TILL
This is a technique that I call translation shopping, which is an attempt to
solve a problem by translating it away. You have cited the RSV, NAS, NIV,
and NKJ, all of which were translations that were made after the problem in
Isaiah 45:7-8 had caused considerable embarrassment to biblical
inerrantists. Hence, the later versions just translated the problem away.
The word in Isaiah 45:7 that is translated evil in the KJV was "rah." It is
interesting to notice how that Isaiah used this word in other passages.
5:20, "Woe unto them that call evil (rah) good and good evil (rah)."
7:16, "For before the child shall know to refuse the evil (rah) and choose
the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings."
13:11, "And I will punish the world for their evil (rah)."
33:14-15, "Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that
walketh righteously... and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil (rah)."
41:23, "Yea, do good or do evil (rah) that we may be dismayed and behold it
together."
47:11, "Therefore shall evil (rah) come upon thee."
59:7, "Their feet run to evil (rah), and they make haste to shed innocent
blood."
There are several other passages in Isaiah that used the word "rah" in
obvious references to what a religionist would consider "evil," but these
are enough to make the point. Recent translations have tried to remove the
problem in Isaiah 45:7 by translating it away.
Farrell Till
Skepticism, Inc.
jftill@midwest.net
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