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*“So it is with you. Unless you speak **intelligible words** with your tongue, **how will anyone know** what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.”* <BR>[**- Paul, *King Jesus' Ambassador***](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+14%3A9-10&version=NIV)<BR>

*“And Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, **"Do you understand** what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, **how could I**, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”* <BR>[**- Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch**](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+14%3A9-10&version=NIV)<BR>

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<center>

## Speaking in Tongues;<BR>
###### by Duncan Cary Palmer
*The ABCs of Interpreting Confusing "Christian-ese"*

(From the [***The Curmudgeon's Bible***](https://hive.blog/library/@creatr/the-curmudgeon-s-bible-my-library-shelf) Collection)

</center>

<H6></H6>

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### Do *you* understand the Bible you're reading?

***Are you sure?*** You *know* [the Bible ***wasn't written in English***](https://www.biblica.com/resources/bible-faqs/in-what-language-was-the-bible-first-written/), *right?*

How's [your **Greek**](https://www.koinegreek.com/), Brother? [Your **Hebrew**](https://biblicalhebrew.com/courses/immersion-biblical-hebrew/), Sister?

Maybe you're a new Christian, or just someone *wondering* , reading the Bible *seriously* for the first time to figure out [**who Jesus is**](https://peakd.com/christianity/@creatr/exposed-the-powerful-secret-hiding-what-christ-really-means)?

### Hi! I'm the *Bible Curmudgeon*...
...and I'm at it again, complaining bitterly about [***egregiously* misleading English translations**](https://peakd.com/library/@creatr/the-curmudgeon-s-bible-my-library-shelf) of the Bible... Shouldn't we care deeply about getting the words of Jesus/God *right*?

[Our adversary Satan](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A8&version=LSB) has gotten his claws into Bible translations. This has resulted in deeply rooted, fiercely defended, [**unbiblical** traditions](https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2015%3A9).

If Bible writers said what they meant and meant what they said, wouldn't it be great to know what they *actually said?*

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<center>

[![ABCs.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/243MQVWcWJxQRxk7Ft9D9rUSBUo2M2viTLemoUHtSvbgopkVWLtZaPju2zBHxi29BBfJQ.png)](https://hive.blog/a/@creatr/b)<H6>Why not *translate* these ABCs?&nbsp;[(*source*)](https://unsplash.com/photos/qDY9ahp0Mto)</H6>

</center>

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### If our mother-tongue is English,

to *understand* what the Word actually *says*, we have a choice;

* Study Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, ***OR***
* Be stuck with ***translations*** and one, burning question:

*Have translators done an accurate, complete, and honest job?*

It should be evident to anyone capable of critical thinking: translators ***have not*** done well by us.

As a result, many readers *erroneously believe* they understand the Bible while completely missing the meaning. *Worse yet*, many stubbornly *defend* their erroneous beliefs.

---

<center>

[![ben-white-qDY9ahp0Mto-unsplash.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/23uQM1tnSt181KFru3qYPXqQphbYK9HPf6ip7F8iwiFtwiJ7YD6PUz4L9JZRJfAW6iNvc.jpg)](https://hive.blog/a/@creatr/b)<H6>Are you defending the indefensible?&nbsp;[(*source*)](https://unsplash.com/photos/qDY9ahp0Mto)</H6>

</center>

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### *Translated* or [*Transliterated*](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/transliteration) 🤔?

Do you realize Bible translators haven't bothered to *translate* many important words? Instead, they've given us *phonetic equivalents* called [***transliterations***](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/transliteration) that—in many cases—take on meanings that differ *vastly* from the author's intention.

**Can you see the problem?** You are reading words that misrepresent what the author said. What you are *"hearing"* is NOT what the author *meant!*

### The following ABCs...

...are just a few examples of egregiously transliterated Bible words.

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![Letter_A.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/23swXQgUNzHCUaoqVQ7xJsMWUUjSApjCzgkGyzcvzGpiGuHbnAkuJg4GpV2TSu6FJTW6F.png)

###### **Angel** ([**ἄγγελος**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1849/nasb20/tr/0-1/)) - *Messenger*

We think of angels as winged creatures in white... but the word literally means "messenger." While it *might* be referring to ["one of those,"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A8-15&version=LSB) it can also simply refer to a human being bearing a message (see [Mark 1:2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A1-4&version=LSB)). Or it may even refer to Jesus/God himself, acting as the ["Messenger of the Covenant."](https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/mal/3/1/t_conc_928001)

How can you tell which kind of "angel" is in view?

Begin by being *clearly* aware that the word (Greek **ἄγγελος** [*angelos*], Hebrew **מַלְאָךְ** [*mal'āḵ*]) ***means*** "messenger." Then be sure to carefully consider the context in which the word appears.

###### **Antichrist** ([**ἀντίχριστος**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g500/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *Imitation King*

The prefix "anti" in English means "against," or "opposed to." **Not so** in Greek, where the primary sense is that of a *substitute* or a *replacement*. The word Christ (Χριστός) means **King** (see below). This makes it clear that an *antichrist* is any person or organization (other than Jesus) that claims the right to rule you.

The most obvious examples of *antichrist* are political leaders *at all levels*—presidents, kings, governors, mayors—who pretend they have the right to order you around, and "governing bodies" (such as legislatures and "supreme" courts) that make and enforce "laws" binding you to do or not do certain things.

Deplorably, this tyranny extends to many leaders within the organized church who presume to *command you,* rather than pointing you to the [Blessed and Only Sovereign](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6%3A15&version=LSB), King Jesus.

###### **Apostle** ([**ἀπόστολος**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g652/lsb/tr/0-1/)) - *Delegate or Ambassador*

An *apostle* is anyone [sent out on a mission.](https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/s/s-t-e-l-l-om.html)

Failing to *translate* the word displays theological bias in support of the idea that "apostle" is an *official title* rather than an *organic gifting* or [***particular mission***](https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/s/s-t-e-l-l-om.html).

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![Letter_B.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/AJbhBb9Ev3i1cHKtjoxtsCAaXK9njP56dzMwBRwfZVZ21WseKsCa6ZnteSmHRKe.png)

###### **Baptize** ([**βαπτίζω**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1249/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *Immerse in order to cleanse*

Ignore for the moment the ongoing controversy over the *mode* of Christian baptism (immersion, dipping, pouring, sprinkling) and realize that the word ["baptize" is a *Greek* word,](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g907/kjv/tr/0-1/) *not* an English word.

I fall squarely into [the "immersion" camp](https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/b/b-a-p-t-om.html), but what I hope you'll take away from this discussion is that the original authors and listeners ["baptized" their cups and pots and pans](https://www.abarim-publications.com/Interlinear-New-Testament/Mark/Mark-7-parsed.html#AVerse-4). Knowing that, can you imagine what the word meant to them?

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![Letter_C.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/AJbhBb9Ev3i1cHKtjoxtsCAaXK9njP56dzMwBRwfZVZ21WseKsCa6ZXvAutXVmn.png)

###### **Christ** ([**Χριστός**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5547/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *The Annointed One*

This is perhaps the the most all-pervasively damning example of how transliteration corrupts understanding. Historically, three people were *annointed;* prophets, priests, and kings. Jesus, of course, fills *all three* of those roles, and is presently seated at the right hand of the Father as [**King of the Universe**](https://www.nokingbutchristnetwork.com).

Do you think our appreciation for ***who Jesus is*** might be a little greater if the more than 500 times "Christ" appears in the New Testament we instead read **"King?"** Check out [this comprehensive discussion](https://peakd.com/christianity/@creatr/exposed-the-powerful-secret-hiding-what-christ-really-means) of how we should *translate* the word "Christ."

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![Letter_D.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/AJbhBb9Ev3i1cHKtjoxtsCAaXK9njP56dzMwBRwfZVZ21WseKsCa6ZkeknYhMuB.png)

###### **Deacon** ([**διάκονος**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1249/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *Servant*

Usually translated "servant," but confusingly, sometimes translated as "minister" when the translators want to promote politics. Selectively transliterated as "deacon" when speaking of one serving [the ecclesia (church)](https://peakd.com/life/@creatr/the-curmudgeon-s-bible-the-word-church). This improperly bolsters the notion that [the church](https://peakd.com/christianity/@creatr/curmudgeon-s-bible-it-s-time-to-retire-the-word-church) is a hierarchical organization with a separate and superior "consistory" leadership, rather than Jesus' organic *body* with many differently functioning but equally important parts/members.

---

![Letter_E.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/AJbhBb9Ev3i1cHKtjoxtsCAaXK9njP56dzMwBRwfZVZ21WseKsCa6ZoH3akvgMU.png)

###### **Evangelize** ([**εὐαγγελίζω**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2097/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *Proclaim good news*

What is this **good news** we can share?

We are free from all moral obligation to bow to the tyrants. We are resident aliens on Earth, who answer to *one* Sovereign and **one only**; King Jesus.

The *really* good news comes when you realize that Jesus—as our Creator, the only one with a *legitimate* right to actually *rule* us—is a ***benevolent*** ruler who truly has our best interests at heart. Jesus offers to accept us *as we are,* to completely forgive and overlook *all* of our wrongdoings and shortcomings, and to usher us into the most [incredibly wonderful Kingdom imaginable!](https://peakd.com/story/@creatr/whispering-hope-forbidden-tales-from-your-bright-future)

---

![Letter_F.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/23swXQgUNzHCUaoqVQ7xJsMWUUjSApjCzgkGyzcvzGpiGuHbnAkuJg4WvKyYCnZXkRBzo.png)

###### **Philosophy** ([**φιλοσοφία**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5385/kjv/tr/0-1/)) - *Love of wisdom*

The English meaning of our final example actually closely matches the meaning of the Greek word, but it is *"the exception that proves the rule."* In Greek it literally means "the love of wisdom," which I suppose describes philosophers?

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### I hope this *sample*...

...of transliterated Bible words has opened your eyes to the problem. Be on the alert for other ***transliterations*** in the Bible; they are more common than you might imagine (see a few more examples below):

###### **An incomplete list of transliterated words:** ([**Ἀβαδδών**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**Ἀββᾶ**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**Ἄβελ**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g6/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**Ἀβιάθαρ**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g8/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**Ἀβιληνή**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g9/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**ἄλφα**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**ἀνάθεμα**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g331/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**παραβολή**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3850/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**προφήτης**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4396/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**διαμόνιον**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1142/kjv/tr/0-1/), [**μυστήριον**](https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3466/kjv/tr/0-1/)...)

How can you deal with words like this when you notice them? - ***Look them up and study them for yourself!***

Let's look at a few tools to help with this:

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<center>

[![wisconsinpictures-TE1Wrbl_Sho-unsplash.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/creatr/23wX5rXknEywhEjwFM1Z6XG1QUqHLFCSaJ5BoY11LFSuuLPJkxGmSBMbV2vjvaYaJxj8m.jpg)](https://hive.blog/a/@creatr/b)<H6>Misunderstood, Mistranslated Bible Passages&nbsp;[(*source*)](https://unsplash.com/photos/TE1Wrbl_Sho)</H6>

</center>

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### Helpful Online Study Aids

**Note:** *This is **not** a blanket endorsement of the theological perspective of any of these sources.*

So you've uncovered another *transliterated* word? Spend some time researching what it means in the original language. Compare and contrast that with what it currently means in modern English.

#### [Blue Letter Bible](https://www.blueletterbible.org/)

This is a superb resource for non-language-adept students of scripture. Its tools display Bible chapters in the original languages, including links to multiple lexicons and listings of verses (in your choice of easily selected English translation) containing the words.

#### [Bible Web App (3.0)](https://biblewebapp.com/study/)

I use this spectacular tool on a daily basis as I continue my project of reading through the Greek New Testament. I particularly love that it frees me from the need to thumb through a dozen reference books as I read. Instead, I can exercise my existing Greek knowledge undistracted. When I run into a word I don't recall, clicking it immediately brings up its parsing and Strongs lexical definitions.

#### [Abarim Publications](https://www.abarim-publications.com/)

This fascinating website includes an [Interlinear Greek New Testament](https://www.abarim-publications.com/Interlinear-New-Testament/index.html). Most of the Greek words are linked to [*articles like this*](https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/ph/ph-i-l-o-sfin.html) that very helpfully interconnect, discuss, and describe related words and their roots.

#### [Bible Gateway](https://www.biblegateway.com/)

This is a great resource for doing head-to-head comparisons of English translations. If you select a single verse, you can choose to see an exhaustive listing of that verse as translated in all of the English editions the site supports.

#### [Bible Hub](https://biblehub.com/)

Here you can find a complete sequential [listing of Strong's Numbers](https://biblehub.com/strongs/o.htm) with the associated phonetic spellings of each Hebrew and Greek word.

### Are you super-serious?

If you've *"Had it up to here!"* with being bottle-fed the ["milk of the word,"](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+2%3A2&version=LSB) and want to really dig in, here are a couple of on-line sources for beginning a *serious* study of the original Biblical languages:

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[**Learn Koine (Common) Greek**](https://www.koinegreek.com/) (*the language of the New Testament*).

<center>

[![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4f5aa9_a63836668fcf4219aa5ee20983cf2f9d~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_446,y_299,w_2273,h_926/fill/w_300,h_100,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/transparent_kg_WIDE.png)](https://www.koinegreek.com/)</center>
<H3></H3>
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[**Learn Hebrew and Aramaic**](https://biblicalhebrew.com/) (*the languages of the Old Testament*).
<center>

[![](https://i0.wp.com/biblicalhebrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/280x80_logo.png?fit=280%2C80&ssl=1)](https://biblicalhebrew.com/)</center>
<H3></H3>
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### *Stop being misled* by transliterations...

*Let's help one another!*

Poor English translations (and [the false traditions](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15%3A9&version=LSB) they reflect and propagate) are not the final word. [Be a ***good Berean***](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+17%3A11&version=LSB), and share what you learn from your own studies with us all in the comments below.

This is [**The *Bible Curmudgen***](https://peakd.com/library/@creatr/the-curmudgeon-s-bible-my-library-shelf), signing off for now with a *final warning:*

### Proceed *with some caution...*

As you start examining Biblical words for yourself, be sure to do it right; don't assume that the [lexical](https://www.thoughtco.com/lexical-meaning-words-1691048#:~:text=Lexical%20meaning%20refers%20to%20the,meaning%20(or%20structural%20meaning).), or even the [etymological meaning](https://www.etymonline.com/word/etymology) is correct. Check out this excellent overview of [**how to do a word study.**](https://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/egreek/egreek03.htm)

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<center><H1>~*FIN*~</H1></center>

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<center><H6>***NOTE:*** Most of my posts contain [***hyperlinks***](https://hive.blog/a/@creatr/b) to enlightening information.<BR>*ALL IMAGES* are original, open source, or used with permission.</H6></center>

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<center>**For *much* more from @creatr,  click the library image:**
[![CircleLib.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmTojhcUNt5Lw7gd14xA36U4QEvhnnrHkCbChcPAT2CGK6/mylib.jpg)](https://hive.blog/a/@creatr/b)</center>

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