Post by Jim Pate on Oct 20, 2013 6:56:40 GMT -5
I find it interesting that in Matthew 6:12, Jesus teaches us to pray: Forgive us our TRESPASSES while throughout the bible, we talk about our violations of God's laws as SIN. So, just what is the difference? Let's look at the word Sin as it appeared in the original Greek Text as well as the Hebrew and Aramaic translations that Jesus would have used.
The Factual Definition Of The Word SIN From the Original Bible
by David Samuel on December 2, 2011
This article is about the incorrect interpretation of the word and concept of ‘sin’ in the Bible. Here is its original definition. This research was done by my brother Michael, a truly great scholar and infinite source of accurate information as he has learnt many of the ancient languages, last count at 12. Michael has studied ancient texts in their original languages and I believe that the information he provides is the most objective and accurate available.
The Old Testament, i.e., the Hebrew Bible, was written 98% Hebrew and 2% Aramaic (a Semitic language related to Hebrew, like Arabic).
New Testament, the Christian Bible, was originally written in Greek, though Jesus did NOT speak Greek, only Aramaic and Hebrew. The New Testament was written for mass dissemination, and that particular dialect of Greek (Koine) was common in the Eastern Roman Empire in which early Christians were active missionaries.
SIN IN OLD TESTAMENT HEBREW:
We’ll stick to the Hebrew, which is the main language here. There are about a dozen different terms for sin. I can’t cover them all, but should caution you that there are subtle nuances that should not be overlooked. But the most common term is “chata.”
“Ch” Pronounced like when clearing your throat.
Philologists understand the literal meaning of this term to be: “missing the right point” (Theological Dictionary, vol. 1, p. 271).
SIN IN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK:
Ancient Hebrew has sophisticated terminology when it comes to this subject, the root CHATAH being just one of many forms. Greek is a bit less discriminating. The common translation for CHATAH in the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, called The Septuagint, is the family: AMARTIA, AMARTANO, ETC… which also has the meaning of “not to hit” or “to miss.” Suffice it to say that there too, it can mean “intellectual shortcoming,” and so the Sophos (wise man) is contrasted with the Amartanon (“one who is in error” — and not “one who is in sin.”)
Thus, the Christian writers of the New Testament, could merge both the Hebrew and pagan Greek understanding of CHATAH – AMARTANO in the sense of “missing the mark”…
"7 WORDS FOR SIN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT"
Contrary to many modern teachings, all sin is not the same in the New Testament. There are at least 7 different Greek words for sin, each one having a different shade of meaning. This subject is so large that we only have space, in one devotion, to introduce the Greek words for sin:
1. "Hamartia" = "To miss the mark", as in archery competition, and therefore fail to receive the prize, or blessing. This is the general Greek word for sin, and is used 221 times. "Hamartia" encompasses the other 6 words for specific sins, in the sense that in all types of sin, we are "missing the mark". Example: Heb. 12:1, KJV = "the sin (hamartia) which doeth so easily beset us". We are aiming at God's best, but miss it.
2. "Hettema" = "Diminishing what should have been given full measure". Example: 1 Cor. 6:7, KJV = "there is a fault (hettema) among you". We all need God's constant help on this one! Placing emphasis on the things that please God will bring God's wonderful blessings into our life.
3. "Paraptoma" = "Falling when one should have stood". This one is actually an unintentional slip. I guess you've experienced this, as I have, and we are surprised when we realize we've sinned. Example: Eph. 1:7, KJV = We have "the forgiveness of sins (paraptoma), according to the riches of His grace". Even our "slip-ups" are forgiven.
4. "Agnoeema" = "Ignorance when one should have known". Example: Heb. 9:7, KJV = "the errors (agnoeema) of the people". This passage speaks of how the Old Testament was a shadow of the New Testament. Ignorance is no excuse, that's why we stay in the Word!
5. "Parakoe" = "To refuse to hear and heed God's word". Example: 2 Cor. 10:6, KJV = "disobedience". In this passage, Paul urges us to hear God's Word and to bring every thought into captivity for Christ.
6. "Parabasis" = "To intentionally cross a line". Example: Heb. 2:2, KJV = "every transgression (parabasis) & disobedience (parakoe) received a just recompense of reward". When God "draws a line in the sand", we can suffer great loss of rewards and blessings by intentionally "stepping over".
7. "Anomia" and "Paranomia" = "Lawlessness, or willfully breaking God's written rules". Example: Titus 2:14 KJV = Jesus gave himself for us in order to "redeem us from all iniquity (anomia)". God has "rules" to bless us, not to curse us. Someone said "the Bible is the owner's manual for human beings". Can you imagine trying to operate something as complicated as a human life without referring to the owner's manual? That would be just asking for frustration and failure!
Now, the word "Trespass" or "Debt" as is used in other translations comes from the Greek Word οπηειλεμα, which according to Strong's means:
1) that which is owed 1a) that which is justly or legally due, a debt 2) metaph. offence, sin
The word comes from οπηειλο(3784):
1) to owe 1a) to owe money, be in debt for 1a1) that which is due, the debt 2) metaph. the goodwill due
So a literal translation would be "debt", but "sin" or "trespass" could be used if the translator believes the term is being used in a metaphorical sense.
The Factual Definition Of The Word SIN From the Original Bible
by David Samuel on December 2, 2011
This article is about the incorrect interpretation of the word and concept of ‘sin’ in the Bible. Here is its original definition. This research was done by my brother Michael, a truly great scholar and infinite source of accurate information as he has learnt many of the ancient languages, last count at 12. Michael has studied ancient texts in their original languages and I believe that the information he provides is the most objective and accurate available.
The Old Testament, i.e., the Hebrew Bible, was written 98% Hebrew and 2% Aramaic (a Semitic language related to Hebrew, like Arabic).
New Testament, the Christian Bible, was originally written in Greek, though Jesus did NOT speak Greek, only Aramaic and Hebrew. The New Testament was written for mass dissemination, and that particular dialect of Greek (Koine) was common in the Eastern Roman Empire in which early Christians were active missionaries.
SIN IN OLD TESTAMENT HEBREW:
We’ll stick to the Hebrew, which is the main language here. There are about a dozen different terms for sin. I can’t cover them all, but should caution you that there are subtle nuances that should not be overlooked. But the most common term is “chata.”
“Ch” Pronounced like when clearing your throat.
Philologists understand the literal meaning of this term to be: “missing the right point” (Theological Dictionary, vol. 1, p. 271).
SIN IN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK:
Ancient Hebrew has sophisticated terminology when it comes to this subject, the root CHATAH being just one of many forms. Greek is a bit less discriminating. The common translation for CHATAH in the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, called The Septuagint, is the family: AMARTIA, AMARTANO, ETC… which also has the meaning of “not to hit” or “to miss.” Suffice it to say that there too, it can mean “intellectual shortcoming,” and so the Sophos (wise man) is contrasted with the Amartanon (“one who is in error” — and not “one who is in sin.”)
Thus, the Christian writers of the New Testament, could merge both the Hebrew and pagan Greek understanding of CHATAH – AMARTANO in the sense of “missing the mark”…
"7 WORDS FOR SIN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT"
Contrary to many modern teachings, all sin is not the same in the New Testament. There are at least 7 different Greek words for sin, each one having a different shade of meaning. This subject is so large that we only have space, in one devotion, to introduce the Greek words for sin:
1. "Hamartia" = "To miss the mark", as in archery competition, and therefore fail to receive the prize, or blessing. This is the general Greek word for sin, and is used 221 times. "Hamartia" encompasses the other 6 words for specific sins, in the sense that in all types of sin, we are "missing the mark". Example: Heb. 12:1, KJV = "the sin (hamartia) which doeth so easily beset us". We are aiming at God's best, but miss it.
2. "Hettema" = "Diminishing what should have been given full measure". Example: 1 Cor. 6:7, KJV = "there is a fault (hettema) among you". We all need God's constant help on this one! Placing emphasis on the things that please God will bring God's wonderful blessings into our life.
3. "Paraptoma" = "Falling when one should have stood". This one is actually an unintentional slip. I guess you've experienced this, as I have, and we are surprised when we realize we've sinned. Example: Eph. 1:7, KJV = We have "the forgiveness of sins (paraptoma), according to the riches of His grace". Even our "slip-ups" are forgiven.
4. "Agnoeema" = "Ignorance when one should have known". Example: Heb. 9:7, KJV = "the errors (agnoeema) of the people". This passage speaks of how the Old Testament was a shadow of the New Testament. Ignorance is no excuse, that's why we stay in the Word!
5. "Parakoe" = "To refuse to hear and heed God's word". Example: 2 Cor. 10:6, KJV = "disobedience". In this passage, Paul urges us to hear God's Word and to bring every thought into captivity for Christ.
6. "Parabasis" = "To intentionally cross a line". Example: Heb. 2:2, KJV = "every transgression (parabasis) & disobedience (parakoe) received a just recompense of reward". When God "draws a line in the sand", we can suffer great loss of rewards and blessings by intentionally "stepping over".
7. "Anomia" and "Paranomia" = "Lawlessness, or willfully breaking God's written rules". Example: Titus 2:14 KJV = Jesus gave himself for us in order to "redeem us from all iniquity (anomia)". God has "rules" to bless us, not to curse us. Someone said "the Bible is the owner's manual for human beings". Can you imagine trying to operate something as complicated as a human life without referring to the owner's manual? That would be just asking for frustration and failure!
Now, the word "Trespass" or "Debt" as is used in other translations comes from the Greek Word οπηειλεμα, which according to Strong's means:
1) that which is owed 1a) that which is justly or legally due, a debt 2) metaph. offence, sin
The word comes from οπηειλο(3784):
1) to owe 1a) to owe money, be in debt for 1a1) that which is due, the debt 2) metaph. the goodwill due
So a literal translation would be "debt", but "sin" or "trespass" could be used if the translator believes the term is being used in a metaphorical sense.