Genesis 4:7
From Textus Receptus
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'''Genesis 4:7''' If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. | '''Genesis 4:7''' If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. | ||
| - | + | The [[King James Version]] rightly translates the [[Hebrew]] text here when it reads, "And unto thee shall be '''his''' desire..." Many other versions (even the [[New King James Version]]) mistranslate this verse based on their perception of what the text is saying rather than simply translating what the text actually does say. | |
| - | + | ||
| - | The King James Version rightly translates the Hebrew text here when it reads, "And unto thee shall be '''his''' desire..." Many other versions (even the New King James Version) mistranslate this verse based on their perception of what the text is saying rather than simply translating what the text actually does say. | + | |
When we read "his desire" rather than "its desire" we identify the antecedent as Cain's brother Abel rather than as sin (which the translation of "its" implies). | When we read "his desire" rather than "its desire" we identify the antecedent as Cain's brother Abel rather than as sin (which the translation of "its" implies). | ||
| - | The Hebrew for "his desire" is masculine 3rd person. When modern translations translate it as "its" they are changing the masculine to a neuter, for which there is no manuscript evidence. | + | The [[Hebrew]] for "his desire" is masculine 3rd person. When modern translations translate it as "its" they are changing the masculine to a neuter, for which there is no manuscript evidence. |
| - | The similarity between this verse and the previous chapter where we are told that Eve's desire shall be for her husband (Gen 3:16) is striking. The same word "desire" is used and is second person female. | + | The similarity between this verse and the previous chapter where we are told that Eve's desire shall be for her husband ([[Genesis 3:16|Gen 3:16]]) is striking. The same word "desire" is used and is second person female. |
| - | The proper translation of Gen 4:7 is "his" rather than "its," which leads to an interpretation more along the lines of the order between older and younger brothers, correlating to Gen 3:16 and the order between husband and wife. | + | The proper translation of [[Genesis 4:7|Gen 4:7]] is "his" rather than "its," which leads to an interpretation more along the lines of the order between older and younger brothers, correlating to [[Genesis 3:16|Gen 3:16]] and the order between husband and wife. |
Revision as of 12:03, 25 March 2010
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
The King James Version rightly translates the Hebrew text here when it reads, "And unto thee shall be his desire..." Many other versions (even the New King James Version) mistranslate this verse based on their perception of what the text is saying rather than simply translating what the text actually does say.
When we read "his desire" rather than "its desire" we identify the antecedent as Cain's brother Abel rather than as sin (which the translation of "its" implies).
The Hebrew for "his desire" is masculine 3rd person. When modern translations translate it as "its" they are changing the masculine to a neuter, for which there is no manuscript evidence.
The similarity between this verse and the previous chapter where we are told that Eve's desire shall be for her husband (Gen 3:16) is striking. The same word "desire" is used and is second person female.
The proper translation of Gen 4:7 is "his" rather than "its," which leads to an interpretation more along the lines of the order between older and younger brothers, correlating to Gen 3:16 and the order between husband and wife.
