Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms;

Spoken to: 

group

After the verse about the Father giving the realm.

KJV: 

Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

NIV : 

Luke 12:33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Sell those possessions of yours and give alms. Provide yourselves purses not growing old a treasure unfailing in the skies where a thief doesn't come near nor a moth ruin. 

MY TAKE: 

Temporary thing done in this world lasts forever in the life after.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

Πωλήσατε τὰ      ὑπάρχοντα   ὑμῶν     καὶ δότε  ἐλεημοσύνην:
Sell            those possessions of yours and give alms.

ποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς     βαλλάντια μὴ παλαιούμενα,   θησαυρὸν ἀνέκλειπτον ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς,:
Provide   yourselves purses      not growing old,   a treasure   unfailing       in the  skies

ὅπου   κλέπτης οὐκ      ἐγγίζει       οὐδὲ    σὴς    διαφθείρει
where a thief    doesn't come near nor    a moth ruin. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

"That...have" is a verb that means "to already be in existence", It is in the form of an adjective used as a noun, "the things already in existence". In the participle form used here it means "possessions."

The verb translated as "wax old/grow old"  means to "decay through time", "make old", and, of wine, "become old". It is the form of an adjective, "decaying" or "growing old." This word is only used here.

The adjective translated as "that fail not"means 'incessant", "uninterrupted", "infinite" (of divisions of space), and "unfailing". This word is only used by Jesus here.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8

Sell that ye(WF) have(WW), and give alms; provide yourselves bags which(IW) wax(WF) not old, a treasure in the heavens(CW) that(IW) faileth(WF) not, where no(WP)  thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "have: is not a subject but a possessive.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "have" should be something more like "possessions."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "wax" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "decaying."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -   This  "fail" is not a verb but an adjective.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" before "thief" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.

Sell what you(WF) have(WW), (MW) give alms; provide yourselves money(IW) bags which do not grow(WF) old, a treasure in the heavens(CW) that(IW) does not fail(WF) not, where no(WP thief approaches nor moth destroys.

  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a subject but an possessive.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "have" should be something more like "possessions."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "money" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "grow " is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "decaying."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -   This "fail" is not a verb but an adjective.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Sell -- "Sell" is a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up."

that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

ye -- (WF) The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." This is not a subject but a possessive.

have, - - (WW) "Have" is from a participle of a verb, not a verb. The verb means "to take the initiative", "to begin." As a participle used as a noun, it means, "possessions", "resources, and "the past record." 

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

give  -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

alms; -- The Greek word translated as "alsm" is the Greek source for our word "alms." However, primarily means "pity" or "mercy." It is another form of the word used in the Beatitudes as "merciful" and "obtain mercy."

provide -- The Greek word translated as "provide" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action.  In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.

yourselves -- "Youselves" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on. " When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own."

bags -- The Greek word translated as "bags" here means "bag", "pouch", and "purse." This word is only used in Luke, for the first time here. 

which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

wax - - (WF) The verb translated as "wax"  means to "decay through time", "make old", and, of wine, "become old". It is the form of an adjective, "decaying". This  "wax" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "decaying."

not  --  The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. 

old,- This completes the meaning of the verb.

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" is the noun form of the word translated above as "lay up." Its primarily meaning is a "store" of something and its secondary meaning is valuables.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

heavens -- (CW) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. 

that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as an active verb rather than as an adjective.

faileth   - - (WF) The adjective translated as "that faileth not"means 'incessant", "uninterrupted", "infinite" (of divisions of space), and "unfailing".  This is not a verb but an adjective.

not, - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.

where -- The word translated as "where"  means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."

no -- (WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.

thief - "Thief" is from the Greek noun that means "thief," "cheat," and "knave."

approacheth, -- The word translated as "approaches" is the verb form of an adverb that means "near" in space, time, and relationships. It means "to bring near," "to approach," "to bring up to," and "to be imminent." In English, we would say "nears" or, in the form here, "has neared," doesn't quite work so perhaps "has gotten close" or, in the case of time, "is nearly here." This is the same verb that is translated as "is at hand" in the phrase, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." It is not seen in written Greek before Jesus and used by him only seventeen times.

neither -- The Greek word for "neither" is is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.

moth -- The word translated as "moth" means the type of moth that eats cloth and whose larva eats books. It is a metaphor for academics as "book worms". It is singular, that is, a single moth.

corrupteth. - "Corrupteth" is a verb, used for the first time here, that means "destoy utterly", "ruin", "spoil", "break", "corrupt", "falsify", "counterfeit", "lose", and "forget". 

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Sell -- "Sell" is a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up."

what-- (WW) The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

you -- (WF) The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." This is not a subject but a possessive.

have, - - (WW) "Have" is from a participle of a verb, not a verb. The verb means "to take the initiative", "to begin." As a participle used as a noun, it means, "possessions", "resources, and "the past record." 

missing "and -- (MW) The untranslated word    "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

give  -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."

alms; -- The Greek word translated as "alsm" is the Greek source for our word "alms." However, primarily means "pity" or "mercy." It is another form of the word used in the Beatitudes as "merciful" and "obtain mercy."

provide -- The Greek word translated as "provide" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action.  In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.

yourselves -- "Youselves" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on. " When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own."

money -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

bags -- The Greek word translated as "bags" here means "bag", "pouch", and "purse." This word is only used in Luke, for the first time here. 

which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

wax - - (WF) The verb translated as "wax"  means to "decay through time", "make old", and, of wine, "become old". It is the form of an adjective, "decaying". This  "wax" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "decaying."

do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

grow - - (WF) The verb translated as "grow "  means to "decay through time", "make old", and, of wine, "become old". It is the form of an adjective, "decaying". This  "wax" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "decaying."

not  --  The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. 

old,- This completes the meaning of the verb.

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" is the noun form of the word translated above as "lay up." Its primarily meaning is a "store" of something and its secondary meaning is valuables.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

heavens -- (CW) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. 

that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as an active verb rather than as an adjective.

does -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

not, - This completes the meaning of the adjective. It is from the prefix.

fail- - (WF) The adjective translated as "that faileth not"means 'incessant", "uninterrupted", "infinite" (of divisions of space), and "unfailing".  This is not a verb but an adjective.

where -- The word translated as "where"  means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."

no -- (WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.

thief - "Thief" is from the Greek noun that means "thief," "cheat," and "knave."

approacheth, -- The word translated as "approaches" is the verb form of an adverb that means "near" in space, time, and relationships. It means "to bring near," "to approach," "to bring up to," and "to be imminent." In English, we would say "nears" or, in the form here, "has neared," doesn't quite work so perhaps "has gotten close" or, in the case of time, "is nearly here." This is the same verb that is translated as "is at hand" in the phrase, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." It is not seen in written Greek before Jesus and used by him only seventeen times.

neither -- The Greek word for "neither" is is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.

moth -- The word translated as "moth" means the type of moth that eats cloth and whose larva eats books. It is a metaphor for academics as "book worms". It is singular, that is, a single moth.

destroys. - "Destroys" is a verb, used for the first time here, that means "destoy utterly", "ruin", "spoil", "break", "corrupt", "falsify", "counterfeit", "lose", and "forget". 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Πωλήσατε [12 verses] (verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Sell" is poleo, which means "to sell," "to exchange," "to barter," "to offer to sell," and "to retail." Metaphorically, it means to "give up" and "betray." In the passive, it means "to be sold," "to be offered for sale," and, of persons, "to be bought and sold," and " betrayed."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom)  "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

ὑπάρχοντα  [5 verses](part pl pres act neut nom) "Have" is from hyparchonta, which is the participle form of hyparcho, which means "to take the initiative", "to begin", "take the initiative in","to be the beginning", "to exist really", "to be laid down", "to be taken for granted", and of persons "to be devoted to one." In this form, a participle used as a noun, it means "existing circumstances", "present advantages", "possessions", "resources, "that which is in existence," and "the past record."

ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is 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." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

δότε [147 verses](verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Give" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

ἐλεημοσύνην, [3 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Alms" is eleemosyne, which means "pity", "mercy", "charity," and "alms." It is the noun for of the verb eleeo, which means "to have pity on," "to show mercy to," and "to feel pity." In the passive, "to be shown pity," and "to be pitied."

ποιήσατε [168 verses](verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Provide" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as  "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with."  With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into."

ἑαυτοῖς  [75 verses] (adj pl masc dat) "Yourselves" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself" "themselves," and "ourselves." It is not the common pronoun meaning simply "he," "she," "them," etc. In the genitive form, it has the sense of "his own."

βαλλάντια [4 verses] (noun pl neut acc) "Bags" is from ballantion, which means "bag", "pouch", and "purse."

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative,  and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action:  thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."

παλαιούμενα,[1 verse](part pl pres mp neut acc) "Wax" is palaioowhich means "decay through time", "make old", and, of wine, "become old".

θησαυρὸν [12 verses]  (noun sg masc acc) "Treasure" is thesauros, which means a "store," "treasure," "strong-room," "magazine, "granary," "receptacle for valuables," "safe," "casket," "offertory-box," "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon."

ἀνέκλειπτον [1 verse](adj sg masc acc) "That faileth not" is anekleiptoswhich means 'incessant", "uninterrupted", "infinite" (of divisions of space), and "unfailing".

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

τοῖς [821 verses][821 verses](article pl masc dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

οὐρανοῖς [111 verses] (noun pl masc dat) "Heaven" is the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate." It was not the religious concept of heaven. The word is plural, "skies.

NOTE: The section below is from the Greek of the following verse, from next Greek verse, Luke 12:34, that we use. It is translated here to follow the KJV translation. 

 ὅπου [32 verses] (adv/conj) "Where" is hopou, which means "somewhere," "anywhere," "wherever," and "where."

κλέπτης [9 verses](noun sg masc nom) "A thief" is kleptes, which means a "thief", "cheat," and "knave."

οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.

ἐγγίζει [17 verses] (verb sg pres inf act) "Approaches" is eggizo, which means "to bring near," "to join one things to another," to draw near," and "to approach." This word does not appear in the Perseus dictionary. It comes from an adverb ἐγγύς, eggys, which means 1) (of place) "near," "nigh," "at hand," 2) (of time) "nigh at hand" 3) (of numbers) "nearly," "almost," "coming near," and 4) (of relationship) "akin to."

οὐδὲ [51 verses](partic) "Neither" is oude, which, as a conjunction, means "but not," "neither," and "nor." As an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even" and, literally, "not, however."

σὴς  [4 verses](noun sg masc nom ) "Moth"is from ses, which means "moth" and is a metaphor for "book worms." =

διαφθείρει: [2 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Corrupteth" is diaphtheiro which means "destoy utterly", "ruin", "spoil", "break", "corrupt", "falsify", "counterfeit", "lose", and "forget". -

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

This verse seems to abbreviate and conflate a number of other verses (Matthew 19:21Mark 10:21Matthew 6:20).

Front Page Date: 

Jul 10 2024