© 12 Colin Melbourne
Or Cursing God?
Q: I recently heard that Genesis 4:26 has been translated improperly, and that men were not calling on the Name of the LORD in a good way, but in a negative way. Is there any truth to this? Chuck
A: You refer to the passage: Gen. 4:25-26 KJV;
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
KJV 1611 marginal note: Genesis 4:26 call upon the Name of the LORD: Or, to call themselves by the Name of the LORD.
First things First
Whenever the translation of the KJV is called into question, you can be sure all allegations of error are false. Always, and without exception.
Accept and believe that fact. It will keep you on the straight and narrow path.
Jewish Invention
No, the story you have heard is wrong, an invention of Jewish false-teachers, eminent in Hebrew, but devoid of the Spirit of God, 2 Co. 3:6b KJV;
…for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
You have been fed an old lie that Genesis 4:26 has been mistranslated, and should read, “then began profanely men to call upon the name of the LORD.”
Jewish theologians, notably Maimonides, latched onto the Hebrew word, chalal translated by the KJV Committee as “began”, and read into it the additional meaning of “profane”.
In its wide range of use, the word chalal can indeed be used to mean profane, as Strong’s Hebrew concordance points out;
2490 chalal (khaw-lal) a primitive root;
properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve;
figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one’s word),
:- to begin (as if by an “opening wedge”);
:- begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat (as common things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.
However, in this Bible passage, the word chalal simply means “began”. There’s no implication of profanity, or of any negative connotation.
God’s in Charge of His Word
If the Holy Spirit had wanted the Hebrew word to carry a negative implication here, you can be certain the KJV translators would have been led by Him to include it.
They didn’t: So there isn’t. It’s that simple.
This is the spiritual confidence God imparts to those who accept that the KJV is His word in English.
It will be a wonderful day when you receive the revelation that the KJV is the written word of God in English. No modern version even comes close to being the written word of God. Throw them away, and get a Holy Bible: Cambridge KJV Transetto Bible
The Context is Proof
Back to your question.
The context determines which of the various meanings of the word chalal is applicable, and here it must be “began”, not “began to profane” as some Jews like to have it.
They also claim this was the time when idolatry started, and hold Seth’s offspring responsible.
They are wrong.
There are words in many languages which, though pronounced the same way, have entirely different meanings according to their context. The listener understands which meaning is correct according to the context of the word.
You will know many examples in your mother-tongue. They make wonderful word-games for children learning language.
Here, the context is that some of Seth’s descendants began to call on the LORD, worshipping Him in a proper respectful way, realising they had fallen far from Him.
Remember that Adam and Eve were still around to warn their grandchildren of the tragedy of their original sin.
Their progeny knew they needed God to save them, and some began seeking His mercy.
The Spirit Confirms It
Christians can test that now.
Ask the LORD to lead you into the Truth by His Spirit, and He will confirm this is correct by His Spirit in your heart.
God’s Secretaries
Additionally, we have total confidence in God’s ability to ensure the 1611 KJV Committee got the translation correct at all points.
There are many reasons for such assurance, here’s four for starters;
1) God promised to preserve His words for all generations. Ps. 12:6-7 KJV;
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
You’ll find much written about this precious verse of scripture.
Some say the above use of the words “keep them” applies not to the words, but to the oppressed poor mentioned in the preceding verse five.
The truth is they apply to both.
The poor oppressed people who rely upon God will indeed be kept and protected by Him, and He who is the Word, shall surely keep His words and promises too.
How could the Almighty do otherwise.
Trust Him, and you’re safe.
Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read:
Is. 34:16a KJV, God Himself has to preserve and keep available a book of His words for this scripture to be eternally valid.
Is. 40:8, Mtt. 24:35 KJV continue this logical line;
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Almighty God oversaw the translation of the KJV, and ensured His chosen scholars got it right in every particular. It’s what He made them for.
Trust that God knew what He was doing, and you’ll not be swayed by silly teachings, fairy tales, and myths.
2) The men chosen for the KJV translation (Launcelot Andrews, Richard Bancroft, Miles Smith, Thomas Bilson et. al.) were giant scholars, far more learned than any who have come along since.
Modern “Textual Critics” are intellectual pygmies in comparison.
The English language itself has deteriorated rapidly since its zenith in the Renaissance. Enjoy some sixteenth century John Foxe, and see for yourself how base and shallow modern English has become. Look at the rapidity of the degeneration of spoken English even within your lifetime.
3) The KJV Translator’s motives were sincere, pure, and godly: Modern Bible version scholars are corrupted. Their fruit proves it. Their motivation is fame and filthy lucre. Ignore them, listen to God, and believe His Word: The KJV.
Give Me That Book
4) The record of Christian history validates the KJV. It has the same text today as 400 years ago. It has been tried, tested, and steadfastly victorious on the field of combat with unbelief and Satan.
The KJV has spent four centuries in the crucible of; contempt, persecution, literary criticism, scepticism, infidelity, human philosophy, and scientific investigation, yet has lost nothing, because it is the written word of God in English.
Each generation of Christians over the last 400 years has validated it, loved, bled, and died for its testimony.
Not one doctrine, not a single promise, or prophecy, has failed.
It upheld them, and it will uphold you.
It was the KJV that sparked the Great Awakenings of the 18th. and 19th. centuries, with their massive missionary endeavours seeding heathen nations with God’s Word.
Every major revival since the Reformation has been led by preaching from the KJV, and foreign translations based upon the KJV.
Good Enough for Them: Good Enough for Me
It was the Bible used by; William Carey, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Robert Morrison, Hudson Taylor, Adonirum Judson, Charles Spurgeon, Maria Woodworth-Etter, William Seymour, Smith Wigglesworth, and every great saint used in God’s Hand during recent centuries.
I want the Bible they used, don’t you?
I want the same words they trusted, proclaimed, and saw come to pass, don’t you?
I want the written word of God, not some man-made modern counterfeit.
That’s why I use the KJV
A Tip: When you come across a thought, or teaching, that casts doubt on what the KJV says, simply reject that thought or teaching, and trust the KJV read in the Spirit. Even if you don’t understand: You will always be right. Seek the LORD to help you understand the KJV if it isn’t apparent, and He will delight to do so, only believe!
It’s time to ditch your dog-eared, broken spined mass-produced Bible, and treat yourself to a Cambridge Holy Bible that will last longer than you. Handmade, genuine leather, bound by craftsmen under Royal Charter.
© 12 Colin Melbourne
