Mark 7:11 But you say, If a man shall say to his father or mother,

Spoken to
The Pharisees

Asked by Pharisees why followers eat with unwashed hands, violating tradition. Jesus said that they reject the command of the Divine.

KJV

Mark 7:11 But you say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me; [he shall be free].

NIV

Mark 7:11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—

LISTENERS HEARD

You yourselves, however, say, "When a person declares to that father or that mother: "korban, this is this  offering. When you should be helped by me."

LOST IN TRANSLATION

This verse is complicated, but not impossible to translate accurately. The KJV tries to translate but the NIV tries to explain what it means rather than actually translate.

The difficult part of this verse is the demonstrative pronoun ("this," "that," "what," etc.) with the conjunction meaning "when." The Bible often translates this as "whatsoever," but that usually seems like a stretch and it does here. It works better if the "this" modifies offering and the "when" starts a new clause. It is a good example of a statement that might work if spoken (see this article) as a punchline, which ending is typical of Jesus's humor.

The word translated as "corban" (korban) is an untranslated Aramaic or Hebrew word that, again, is translated or explained, this time, by Jesus himself.  This again indicates that Jesus taught in Greek (see this article). 

MY TAKE

We cannot give a monetary gift to God, only to those who want to represent him.

GREEK ORDER

ὑμεῖς                   δὲ           λέγετε Ἐὰν   εἴπῃ            ἄνθρωπος      τῷ   πατρὶ    τῇ   μητρί
You yourselves, however, say, "  When desclares a person         to that father or that mother:

Κορβάν,      ἐστιν     Δῶρον,                ἐὰν      ἐξ  ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς,
korban,  this is     an offering, this.  when    by me    .you should be helped

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" is not the common word usually translated as "if."
  • CW - Confusing Word - This "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "say" is the same word translated as "said" above.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "that."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/that" before "mother" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "it is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "to say" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "by" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "he shall be free" doesn't exist in the source.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
15
  • MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.
  •   IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "if" is not the common word usually translated as "if."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "anyone" should be something more like "man."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "what" is not the subject of the verb but the object.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "help" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" should be something more like "the."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "mother" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "is" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "devoted" should be something more like "gift."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "to God" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "by" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "me" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV

But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. 

you  - The pronoun is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use creates emphasis on the "you." The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves."  MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourselves" after "you" for emphasis.

say,  - The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Jesus uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

If -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".

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

man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples". 

shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form..

say - (CW) "Say" (a different Greek word that the "say" above in the Greek source) is from a verb that also means "to say" and "to speak" also. However, it has less a sense of teaching and more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

to  - The form of the following noun requires the addition of a preposition in English to capture its meaning, a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, and an "in" for area of effect.

his  -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, which precedes a noun.  The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. The verse does not have a possessive pronoun here.

father  -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. 

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."

missing "the/that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

mother, -- "Mother" is the common Greek word for "mother" and "grandmothers," but it also means "the source" of something.

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

Corban,  - This is a Hebrew word meaning the same as the Greek word for "gift" used below. This seems to be a case where Jesus again used the Aramaic or Hebrew. See this article.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. 

to say, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "a gift" in the Greek source

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

gift,  - "Gift" is from a Greek word that means "gift", "present," and specifically a "votive gift" or "offering" to a god.  The word is in a form which could be either the subject or object of the sentence.

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

what -- The word translated as the first part of "whatsoever" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. This is the word translated as "that" above. It could also be the definite article, meaning "the one."

soever --  "soever" is a conjunction indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when". It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun to mean "that possibly," "whosoever," or "whatsoever."

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

might --  This word comes from the form of possibility of the following verb.

be --  This word comes from the passive form of the following verb.

profited -- The Greek word translated as " profited" in the KJV (and "accomplishes" or "is" in other translations) means "to help" or "to be of benefit." It is in the second person passive.

by -- The Greek preposition translated as "by" means "out of" or "from."  It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs. 

me; --  "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me".

he shall be free. -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "he shall be free" in the Greek source.

EACH WORD of NIV

But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. 

you  - The pronoun is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since it is already part of the verb, its use creates emphasis on the "you." The "you" here is plural, indicating many of Christ's listeners.

missing "yourselves"  ---- (MW) The pronoun is used here explicitly as the subject of the sentence. Since this information is already in the verb, the sense is repetitive as we say "you yourselves." 

say,  - The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Jesus uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

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

If -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when".

anyone -- (WW) The Greek word for "anyone" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".  This is not the word for "anyone."

declares -  "Declares" is from a verb that also means "to say" and "to speak" also. However, it has less a sense of teaching and more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.

what -- (WF) The word translated as the first part of "what" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. It is not the subject of the verb but an object.

might --  This word comes from the form of possibility of the following verb "help."

have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

been --  This word comes from the passive form of the following verb "help."

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

help -- The Greek word translated as " profited" in the KJV (and "accomplishes" or "is" in other translations) means "to help" or "to be of benefit." It is in the second person passive.

their -- (WW) The word translated as "their" is the Greek definite article, which precedes a noun.  The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. The verse does not have a possessive pronoun here.

father  -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. 

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."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," 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," and "those"). See this article for more. 

mother, -- "Mother" is the common Greek word for "mother" and "grandmothers," but it also means "the source" of something.

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

Corban,  - This is a Hebrew word meaning the same as the Greek word for "gift" used below. This seems to be a case where Jesus again used the Aramaic or Hebrew. See this article.

that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.

missing "when"  -- (MW) The untranslated word    meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if."

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.

devoted ,  - (WW) "Devoted" is from a Greek word that means "gift", "present," and specifically a "votive gift" or "offering" to a god.  The word is in a form which could be either the subject or object of the sentence.

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

missing "by"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "by" means "out of" or "from." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs. 

missing "me"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me".

 

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ὑμεῖς [92 verses](pron 2nd pl nom) "You" is hymeis, which is the plural nominative form of the second person, "you." -- The pronoun "you" is used explicitly as the subject of the sentence. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it is already part of the verb, its use here creates emphasis on the "you" as we might say "you yourselves." It is plural.

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so"). -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.

λέγετε [264 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "I tell" is from lego, which means "to recount", "to tell over", "to say", "to speak", "to teach", "to mean", "boast of", "tell of", "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out, ""choose for oneself", "pick up", "gather", "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay", "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." --

Ἐὰν  [162 verses](conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when."

εἴπῃ [162 verses] ( verb 3rd sg aor subj act ) "Shall say" is eipon, which means "to speak", "to say", "to recite", "to address", "to mention", "to name", "to proclaim", "to plead", "to promise," and "to offer." -- "Said" is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also.

ἄνθρωπος [209 verses](noun sg masc nom) "A man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate. -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples". 

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "His" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  -

πατρὶ [191 verses](noun sg masc dat) "To his Father" is from pater, which means "father", "grandfather", "author", "parent," and "forefathers." -- "Father" is the common word that Christ uses to address his own father, though it can mean any male ancestor.

 [92 verses](conj/adv)  "Or" is e which is a particle meaning "either", "or," or "than." -- "Than" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "or" but serves as "than" in a comparison.

τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

μητρί [27 verses](noun sg fem dat) "His mother" is from mêtêr (meter), which means "mother", "grandmother", "mother hen", "source," and "origin." -- "Mother" is from the common Greek word for "mother" and "grandmothers," but it also means "the source" of something.

Κορβάν, [1 verse](Hebrew) "Korban" is the untranslated Aramaic word korban, which means "gift" or "votive offering for the service of God." The treasury in the Temple in Jerusalem was called the korbanas.

[294 verses] ( pron sg neut acc )  "That" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

ἐστιν (3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to ex ( verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be", "to exist", "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen",  and "is possible." (The future form is esomai. The 3rd person present indicative is "esti.")

Δῶρον, [8 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Gift" is doron, which means "gift," "present," and specifically a "votive gift" or "offering" to a god. The simpler term without the sense of a votive offering is "dorea." 

 [294 verses] (pron sg neut acc )  "What-" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

ἐὰν  "[162 verses](conj) "-Soever" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos meaning "whosoever" or "whatsoever."

ἐξ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is 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;" 5) [of materials] "out of", "made from."

ἐμοῦ  [239 verses] (noun sg masc gen) "My" is emou, which means "me", and "mine". --  "My" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me".

ὠφεληθῇς, [8 verses](verb 2nd sg aor subj pass contr) "Thou mightest be profited by" is from opheleo, which means "to help", "to aid", "to succor", "to be of use or service, ""to enrich," and "to benefit."

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