Sunday, September 25, 2011

Analyzing Six Bible Translations: Part 16-Ezekiel 21:7

5) Ezekiel 21:7

ESV And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,'" declares the Lord GOD.
NIV84 And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every knee become as weak as water.' It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD."
NIV And when they ask you, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you shall say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.’ It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
HCSB And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' then say: Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will become weak. Every spirit will be discouraged, and every knee will turn to water. Yes, it is coming and it will happen." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.
NASB "And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming; and every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it comes and it will happen,' declares the Lord GOD."
NET When they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you will reply, 'Because of the report that has come. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand will be limp; everyone will faint and every knee will be wet with urine.' Pay attention– it is coming and it will happen, declares the sovereign LORD."

Check a: “wet with urine”
The Hebrew reads “their knees will run with water” (see NET footnote on Ezekiel 7:17). Taking this expression and trying to communicate it in modern vernacular has caused some problems since the most accurate phrase might be “they wet their pants.” However, they weren’t wearing pants in Ezek 21:7. Therefore, sticking with the Hebrew is best here, rather than the coarse way communicated in the NIV and NET versions.

Part 2 running totals:

ESV
NIV84
NIV
HCSB
NASB
NET
Josh 15:18
1
1
1
1
-1
1
2 Sam 20:20
1
1
1
1
1
-1
Isa 6:5
1
1
1
1
1
-1
Isa 7:14
1
1
1
1
1
-1
Ezek 21:7
1
1
1
1
1
-1
TOTALS
5
5
5
5
3
-3


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