Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower,

Spoken to: 

audience

Jesus addresses a large crowd that has followed him saying they must pull up their stakes to be his student.

KJV: 

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

NIV : 

Luke 14:28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Because who from among you, wanting to construct a tower doesn't nevertheless, first, sitting down doesn't count the expenditure that you have for completion. 

MY TAKE: 

How much we want it doesn't matter a much as having enough to pay the cost.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

τίς     γὰρ        ἐξ                ὑμῶν θέλων    π            οἰκοδομῆσαι
who Because from among you,  wanting a tower   to construct a tower

οὐχὶ                           πρῶτον   καθίσας           ψηφίζει τὴν δαπάνην,
doesn't nevertheless, first         sitting down,   count    the  expenditure

εἰ    ἔχει           εἰς ἀπαρτισμόν;
that you have  for  completion. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The second part of this verse can be translated as the third-person, as the KJV does, or the second person. All the verbs uses share both verb forms.

The verb translated as "count/estimate" and "cost" are both use by Jesus only here. The punchline following cost is screwed up in translation. It says simply "the expenditure that you have for completion." The KJV and NIV both add words not in the Greek to make it work. The "whether/if" in Biblical translation is better translated as "that" with a verb of feeling ("wanting").

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8

For which of(CW) you, intending(CW) to build a tower, sitteth not(CW) down first, and(IW) counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient(IW)  to finish(WF) it(IW) ?

  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This "intending" doesn't precisely mean "intending."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the specific meaning of the word, which is more extreme.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "sufficient " doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" should be something more like "in regards to."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a verb but a noun.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "it" doesn't exist in the source and no verb justifies it.

Suppose(WW) one(WW) of(CW) you wants(WF) to build a tower. Won’t(CW) you first sit down and(IW) estimate(WF) the cost [to see(IW)] and(IW)] if you have [enough money(IP2)] complete it(IW).

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "suppose " should be something more like "because."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "one" should be something more like "any."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "wanting."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the specific meaning of the word, which is more extreme.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "to see" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "enough money" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "to" should be something more like "in regards to."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a verb but a noun.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "it" doesn't exist in the source and no verb justifies it.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because."

which -- The Greek word translated as "which" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."

of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs. 

you, -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." When it precedes a definite article before the word it modifies, the sense may be "yours" or "part of you."

intending -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "intending " expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose." As a participle, it can mean "willingly" and "gladly."

to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

build --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

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.

tower, -- "The tower" is from a noun that means "tower," and "tower of defense."

sitteth -- "Sit...down" is a Greek verb  "to make sit down," "to seat," "to place," "to sit," "to post," "to take seats," "to convene," "to appoint,"  and "to establish."

not -- (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." This word can have a reversing effect, making a negative into a positive, with questions. Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence.  The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.

down - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix that means "down.".

first, -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially."

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

counteth -- The Greek verbmeans "count," "reckon," "add up the numerical values," "cast one's vote with a pebble," vote,"  "vote for," and "carry by vote." This is the only verse in which Jesus uses it.

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. 

cost, - The Greek noun translated as "cost" is also used uniquely here. It means "cost", "expenditure", "money spent", and "extravagance".

whether -- The "whether" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact  the sense is more  "whether," "since" or "as sure as." The verb is not subjunctive, which means it is citing a fact. This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.

he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

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

to - (WW) The word translated as "to" does not indicate the infinitive form of a verb. It is a preposition that  means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

finish  -- (WF) The word "finish" is another unique word and it is difficult to translate because it only shows up three times in ancient Greek, once in a book on language by a Greek scholar, then by Jesus in the NT and then in writing about the NT,  It means "completion", "precise", and "rounding off". This is not a verb but a noun.

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

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Suppose --(WW) The word translated as "suppose " introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." "For" is better because another common word is also used for "because." This word doesn't mean "suppose ." 

one -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "one" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine and feminine, so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why." This word doesn't mean "one."  

of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs. 

you, -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours." When it precedes a definite article before the word it modifies, the sense may be "yours" or "part of you."

wants -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "wants" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose." As a participle, it can mean "willingly" and "gladly." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "word." WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "wanting."

to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.

build --- "Build" is a word that specifically means "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify." The English word "construct" may come closest.

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.

tower, -- "The tower" is from a noun that means "tower," and "tower of defense."

Won’t -- (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." This word can have a reversing effect, making a negative into a positive, with questions. Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence.  The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.

you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

first, -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially."

sit -- "Sit...down" is a Greek verb  "to make sit down," "to seat," "to place," "to sit," "to post," "to take seats," "to convene," "to appoint,"  and "to establish."

down - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix that means "down.".

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

estimate -- The Greek verb means "count," "reckon," "add up the numerical values," "cast one's vote with a pebble," vote,"  "vote for," and "carry by vote." This is the only verse in which Jesus uses it.

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. 

cost, - The Greek noun translated as "cost" is also used uniquely here. It means "cost", "expenditure", "money spent", and "extravagance".

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

if -- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact  the sense is more  "whether," "since" or "as sure as." The verb is not subjunctive, which means it is citing a fact. This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.

you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "to indulge in," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.

enough money---- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.

to - (WW) The word translated as "to" does not indicate the infinitive form of a verb. It is a preposition that  means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

complete -- (WF) The word "complete " is another unique word and it is difficult to translate because it only shows up three times in ancient Greek, once in a book on language by a Greek scholar, then by Jesus in the NT and then in writing about the NT,  It means "completion", "precise", and "rounding off". This is not a verb but a noun.

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

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

τίς [252 verses](irreg sg masc nom) "Which" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες.  It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; "to what point?"  to "what end? τί ὅτι "why it is that,"

γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."

ἐξ  [121 verses] (prep) "Of"mis ek , which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 7) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 7) cause, instrument, or means "by." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.-- The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from." The word has a number of different meanings based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

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.

θέλων [64 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Intending" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing (of consent rather than desire)," "to wish," "to ordain," "to decree," "to be resolved to a purpose" "to maintain," "to hold," "to delight in, and "will (too express a future event with inanimate objects)." It is a prolonged form (only found in NT) of a verb that means "to be resolved to a purpose" so, in a sense, "to decide," and "to desire." As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly," and "gladly." In the Hebrew, "will" or "desire" is chaphets, which means "to delight in," "to take pleasure in," and "to be pleased with."

πύργον  [4 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Tower" is from pyrgos, which means "tower", "tower of defense", "movable tower (for storming towns," and "a dice cup."

οἰκοδομῆσαι [18 verses](verb aor inf act) "To build" is oikodomeo,which means to "build a house," generally, "build," "fashion," "found upon," and, metaphorically, "build up," and "edify."

οὐχὶ [23 verses](adv) "Not" is ouchi, an adverb which means "no," "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," "notwithstanding," "yet," "still," "never yet," "for not," "indeed," "for surely not," "no,—certainly not," "for I don't suppose," and "for in no manner." Sometimes it is used to create negative questions where a positive answer is expected.

πρῶτον [41 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc or adj sg masc acc) "First" is protos. In place, this means "before," "in front," and, as a noun, "the foremost." Of time, it means "former," "earlier," and, as a noun, "the initial." In order, it means "the first." In math, it means the prime numbers. Of rank or degree, it means "superior" or, as a noun, "the highest" or "the best."

καθίσας [15 verses](verb 2nd sg aor ind act or part sg aor act masc nom) "Sitteth down" is kathizô, which means "to make sit down," "to seat," "to place," "to sit," "to post," "to take seats," "to convene," "to appoint," "to establish," "to put in a certain condition," "to reside," "to sink down," "to run aground [for ships]," "to recline at meals," and "to settle." From the Greek kata("down") hedraios ("to settle") .

ψηφίζει [1 verse](verb 2nd sg aor ind act or
verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Counteth" is psēphizōwhich means "count," "reckon," "add up the numerical values," "cast one's vote with a pebble," vote,"  "vote for," and "carry by vote.

 τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc)  "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."  

δαπάνην, [1 verse](noun sg fem acc) "Cost" is dapanēwhich means "cost", "expenditure", "money spent", and "extravagance".

εἰ [90 verses](conj) "Whether" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since."  It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction εἰ δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." The construction  εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). After ὅτι, it introduces a quotation where we use quotation marks. With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention.  When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English.  With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.

ἔχει: [181 verses](3rd sg pres ind act or verb 2nd sg pres ind mp) "He hath" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to indulge in,"  "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." In reference to habits or states, it means "indulge in." With a gen. object,  "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "to have the means or power," or "to be able" not "it must" as in English.  This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English.Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.

εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to." With time, a limit "until," or a duration "for," "throughout," or a date, "on," "at." Used with ek, it means "from...to." -

ἀπαρτισμόν; [1 verse](noun sg masc acc) "Finish" is apartismos, which means "completion", "precise", and "rounding off".

Front Page Date: 

Sep 20 2024