Spoken to:
After explaining the parable of the seeds.
KJV :
Mark 4:21 Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
NIV :
Mark 4:21 Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?
Listeners Heard:
Much less is it started, this lamp, so that it might be put under the basket or under the couch. No, so that upon the lamp stand it should be put.
My Takeaway:
We shouldn't hide what we light on fire.
Lost in Translation:
The verb transalted as "brought" (KJV) and "bring" (NIV) is the verb usually translated as "come" in the New Testament, but its real meaning is "to start," which is clearly its meaning here. In English, we say "light" a lamp or candle, but the idea is plainly to start the light. The verb is passive and certainly not the second-person as transalted in more modern Gospels.
All the definite articles, "the" of "this" in Greek, before "candle/lamp," "bushel/bowl" and "bed" are mistranslated as "a" in both the KJV and NIV. Greek words without definite articles can be translated into English with an "a" or "an." Here, they all have definite articles.
All the verbs are passive here. The verb translated as "put/set" is also in a form of something that "might" or "should" happen. The "put" under a bowl/bushel or bed might happen, but the putting on a lamp stand should happen. This idea is lost in translation because the verbs are not handled as possibilities.
WORD-BY-WORD COMPARISON OF THE GREEK TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS:
Μήτι [3 verses](adv) Untranslated is metis, which is an adverb, meaning "let alone", "much less", "do I [in direct questions], : "let alone", "much less", "lest any one", "lest anything", "that no one," and "that nothing." Or it could be the dative form of the noun meaning "wisdom", "skill", "craft", "counsel", " plan," and "undertaking."
ἔρχεται (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Is brought" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out", "to come", "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
ὁ [821 verses](art sg masc nom) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λύχνος [9 verses](noun sg masc nom ) "Candle" is lychnos, which means "portable light," or "lamp."
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) Untranslated is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because."
τεθῇ [24 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass ) "To be put" is tithemi which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," "o deposit," "to set up," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," "to agree upon," "to institute," "to establish," "to make," "to work," "to prepare oneself," "to bear arms [military]," "to lay down and surrender [military]," "to lay in the grave," "to bury," and "to put words on paper [writing]," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."
ὑπὸ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
τὸν [821 verses](art sg masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μόδιον [3 verses](noun sg masc acc)"A bushel" is modios, which measures 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel and vessels, jars or baskets, of that volume. -- The Greek dry measure translated as "bushel" was actually less than a 1/4 the size of our bushel which is 8 dry gallons at only 7.8 dry quarts. "Basket," as in a "bushel basket," is used in more translations, but it also doesn't work to block the light. The most likely measuring vessel in this era would have been a pottery jar.
ἢ [92 verses](conj/adv) "Or" is e, which is a particle meaning "either," "or," or "than." OR (exclam) "Or" is e which is an exclamation meaning "hi!" OR (adv) "Or" is e, which is an adverb meaning "in truth" and "of a surety."
ὑπὸ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
τὴν [821 verses] (art sg fem acc) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κλίνην, [6 verses](noun sg fem acc)"Bed" is kline, which means "that on which one lies", "couch," and a "grave-niche."
οὐχ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "And" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because." -
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "of an end or purpose," "of the condition upon which a thing is done," "on condition that," and "of price." With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, judging, it means "in the case of."
τὴν [821 verses] (art sg fem acc) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λυχνίαν, [3 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Candlestick" is lychnia, which means "lampstand."
τεθῇ; [24 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj pass ) "To be set" is tithemi which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," "o deposit," "to set up," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," "to agree upon," "to institute," "to establish," "to make," "to work," "to prepare oneself," "to bear arms [military]," "to lay down and surrender [military]," "to lay in the grave," "to bury," and "to put words on paper [writing]," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."
KJV Analysis:
missing "much less" -- (MW) The untranslated word MW - Missing Word -- The word "much less" is not shown in the English translation."let alone", "much less", "do I [in direct questions], : "let alone", "much less", "lest any one", "lest anything", "that no one," and "that nothing." Or it could be the dative form of the noun meaning "wisdom", "skill", "craft", "counsel", " plan," and "undertaking."
Is -- This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
candle -- The word translated as "candle" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
brought -- (WW) The word translated as "brought" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
missing "so that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. However, this verb is not an infinitive.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
put -- The Greek verb translated as "put" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
under -- The word translated as "under" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bushel, "Bushel" is a noun that measures 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel and vessels, jars or baskets, of that volume.nor under a basket
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison. The same word could also be the exclamation "hi" or the adverb meaning "in truth."
under -- The word translated as "under" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bed? -- The word translated as "bed" means "that on which one lies," but it also means a "grave-niche."
and -- (WW) The word as "and" means "that" as a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
not -- 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. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. However, this verb is not an infinitive.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
set -- (CW) The Greek verb translated as "set" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well. This word is translated as "
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." or "on."
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
candlestick?-- The word translated as "candlestick" means "lampstand."
KJV Translation Issues:
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "much less" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "candle" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "brought" should be something more like "start."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "so that" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "to" is an active verb, not an infinitive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "bushel" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "bed" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "that."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "to" is an active verb, not an infinitive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "candle" should be something more like "the."
NIV Analysis:
missing "much less" -- (MW) The untranslated word MW - Missing Word -- The word "much less" is not shown in the English translation."let alone", "much less", "do I [in direct questions], : "let alone", "much less", "lest any one", "lest anything", "that no one," and "that nothing." Or it could be the dative form of the noun meaning "wisdom", "skill", "craft", "counsel", " plan," and "undertaking."
Do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
you -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "you" in the Greek source.
bring -- (WW, WV) The word translated as "bring" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
in -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "in" in the Greek source.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
lamp -- The word translated as "lamp" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
missing "so that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. However, this verb is not an infinitive.
put -- (WV) The Greek verb translated as "put" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence. The verb is actually passive but whatever.
under -- The word translated as "under" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bowl , "Bowl" is a noun that measures 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel and vessels, jars or baskets, of that volume.
or -- "Or" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison. The same word could also be the exclamation "hi" or the adverb meaning "in truth."
under -- The word translated as "under" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
bed? -- The word translated as "bed" means "that on which one lies," but it also means a "grave-niche."
Instead-- (WW) The word as "instead" means "that" as a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction. -- The word translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
n’t -- 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. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
to -- (WF) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. However, this verb is not an infinitive.
you -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "you" in the Greek source.
put --(WV) The Greek verb translated as "put " is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence. The verb is actually passive but whatever.
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." or "on."
its -- (WW) The word translated as "its" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
stand?-- The word translated as "stand" means "lampstand."
NIV Translation Issues:
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "much less" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "lamp" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "bring" should be something more like "start."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "bring" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "in" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "so that" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "to put" is an active verb, not an infinitive.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "put" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "bowl" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" before "bed" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "instead" should be something more like "that."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "put" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "its" before "stand" should be something more like "the."