Are There Major Differences Between The Hebrew Text And Our Bibles?

Jennifer said:

I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.

http://www.religious...bor/future.html

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"I've recently discovered religion again" I'm so sorry. LOL

And this is what has happened to you since you have - I quote:

controversy
conflicting beliefs
more and more questions
panic
can't translate
stewing in frustration
fear

I'm sorry, Jennifer, I'm not making fun of you - but, I have a real problem with man's religions.
I'm nobody to you - but, may I say, there is an afterlife, your spirit/soul are forever...there is no need to ever panic or feel fear.
Life is simple and enjoy it.
If I was a scholar with a Phd on my 3rd book, I know it would mean more.

And welcome here, btw.
Miss Hepburn

Jennifer said:

I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.

http://www.religious...bor/future.html

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I agree with Miss Hepburn here and will reinforce stop listening to men ...
Now think here Christ was not around in the The Old testament
what the ancient Hebrew thought was based in the law not Grace ...
No one could be saved by the Law and Christ had not come yet ..
So does it make sense to doubt Christ based on an interptation of a man of a hebrew belief
that written before Christ was born ??
If the Jews had understood the concept of Christ they wouldn't still be Jews
they would be Christains ....Jews that did come to understand salvation and Christ became christians.


You can study the Hebrew and Greek on your own very easily
You can translate every word back to the original here

http://www.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm#search

Just type in a word or verse put a check mark in show Strong's

Lets try the word grace for example
the first verse this word occurs is

Gen 6:8 But Noah 5146 found 4672 grace 2580 in the eyes 5869 of the LORD 3068.

Notice the numbers by the word if you click on the number it gives you the Hebrew (or Greek) word used originally and the meaning just like a dictionary ...so lets see what grace means


Its the Hebrew word

chen .....its a noun ....masculine noun

that means

1) favour, grace, charm

a) favour, grace, elegance

B ) favour, acceptance


The above example is based on KJV but you can chose which version you want and take every word in the bible back to it original form
So you can learn for yourself you don't have to listen to men
hope this is helpful

Jennifer said:

I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.

http://www.religious...bor/future.html

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Hi Jennifer,
There are a lot of anti-Christian academics who write papers such as the one in your link and philosophise about supposed anomalies in an effort to undermine belief in the Bible as the Word of God.. A clue about the author's unsympathetic attitude in this case is the use of B.C.E (Before the Common Era) instead of B.C.(Before Christ).

(Col 2:8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

The controversy about life after death is one of the issues that divided the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. and tried to catch Jesus out. (see Acts 23:8)

(Mat 22:23) The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him,

(Mat 22:24) Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

(Mat 22:25) Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

(Mat 22:26) Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

(Mat 22:27) And last of all the woman died also.

(Mat 22:28) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

(Mat 22:29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

(Mat 22:30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

(Mat 22:31) But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

(Mat 22:32) I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

(Mat 22:33) And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine.

(Mat 22:34) But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

Consider these Old Testament verses and you will realise the academics and so-called scholars who philosophise away the integrity of the Bible are wrong:

Psalms 16:8-11 (KJV)
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Prov 12:28 (KJV)
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Dan 12:1-3 (KJV)
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.


Ezek 18:21-22 (KJV)
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

Also:
Ps.49:14,15
Is.25:8
Is.26:19
Eze.37:12
Hos.6:2
Hos.13:14

Jennifer said:

I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.

http://www.religious...bor/future.html

Click to expand...

Hi Jennifer,

I have not read the article, however, to say there was no afterlife understood in the OT is simply not so. Consider these passages.


Genesis 13:14-15 ( KJV )
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

This promise was made to Abraham, God said He would give it to Abraham for an everlasting possession. Abraham could not have it for an everlasting possession if Abraham did not have an everlasting life.

Consider Job,


Job 19:25-26 ( KJV )
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job speaks of being resurrected in the latter days, so he must have believed there would be another life.

You really must be careful who and what you study concerning the Scriptures. I would venture a guess that at least 75% of what is available is wrong. I can give you some links that will help you get started in a proper understanding of the Scriptures. You can learn how to interpret the Scriptures and not rely so much on other people's opinions.

Butch5 said:

I have not read the article, however, to say there was no afterlife understood in the OT is simply not so. Consider these passages.
Consider Job,
Job 19:25-26 ( KJV )
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job speaks of being resurrected in the latter days, so he must have believed there would be another life.

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I never was aware of that passage in Job, thank you!
Miss Hepburn

Jennifer said:

I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

In just about all Bibles, there are Scriptures in the "original Hebrew text" (commonly called the "Old Testament") that direct one's attention to everlasting life on the earth.(In the Christian Greek Scriptures, commonly called the "New Testament", everlasting life in heaven is also brought forth) Consider for a moment, the Genesis account of creation. For what purpose did God proceed to form the earth into a beautiful planet over the course of six "creative" days, so that at the end of the sixth "creative" day, after the creation of Adam and Eve, it said: "After that God saw everything he had made and look ! it was very good."?(Gen 1:31)

At Isaiah 45:18, this question is answered, with it saying: "For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the true God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else."(New World Translation)

But how long did God purpose for man to inhabit the earth ? Psalms 37:29 says: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." Jesus reaffirmed this, saying that "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."(Matt 5:5, King James Bible) Thus, God's original purpose is for man that he created to live on or inhabit the earth forever. However, it is only those who submit to his holy laws and requirements that will be allowed to live eternally on the earth.

Proverbs 2:20-22 says: "The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep. For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it."(New World Translation) Therefore, what kind of people will be seen living on the earth at God's appointed time in the near future ? It says "upright" and "blameless" ones, whereas the "wicked" and "treacherous" ones are "cut off " or "torn away from" the earth.

In addition, in the Hebrew Scriptures, the hope of a resurrection is clearly seen. Job, who apparently lived after righteous Joseph (Gen 50:26 and who was born in 1758 B.C.E.) and before Moses (who was born in 1593 B.C.E.), requested of Jehovah God, our Creator: "O that in She´ol (mankind's common grave) you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me ! "(Job 14:13)

What does Job recognize ? That God will remember him and bring him back from the dead, for he continues: "If an able-bodied man dies can he live again ? All the days of my compulsory service (death while in the grave) I shall wait, until my relief (by means of a resurrection) comes. You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning."(Job 14:14, 15, New World Translation)

God never intended for his creation of mankind to die, but rather prepared the earth for "meek" mankind's habitation, as his people that is righteous, always listening to their Creator. The Christian Greek Scriptures, or "New Testament", confirms this, opening up to a stunning picture that will soon be a reality, for at Revelation 21:3-5, the apostle John sees this vision: "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

Thus, the Hebrew Scriptures provides a firm hope of living forever on a paradise earth and in which the Christian Greek Scriptures provides details that should thrill us.

Are there major differences between the Hebrew text and our bibles?

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Yes there are. One major mistranslation is concerning olam and this mistake is responsible for the paradigm of endless torment which in turn misrepresents God, His character, His redemption plan, His Son, His Son's sacrifice and His salvation.