I’ve been increasingly interested in words as I’ve studied the Bible.
Since English is my second language, I’ve been aware of the challenges of translating one language to another, and this is especially critical when it pertains to God’s words.
The Dutch word "aardappel" and the Frisian word "ierappel" have a similar translation to the French words "pommes de terre," which translate as "earth apples." But, after having seen, held, or tasted an "earth apple," we have the experience of interpreting these to mean "potato."
When dealing with other languages, we always face this issue. Translation is easy. Interpretation requires experience. We have to know from experience the particular object or colloquialism to which the word or phrase refers. If the Dutch, Frisian, or French did not place an "earth apple" in our hands, could we know what it is?
In my Statement of Faith, I’ve written, “I believe the Bible, in its original text, to be divinely inspired, infallible, and trustworthy. All translations from the original languages should be used cautiously since they are the work of fallible men/women.”
Only the original text is inspired, and to the degree that those who copied the original were integral, direct copies of the original would be inspired, or at least accurate.
Inaccuracies could be introduced between translation and interpretation.
This is not an attack on the word of God; rather, it is an attempt to " accurately handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB, unless noted).
I recently listened to an online message from an out-of-town pastor. His message was based on an inaccurate "interpretation" of a single word. He did not handle the word of truth well, in my opinion.
With that background, I’d like to review the Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek words translated as “Forgive.”
In my experience as a pastoral counsellor, I’ve observed that people have a very difficult time forgiving someone. It is difficult because they never seem free of hurt feelings and resentment. Rather than being a one-time event, it becomes a repetitive act.
Why is this?
In the OT, the words used for forgive are:
In the NT the words used are:
Interpreting these words as 'forgive' is a poor choice, bordering on error.
Forgive in English means “Stop feeling angry or resentful,” “No longer feel angry about or wish to punish (an offence, flaw, or mistake),” and “Cancel (a debt).”
In English, forgiveness is associated with a feeling. In Hebrew and Greek culture, the definitions seem very much tied to an action—send away, lift away, cover—rather than a feeling.
The blood sacrifice of Yeshua was the medium of payment for our sin debt. It was not forgiven or cancelled. It was an action, not a feeling, although love motivated the action (read God Cannot Forgive Sin). Sin cannot be forgiven; it is a debt that must be paid before we can walk away from it.
Actions and feelings are much like a horse and cart. The cart always follows the horse that pulls it. Perhaps God is not so much concerned about our feelings as He is about our actions.
Has someone done you wrong? Forget forgiving them; declare it paid and drop it. Walk away from it, leave it behind, and throw it away simply because Jesus did that same thing for you. Just don’t get all caught up in your feelings—they will follow your actions. Do something that evidences that act of forgiveness using something tangible. Write the offence on a stone and throw it in a lake or out the car window on a country road.
Then, when feelings try to take over, you can recall the act and let those feelings go, too.
