Here you will find links to all things having to do with exhaustive study. Be that diligent steward!
Now on a key note, you must understand there are BAD translations out there and you need to be weary dear reader. When we are talking about Tanakh, or Old Testament to most Christians, we are concerned with 4 versions: Septuagint (Greek 2nd century BC), Latin Vulgate (Catholic 3rd century AD), Masoretic (Hebrew 10th century AD) and JPS (Masoretic, Jewish Publication Society 1917).
Now you might be saying Masoretic and JPS are the same thing – not so. There are newer modernized versions of JPS and the translations can vary greatly.
The English versions do not translate the same. Sefaria claim their translations are from JPS. Maybe for the Hebrew, but the English translation is rife with errors and must be read forensically. In fact, some of the English translations found within Sefaria are so erroneous, the English cannot be taken as a legitimate source. I believe Sefaria is a credit as an archive, but again, blatant errors that are inexcusable. Below is a passage for Isaiah 53:7 from 5 sources. Notice the highlights and differences.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Jewish Virtual Library(Masoretic)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth.
He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth.
Sefaria JPS Hebrew/ English Translation is rife with error
He was maltreated, yet he was submissive, He did not open his mouth; Like a sheep being led to slaughter, Like a ewe, dumb before those who shear her, He did not open his mouth.
So which one is the correct version? Well, that is not difficult for the trained scholar to see. For laymen this can be a task. It’s either a correct Greek to English, or Hebrew to English.
It can be argued based on the dead Sea Scrolls and Papyri such as Papyrus Fouad 266 that the Septuagint is a more accurate version and again, it’s a thousand years older. Tireless research has been ongoing concerning Septuagint vs Masoretic and the volume of work on the subject is enough to provide any laymen with vast understanding on extant manuscript. Bottomline, any serious student needs to translate the Hebrew/Latin/Greek words for yourself to determine “manipulation” of the scripture you’re reading. If you rely on someone else to “tell you” what God’s word means, you will be sorely misled.
Only through the Spirit of Elohim, YHWH our mighty God, can we receive the knowledge of His word. That knowledge comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit received by those who accept HaMashiach Yeshua for salvation from your sin. Those in darkness will never truly understand YHWH without receiving His spirit.
How can you be manipulated or tricked? Scholars, Christian, and Jewish alike, have eradicated and manipulated verse over the centuries to anything that points to HaMashiach Yeshua as the legitimate Mashiach, or to focus on “their view”.
However, it’s simple to see verse to verse – clearly with thousands of extant script/papyri/vellum available. YHWH made sure that enough documentation was in multi-cultural hands so not one group of people could eradicate the truth, although the darkness and rulers of this world have tried many times. Throughout the centuries there have been subtle additions by denominations and erasure of text based on “updated beliefs”.
For instance, the Sefaria version is a blatant “manipulation” of Isaiah 53:7:
“He was maltreated, yet he was submissive, He did not open his mouth; Like a sheep being led to slaughter, Like a ewe, dumb before those who shear her, He did not open his mouth.”
The verse omit’s “lamb” and inputs sheep, whereas both terms were used – the difference effects which karbanot the offering is coming from, and removing “lamb” as a reference to HaMashiach Yeshua as He has been referenced numerous times.
Tanakh scholars know that some offerings consist of sheep, others, young lambs/yearlings. The average Christian does not understand the difference as you probably do not study “offerings” karbanot. There is a vast difference in offerings and mitzvot governing such. The word “submissive” compared to “afflicted” is simply inaccurate. Afflicted is the proper translation. To compare English translation of single verse you can go here.
Hebrew translation can be done through multiple sources including Strongs Concordance.
Enjoy, and remember the rules, if the verse doesn’t agree with other scripture, generally there is a pesky manipulation lurking.
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