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.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Misinterpretation of Genesis 1:1

The speaker begins by addressing a potential mistranslation of the Bible's first verse, suggesting that the common understanding of Genesis 1:1 as describing the creation of the universe may be incorrect. They argue that the verse is often misinterpreted to mean that God created everything from nothing, which is a significant philosophical and theological point. The speaker challenges this view by proposing that the original Hebrew text does not support the idea of creation ex nihilo ('out of nothing') but rather describes the initial state of the Earth when God began the process of creation.

05:01

🔍 Revisiting the Translation of Genesis 1:1

In this paragraph, the speaker delves into the historical consistency of Bible translations, noting that the translation of Genesis 1:1 has remained largely unchanged since the King James Version of 1611. They highlight the reluctance to alter such a well-known verse, akin to changing the equally famous John 3:16. The speaker then introduces a translation from the 1980s by the Jewish Publication Society, which daringly interprets the verse as a temporal phrase, indicating the beginning of God's creation process rather than an absolute beginning. This translation suggests that the Earth was initially unformed and void, with God's creative work starting from this state.

10:04

🌏 The True Focus of Genesis 1:1

The final paragraph emphasizes that Genesis 1:1 is not about the creation of the universe but rather about the commencement of God's work on Earth. The speaker explains that the Hebrew term 'beish sheet' is a temporal phrase indicating 'at the beginning of' rather than 'in the beginning.' They argue that the focus should be on the state of the Earth when God began to create it, not on the universe as a whole. The speaker provides their own translation, the 'Transparent English Bible,' which aims to clarify this point and offers a more accurate understanding of the original Hebrew text. They invite viewers to consider this perspective and provide a link to their translation for further exploration.

Keywords

💡Mistranslation

Mistranslation refers to the inaccurate or erroneous translation of a text from one language to another, often leading to misunderstandings. In the video, the speaker argues that the first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, has been commonly mistranslated, leading to a misunderstanding of the Bible's original message. The speaker suggests that the verse is not about the creation of the universe but rather the beginning of the creation process of Earth.

💡Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 is the first verse of the Book of Genesis in the Bible and is a focal point in the video. It is traditionally translated as 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.' The speaker believes this translation is incorrect and that it has led to a widespread misunderstanding of the verse's meaning, which they argue is about the initial stage of Earth's creation rather than the universe's origin.

💡Hebrew Bible

The Hebrew Bible refers to the sacred scriptures of Judaism, which Christians also recognize as part of their Old Testament. In the video, the speaker discusses the original Hebrew text of Genesis 1:1 to argue for a different interpretation of the verse, emphasizing that the focus should be on the specific creation of Earth rather than a general creation of the universe.

💡Creation

Creation, in the context of the video, refers to the process described in Genesis where God brings order and life to the Earth. The speaker clarifies that the commonly understood 'creation' as something from nothing is not what Genesis 1:1 is about. Instead, it is about the beginning of the ordering and shaping of Earth, starting from a formless and empty state.

💡Philosophical Theological Ontological

These terms relate to the fields of philosophy, theology, and ontology, respectively, which are concerned with the nature of existence, reality, and being. The speaker uses these terms to describe the traditional interpretations of Genesis 1:1 as a profound statement about existence and the universe's origin, which they argue is a misinterpretation.

💡Anthropocentric

Anthropocentric refers to a human-centered perspective, where human beings are considered the central or most important element of a particular worldview. The speaker mentions that the traditional view of Genesis 1:1 is anthropocentric, focusing on Earth as the center, which is expected given the ancient origin of the text.

💡Bereshit

Bereshit is the Hebrew word for 'in the beginning,' which is the first word of the Book of Genesis. The speaker discusses the translation of this term, arguing that it should be understood as a temporal phrase indicating the start of the creation process rather than the absolute beginning of time and space.

💡Tanakh

The Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Mikra, and it includes the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. The speaker refers to a translation of the Tanakh by the Jewish Publication Society, which offers a different translation of Genesis 1:1, suggesting a temporal interpretation of 'Bereshit.'

💡Temporal Phrase

A temporal phrase is a linguistic construct that specifies a time or period. The speaker argues that 'Bereshit' should be understood as a temporal phrase, indicating 'when' God began the creation process, rather than an absolute 'in the beginning.'

💡Tohu va-bohu

Tohu va-bohu is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'formless and void,' which describes the state of the Earth before God's creation as described in Genesis 1:2. The speaker uses this term to illustrate the initial conditions of Earth, emphasizing that the creation narrative is about the transformation of a chaotic, unformed Earth into an ordered world.

💡Rashi

Rashi, or Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, was a medieval French rabbi and one of the most distinguished commentators on the Hebrew Bible. The speaker mentions Rashi in the context of the discussion around the translation of Genesis 1:1, noting that he suggested a temporal interpretation of 'Bereshit' as early as the 11th century.

Highlights

The first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, is often mistranslated and misunderstood.

Genesis 1:1 is commonly quoted as 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth', which may not accurately reflect the original Hebrew.

The speaker suggests that Genesis 1:1 is not about the creation of the universe but rather the beginning of the creation process on Earth.

The Hebrew word 'beish sheet' is discussed, which is often translated as 'in the beginning' but may actually be a temporal phrase.

The speaker proposes that Genesis 1:1 should be understood as 'when God began to create' rather than 'in the beginning God created'.

The Earth is described as being 'without form and void' in the original Hebrew, suggesting a state of chaos or emptiness before God's creation.

The speaker argues that the focus of Genesis 1:1 is on the Earth, not the entire universe, and is anthropocentric in nature.

The translation of Genesis 1:1 in the King James version and other modern translations is critiqued for its consistency and potential inaccuracies.

The Jewish Publication Society's translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, is mentioned as a more accurate reflection of the original Hebrew.

The speaker's own translation of Genesis 1:1 is presented, emphasizing the beginning of God's creation process on Earth.

The speaker's translation uses 'at the first of Elohim creating the skies in the land' to convey a more accurate temporal sense.

The speaker discusses the importance of understanding the original Hebrew context to avoid philosophical and theological misinterpretations.

The speaker's translation aims to be transparent and includes footnotes to clarify the original Hebrew meanings.

The speaker's translation is available for purchase and is described as a way to rescue Genesis 1:1 from being lost in translation.

The speaker plans to continue the series 'Lost in Translation' to cover more verses and their potential mistranslations.

The speaker emphasizes the value of understanding the original Hebrew to gain a deeper insight into the Bible's teachings.

Transcripts

hello everyone today I want to talk to

you about the very first verse of the

Bible and this is part of my series Lost

in

Translation so could I be possibly

saying that the very first verse of the

Bible is generally

mistranslated and then accordingly

misunderstood and further

misinterpreted well I think so you ask

anybody who knows anything about the

Bible Genesis 1:1 they might be able to

quote it next to John 3:16 for

Christians for God so Lov the world and

so forth Genesis 1:1 surely has to be

the best known verse of the Old

Testament or the Hebrew Bible in the

beginning God created the heavens and

the Earth yes I think that's a

mistranslation and it in fact leads to

an enormous an important

misunderstanding of what Genesis is all

about and even what the Bible is all

about because it's not about the

creation of the world meaning the

universe most people reading Genesis 1:1

would read it as in the beginning there

was nothing but

God and God then brought forth into

existence the creation

expressed in this verse as the heavens

and the Earth

admittedly it's a very

anthropocentric view of the Earth being

the center but we would expect that from

ancient documents you could just say

well the Earth is the focal point of

human beings therefore you get Genesis

1:1 but actually Genesis 1:1 is not

about something from nothing or God

exist ing in the beginning and all the

questions of philosophy and physics and

astronomy Regarding why is there

something other than nothing and can

something come from nothing these

discussions are deep profound and well

known in scientific circles and I think

they're commonly discussed among people

on the street so to speak you know in

the beginning what was before God was

there nothing was there something if

there's something that it can't be God

because nothing could be before God and

so forth so back to Genesis 1:1 here's

my Bible this is the standard revised

Standard Version I've used for years

open it up in the beginning God created

the heavens and the

Earth and then we start the creation so

let me share my

screen and I think we're going to see

something very different in and quite

enlightening in terms of this

point Lost in

Translation why Genesis 1 is not about

the creation of the world and when I say

the creation of the world I'm using it

the way I think most people use it when

they talk about Genesis 1 in the

beginning was God and then everything

else was brought forth It's a Kind of

philosophical theological

ontological statement when actually it's

not in the original Hebrew but let's go

back to the problem here's my revised

standard version that I just H up in the

beginning God created the heavens and

the Earth the Earth was without form and

void and darkness was upon the face of

the deep and the spirit of God was

moving over the face of the waters and

God said let there be light and there

was light so that's the VI Standard

Version from I think the 1950s when the

Hebrew Bible was done and that goes back

basically word for word to the venerable

King James version of the Bible 1611 ad.

CE translated notice in the beginning

God created the heavens of the Earth

Earth is without form and void Darkness

was on the face of the deep the spirit

of God moved on the face of the waters

and God said let there be light and

there was light King James

version very very

standard American Standard 1901 same

thing uh ESV NIV all the modern

translations all the Evangelical

translations in the beginning God

created the heavens and the Earth so

notice that's pretty much standard Fair

all the way back to the King James right

up into our own time especially in

Christian trans ations now there's a

reason that people don't change this

it's like changing John

3:16 you can vary words and come up with

other ways of saying anything in English

English is such a versatile language but

look how exact these are to one another

because this is the first verse of the

Bible and if you want to have a new

translation you don't want your

translation to to be in contrast to all

the others that people practically know

by heart especially this first

verse and then you come to the

1980s and the Jewish publication Society

put out a new version of their Hebrew

Bible the holy scriptures it's called

the

Tanakh and they had the courage to

reflect something that has been

discussed in Jewish circles going all

the way back to to the time of Rashi

which was in the 10 hundreds or the 11th

century

CE when he

suggested that it should be translated

as a temporal phrase so what do we have

when God began to create Heaven and

Earth Dash the Earth was being unformed

in void with Darkness over the surface

of the deep and a wind from God was

sweeping over the water and God said let

there be light and there was light now

let's talk about the differences the

Hebrew word beish sheet perhaps you've

heard people pronounce that it's the

name of the book of Genesis in the

Hebrew Bible beish sheet in the

beginning but it's actually not in the

beginning God created the heavens and

the Earth

period but it's a temporal phrase it's

in the construct case as it's called

barit which means something along the

lines of at the beginning or literally

at the first because be ro ro means head

or first like the head be Ro sheet at

the beginning of the OR at the first of

the creation of God the Earth was

without form and void and darkness was

on the face of the deep so this is

actually a phrase that's supposed to be

a single sentence verses 1 through3 and

the idea would be what was the State of

Affairs like when God began to create or

fashion or order or DNA engineer if you

want to use modern terms this particular

Planet so the focus is on this

particular Planet not the rest of the

universe and it's not about the

beginning of the planet but it's about

the beginning of the design when God

began to bring forth or

create the heavens and the Earth in the

form that they were what it's saying is

he started with something unformed and

empty amorphous like nature think of the

Moon and all the planets and what we can

see with our own observation and our

telescopes and our various instruments

it's essentially a waste inv void

universe so this planet was like that in

this description it was unformed and

empty and it was dark and it was covered

with water and a wind was sweeping over

it and then God said let there be light

so you picture Light breaking into this

incredible cloud cover so the waters are

set separated the dry land appears the

sky above is separated and then you

begin to get life in the sea life in the

air with the birds life on the land the

plants and finally human beings that's

Genesis 1-

2:3 the creation hymn as it's called so

let me give you my translation I do have

a translation of Genesis I'll hold it up

here and I'll put it in the description

the transparent English Bible the Book

of Genesis and notice how I translate

Genesis 1 at the first of Elohim

creating the skies in the

land the land was desolate in emptiness

and darkness was over the face of the

deep and the spirit of Elohim was

hovering over the face of the waters and

Elohim said let there be light and there

was light so you see how it begins once

you start at the first of Elohim

creating the skies and the land you got

to just keep reading it keeps flowing

it's not in the beginning God created

the universe period but it's when God

began to order and fashion this planet

so it is geocentric and

anthromorphic as we would expect but in

a way that many have not understood it

has nothing to do with the creation of

matter or it

or when something came to exist rather

than nothing it's not about that also

notice in my translation I went ahead

and left the footnotes in where you

could see every few words I have

footnotes I have indications this means

that that word is plural the spirit of

God you can go down to number four

literally Hebrew ruach literally when

see Genesis 71 where it actually means

wind that's know as flood I explain

Elohim I explain at the head of it's a

grammatical construction it's a temporal

phrase when at first Jeremiah

261 if you look at Jeremiah 261 I'll

just turn to it for dramatic effect here

let's let me find Jeremiah okay here we

go at the beginning of the reign of

Joakim the son of joash King of Judah

this word came from the Lord it's

exactly the same phrase in Hebrew at the

beginning of the reign of jeim king of

Judah and so forth something happened

here at the beginning of Elohim creating

the skies and the land something began

to unfold here's how it was and then it

begins to unfold so there you have a

transparent English version of Genesis

1:1 rescuing it from it being Lost in

Translation and I think it makes a big

difference so I hope you benefited from

this if you want to get my whole

translation I'll put the link in the

description but it's easy to remember

right here james.com

slaber Genesis and that'll get you to

the Amazon page so take care

everyone I've got a lot more for you I'm

going to try to do these pretty often

because they're easy to cover and

they're short and they're to the point

and there are literally hundreds of them

I'm not promising to do a hundred but

I'll certainly give you the top 50 or so

and I think we're only on number three

so let's keep it going see you next time

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