Judah and Ephraim were the two largest tribes of Israel. Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim; perhaps the Ephraimites carried from that some sense of entitlement that they should play more of a leadership role. When Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim rebelled against King Rehoboam, Mannasseh and all the other northern tribes followed … Continue reading The affliction of Joseph
Two kingdoms, two churches
Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob and should have been in every way the leader of the tribes of Israel. He was a man who meant well, but seemed more apt to follow his carnal lusts than his good intentions. His father described him as “unstable as water.” The double portion of his father’s inheritance … Continue reading Two kingdoms, two churches
In the mood for a little subjunctive?
I made it through high school without ever encountering the subjunctive mood. Then I decided to learn French. I fought my way through the bewildering thicket of conjugations of regular and irregular verbs, then I was introduced to the subjunctive mood. My head hurt for weeks. I didn't seem to have any reference point in … Continue reading In the mood for a little subjunctive?
Two sisters
Two sisters from a dysfunctional home. Both married at 15, now in their sixties. Let’s call them Kathleen and Karen to keep things straight. Kathleen’s husband was prone to drunken rages and she bore the brunt of those rages. She finally left, feeling her life was in danger, and took their children with her. She … Continue reading Two sisters
To better understand English, learn a little French
In its grammatical structure, English belongs to the Low German language family, a group of languages that developed from a common early Germanic root. The group includes Flemish, Dutch, Frisian, Afrikaans (the Dutch that is spoken in South Africa), Plautdietsch, English and Scots (not Gaelic but the variety of old English spoken by the lowland … Continue reading To better understand English, learn a little French
More meanings from the margins
Here are some more examples of marginal readings that give a somewhat different sense than the reading in the main text. I have highlighted the words in the regular text in orange, and the reading from the margin in green and added my own comment on the difference. Genesis 4:26 - And to Seth, to him … Continue reading More meanings from the margins
Some clarifications and an illustration
The Bible translation produced in 1611 was never given an official name. In England, Scotland and many other places it is referred to as the Authorized Version, but that name does not appear in the Bible itself. The text now in common use dates from 1789. Typographical errors had crept into the various printed versions. … Continue reading Some clarifications and an illustration
Why I do not read the King James Bible
I read the Authorized Version instead, of which Cambridge University Press is the main publisher. The text is identical to that in Bibles that are called the King James Version, except that the AV maintains the alternate marginal readings that were placed there by the translators 400 years ago. I suppose that if we would … Continue reading Why I do not read the King James Bible
How well do you know God?
How well do you know your neighbour? Perhaps you think you know quite a lot about him, but do you really know him? Do you know what makes him tick, what things motivate him, what things give him joy or sorrow? Do you know what he’d like to tell you about how you could be … Continue reading How well do you know God?
The Beatitudes in Braid Scots
Matthew Chaptir Fyve And, seeing the thrang o' folk, he gaed up intil a mountain; and when he was sutten-doon, his disciples gather't aboot. And he open't his mooth, and instructit them; and quo he: Happy the spirits that are lown and cannie: for the kingdom o' Heeven is waitin' for them! Happy they wha … Continue reading The Beatitudes in Braid Scots
Flatlander Faith 