Category Archives: idioms

The double-dyed villains of the Apocrypha

By ElShaddai Edwards | November 28, 2008

In a previous post, I noted the use of “triple-dyed villain” (NEB) and “double-dyed villain” (REB) to describe the character of Haman in the Greek version of the book of Esther:
We find, however, that the Jews whom this double-dyed villain had consigned to extinction are no evildoers; on the contrary, they order their lives by [...]

Also posted in bible translation, literary bible | 2 Comments

Cunning punning in Genesis 3

By ElShaddai Edwards | October 18, 2008

The value of a historical-critical study Bible does show itself from time to time. I was reading through the early chapters of Genesis, looking for more “once upon a time…” campfire stories, when I happened upon the study notes in my REB Study Bible for Genesis 3:1:
3.1: Serpent: an ancient extrabiblical story tells how a [...]

Also posted in bible translation, scripture study | 14 Comments

I peed my pants!

By ElShaddai Edwards | October 18, 2008

Returning to Kevin Sam’s list of interesting idioms in the NEB, I wanted to take a closer look at Ezekiel 21.7, which the NEB translates as:
When they ask you why you are groaning, say to them, ‘I groan at the thing I have heard; when it comes, all hearts melt, all courage fails, all hands [...]

Also posted in bible translation | 7 Comments