Da Bauz's Take: September 2023

From Jacob ( Ya’akov, in TaNaKh or the “Old Testament” ) ( יעקב ) to James

It has been suggested, by the author(s) of an introduction to the New Testament Book commonly known as James ( in both Protestant and Roman Catholic English Bibles ) in the “Tree of Life Version” ( TLV ) published by the “Tree Of Life Bible Society” of the Holy Bible, that:

"Some say that the book[sic] was renamed to honor King James for funding, in 1611 ..." - See Figure i

Figure i

I do not mean this in any sort of disrespectful way, but it is my very sincere view, a.k.a. Dabauzstake ( my opinion ) that the “Translation Team of The Tree Of Life Version” of the Holy Bible is grossly mistaken, yes… flat out WRONG even, in their uncited claims that – “Some say that the book[sic] was renamed to honor King James for funding, in 1611 ...” – see Figure ii. The KJV Bible is many things, including far from being perfect, inerrant or even “the one good enough for the Apostle Paul⁷”, but… But, the KJV did not have the name of Jacob, changed to James at the behest of king James. Nor was the KJV the first English Bible to render Jacob / Ya’akov ( יעקב ) as James, for either the text found in Galatians 1:19, or the name of the New Testament Book “James”.

Figure ii

Here are four (4) reasons for my opinion.

There are three primary reasons, and one lesser reason, for why I hedge, or hesitate, on the ideology that king James was the first to change Ya’akov ( יעקב ) to James, let alone that king James maliciously took the name Ya’akov ( יעקב ) and changed it to James, because he was funding the KJV Bible:

First - Roman Catholicism... this is not meant as a slight against Roman Catholicism, rather an observation. Roman Catholicism is no friend of Protestantism on many levels. Thus I have a hard time believing that the various English versions of the Roman Catholic Bibles would translate Galatians 1:19 using the name James, instead of Jacob / Ya’akov ( יעקב ) if it truly was a malicious change by king James and his cohorts...

That ^^^ just by itself is obviously not even remotely conclusive, but I think it is worthy of contemplation. Even if it is largely anecdotal in nature.

Second - There is an argument to be made that the Latin, Iacomus (or Jacomus ) was adapted by the French which they truncated into Gemmes ( or Jammes ). Then, from there, the English took it and made it James¹. The Bible française du XIIIe siècle⁶ was written sometime after A.D. 1220 nearly 400 years before the KJV was written, and almost 350 years before king James was even born².

Third - John Wickliffe and colleagues began the translation work in the 1370s³. "In the 14th century, John Wycliffe made the first Bible translation into English and translated Iakobus as James. ( However, in both the Old and New Testaments he arbitrarily used the name Jacob for the patriarch ). In all future English translations the name stuck⁴." This late 14th century English rendering, A.D. 1382, pre-dates the birth of king James by more than 180 years.

The second and third points aren't 100% unwaveringly conclusive, but I think they are compelling points. Collectively, I think that all three together make a great case for not arguing that – ‘The change from of Jacob / Ya’akov ( יעקב ) to James, was something king James initiated, caused or even inspired.’

A fourth interesting point, in support of why I remain hesitant to accept the uncited claim by the author(s) of the introduction to the New Testament Book commonly known as James, in the TLV Bible, is that, "... the name James means the same exact thing as Jacob - “supplanter” or substitute ..."⁵ I definitely believe that this is a worthwhile point to ponder.

Shalom to you all

“No Jesus, NO peace” and yet, “Know Jesus, KNOW peace.”

How does one get to “know” Jesus? Simple, invite Him into your heart, as Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:20 NIV] How can be assured that this Jesus stuff means anything? Well because the Bible tells us so, as the Apostle Paul wrote:

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” [Romans 10:9-10 NIV]

And for those of you who say to me, I can’t be bothered reading the Bible, “it’s confusing” or “it’s a waste of my time”, may I draw your attention to what the Bible says about wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” [Proverbs 9:10 NIV]

If nothing else, PLEASE read two chapters from the Bible – ( You don’t own one? Sorry NO excuse, if you’re reading this, you can access this: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV ) John 3 and John 14!

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

And John 14:6 says: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Just sayin’...

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem... #RAD

What is #RAD? #RAD is:

R epent of rejecting Christ

A ccept Christ as your Lord

D evelop your relationship with G-d

#RAD your relationship with the Living Almighty G-d Himself, as your personal Lord and Saviour, because your eternal future depends on it!

What is #ATEND G-d (Christ)? Ask me!

What is #IIC714?

II 2nd