Lexham English Bible — translation question

1 Timothy 2:9–15 (LEB): 9 Likewise also the women should adorn themselves in appropriate clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold jewelry or pearls or expensive clothing, 10 but with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness. 11 A woman must learn in quietness with all submission. 12 But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but ⌊to remain quiet⌋. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she* was deceived, came into transgression. 15 But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

While the LEB correctly switches to the singular “woman” beginning in verse 12, for some reason it does not switch back to the plural in 1 Timothy 2:15b—the Greek reads “..., if they continue in faith....”

Is there a person or a place to report suggested changes or corrections to the Lexham English Bible?

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Comments

Eric Weiss

Bump

Elliot Ritzema (Faithlife)

Hi, Eric! I'll make a note of this so we can revisit it if we issue a new edition of the LEB. Posting on the forums will often get our attention, but generally speaking it's best to use the "Report Typo" feature in Logos to bring up not just typos but translation issues or incorrect information. We take a look at those when we are revising or updating any Lexham book.

Eric Weiss

I will report it as a Typo when I next open Logos.

Stephen Miller

Eric,

You ask an excellent question which requires an answer.

My guess is that the LEB English singular is not a typo but a decision by the translators.

Your comment that the Greek reads "if they continue in faith" is not completely helpful. The Greek never reads in English.

The question to ask is, what is the best way in English to translate the Greek plural? The LEB answers .... with a singular English subject and singular verb, because in English we would normally use a singular verb to match the earlier singular verb. In other words, the Greek may change from singular to plural forms, but English does not.

When translating it is never enough to translate word for word, verb for verb etc. The translator has to translate from one language to another. This involves understanding how both languages use words, phrases and sentences.

The LEB, with other translations have (correctly) decided that in English we would normally say "if SHE continues in faith". "She" would be a generic pronoun.

Stephen

Australia

Eric Weiss

While the LEB correctly switches to the singular “woman” beginning in verse 12, for some reason it does not switch back to the plural in 1 Timothy 2:15b—the Greek reads “..., if they continue in faith....”

Correction: Paul switches to the singular in 2:11, not 2:12. My statement should read:

While the LEB correctly switches to the singular “woman” beginning in verse 11, for some reason it does not switch back to the plural in 1 Timothy 2:15b—the Greek reads “..., if they continue in faith....”