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- Is My Bible Right? After the great flood, everyone had one language. Humanity congregated in the region of Babylonia (“the land of Shinar”) and started building a tower that would reach into the heavens (Gen 11:1–9). God stopped the project by transforming the single language into many—dispersing humanity over the earth and creating the nations and regions listed in Genesis 10. Most people think it ends there, but there’s more. The story picks up again in Deuteronomy 32:8–9. And the story changes, depending on what Bible version you use. When the Most High apportioned the nations as an inheritance, when he divided up humankind, he established the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.1 Some Bibles may read “sons of Israel” instead of “sons of God.” The difference is due to an ancient manuscript disagreement with major theological ramifications. Is It Accurate? Most English Bibles have “sons of Israel” or something similar because the translation is based on the traditional Hebrew text of the Old Testament, known to us as the Masoretic Text. But how does God dividing humankind and fixing the boundaries of the peoples “according to the number of the sons of Israel” make any sense? Deuteronomy 32:8 hearkens back to what happened at Babel—and Israel did not exist at that time! If you read through the “Table of Nations” in Genesis 10, Israel does not even appear. “Sons of God” is the reading in two other older manuscripts: the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, a set of manuscripts discovered in the desert not too far from Jerusalem. Bible translators agree that “sons of God” is the more original reading, but they usually place it in a footnote at Deuteronomy 32:8, not in the actual text. The English Standard Version (esv), though, and others, place “sons of God” into their translation. Why Is There a Difference? Deuteronomy 32:8 is a textbook example of how later scribes sometimes changed the biblical text in a misguided attempt to “protect” God’s reputation.2 Other parts of Deuteronomy were also changed by scribes (e.g., 32:43). When you line up the Dead Sea Scroll reading with the Masoretic Text—the traditional Hebrew text most English translations are based upon—you can see that the original was altered. Notice that Deuteronomy 32:43 in the Dead Sea Scrolls has three poetic pairings. Since it’s a poetic section, the symmetry is not only important, it’s expected. The Masoretic Text reading has removed or altered parts of two of the pairings. The first, as in Deuteronomy 32:8, eliminates references to other divine beings (“sons of God” in 32:8; “heavenly ones” and “gods” in 32:43). At some point, a scribe thought this reference to other gods was theologically offensive.3 The first line of the final pairing was removed because someone hating God was also offensive. God, of course, doesn’t need to be protected by a zealous scribe or anyone else. Israel’s doctrine was that Yahweh was unique and above all other divine beings (Pss 29:1; 89:5–7). In a severe judgment, the nations at Babel were disinherited by Yahweh and given over to the administration of other gods (Deut 4:19–20; 32:8), whose actions would be judged by the God of Israel (Psa 82:1, 6). This paved the way for God to create a new people, Israel, in the very next chapter of Genesis. And ironically, it was through Abraham’s seed that the disinherited nations would be reclaimed (Gen 12:1–3). QUICKBIT: Does your Bible have the reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls? • Include “Sons of God”: ESV, RSV, NRSV, NLT, NET, Message, Good News • Include “Sons of Israel”: NIV, ASB, NASB, HCSB, KJV, NKJV, NCV, Tanakh, 1890 Darby, Young’s Literal, God’s Word Translation, AV (1873) 1 All biblical references were translated by the author. 2 See Heiser, “Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of God,” published by Dallas Theological Seminary in Bibliotheca Sacra 158 (Jan–Mar 2001). Read it at http://thedivinecouncil.com/Deut328.pdf. 3 This scribal practice of “protecting” God through textual changes is known as tiqqune sopherim (“emendations of the scribes”). See Emanuel Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992), 264–69. ESV English Standard Version Michael S. Heiser, I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible, ed. John D. Barry and Rebecca Van Noord (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Bible Study Magazine, 2014), 43–46.thedivinecouncil.com
- This explains a lot and has given me a better understanding of Babel and Israel. Thanks!
- Hello. I just registered but saw a comment about streaming online. Will these be streamed live or only on demand after the class has ended?
- We are recording the sessions and I will send out a link to view the recording within 24-48 hours of the class. Live streaming may be coming in the future, but doesn't help those with conflicts due to other commitments at the same time.
- Good morning! I have never done a Digging Deeper bible study before and I have a few questions. How is the setup going to work? Would we have a table or would we be on chairs without one? Do we need to bring anything extra like bible commentaries, or other resources like that? Can I bring my laptop? What do I need to bring? I know. . . I have all the questions . . . lol
- Great questions. I will send you a Bibliography on Thursday. You Do Not have to purchase any books, you're free to, but don't have to. I will send you things to read and videos to watch each Friday, for the following Thursday class. YES, you may bring your laptop, that's a good idea. I sent you instructions for FaithlifeTV & Logos & faithlife. I'd play around in those platforms. If you want me to help you set up your Logos I will do so. You will need to DOWNLOAD it onto your laptop. (Not Tablet, but laptop). I am trying to keep the homework down to a doable level and not overwhelm folks. (smile). Your Bible is the class book. We'll spend most of our time in it. God Bless.
- Ken, the class registration is currently open. It begins Sept 5. https://cfhome.org/event-details/?id=51603
- Please delete me from the distribution list. I have moved to Minnesota Esther Denniston esden1332@gmail.com
- Esther, Faithlife is not a distribution list. It is a worldwide platform like facebook. You will have to remove yourself (opt out) from your side. Hope that helps. Blessings
- Rafe mentioned this book tonight. It appears to be out of print but you can read it hereCult Image and Divine Representation in the Ancient Near East : Neal H. Walls : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet ArchiveSeries: ASOR Books (Book 10)Paperback: 114 pagesPublisher: American Schools of Oriental Research (October 30,...archive.org
- Thanks!!! You can download the book after you become a member - free.
- You get them both in this package: https://www.logos.com/fundamentals $49.00
- Great read on the unfathomable and incomprehensible greatness of GodThe Incredible Shrinking Planet - Philip YanceyOn the pale blue dot called Earth, just a mid-sized planet orbiting a mid-rank star in one galaxy out of a trillion, God shows boundless lovephilipyancey.com
- Here's an article that touches on truths we'll cover in Lesson #12 on "Salvation" in Digging Deeper: Theology 101 (beginning Feb 10 - registration is open for newcomers. Current class members do NOT need to register again. https://my.christfellowshiphome.com/portal/event_signup.aspx?id=40399%20Show Us Your Glory: Prayer That Sparks ReformationMoses made an audacious request. God answered — but only in part. And what he revealed at Sinai pales in comparison to Calvary.www.desiringgod.org