ESV oppression vs Possession

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LarryT
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:26 am
Location: Lake Elsinore Ca

ESV oppression vs Possession

Post by LarryT » Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:59 pm

in most translations, such as the NIV, Nasb, NKJV, Hcsb, these verses refer to demon possession, (Mt 8:16; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; Mk 1:32), whereas the ESV refers to them as oppression. which is more correct? I do like to compare bible versions. I like the Esv, but I'm not sure about these verses, Any input?
Thanks Larry
Lake Elsinore Ca

steve7150
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Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:44 am

Re: ESV oppression vs Possession

Post by steve7150 » Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:13 pm

in most translations, such as the NIV, Nasb, NKJV, Hcsb, these verses refer to demon possession, (Mt 8:16; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; Mk 1:32), whereas the ESV refers to them as oppression. which is more correct? I do like to compare bible versions. I like the Esv, but I'm not sure about these verses, Any input?
Thanks Larry
Lake Elsinore Ca






I don't know if there is a connection but Jesus said at the beginning of his ministry that he came to free the oppressed, not possessed.

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steve
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Re: ESV oppression vs Possession

Post by steve » Sun Mar 27, 2011 5:22 pm

Hi Larry,

Sorry you missed my on-air answer to your questions, but I realize you may have a job that prevents you from hearing the program.

The word translated "demon oppressed" or "demon possessed" in these passages is daimonizomai in the Greek. Though this has traditionally been translated as "demon possessed" (two English words for the one Greek word), modern scholars often prefer to leave it untranslated, and simply transliterate it as "demonized".

Its use in the New Testament suggests more than one phenomenon. Those who are demonized may have any number of demon-induced afflictions, including insanity, instability, and physical disability (blindness, deafness, etc.). The newer translators who are choosing to render the word "oppressed" may be trying to find a word that seems less specific that what many have come to think of when they hear the term "possessed." This might be seen as consistent with the idea as expressed by Peter in his sermon at the home of Cornelius, when he said that Jesus' ministry was characterized by "healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38).

In any case, "demon oppressed" is neither more or less literal a translation of daimonizomai than is the traditional "demon possessed."

LarryT
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:26 am
Location: Lake Elsinore Ca

Re: ESV oppression vs Possession

Post by LarryT » Sun Mar 27, 2011 6:50 pm

thanks Steve, That helps to clear this up. God Bless

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