Difference between revisions of "Infinity and the Bible"
(The KJV uses the term "eternal" a total of 45 times in the New Testament, each of which is a candidate for using "infinity" to convey the full meaning today.) |
(Bible translation committees typically lack anyone with a STEM background. The combination of infinity with the Bible can be helpful to overcoming worldly addictions, which afflict nearly everyone in some form.) |
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| − | '''Infinity and the Bible''' concerns the | + | '''Infinity and the Bible''' concerns the many direct and indirect references to the innovative concept of [[infinity]] in the [[Bible]]. The concept of infinity was disfavored by the ancient [[Greek]] philosophers and mathematicians. [[Bible translation committees]] typically lack anyone with a [[STEM]] background. |
The combination of [[infinity]] with the [[Bible]] can be helpful to overcoming worldly [[addictions]], which afflict nearly everyone in some form. | The combination of [[infinity]] with the [[Bible]] can be helpful to overcoming worldly [[addictions]], which afflict nearly everyone in some form. | ||
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| + | There is a failure of [[English]] translations to use the term "[[infinity]]" or "infinite", and instead to mistranslate the text as "unsearchable" or "without limit" or another less precise term. | ||
For example, {{bibleref|Psalm|147|5}} refers to the infinite understanding by [[God]], and yet most English translations (37 out of 53) instead use other terms such as "boundless", "beyond measure" ([[ESV]]), or "no limit" ([[NIV]]).<ref>https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%20147%3A5</ref> | For example, {{bibleref|Psalm|147|5}} refers to the infinite understanding by [[God]], and yet most English translations (37 out of 53) instead use other terms such as "boundless", "beyond measure" ([[ESV]]), or "no limit" ([[NIV]]).<ref>https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%20147%3A5</ref> | ||
Revision as of 16:34, May 27, 2023
Infinity and the Bible concerns the many direct and indirect references to the innovative concept of infinity in the Bible. The concept of infinity was disfavored by the ancient Greek philosophers and mathematicians. Bible translation committees typically lack anyone with a STEM background.
The combination of infinity with the Bible can be helpful to overcoming worldly addictions, which afflict nearly everyone in some form.
There is a failure of English translations to use the term "infinity" or "infinite", and instead to mistranslate the text as "unsearchable" or "without limit" or another less precise term.
For example, Psalm 147:5 refers to the infinite understanding by God, and yet most English translations (37 out of 53) instead use other terms such as "boundless", "beyond measure" (ESV), or "no limit" (NIV).[1]
Epistle to the Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews -- which is written in flawless and the highest quality Greek found anywhere -- refers to infinity four times with Greek terms that lack full appreciation of this powerful concept:
- Hebrews 1:4 τοσούτῳ (tosoutō): Strong's 5118. Translates as "so great/far/vastly", but today can be translated as "infinitely")
- Hebrews 1:12 οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν (ekleipsousin): Strong's 1587: Translates as "your years ... never end," but today can be translated as "your years ... are infinite."
- Hebrews 11:12 ἀναρίθμητος (anarithmētos): Strong's 382: Translates as "countless" or "innumerable", but today can be translated as "infinite".
- Hebrews 12:22 μυριάσιν (myriasin - root of myriad): Strong's 3461: Translates as an "an indefinitely large number,"[2] but today could be "infinitely" in this context of angels
- μυριάσιν is also used by Luke at Luke 12:1, Acts 19:19 and Acts 21:20, by Jude (the brother of James and a relative of Jesus) at Jude 1:14, and by John at Revelation 5:11 (in an interesting compounded manner - and infinite of infinites) and Revelation 9:16 (again compounded).
"Everlasting"
The 26 times that the KJV uses the term "everlasting" in the New Testament are opportunities to use "infinity" today.
"Eternal"
The KJV uses the term "eternal" a total of 45 times in the New Testament, each of which is a candidate for using "infinity" to convey the full meaning today.