γαρ καθως ειπεν δευτε ιδετε τον τοπον οπου εκειτο ο κυριος ουκ εστιν ωδε ηγερθη γαρ καθως ειπεν δευτε ιδετε τον τοπον οπου εκειτο ο κυριος

Matthew 28:8-10 (NET)

Matthew 28:8-10 (KJV)

So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ ἀπελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης ἔδραμον ἀπαγγεῖλαι τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ και εξελθουσαι ταχυ απο του μνημειου μετα φοβου και χαρας μεγαλης εδραμον απαγγειλαι τοις μαθηταις αυτου και εξελθουσαι ταχυ απο του μνημειου μετα φοβου και χαρας μεγαλης εδραμον απαγγειλαι τοις μαθηταις αυτου
But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἰδοὺ Ἰησοῦς ὑπήντησεν αὐταῖς λέγων· χαίρετε. αἱ δὲ προσελθοῦσαι ἐκράτησαν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ως δε επορευοντο απαγγειλαι τοις μαθηταις αυτου και ιδου ο ιησους απηντησεν αυταις λεγων χαιρετε αι δε προσελθουσαι εκρατησαν αυτου τους ποδας και προσεκυνησαν αυτω ως δε επορευοντο απαγγειλαι τοις μαθηταις αυτου και ιδου ιησους απηντησεν αυταις λεγων χαιρετε αι δε προσελθουσαι εκρατησαν αυτου τους ποδας και προσεκυνησαν αυτω
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.” Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τότε λέγει αὐταῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ὑπάγετε ἀπαγγείλατε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου ἵνα ἀπέλθωσιν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, κακεῖ με ὄψονται τοτε λεγει αυταις ο ιησους μη φοβεισθε υπαγετε απαγγειλατε τοις αδελφοις μου ινα απελθωσιν εις την γαλιλαιαν κακει με οψονται τοτε λεγει αυταις ο ιησους μη φοβεισθε υπαγετε απαγγειλατε τοις αδελφοις μου ινα απελθωσιν εις την γαλιλαιαν και εκει με οψονται

Mark 16:8 (NET)

Mark 16:8 (KJV)

Then they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, εἶχεν γὰρ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις· καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπαν· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ και εξελθουσαι ταχυ εφυγον απο του μνημειου ειχεν δε αυτας τρομος και εκστασις και ουδενι ουδεν ειπον εφοβουντο γαρ και εξελθουσαι εφυγον απο του μνημειου ειχεν δε αυτας τρομος και εκστασις και ουδενι ουδεν ειπον εφοβουντο γαρ

Mark 16:10 (NET)

Mark 16:10 (KJV)

She went out and told those who were with him, while they were mourning and weeping. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐκείνη πορευθεῖσα ἀπήγγειλεν τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ γενομένοις πενθοῦσι καὶ κλαίουσιν εκεινη πορευθεισα απηγγειλεν τοις μετ αυτου γενομενοις πενθουσιν και κλαιουσιν εκεινη πορευθεισα απηγγειλεν τοις μετ αυτου γενομενοις πενθουσιν και κλαιουσιν

Luke 24:10 (NET)

Luke 24:10 (KJV)

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ Ἰωάννα καὶ Μαρία Ἰακώβου καὶ αἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς. ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα ησαν δε η μαγδαληνη μαρια και ιωαννα και μαρια ιακωβου και αι λοιπαι συν αυταις αι ελεγον προς τους αποστολους ταυτα ησαν δε η μαγδαληνη μαρια και ιωαννα και μαρια η ιακωβου και αι λοιπαι συν αυταις αι ελεγον προς τους αποστολους ταυτα

John 20:6 (NET)

John 20:6 (KJV)

Then Simon Peter, who had been following him, arrived and went right into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἔρχεται οὖν καὶ Σίμων Πέτρος ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα ερχεται ουν σιμων πετρος ακολουθων αυτω και εισηλθεν εις το μνημειον και θεωρει τα οθονια κειμενα ερχεται ουν σιμων πετρος ακολουθων αυτω και εισηλθεν εις το μνημειον και θεωρει τα οθονια κειμενα

John 20:10, 11 (NET)

John 20:10, 11 (KJV)

So the disciples went back to their homes. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς αὐτοὺς οἱ μαθηταί απηλθον ουν παλιν προς εαυτους οι μαθηται απηλθον ουν παλιν προς εαυτους οι μαθηται
But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she bent down and looked into the tomb. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει πρὸς τῷ μνημείῳ ἔξω κλαίουσα. ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιεν, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον μαρια δε ειστηκει προς το μνημειον κλαιουσα εξω ως ουν εκλαιεν παρεκυψεν εις το μνημειον μαρια δε ειστηκει προς το μνημειον κλαιουσα εξω ως ουν εκλαιεν παρεκυψεν εις το μνημειον

John 20:14-17 (NET)

John 20:14-17 (KJV)

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν και ταυτα ειπουσα εστραφη εις τα οπισω και θεωρει τον ιησουν εστωτα και ουκ ηδει οτι ο ιησους εστιν και ταυτα ειπουσα εστραφη εις τα οπισω και θεωρει τον ιησουν εστωτα και ουκ ηδει οτι ιησους εστιν
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Because she thought he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.” Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτῇ Ἰησοῦς· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρός ἐστιν λέγει αὐτῷ· κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ ἔθηκας αὐτόν, καγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ λεγει αυτη ο ιησους γυναι τι κλαιεις τινα ζητεις εκεινη δοκουσα οτι ο κηπουρος εστιν λεγει αυτω κυριε ει συ εβαστασας αυτον ειπε μοι που αυτον εθηκας καγω αυτον αρω λεγει αυτη ο ιησους γυναι τι κλαιεις τινα ζητεις εκεινη δοκουσα οτι ο κηπουρος εστιν λεγει αυτω κυριε ει συ εβαστασας αυτον ειπε μοι που εθηκας αυτον καγω αυτον αρω
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτῇ Ἰησοῦς· Μαριάμ. στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ Ἑβραϊστί· ραββουνι (ὃ λέγεται διδάσκαλε). λεγει αυτη ο ιησους μαρια στραφεισα εκεινη λεγει αυτω ραββουνι ο λεγεται διδασκαλε λεγει αυτη ο ιησους μαρια στραφεισα εκεινη λεγει αυτω ραββουνι ο λεγεται διδασκαλε
Jesus replied, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτῇ Ἰησοῦς· μή μου ἅπτου, οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα· πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν καὶ θεόν μου καὶ θεὸν ὑμῶν λεγει αυτη ο ιησους μη μου απτου ουπω γαρ αναβεβηκα προς τον πατερα μου πορευου δε προς τους αδελφους μου και ειπε αυτοις αναβαινω προς τον πατερα μου και πατερα υμων και θεον μου και θεον υμων λεγει αυτη ο ιησους μη μου απτου ουπω γαρ αναβεβηκα προς τον πατερα μου πορευου δε προς τους αδελφους μου και ειπε αυτοις αναβαινω προς τον πατερα μου και πατερα υμων και θεον μου και θεον υμων

John 20:18 (NET)

John 20:18 (KJV)

Mary Magdalene came and informed the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἔρχεται Μαριὰμ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακα τὸν κύριον, καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ ερχεται μαρια η μαγδαληνη απαγγελλουσα τοις μαθηταις οτι εωρακεν τον κυριον και ταυτα ειπεν αυτη ερχεται μαρια η μαγδαληνη απαγγελλουσα τοις μαθηταις οτι εωρακεν τον κυριον και ταυτα ειπεν αυτη

John 20:28, 29 (NET)

John 20:28, 29 (KJV)

Thomas replied to him, “My Lord and my God!” And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὁ κύριος μου καὶ ὁ θεός μου και απεκριθη ο θωμας και ειπεν αυτω ο κυριος μου και ο θεος μου και απεκριθη θωμας και ειπεν αυτω ο κυριος μου και ο θεος μου
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτῷ |ὁ| Ἰησοῦς· ὅτι ἑώρακας με πεπίστευκας; μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες λεγει αυτω ο ιησους οτι εωρακας με θωμα πεπιστευκας μακαριοι οι μη ιδοντες και πιστευσαντες λεγει αυτω ο ιησους οτι εωρακας με πεπιστευκας μακαριοι οι μη ιδοντες και πιστευσαντες

Mark 16:14 (NET)

Mark 16:14 (KJV)

Then he appeared to the Eleven themselves, while they were eating, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen him resurrected. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

῞Υστερον [δὲ] ἀνακειμένοις αὐτοῖς τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἐφανερώθη καὶ ὠνείδισεν τὴν ἀπιστίαν αὐτῶν καὶ σκληροκαρδίαν ὅτι τοῖς θεασαμένοις αὐτὸν ἐγηγερμένον οὐκ ἐπίστευσαν υστερον ανακειμενοις αυτοις τοις ενδεκα εφανερωθη και ωνειδισεν την απιστιαν αυτων και σκληροκαρδιαν οτι τοις θεασαμενοις αυτον εγηγερμενον ουκ επιστευσαν υστερον ανακειμενοις αυτοις τοις ενδεκα εφανερωθη και ωνειδισεν την απιστιαν αυτων και σκληροκαρδιαν οτι τοις θεασαμενοις αυτον εγηγερμενον ουκ επιστευσαν

1 Corinthians 15:10 (NET)

1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ εἰμι ὅ εἰμι, καὶ ἡ χάρις αὐτοῦ ἡ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη, ἀλλὰ περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα, οὐκ ἐγὼ δὲ ἀλλὰ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ [ἡ] σὺν ἐμοί χαριτι δε θεου ειμι ο ειμι και η χαρις αυτου η εις εμε ου κενη εγενηθη αλλα περισσοτερον αυτων παντων εκοπιασα ουκ εγω δε αλλ η χαρις του θεου η συν εμοι χαριτι δε θεου ειμι ο ειμι και η χαρις αυτου η εις εμε ου κενη εγενηθη αλλα περισσοτερον αυτων παντων εκοπιασα ουκ εγω δε αλλ η χαρις του θεου η συν εμοι

1 Hebrews 2:10-12 (NET)

3 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ preceding came. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απο της θυρας (KJV: from the door) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἰδέα here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιδεα (KJV: countenance).

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὡς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ωσει (KJV: as).

9 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ο κυριος (KJV: the Lord) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ως δε επορευοντο απαγγειλαι τοις μαθηταις αυτου (KJV: And as they went to tell his disciples) preceding but (KJV: behold). The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article ο preceding Jesus. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

13 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑπήντησεν (a form of ὑπαντάω) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απηντησεν.

15 Matthew 28:9a (KJV)

16 Matthew 26:31b (NET) Table

20 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article preceding mother of James. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

21 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αι (KJV: which) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ (not translated in the NET) preceding Simon. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

23 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had αὐτοὺς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εαυτους (KJV: their own home).

25 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) at the beginning of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

26 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article ο preceding Jesus. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

27 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο preceding Jesus. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

28 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο preceding Jesus. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

31 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο preceding Jesus. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

33 John 8:31a (NET)

34 John 8:44a (NET) Table

36 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἑώρακα in the 1st person here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εωρακεν (KJV: she had seen) in the 3rd person. The conjunction ὅτι, which preceded both ἑώρακα and εωρακεν, was treated as an introduction to “a direct speech (In English, it is not translated except by quotation marks)” in the NET and was translated that in the KJV.

37 Genesis 2:7 (NET) Table

38 1 Corinthians 15:45 (NET)

39 Matthew 6:12 (NET) Table

40 Matthew 6:14, 15 (NET)

41 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) at the beginning of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not. The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article ο preceding Thomas. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

42 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had θωμα (KJV: Thomas) here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

43 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ (not translated in the NET) here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

44 Ephesians 3:19 (NET)

45 Mark 16:8b (NET)

46 Matthew 28:8 (NET)

47 Matthew 28:10 (NET)

48 Romans 8:28 (NET)

49 John 12:32 (NET)

Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 2

Instruct these people as follows, yehôvâh had said to Moses: ‘You are about to cross the border of your relatives the descendants of Esau [Jacob’s brother], who inhabit Seir.  They will be afraid (yârêʼ, וייראו; Septuagint: φοβηθήσονται, afraid) of you, so watch yourselves carefully.’[1]

The rabbis who translated the Septuagint understood the last phrase, καὶ εὐλαβηθήσονται ὑμᾶς σφόδρα (“and they will be very cautious,” of you; i.e., of Israel).  Either works in context.  The origin of this fear was the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea: The nations will hear, Moses and the Israelites sang to yehôvâh.  Israel by contrast overflowed with confidence (Exodus 15:13 NET):

By your loyal love you will lead the people whom you have redeemed; you will guide them by your strength to your holy dwelling place.

The Hebrew word translated By your loyal love was chêsêd (בחסדך).  Below is a table of forms of chêsêd and their translations in Genesis to the giving of the law.

chêsêd

Hebrew KJV NET Tanakh

Septuagint

Genesis 19:19 חסדך mercy kindness mercy δικαιοσύνην
Genesis 20:13 חסדך kindness loyalty kindness δικαιοσύνην
Genesis 21:23 כחסד kindness loyalty kindness δικαιοσύνην
Genesis 24:12 חסד kindness Be faithful kindness ἔλεος
Genesis 24:14 חסד kindness you have been faithful kindness ἔλεος
Genesis 24:27 חסדו mercy faithful mercy δικαιοσύνην
Genesis 24:49 חסד kindly faithful kindly ἔλεος[2]
Genesis 32:10 החסדים mercies faithful mercies δικαιοσύνης
Genesis 39:21 חסד mercy kindness kindness ἔλεος
Genesis 40:14 חסד kindness kindness kindness ἔλεος
Genesis 47:29 חסד kindly kindness kindly ἐλεημοσύνην
Exodus 15:13 בחסדך mercy By your loyal love in Thy love δικαιοσύνῃ
Exodus 20:6 חסד mercy covenant faithfulness mercy ἔλεος

This equation of mercy, kindness, faithfulness, loyalty and loyal love with δικαιοσύνῃ, righteousness, is a profound lesson in itself for one who neglected what is more important in the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness: the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, The righteous (δίκαιος) by faith will live.”[3]  Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4.  The Tanakh reads, Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just (tsaddı̂yq, וצדיק) shall live by his faith.  The Septuagint translated into English reads, “If it draws back, my soul is not pleased in it, But the just shall live by my faith.”  The first part was translated, if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him[4] in the New Testament.

NET Parallel Greek

Septuagint

if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38b

ἐὰν ὑποστείληται, οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ

Hebrews 10:38b

ἐὰν ὑποστείληται οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ

Habakkuk 2:4a Table

The righteous by faith will live

Romans 1:17b

ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται

Romans 1:17b

ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεώς μου ζήσεται

Habakkuk 2:4b


The nations will hear and tremble
,[5] the song Moses and the Israelites sang continued.  The Hebrew word translated tremble was râgaz (ירגזון).  As Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan to bring their father and their families to Egypt, He said to them, “As you travel don’t be overcome with fear.”[6]  The Hebrew word translated be overcome with fear was also râgaz (תרגזו) but a footnote (31) acknowledged:

The verb means “stir up.” Some understand the Hebrew verb רָגָז (ragaz, “to stir up”) as a reference to quarreling (see Prov 29:9, where it has this connotation), but in Exod 15:14 and other passages it means “to fear.” This might refer to a fear of robbers, but more likely it is an assuring word that they need not be fearful about returning to Egypt. They might have thought that once Jacob was in Egypt, Joseph would take his revenge on them.

The rabbis who translated the Septuagint did not agree.  They chose ὀργίζεσθε (a form of ὀργίζω) in Genesis 45:24.  Be angry (ὀργίζεσθε) and do not sin,[7] Paul quoted the Psalm[8] in his letter to the Ephesians.

NET

Parallel Greek

Septuagint

Be angry and do not sin

Ephesians 4:26a

ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε

Ephesians 4:26a

ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε

Psalm 4:4a

And in Exodus 15:14 they chose ὠργίσθησαν (another form of ὀργίζω).  The nations were enraged[9] (τὰ ἔθνη ὠργίσθησαν) is nearer the rabbis’ understanding in the Septuagint ἤκουσαν ἔθνη καὶ ὠργίσθησαν.

The song continued, anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia.[10]  The Hebrew word translated anguish was chı̂yl (חיל).  It was translated pain (בחילה) in Job 6:10 and writhing (חיל) like a woman in childbirth in Psalm 48:6.  That is what the translators of the Septuagint picked up on with ὠδῖνες (a form of ὠδίν): Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” Paul wrote believers in Thessalonica, then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains (ὠδὶν) on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.[11]

Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified,[12] Moses’ song continued.  The Hebrew word translated terrified was bâhal (נבהלו).  It was also translated terrified (נבהל) in 1 Samuel 28:21, but they were dumbfounded (נבהלו) in Genesis 45:3 and panicked (ויבהל) in Judges 20:41.  That hasty confused state of mind seemed to be what the rabbis responded to in the Septuagint with ἔσπευσαν (a form of σπεύδω).  Hurry (σπεῦσον, another form of σπεύδω), Jesus said to Saul [Paul] in a vision, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.[13]

The song continued, trembling will seize the leaders of Moab.[14]  Here the Hebrew word translated trembling was raʽad (רעד).  It was translated shake uncontrollably (רעדה) in Psalm 48:6 and panic (רעדה) in Isaiah 33:14.  It was translated τρόμος in the Septuagint.  Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and ran from [Jesus’] tomb, for terror (τρόμος) and bewilderment had seized them.[15]

Moses and the people sang, and the inhabitants of Canaan will shake.[16]  The Hebrew word translated will shake was mûg (נמגו).  It was translated are cringing (נמגו) in Joshua 2:9 and seemed to melt (נמוג) in 1 Samuel 14:16.  This was the sense the rabbis understood in the Septuagint: “all those inhabiting Canaan melted away” (ἐτάκησαν, a form of τήκω), whether by death, defection or fleeing as refugees.  Peter prophesied, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away (τήκεται, another form of τήκω) in a blaze![17]

Fear and dread will fall on them; by the greatness of your arm they will be as still as stone until your people pass by, O Lord, until the people whom you have bought pass by.[18]  In the Septuagint this was understood as a request for more supernatural fear and trembling: “May fear and trembling fall upon them.”[19]  The Hebrew word translated fear (ʼêymâh, אימתה) was translated my terror in yehôvâh’s promise: I will send my terror (ʼêymâh, אימתי) before you, and I will destroy all the people whom you encounter.[20]  This terror was associated with an angel: For my angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I will destroy them completely.[21]  Fear was φόβος in the Septuagint.   And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear (φόβος).[22]  The Hebrew word translated dread was pachad (ופחד), which was translated τρόμος in the Septuagint.

There was a lot of anger, pain, panic, trembling and defection among the people who heard about the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea.  There was fear and dread of supernatural origin besides.  The fear (yirʼâh, יראת; Septuagint: φόβος) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.[23]  I heard that often with no trace of irony.  Apparently the NET translators heard it the same way for they went a step farther and translated yirʼâh to obey: To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living.[24]

An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked, David penned, There is no fear (pachad, פחד; Septuagint: φόβος) of God before his eyes.[25]  I didn’t hear this simply as a factual diagnosis but as a prescription for more fear.  I don’t think I’m entirely alone in this.  I had a pastor once who took No Fear sportswear as a personal insult.  Perhaps he was considering the quotation credited to Albert Camus: “Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.”

I didn’t find the context for this quote online so I’m just guessing, but I suppose that Camus didn’t know many French citizens who became committed NAZIs during the occupation out of fear, only resistance fighters and collaborators.  We see the same phenomenon in the Old Testament if we will see it: some rebelled against God, others adopted a hypocritical religiosity.  What is born of the flesh is flesh[26] and the works of the flesh[27] erupt eventually through the hypocritical veneer of any religion (Romans 3:10-18 NET).

“There is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.”

“Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips.”

“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

“Their feet are swift to shed blood, ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.”

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

This is the diagnosis.  The prescription is given in Jesus’ summary of Israel’s history: You must all be born from above,[28] not more fear but more God, the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe,[29] more of our daily bread, more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and Holy Spirit control, not pumped up artificially by some virtue of mine like some little engine that could, but flowing freely and continuously from those rivers of living water,[30] his Holy Spirit.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.[31]

If I may assume that yehôvâh’s instruction, how to behave[32] in Edom, implies yehôvâh’s intent that Israel pass through Edom, then the result of all of this anger, pain, panic, trembling, defection, fear and dread was exactly what one believing Jesus’ summary of Israel’s history would expect: Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border.[33]  Edom said to [Israel], “You will not pass through me, or I will come out against you with the sword.”[34]  Fear (φόβος), John explained, has to do with punishment.[35]

Though fear did not supply Esau’s descendants with enough faith in yehôvâh to allow Israel to cross through their land of Edom, it kept them from attacking Israel and being destroyed by yehôvâh.  Fear can produce collaborators.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom if the collaborators don’t settle down to live in it (1 John 4:15-19).  In that case they may have been better off as resistance fighters (Revelation 3:14-22).

Back to Who Am I? Part 4

Back to Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 5

[1] Deuteronomy 2:4 (NET)

[2] Here ʼemeth (ואמת) was translated δικαιοσύνην.

[3] Romans 1:17 (NET)

[4] Hebrews 10:38b (NET)

[5] Exodus 15:14a (NET)  Also in the Tanakh, tremble

[6] Genesis 45:24b (NET) In the Tanakh, fall not out

[7] Ephesians 4:26a (NET)

[8] Psalm 4:4 Also râgaz (רגזו) in Hebrew, translated Stand in awe in the Tanakh and Tremble with fear in the NET.

[9] Revelation 11:18 (NET)

[10] Exodus 15:14b (NET)

[11] 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (NET)

[12] Exodus 15:15a (NET)

[13] Acts 22:18b (NET) Table

[14] Exodus 15:15b (NET)

[15] Mark 16:8a (NET)

[16] Exodus 15:15c (NET)

[17] 2 Peter 3:12b (NET)

[18] Exodus 15:16 (NET)

[19] Exodus 16:16a (NETS)

[20] Exodus 23:27a (NET)

[21] Exodus 23:23 (NET)

[22] Luke 1:12 (NET)

[23] Psalm 111:10a (NKJV)

[24] Psalm 111.10a (NET)

[25] Psalm 36:1 (NKJV)

[26] John 3:6a (NET)

[27] Galatians 5:19-21 (NET)

[28] John 3:7b (NET)

[29] Romans 3:22a (NET)

[30] John 7:37-39 (NET)

[31] Romans 8:14 (NET)

[32] Deuteronomy 2:4-7 (NET)

[33] Numbers 20;21a (NET)

[34] Numbers 20:18 (NET)

[35] 1 John 4:18b (NET)