Freethought & Rationalism Archive

enigma555 · 07-02-2002, 06:12 PM

Hi all,

I recently bought a KJV Bible. I figured that it was about time that I actually read the thing so I can know when something is being misquoted. Also being able to fire back: "Yes I have read the bible... front to back... have you?" sits nicely with me.

Alright... alright... you got me... I'm only reading it so I can get the "Cain to Abel" clues in the crosswords.

Anyways... my question: Throughout the book seemingly random words are italicized. The bible is NOT an engineering textbook, so there is no legend in the back to elucidate what the italics are for. My theist housemate was at a loss at well.

For example:

Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Are they for intonation when preaching? If you spell out the first letter of the italicized words can you solve the super jumble?

Any ideas?

[ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: enigma555 ]</p>

Rev. Joshua · 07-02-2002, 06:25 PM

I'm no expert on the KJV, but - from looking at the Hebrew - it looks like the italicized words are those that the translators have inserted to provide continuity. As with many languages, the present tense of the verb "to be" is not always necessary, and some second person statements are done by implication.

In Hebrew, the verse actually reads something like:

Not the whole land in front of you? Separate now from me, if the left then I will go right, and if the right then I will go left.

Joshua

P.S. The Revised English Bible actually reads much better (and is still quite useful for crossword puzzles).

[ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua ]</p>

PJPSYCO · 07-02-2002, 06:56 PM

A question to help interpreting the italics would of course be what edition are you reading? There are multiple editions of the KJV version. Is this a special edition for specific study?

An example is the Catholic Study edition has very deliberate rewrites of passages to make the bible more appealing by taking out some of the hate, sex, and violence, and also to add or delete concepts to make the book more consistant with the churches teachings.

Perhaps they are emphisis for preachers when they read the passage in sermons.

ShottleBop · 07-02-2002, 08:00 PM

Quote:

The King James writers recognized the translation problems they would encounter. In the King James Bible, the italicized words are actually "extra" words inserted to make the meaning clearer; these words are not actually found in the Hebrew or Greek language.

From: <a href="http://www.tribulation.com/prt_kjv.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tribulation.com/prt_kjv.htm</A>

enigma555 · 07-03-2002, 09:04 AM

Thanks all!

A tranlation issue was another one of my guesses, although I wouldn't have thought that added words would be specifically called out.

You live, you learn.

07-02-2002, 06:12 PM	#1
enigma555 Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 282	Question about the KJV Hi all, I recently bought a KJV Bible. I figured that it was about time that I actually read the thing so I can know when something is being misquoted. Also being able to fire back: "Yes I have read the bible... front to back... have you?" sits nicely with me. Alright... alright... you got me... I'm only reading it so I can get the "Cain to Abel" clues in the crosswords. Anyways... my question: Throughout the book seemingly random words are italicized. The bible is NOT an engineering textbook, so there is no legend in the back to elucidate what the italics are for. My theist housemate was at a loss at well. For example: Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. Are they for intonation when preaching? If you spell out the first letter of the italicized words can you solve the super jumble? Any ideas? [ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: enigma555 ]</p>

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-02-2002, 06:25 PM	#2
Rev. Joshua Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 63	I'm no expert on the KJV, but - from looking at the Hebrew - it looks like the italicized words are those that the translators have inserted to provide continuity. As with many languages, the present tense of the verb "to be" is not always necessary, and some second person statements are done by implication. In Hebrew, the verse actually reads something like: Not the whole land in front of you? Separate now from me, if the left then I will go right, and if the right then I will go left. Joshua P.S. The Revised English Bible actually reads much better (and is still quite useful for crossword puzzles). [ July 02, 2002: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua ]</p>

07-02-2002, 06:56 PM	#3
PJPSYCO Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rolla, Missouri Posts: 830	A question to help interpreting the italics would of course be what edition are you reading? There are multiple editions of the KJV version. Is this a special edition for specific study? An example is the Catholic Study edition has very deliberate rewrites of passages to make the bible more appealing by taking out some of the hate, sex, and violence, and also to add or delete concepts to make the book more consistant with the churches teachings. Perhaps they are emphisis for preachers when they read the passage in sermons.

07-03-2002, 09:04 AM	#5
enigma555 Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 282	Thanks all! A tranlation issue was another one of my guesses, although I wouldn't have thought that added words would be specifically called out. You live, you learn.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.