5 replies to this topic

[JesusMyWisdom]

Since the Hebrew word EL is translated in many passages in most (?all?) English Bibles as "mighty" "strong" or "power(ful)," is there any valid reason at all why this word should not be translated more accurately and literally as "the Mighty One" when it is obviously referring to the Creator instead of less literally translating it with the word "God?"

I have a very hard time understanding how anyone can claim this word is the Hebrew equivalent of the English word "God" when this word is used of men, mountains and trees in the Bible to describe the power or might of those things. I do not see a problem using "God" as a translation when the verse is obviously referring to God but that would not mean the word El therefore MEANS the same thing as the English word "God" since we cannot use the English word God to describe men, mountains and trees as the Hebrews did with the word EL. In other words, I could replace the name Bush with "the President" in a translation but that would not mean that the word Bush and President are equivalent terms. The same is true of EL and God.

Why not translate this word as "the Mighty One" or "the Power" when referring to God just as it is translated as "mighty" or "power" when referring to other things and at least be consistent about it..... at least for theololgical purposes. It seems a bit absurd to me to believe EL means "God" in one place but is absolutely not a reference to God at all in another place when the same word is used of men, mountains and trees. How can anyone be so disingenuous to claim that EL in one place does NOT mean "God" but in another place it DOES mean "God."

I especially have Isaiah 9:6 in mind (not to be confused with the word gibbor which is commonly translated as "mighty"). How is it that translators got their inside knowledge that the word EL certainly means "mighty" or "power" when it refers to men, mountains and trees and they yet somehow know for certain that does not mean "mighty" or "power" at Isaiah 9:6 as it does in several other passages but most certainly means "God"?

If we understand that the word does not mean the equivalent of the English word "God" then it all becomes clear. The Hebrews referred totheir God as "the Mighty One" or "the Power" with the use of the word EL. And so when we come to many other passages which describe men, mountains and trees as EL we know they are being described as "mighty" or "power(ful)" in the very same way. And it would also then make complete sense to refer to the Messiah as "the Mighty Power" with the use of the word EL just as this word is used to refer to the power of men or might of mountains and trees in the Bible.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Power, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Edited by JesusMyWisdom, 22 February 2005 - 06:52 AM.

[TrevorL]

Howdy "JesusMyWisdom",

Greetings. Without responding directly to your comments, I like the following occurence of "El" and understanding that the word here is better translated "Strength" or "Power", but also referring to a title of God in this context, gives a clearer meaning to this Scripture.
Psalm 90:1-2 (KJV): "1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Heb. El)."

Kind regards
Trevor

[JesusMyWisdom]

TrevorL, on Feb 22 2005, 09:07 AM, said:

Howdy "JesusMyWisdom",

Greetings. Without responding directly to your comments, I like the following occurence of "El" and understanding that the word here is better translated "Strength" or "Power", but also referring to a title of God in this context, gives a clearer meaning to this Scripture.
Psalm 90:1-2 (KJV): "1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God (Heb. El)."

Kind regards
Trevor

And what is wrong with, "for thou are the Mighty One?"

[Dawn]

It's true of a lot of Hebrew words for "God" translated merely as "God" in English.

The English language deson't do Hebrew any justice at all really.

What \I have done is throughout my Bible in many places (not all) I ahve put pencil marks showing what the Hebrew word for "God" or "Lord" is - that then gives me a better understanding. It's not just "El" - there is also "Elohim" and "Eloah" and "Adon" and "Adonim" and "El-Shaddai" and "Elyon".

There's loads of Names and Titles of the Deity and none of the English do them justice - if you get a Hebrew Interlinear or something like that and go through your Bible with Strongs concordance, you can mark in every Name properly.

I agree it's a ity it doesn't come out in the English translations - I think that has been responsible for a lot of blindness regarding the Nature of God for Christians, but I guess it's up to us to search these things out.

[Nat]

Don't know if this helps but a few translations with 'El' involved:-

El-Shaddai - God Almighty
El-Elyon na Adonai - God in the highest, Oh Lord

I think they are always going to have some 'power' involved.

Love Nat xXx

[Linktomillennium]

El = Tree - 0 Xs;
= Power - 3 Xs;
=Might, Mighty - 5 Xs.
= God - 234 Xs.
We do not nullify the true meaning of the word based on a few errors in translation.
Isa 9.6 - El = God; RWBG = Might.
linktomillennium