I realize you don't fit that category, but most people who go to the "original languages" for better understanding go to Strong's. They look at Strong's opinion of what a Greek or Hebrew word means and then pick the definition that best fits their narrative.
All words in all languages usually have multiple meanings, how do you determine which meaning you will go with? I think you would agree that a person MUST HAVE the mind of Christ to be able to interpret context and word meaning. How do scholars like yourself do this? Are you guys inspired by the Holy Spirit or are your decisions based on your biases?
All words in all languages usually have multiple meanings, how do you determine which meaning you will go with? I think you would agree that a person MUST HAVE the mind of Christ to be able to interpret context and word meaning. How do scholars like yourself do this? Are you guys inspired by the Holy Spirit or are your decisions based on your biases?
Scholars use Lexicons, as I noted already. A lexicon is to filtered through an English translation. It takes Greek manuscripts, and defines each word and meaning. That is why it is so important to use a lexicon rather than a different version of an English Bible. This applies to both the KJV and the new Strong's based on the NIV.
You did have a good question about who decides which meaning to use in a specific verse. Lexicons have that kind of information built into the text. If a word has many meanings, it will start with 1 as the biggest use of the word, then 2 for the second meaning. 2 might have subnotes of a & b, then 3 and 4. Each meaning shows the verse and chapter where that meaning is used. It lists quite a few other examples. These lexicons were compiled over a century ago, and Accord updates the meanings all the time, if you can afford the program. This usually happens because another possible meaning has been uncovered from the time when the NT was being written, which is a good or better possibility. Sometimes the noun case will change, which can really alter things, even theology (as the case of Luke 2:17!)
Thus, language is NEVER unchanging. Language changes, even in our time. Dictionaries record those changes, and new word additions or deletions. Lexicons are like that. As more manuscripts and secular writings are discovered, they can find things we didn't know in the 50s or 60s. Even since then, our language has changed a lot in 50-60 years.
That is why we do not have static, dead versions set in concrete. God understands languages change, even though in some circles of Christianity, dynamic Christian interpretation has been thrown out in favour of a translation which is static, and 400 years away from the common language we share today!
I feel sorry for people demanding perfection in a Bible translation. It just doesn't happen. Even the KJV was constantly being changed, mistakes corrected and words changed. Yet some people get stuck with this obsession that only one translation, of an early form of English. Maybe we should be discussing OCD, instead of which translation we use, and why.
The funny thing is that the KJV was changed and revised for many years. The so-called "authorized" version was commissioned by a homosexual king. James' son, Charles I was the only king ever executed in English history, he did such a bad job or ruling and reigning! I guess he learned that from his treasonous father, King James Stuart, who did commission a Bible translation, but the rest of his life was far from righteous!
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