Deuteronomy 6:4
New English Translation
The Essence of the Covenant Principles
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one![a]
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- Deuteronomy 6:4 tn Heb “the Lord, our God, the Lord, one.” (1) One option is to translate: “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (cf. NAB, NRSV, NLT). This would be an affirmation that the Lord was the sole object of their devotion. This interpretation finds support from the appeals to loyalty that follow (vv. 5, 14). (2) Another option is to translate: “The Lord is our God, the Lord is unique.” In this case the text would be affirming the people’s allegiance to the Lord, as well as the Lord’s superiority to all other gods. It would also imply that he is the only one worthy of their worship. Support for this view comes from parallel texts such as Deut 7:9 and 10:17, as well as the use of “one” in Song 6:8-9, where the starstruck lover declares that his beloved is unique (literally, “one,” that is, “one of a kind”) when compared to all other women.sn Verses 4-5 constitute the so-called Shema (after the first word שְׁמַע, shemaʿ, “hear”), widely regarded as the very heart of Jewish confession and faith. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment of all, he quoted this text (Matt 22:37-38).
1 Peter 1:4
New English Translation
4 that is,[a] into[b] an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,
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- 1 Peter 1:4 tn The phrase “that is” is supplied in the translation to indicate that the imperishable inheritance is in apposition to the living hope of v. 3.
- 1 Peter 1:4 tn Grk “into,” continuing the description of v. 3 without an “and.”
John 10:27-30
New English Translation
27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give[a] them eternal life, and they will never perish;[b] no one will snatch[c] them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,[d] and no one can snatch[e] them from my Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I[f] are one.”[g]
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- John 10:28 tn Grk “And I give.”
- John 10:28 tn Or “will never die” or “will never be lost.”
- John 10:28 tn Or “no one will seize.”
- John 10:29 tn Or “is superior to all.”
- John 10:29 tn Or “no one can seize.”
- John 10:30 tn Grk “I and the Father.” The order has been reversed to reflect English style.
- John 10:30 tn The phrase ἕν ἐσμεν (hen esmen) is a significant assertion with trinitarian implications. ἕν is neuter, not masculine, so the assertion is not that Jesus and the Father are one person, but one “thing.” Identity of the two persons is not what is asserted, but essential unity (unity of essence).
Acts 5:3
New English Translation
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled[a] your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of[b] the land?
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- Acts 5:3 sn This is a good example of the Greek verb fill (πληρόω, plēroō) meaning “to exercise control over someone’s thought and action” (cf. Eph 5:18).
- Acts 5:3 tn The words “from the sale of” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to clarify the meaning, since the phrase “proceeds from the land” could possibly be understood as crops rather than money from the sale.
Acts 5:4
New English Translation
4 Before it was sold,[a] did it not[b] belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money[c] not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart?[d] You have not lied to people[e] but to God!”
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- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “Remaining to you.”
- Acts 5:4 tn The negative interrogative particle οὐχί (ouchi) expects a positive reply to this question and the following one (“And when it was sold, was it not at your disposal?”).
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “it”; the referent of the pronoun (the money generated from the sale of the land) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “How is it that you have [or Why have you] placed this deed in your heart?” Both of these literal translations differ from the normal way of expressing the thought in English.
- Acts 5:4 tn Grk “to men.” If Peter’s remark refers only to the apostles, the translation “to men” would be appropriate. But if (as is likely) the action was taken to impress the entire congregation (who would presumably have witnessed the donation or been aware of it) then the more general “to people” is more appropriate, since the audience would have included both men and women.
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