Another Bible study method is to read various Bible translations for additional insights. Try reading Jeremiah 17:9 using various translations; what do you see? The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? (American Standard Version) The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? (New American Standard Bible) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (King James Version) The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (New International Version) The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (New Living Translation) The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. (The Message) In contrast to the contemporary definition of heart, the biblical use of the term refers to the mind, the source of thinking, emotion, and action. Thus, the biblical term heart is a reflection of one’s character. All of the translations clearly describe the heart as deceitful where there are active and intentional efforts to deceive oneself and others and obscure the true sinful state of man’s nature. From this biblical perspective, it begs the question, is man truly good? In addition to its deceitful nature, various translations describe the heart as exceedingly corrupt (Gen 6:11-12 and Ex 32:7), desperately sick, desperately wicked, and beyond cure. All of which refers to man’s depth of moral depravity. And the question, who can understand it? emphasizes the deceitful nature of man’s character. Jeremiah 17:9 sums up the principle cause that differentiates these two types of man. One who does not acknowledge his sinful nature, succumbs to his deceptive perception of pride, self-sufficiency, and adequacy, and lives independent of God; and the other who acknowledges his sinful nature, has no delusion about the power of sin, and lives with humility and dependence on God.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 13:14:10 +0000