Weird Bibles 2: Etymological New Testament

Here is another weird Bible:  The Etymological New Testament, by John Michael Wine.

He describes his translation as thus (grammar and punctuation unmodified from original):

The purpose of the ENT is clear: to provide insight into the text of the New Testament via literal etymology.  This begins with THEOS translated as Placer.  The verbal forms of this word are also rendered as "placing".  Thus, in Galatians 2:21, one can see Paul’s use of both the verb and noun. "I do not un-place the grace of Placer".  Through etymological translation, one can see the interesting connection between verb and noun in Paul’s claim. He did not un-god God!  And, if he were to remove grace from his teaching, that’s what he would have been doing!

God as Placer! Heaven is Upward Vision! The Etymological New Testament reflects the literal Greek linguistic elements of the text. Etymology is not meaning. But it does provide fascinating insight into the origins of many New Testament words! Based on the English translation of the American Standard Version, the ENT provides a lot of ultra literal information at a glance.

As you will note, Wine has not mastered all elements of English, but he has definitely mastered use of the exclamation point.

Here is how Wine deals with the adelphos issue:

Yes, the meaning of the Greek word ADELPHOS is brother. But its etymology stems from its two component parts: "same" and "uterus". Brothers (or sisters) in Greek etymology are those who come from the "same-uterus."

Here is the first page of Wine’s translation:

Want more?  Here is Wine’s treatment of John 3:16

For Placer so loved the system, that he gave his uniquely-becoming son that whosoever is trusting into the same, should not be from-whole-loosed, but have life of unconditional-being.

And here is his justification:

The beginning of this favorite verse, in the Etymological New Testament, speaks of Placer loving the system!  This Greek word, KOSMOS, is an organized system, whether of people or culture or even, as in 1 Peter, of clothing.  Most often, the system refers to the organized cultural, religious, political structure that is the background of our lives.  Often, in the New Testament, it is something to be resisted.  But, in this verse it is the system of human beings…who are loved by Placer.  In fact this love is so great that the uniquely becoming son, MONOGENES, is given.  The uniqueness of Jesus and of his becoming are crystal clear in scripture and, here, with this word.  The biblical message is that, yes, there are many sons and daughters of Placer, but Jesus stands uniquely as a gift to the system of all humanity. 

The Etymological New Testament consistently translates PISTEUO as ‘to trust’ rather than ‘to believe’.  The semantic range of the English word ‘believe’ is broader than the Greek.  This allows some to think only of ‘intellectual assent’ rather than the full sense of PISTEUO in the NT.  And, the good news for those who trust: not being "from-whole-loosed!"  Often translated as "perish" ("destroyed" in the active sense), the Greek word is a three part word.  It is a total (or whole) loosing, away from the sense of Placer.  But, as we trust, we begin to experience a "life of unconditional-being!"  What a thought provoking challenge and promise: to really live life unconditionally in accord with this truth.

You can read more examples on Wine’s blog.  Wine’s translation is available for the Kindle or softcover (where it has one customer review – from “Sherri” who announces that she is  Wine’s wife.)

(HT:  Brad Taliaferro)

Previous posts:

Weird Bibles 1: Archaic Aramaic script
An Orthodox translation