Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:

Spoken to: 

Apostles

Sending of the Apostles, warningz about opposition

KJV: 

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: therefore be as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

NIV : 

Matthew 10:16  I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

3RD (NLT, if not otherwise identified): 

Matthew 10:16 Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

See for yourselves! I myself am sending you off just as domestic animals in the competition of wolves. Become, therefore, cunning like the snakes and pure like the doves.

MY TAKE: 

We are given a wide range of skills for our survival.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

All the key words here are common metaphors for types of people, but those metaphors did not necessarily mean the same thing during Jesus's era. Today "sheep" are known as followers but  both "sheep" and "wolves" are social animals, following leaders.  The difference is the difference between productive and destructive people.  The "sheep" are seen by as productive animals, while the wolves are destructive. are not necessarily at a disadvantage against the "wolves" here.

The Gree word describing the serpent as "cunning" goes back to the Septuagint Genesis 3:1. The description of doves as "pure" goes to the fact that they were used as temple sacrifices.  The last reference could have been a bit a dark humor given the upcoming verses.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • WV  - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "become."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "as" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "wise" here is not the normal Greek word translated as "wise" or "wisdom" but another word with the sense of "prudent."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "harmless" should be something more like "pure."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "see for yourself" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "midst" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "become."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "as" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "as" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.

# 3RD TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

7
  • WV  - Wrong Voice - The verb is in the middle voice requiring the concept of "yourselves" as its object.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "myself" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "midst" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "be" should be something more like "become."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "as" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Behold, -- "Behold" is a verb meaning "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It is in the form of a command. However it is also in middle voice so "see for yourselves."

missing "by/for yourself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the word is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act "for yourself" or "by yourself."

I -- (MW) The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

send -- The "send forth" is a Greek verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."

you -- The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners. Since we cannot tell a singular "you" from a plural "you" in English, it is helpful to say "you all."

forth -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "away from."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

sheep -- "Sheep" is the Greek word that refers to any domesticated animal. In the plural, it sometimes works better if it is translated as "flock" or "herd" since it refers to the group. Christ uses this word to refer to all "followers" of a certain way of thinking. Note that both "sheep" ("cows," "goats") and "wolves" are "group" or "follower" animals. Both the hunter and the hunted are groups, unlike, for example, cats, snakes, or doves.

in  -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among."

the -- There is not "the" here in the Greek but it is required by our word "midst" or "middle" that follows.

midst  -- The word translated as "the midst" generally means "middle" but has a lot of special meanings with different prepositions. One of those with the "in" used here is "offer for competition" and "middle point." It also means "difference" so it accentuates the differences between the herd and the wolves.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

wolves: -- The Greek word for "wolves" means wolves or jackals, but it is also the name for anything shaped like a hook, representing the claw. It is in the possessive modifying "midst," "competition," and "difference." It is in the possessive plural form "of wolves."

therefore -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative. Either works here. However, since it appears after the verb not before, "really" works a better.

be  -- (WW) The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It is a command. Like "behold" above, it is in a form where the subjects are acted upon by themselves or for themselves. The sense is "become for yourselves."

as -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" in the Greek source.

wise -- (CW) The Greek term used for "wise" means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

serpents, -- The Greek word for "serpents" is the common word for snake and snake-like things. It is plural, but it is introduced by an article, "the serpents" or "the snakes." This is a reference to the Hebrew in Genesis 3:1, where the serpent is described as the cleverest of all animals. The bronze or brass snake raised by Moses in the desert to cure the Israelites of snakebite is a symbol for Christ being raised on the cross, John 3:14.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."

harmless -- (WW) "Harmless" is translated from a Greek word, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure," "unravaged," and "incorruptible."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

doves. -- The Greek word for "doves" means either "doves" or "pigeons." Doves were a form of sacrifice required in Leviticus and used at the temple, so it becomes a symbol of purity. The word is plural and introduced by an article, "the doves."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

missing "see for yourselves"-- (MW) The untranslated word "see" is a verb meaning "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It is in the form of a command. However it is also in middle voice so "see for yourselves."

I -- (MW) The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

am -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.

sending -- The "send forth" is a Greek verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."

you -- The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners. Since we cannot tell a singular "you" from a plural "you" in English, it is helpful to say "you all."

out-- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "away from."

like -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

sheep -- "Sheep" is the Greek word that refers to any domesticated animal. In the plural, it sometimes works better if it is translated as "flock" or "herd" since it refers to the group. Christ uses this word to refer to all "followers" of a certain way of thinking. Note that both "sheep" ("cows," "goats") and "wolves" are "group" or "follower" animals. Both the hunter and the hunted are groups, unlike, for example, cats, snakes, or doves.

among -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among."

missing "midst"-- (MW) The untranslated word "midst" generally means "middle" but has a lot of special meanings with different prepositions. One of those with the "in" used here is "offer for competition" and "middle point." It also means "difference" so it accentuates the differences between the herd and the wolves.

wolves: -- The Greek word for "wolves" means wolves or jackals, but it is also the name for anything shaped like a hook, representing the claw. It is in the possessive modifying "midst," "competition," and "difference." It is in the possessive plural form "of wolves."

Therefore -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative. Either works here. However, since it appears after the verb not before, "really" works a better.

be  -- (WW) The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It is a command. Like "behold" above, it is in a form where the subjects are acted upon by themselves or for themselves. The sense is "become for yourselves."

as -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" in the Greek source.

shrewd-- The Greek term used for "shrewd" means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

snakes, -- The Greek word for "snakes" is the common word for snake and snake-like things. It is plural, but it is introduced by an article, "the serpents" or "the snakes." This is a reference to the Hebrew in Genesis 3:1, where the serpent is described as the cleverest of all animals. The bronze or brass snake raised by Moses in the desert to cure the Israelites of snakebite is a symbol for Christ being raised on the cross, John 3:14.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."

as -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" in the Greek source.

innocent-- "Innocent" is translated from a Greek word, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure," "unravaged," and "incorruptible."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

doves. -- The Greek word for "doves" means either "doves" or "pigeons." Doves were a form of sacrifice required in Leviticus and used at the temple, so it becomes a symbol of purity. The word is plural and introduced by an article, "the doves."

EACH WORD 3RD (NLT or as noted): 

Look, -- "Look" is a verb meaning "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It is in the form of a command. However it is also in middle voice so "see for yourselves."

missing "by/for yourself"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the word is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act "for yourself" or "by yourself."

I -- (MW) The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

am -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.

sending -- The "send forth" is a Greek verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is the source of our word "apostle."

you -- The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners. Since we cannot tell a singular "you" from a plural "you" in English, it is helpful to say "you all."

out-- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "from" or "away from."

like -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

sheep -- "Sheep" is the Greek word that refers to any domesticated animal. In the plural, it sometimes works better if it is translated as "flock" or "herd" since it refers to the group. Christ uses this word to refer to all "followers" of a certain way of thinking. Note that both "sheep" ("cows," "goats") and "wolves" are "group" or "follower" animals. Both the hunter and the hunted are groups, unlike, for example, cats, snakes, or doves.

among -- The word translated as "in" also means "within" or "among."

missing "midst"-- (MW) The untranslated word "midst" generally means "middle" but has a lot of special meanings with different prepositions. One of those with the "in" used here is "offer for competition" and "middle point." It also means "difference" so it accentuates the differences between the herd and the wolves.

wolves: -- The Greek word for "wolves" means wolves or jackals, but it is also the name for anything shaped like a hook, representing the claw. It is in the possessive modifying "midst," "competition," and "difference." It is in the possessive plural form "of wolves."

So -- The Greek word translated as "so" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative. Either works here. However, since it appears after the verb not before, "really" works a better.

 So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

be  -- (WW) The word translated as "be" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. It is a command. Like "behold" above, it is in a form where the subjects are acted upon by themselves or for themselves. The sense is "become for yourselves."

as -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "as" in the Greek source.

shrewd-- The Greek term used for "shrewd" means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

snakes, -- The Greek word for "snakes" is the common word for snake and snake-like things. It is plural, but it is introduced by an article, "the serpents" or "the snakes." This is a reference to the Hebrew in Genesis 3:1, where the serpent is described as the cleverest of all animals. The bronze or brass snake raised by Moses in the desert to cure the Israelites of snakebite is a symbol for Christ being raised on the cross, John 3:14.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."

innocent-- "Innocent" is translated from a Greek word, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure," "unravaged," and "incorruptible."

as -- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and "nearly."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

doves. -- The Greek word for "doves" means either "doves" or "pigeons." Doves were a form of sacrifice required in Leviticus and used at the temple, so it becomes a symbol of purity. The word is plural and introduced by an article, "the doves."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Ἰδοὺ (2nd sg pres imperat mp) "Behold is from idou, which means "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see."

ἐγὼ (pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is from ego, which is the first person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.

ἀποστέλλω (1st sg pres ind act) "Send...forth" is the Greek, apostello, which means "to send off," "to send away," "t put off," "to doff," or "to dispatch." It is our source of the word "apostle."

ὑμᾶς (pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is from humas which is the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

ὡς (conj/adv) "As" is from hos, an adverb which means to "thus," "as," "how," "when," "where," "like," "just as," "so far as," "as much as can be," "that," "in order that," "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that."

πρόβατα (noun pl neut acc) "Sheep" is from probaton, which means any domesticated four-footed animal, "sheep," "cattle," "herds," and "flocks."

ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."

μέσῳ (adj sg masc dat) "The midst" is from mesos, which means "middle," "middle point," "midway between," "offered for competition," "deposited," "by the middle," "by the waist," "impartial," "inter-mediate," "indeterminate," "things indifferent (neither good nor bad)," "middling," "moderate," "midst," "intervening space," "intervening," "difference," "in a moderate degree," "in the mean," and "equator."

λύκων: (noun pl masc gen) "Wolves" is from lykos (lukos), which means "wolf," "grisly," "jackals," "anything shaped like a hook," "a kind of noose," and "an engine of war for defending gates."

γίνεσθε (2nd pl pres imperat mp) "Be ye" is from ginomai, which means "to become," "to come into being," "to happen," and "to be produced." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi)which indicates existence in the same state.

οὖν (adv) "Therefore" is from oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."

φρόνιμοι (adj pl masc nom ) "Wise" is from phronimos, which means "in one's right mind," "showing presence of mind," and "prudent." In Hebrew, the source word is arum, which means "crafty," "shrewd," and "sensible."

ὡς (conj/adv) "As" is from hos, an adverb which means to "thus," "as," "how," "when," "where," "like," "just as," "so far as," "as much as can be," "that," "in order that," "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that."

οἱ  (article pl masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --

ὄφεις (noun pl masc acc) "Serpents" is from ophis, which means "serpent," "a serpent-like bracelet," and "a creeping plant." It is a metaphor for "an arrow."

καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

ἀκέραιοι (adj pl masc nom) "Harmless" is from akeraios, which doesn't mean harmless at all. It means "pure," "unravaged," and "incorruptible."

ὡς (conj/adv)​ "As" is from hos, an adverb which means to "thus," "as," "how," "when," "where," "like," "just as," "so far as," "as much as can be," "that," "in order that," "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that."

αἱ (article pl fem nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --

περιστεραί. (noun pl fem nom)"Doves" is from, peristera, which means "common pigeon" or "dove."

Wordplay: 

 The word translated as "midst" also means "competition" and "difference."  

Related Verses: 

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings: 

“But the Master himself is sending is out!” Brother James argued to silence the worriers.  “He will look out This quieted the argument as everyone turned toward the teacher.
“Look out for yourselves!” The Master responded. “I myself am sending you off...”
He paused and smiled mischievously.
“Not like sheep to slaughter,” joked the Kid.
“Like sheep in the midst of wolves,” the Master clarified.
“Into the hands of the Distinguished,interpreted Phillip, remembering the line from the Sermon. “Those wolve in the coverings of sheep!”
“Well, that doesn’t sound good!” Andrew interjected, voicing a common thought, but everyone laughed nervously at his timidity.
“Some of us may be brave enough for that,” suggested the Militant, tilting his head to indicate Andrew.
“So become as careful as those snakes,” the Master advised.
“And some of us are likely to lose our temper when confronted,” countered Andrew, indicating the Militant.
“And as gentle as the doves,” added the Mast

Front Page Date: 

Sep 1 2020