Hebrew Words Mistranslated or Misunderstood in English Bible
The Hebrew word shalu (שָׁלוּ) in Daniel 3:29, often translated as "blasphemes" or "says something amiss," carries the sense of "error" or "unconscious error" [9, 8]. Abraham Ibn Ezra connects it to the Hebrew word shegagah, meaning error, and to the phrase ʿal ha-shal (עַל הַשַּׁל) in 2 Samuel 6:7, also signifying error [9]. This nuance suggests that the utterance is not necessarily intentional blasphemy but rather a mistake or an unwitting offense.
Another term that can be misunderstood is the Hebrew for "enchantments." This word is rendered from several Hebrew terms, each with distinct meanings. Latim or lehatim refers to "something covered" or "muffled up," denoting secret arts or tricks, as seen in the actions of Egyptian magicians (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18) [4]. Keshaphim signifies "muttered spells" or "incantations," which are translated as "sorceries" in Isaiah 47:9, 12, implying the use of formulas to bind others [4]. Lehashim describes "charming," particularly of serpents (Jeremiah 8:17), while nehashim refers to omens, as used by Balaam [4]. These distinctions highlight the varied practices encompassed by the English term "enchantments."
The term "Hebrew" itself is primarily used in Scripture by foreigners when referring to Israelites, or by Israelites when speaking to foreigners, or when contrasting themselves with other peoples (Genesis 39:14, 17; 40:15; Exodus 1:19; 43:32) [3]. Its derivation is debated, with some tracing it to Eber (Genesis 10:24), making Hebrews "sons of Eber" (Genesis 10:21) [3]. In the New Testament, the same contrast between Hebrews and foreigners is observed (Acts 6:1; Philippians 3:5) [3]. The inability of children to speak Hebrew was considered disastrous in Nehemiah's time, as it prevented them from understanding the Scriptures [7].
The Hebrew word mevula'im (מְבֻלָּעִֽים) in Isaiah 9:16 is translated as "[were] confused" [2]. Similarly, bi.Le.'u (בִּלֵּֽעוּ) in Isaiah 3:12 is rendered "they have confused" [5]. This concept of confusion is also seen in the name "Babel," which means "confusion" or "mixture" [6]. The prophet Jeremiah uses the term "folly" (Jeremiah 23:13), which literally means "insipidity" or "unsavouriness," implying a lack of godliness [10]. The Authorized Version's rendering of "should behave themselves strangely" in Deuteronomy 32:27 (R.V. "misdeem") refers to misunderstanding the cause of Israel's ruin, attributing it to God's abandonment due to their apostasy [1].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Misdeem — (Deut. 32:27, R.V.). The Authorized Version reads, "should behave themselves strangely;" i.e., not recognize the truth, misunderstand or mistake the cause of Israel's ruin, which was due to the fact that God had forsaken them on account of their apostasy.”
- STEPBible TAHOT “Isa.9.16(9.15)#07=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): מְבֻלָּעִֽים\׃ [me.vu.la.'Im] "[were] confused"”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hebrew — A name applied to the Israelites in Scripture only by one who is a foreigner (Gen. 39:14, 17; 41:12, etc.), or by the Israelites when they speak of themselves to foreigners (40:15; Ex. 1:19), or when spoken of an contrasted with other peoples (Gen. 43:32; Ex. 1:3, 7, 15; Deut. 15:12). In the New Testament there is the same contrast between Hebrews and foreigners (Acts 6:1; Phil. 3:5). Derivation. (1.) The name is derived, according to some, from Eber (Gen. 10:24), the ancestor of Abraham. The Hebrews are "sons of Eber" (10:21). (2.) Others trace the name of ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Enchantments — (1.) The rendering of Hebrew latim_ or _lehatim, which means "something covered," "muffled up;" secret arts, tricks (Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18), by which the Egyptian magicians imposed on the credulity of Pharaoh. (2.) The rendering of the Hebrew keshaphim, "muttered spells" or "incantations," rendered "sorceries" in Isa. 47:9, 12, i.e., the using of certain formulae under the belief that men could thus be bound. (3.) Hebrew lehashim, "charming," as of serpents (Jer. 8:17; comp. Ps. 58:5). (4.) Hebrew nehashim, the enchantments or omens used by Balaam (Num”
- STEPBible TAHOT “Isa.3.12#12=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): בִּלֵּֽעוּ\׃\ \ס [bi.Le.'u] "they have confused"”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Babel — confusion; mixture”
- Nehemiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nehemiah 13:23: 13:23-24 The earlier marriage reforms (9:2; 10:28; Ezra 9:1–10:44) had not lasted. The children’s inability to speak Hebrew (the language of Judah) was disastrous because they could not read or understand the Scriptures.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 19:4: erred--The Hebrew expresses unconscious error. Job was unconscious of wilful sin. remaineth--literally, "passeth the night." An image from harboring an unpleasant guest for the night. I bear the consequences.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Daniel 3:29: [Daniel 3:29] And from me (וּמִנִּי - Uminni )... blasphemes [lit. says something amiss/error] (שָׁלוּ - shalu ): [This means] like [the Hebrew word for] error ( shegagah ). And [it is] like [the related Hebrew word shal in the phrase]: “for his error” (עַל הַשַּׁל - ʿal ha-shal ) [II Samuel 6:7].”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 23:13: folly--literally, "insipidity," "unsavouriness" (Job 6:6), not having the salt of godliness (Col 4:6). in Baal--in the name of Baal; in connection with his worship (see Jer 2:8). caused . . . to err-- (Isa 9:16).”