Monthly Archives: February 2006

Levity From Leviticus

“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” – G. K. Chesterton

Hmm…in that case…

‘I Read Leviticus So You Don’t Have To’ is in no way, shape or form meant to be an objective analysis of the Book of Leviticus. The author is by no means a biblical scholar, and brings virtually no insight to what is, by any objective measure, a work that to be generous is open to multiple interpretations. Instead, the author selects certain elements of the book, presents them out of context, and then goes for the cheap laugh. The cheapest, cheapest possible laugh. ‘I Read Leviticus…’ is therefore clearly an abomination, if not to the Lord, then at a minimum to all right-thinking peoples everywhere. It is our sincerest hope that the author be stricken with a horrid affliction, as rapidly as possible, for it is clear that he is an asshole of the highest magnitude.”

Sounds like it might produce a chuckle or two. 😉 Head on over, and tell Bob I sent ya. (We’ve met at Pittsburgh blogfests, but he probably doesn’t remember me.)

Mad Props to St. David

[stdavid.jpg]I’m of Welsh descent, so this story caught my attention. (Fedora Tip: Connexions)

"Wales has the perfect excuse for a triple celebration of St David’s Day this year. The traditional festivities…will be on 1 March as usual. But a clash with a major Christian festival means the [Anglican] Church in Wales has moved its celebrations to 2 March. And the Catholic solution to the problem, a clash with Ash Wednesday, is to move St David’s Day to 28 February."


It’s All About Who You Know

"Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, ‘With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.’" (NIV)

"Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, ‘I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.’" (NASB)

"Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, ‘I’ve gotten a man, with GOD’s help!’" (The Message)

"The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.’" (NAB)

"Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’" (ESV)

Genesis 4:1

Why have I listed five versions of the same verse? I believe they demonstrate differing viewpoints on translational accuracy in the Bible.  The first three more clearly convey in modern language what Adam and Eve did.  On the other hand, the last one maintains more of the meanings found in the Hebrew.  (I do not mean this as an apologia for the ESV.  I’m well aware of the many faults that are not apparent in this particular verse. )  "To know" is idiomatic and obviously denotes sexual intercourse.  It means more than that, though.  It  connotes intimacy and the notion of becoming "one flesh".  "Cain" sounds like the Hebrew for "gotten".  Strangley, more of the translations maintain this parallel.  But I digress; it is "to know" that interests me today.

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