What was written on the sign above Jesus head?
[Jhn 19:20 NKJV] 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
or
[Jhn 19:20 ESV] 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.
Hebrew and Aramaic, while both Semitic languages, are distinct in their grammar, vocabulary, and script. Hebrew is a classical language with deep historical and religious significance, whereas Aramaic developed as a separate language in the ancient Near East. Each language possesses its own unique linguistic and cultural identity. There is also different greek words for them. Hebraïstí is consistently used in Koine Greek at the time of Jesus’ death to mean Hebrew while Syristi is used to mean Aramaic.
The Greek behind both of these verses listed above is the same. Both the TR which is the Greek manuscript that the KJV is based on and the NU which is what the ESV is based on have the same Greek word listed: Hebraïstí
The Koine Greek word (Hebraïstí) has been translated as “Aramaic” in the ESV. This is an error. As it is done at several places (John 5:2, John 19:13) then it would seem this was done on purpose. It is unclear what the reason for this intentional mistranslation would be.
In several other places, the ESV translates the Greek word as “Hebrew” but with a footnote: “Or the Hebrew dialect (probably Aramaic)”. But as we have stated these are actually different dialects with distinct grammar, vocabulary, and script. (see Acts 21:40, Acts 22:2, Acts 26:14)
To make this matter even more confusing for readers of the ESV they translate it as “Hebrew” with no footnote in Revelation 16:16, Acts 21:37 and Revelation 9:11.
And just when you thought they could do no more to sow doubt in God’s word… well they do. The other place in scripture where this is recorded is Luke 23:38. You know what the ESV does there? …..nothing…. Its just gone. Completely removed from the Word of God.
How do Christians who profess to hold to the inerrancy of scripture put up with this non-sense?
If you do not like the thees and thous of the KJV then get the NKJV still too formal for you then get the Third Millennium Bible or the Modern English Version or the KJVER (the ER stands for Easy Reader) or the KJV2023 edition etc… There are plenty of good bibles out there that are not from the Textual Critical cynics whose only goal seems to be to cause confusion and doubt about God’s word.
Get a bible based on the Textus Receptus (TR).
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