Gender in Bible translation
Gender in Bible translation concerns various issues, such as the
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) was one of the first major translations to adopt gender-neutral language.[1] The King James Version translated at least one passage using a technique that many now reject in other translations, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). The Greek word υἱοὶ that appears in the original is usually translated as "sons", but in this passage the translators chose to use the term "children" that included both genders.[5] Opponents of gender neutral language believe that readers who are not familiar with the original languages can be influenced by a compromised meaning they believe is feminist.[6]
Translation of the names of God
There are a number of ways to translate the names of God into English from Hebrew. Hebrew uses only four consonants for the name—Yod-Heh-Waw-Heh (יהוה, YHWH)—hence it is called the Tetragrammaton.[7] Some modern English bibles render this as LORD—L capital, and ord in small capital case. Others use Yahweh, and the old King James Version used Jehovah. In English, outside Bible translations, the tetragrammaton is often written as YHWH or YHVH.[8]
The original meaning of this form is connected with the "I AM" of Exodus 3:14 (and it probably contains a Hebrew masculine verb prefix—the Y or yod).
The Hebrew word Adonai literally means my lord (with pseudo-plural), and is usually translated as Lord.[11]
Third person pronouns for God
Many prayers use one or more of the names for God many times within the same paragraph. The first time it appears a proper name is used, while further instances use a third person pronoun (he, she or it). English speakers usually use masculine or feminine third person pronouns to refer to people and animals, and the third person pronoun—"it"—to refer to (inanimate) objects. Traditionally, in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim writing, the third-person pronoun "He" has been used to refer to God in English translations.[12][13] In non-religious contexts, English speakers have generally used the word "he" as a substitute for a gender-neutral third person pronoun.[14]
The idea of God being an "It" rather than a "he" or "she" does have some support in Jewish, Christian and Islamic rationalist medieval thought, much of which was based on
In the
See also
References
- ^ a b Bruce Metzger. "Preface to the NRSV". Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ^ Grudem, Wayne (1997). "What's Wrong with Gender-Neutral Bible Translations?". CBMW. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Marlowe, Michael D. (2005). "The Gender-Neutral Language Controversy". Bible Research. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- S2CID 145563736. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Strauss, Mark; Wegener, David (2009). "The Inclusive Language Debate". Christian Research Institute. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ISBN 0-8054-2441-5.
- ^ The word "tetragrammaton" originates from tetra "four" + γράμμα gramma (gen. grammatos) "letter" "Online Etymology Dictionary". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
- ISBN 0802837824pages 504–507
- ISBN 978-0-19-007254-4. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Byrne, Máire (2011), The Names of God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: A Basis for Interfaith Dialogue, A&C Black, p. 24
- ^ Joshua Bloch, The Authorship of the Peshitta Archived 16 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures Vol. 35, No. 4, July 1919
- ^ Pagels, Elaine H. 1976. "What Became of God the Mother? Conflicting Images of God in Early Christianity." Signs 2(2):293–303. Archived 4 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "If Allah Has No Gender, Why Not Refer To God As 'She?'". NPR. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ISBN 9781000554854. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ISBN 9798376330357. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ISBN 9781532675669. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
Bibliography
- Kimbrough, ST Jr.. 'Bible Translation and the Gender of God'. Theology Today (1989): 195–202.
- Crossway Books, 1991.
- Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
- Poythress, Vern Sheriden. 'Gender in Bible Translation: Exploring a Connection with Male Representatives'. Westminster Theological Journal (1998): 225–53.
- Reimers, Paula. 'Feminism, Judaism, and God the Mother'. Conservative Judaism (1993).