Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will
be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth; for all the
earth belongs to me (NLT, Exodus 19:5).
The NIV translates this verse: …you will be my treasured
possession. Although the whole earth is mine… Even though I love the NIV,
including its most recent revision (2011), this is one place I contend they
made a bad choice out of touch with the entirety of biblical context. Of major
translations, only the NIV and the HCSB choose the word although. The
NCV uses even (which unfortunately communicates the same idea as although),
and three translations avoid the problem by leaving out the word altogether
(CEV, GNT) or substituting indeed (NRSV). The ESV, NASB and the NKJV
agree with the NLT translators and use the word for.
Why the confusion? The original word can be translated both
ways, and translators work from the context to determine which word fits best.
Is God saying, “I’ve chosen you because I love you the
best”? Or is God saying, “I’ve chosen you because I’m going to use my
relationship with you to express my love to the nations”? Using the word although
communicates the former idea; the word for
seems to support the latter, and fits better with the context of all Scripture.
The you in this verse is Israel. What if the you
was… you?
TODAY’S MEDITATION
How can God’s love in your
life overflow to others? Pray: “Lord, I’m available. Who needs you most
today?”
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