Lost in Translation: Genesis 1 is NOT About the Creation of the World!

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the common misinterpretation of the first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, arguing that it's not about the creation of the universe but rather the beginning of the Earth's formation. They discuss the Hebrew term 'beish sheet' and its translation, suggesting it indicates a temporal phrase rather than an absolute beginning. The speaker presents an alternative translation, emphasizing the Earth's initial state of formlessness and emptiness before God's creative act, challenging traditional Christian interpretations and offering a fresh perspective on this well-known verse.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker discusses the potential mistranslation of the first verse of the Bible, suggesting that common interpretations may be incorrect.
• 🌏 The widely known translation of Genesis 1:1 is critiqued as it implies a creation ex nihilo, or 'out of nothing', concept that the speaker argues is not the original intent.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The speaker points out that most English translations of the Bible, from the King James version to modern ones, have remained consistent in their translation of Genesis 1:1, despite potential issues.
• 🔍 The Jewish Publication Society's translation of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) in the 1980s is highlighted as a version that diverges from the traditional translation, suggesting a different interpretation.
• 📖 The Hebrew word 'beish sheet' is explained as a temporal phrase, meaning 'at the beginning' or 'when', rather than 'in the beginning', which changes the verse's meaning.
• 🌌 The original Hebrew text is not about the creation of the universe but focuses on the initial state of the Earth when God began to create or order it.
• 🌄 The speaker's own translation of Genesis 1:1 emphasizes the Earth's initial state as desolate, empty, and covered in darkness, before God's creative acts.
• 💬 The importance of understanding the original Hebrew to avoid misinterpretation is stressed, with the speaker providing examples of how words can have different meanings in context.
• 🔗 The speaker provides a link to their full translation of Genesis in an attempt to offer a more accurate understanding of the text.
• 🎥 The script is part of a series called 'Lost in Translation', aiming to clarify misunderstood Bible verses.
• 📚 The speaker's approach is to provide a transparent English translation of the Bible, with footnotes explaining word choices and their Hebrew origins.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in this video script about the translation of Genesis 1:1?

The main argument is that the common translation of Genesis 1:1 as 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth' is a mistranslation, and it leads to a misunderstanding of the verse's actual meaning, which is not about the creation of the universe but rather about the beginning of the design and ordering of the Earth.

What series is this video script a part of?

This video script is a part of the 'Lost in Translation' series.

According to the script, why is the common translation of Genesis 1:1 problematic?

The common translation is problematic because it suggests a creation ex nihilo (out of nothing), which is not what the original Hebrew text conveys. The original text is more about the state of the Earth when God began to create or order it, rather than the universe coming into existence.

What does the speaker suggest is the correct translation of 'beish sheet' in the context of Genesis 1:1?

The speaker suggests that 'beish sheet' should be translated as a temporal phrase, meaning 'when God began to create' or 'at the first of the creation', rather than 'in the beginning'.

What is the significance of the translation difference highlighted in the script?

The significance is that it changes the interpretation of the verse from being about the creation of the universe to being about the initial state of the Earth when God started to create it in the form we know today.

What does the speaker propose as the focus of Genesis 1:1 according to the original Hebrew?

The speaker proposes that the focus should be on the Earth, not the universe, and on the beginning of the design or ordering of the Earth by God, rather than the creation of matter or the universe itself.

Why did the Jewish Publication Society in the 1980s choose a different translation for Genesis 1:1?

The Jewish Publication Society chose a different translation because they wanted to reflect an understanding that had been discussed in Jewish circles since the time of Rashi, suggesting that 'beish sheet' should be translated as a temporal phrase.

What is the speaker's translation of Genesis 1:1, and how does it differ from traditional translations?

The speaker's translation is 'At the first of Elohim creating the skies and the land...' which differs from traditional translations by emphasizing the temporal aspect of the creation process and focusing on the Earth rather than the universe.

What does the speaker mean by 'transparent English' in the context of their translation?

By 'transparent English', the speaker means a translation that is clear, direct, and faithful to the original Hebrew text, providing footnotes and explanations for word choices and their meanings.

How does the speaker's translation of Genesis 1:1 affect the understanding of the creation narrative in the Bible?

The speaker's translation affects the understanding by shifting the focus from a universe-wide creation to a more localized creation of the Earth, and from a creation ex nihilo to a creation that began with an unformed and empty Earth.

What is the speaker's intention with the 'Lost in Translation' series and this particular script?

The speaker's intention is to clarify misunderstandings and misinterpretations that arise from common translations of the Bible, particularly the first verse of Genesis, by providing a more accurate and contextually faithful translation.