07-22-2008, 08:24 PM
gbausc Wrote:Shlama Akhi Stephen,
Lots of English words have many meanings, as well. The word "run" has 81 meanings. The word "see" has 17 meanings. "One" has 14 meanings. We cannot simply throw the dictionary at someone when asked what a word means. You have just thrown the dictionary at us and have said, "take your pick".Quote:Either "camel", "beam" or "rope/cable/cord" are correct. There are interesting things that happen when one word has multiple meanings.What sense is there in that?
Come on, Stephen. That is mere confusion.
The verse in question is found in 3 Gospels, not just one. The 3 Greek Gospels, Matthew,Mark,Luke have "camel" . The semitic Arabic translation of the Diatesseron, which is word for word in agreement with Peshitta, has "camel".
A camel is a living being, analogous to the rich man, a living being; Both are pictured as attempting to go through an opening. Both are the subject of the same verb "al" to enter. A subject performs the action of a sentence. A rope cannot perform action; a beam cannot perform action; certainly neither can "enter" anything. A camel can perform action; it can move on its own power.
Which of the above points do you disagree with?
Burkta,
Dave
Shlama Akhi David:
In my honest opinion it doesn't matter which English word is used in this passage. The definitive word in the Peshitta is "gamal". Also it doesn't matter to me that three or ten or one hundred extant Greek manuscripts use "beam, cord, rope, cable or camel". A translation must choose a synonym. No two extant Greek manuscripts agree more than 80%. If it's not Matthew 19:24 it will be something else.
Now it's different when doctrine is at stake and the choice of a synonym contradicts another verse in the Bible, thus rendering confusion. However the sense is retained in this illustration because the literal understanding is given coupled with the illustration of "gamal" and the eye of a needle, namely "the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of heaven". One of the major reasons that there are so many different denominations, is because many are looking for a definitive where no definitive exists. Paul the apostle spoke against factionism in the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 1:12) The only reason that a choice is given in the case of Matthew 19:24 is because of the multiple meaning of "gamal". If Jesus meant to be very specific he would have chosen a more narrowly defining word or phrase. He didn't so it's open for interpretation using any of the useful definitions. If the sense was more specific the choice of definitions would be narrowed. The only thing satisfied by a narrow choice in this case, is one's personal opinion. You are entitled to your opinion Akhi David and so is everyone else here. <!-- s:| --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/neutral.gif" alt=":|" title="Neutral" /><!-- s:| -->
Shlama,
Stephen
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