by FLOYD NOLEN JONES, Th.D., Ph.D.
$14 CAD
An in-depth study documenting the reasons for the differences between the modern translations of the Bible and the historical translations of the Bible such as the 1611 King James Bible, and other older Bible versions. Numerous illustrations of these significant differences are presented, and the myth that the differences in modern versions are mainly due to synonym choices and language changes is dispelled. The casting aside of the traditional Greek New Testament text which is the basis of the historic versions by Tyndale, Luther, Coverdale, and others is meticulously documented. Also carefully documented is the process which produced the radically different Greek text of the modern versions including an analysis of textual criticism. The completely unscientific basis of the methods of textual criticism are also exposed, and evidence that the traditional Greek text is actually much older than the newer critical text of the modern versions is presented. The work is carefully footnoted and includes a complete and comprehensive bibliography and index.
Excerpts from the book
TO THE READER – THE SOUNDING OF AN ALARM
In the King James Bible, Isaiah 14:12, 15 reads:
How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell.
However the New International Version pens:
How you have fallen from heaven O morning star, son of the dawn..…but you are brought down to the grave.
Indeed, the New American Standard and all the modern versions read almost exactly like the NIV (except the NKJV). Yet historically Isaiah 14 has been cited throughout the Church as the singular biography and identification of Lucifer [G.A. Riplinger, New Age Bible Versions, (Munroe Falls, OH:A.V. Publications, 1993),pp.40-55]. In verse twelve of the King James, Lucifer is in heaven; in verse fifteen Satan is in hell, and the continuing context establishes that Lucifer and Satan are one and the same being. The new versions have removed the name “Lucifer” thereby elimination the only reference to his true identity in the entire Bible – yet the change in these versions is not the result of translation from the Hebrew language.
The Hebrew here is helel, ben shachar, which translates “Lucifer, son of the morning”( as is found in all the old English translations written before 1611 when the KJB was published). The NIV, NASB et al. read as though the Hebrew was kokab shachar, ben shachar or “morning star, son of the dawn” (or “son of the morning”). But not only is the Hebrew word for star (bk/K – kokab) nowhere to be found in the text, “morning” appears only once as given in the KJB- not twice as the modern versions indicate. Moreover, the word kokab is translated as “star” dozens of other times by the translators of these new “bibles”. Their editors also know that kokab boqer (rqb bk/K) is “morning star” for it appears in plural form in Job 38:7 (i.e. morning stars). Had the Lord intended “morning star” in Isaiah 14, He could have eliminated any confusion by repeating kokab boqer (rqb bk/K) there. God’s selection of helel (11yh, Hebrew for Lucifer) is unique as it appears nowhere else in the Old Testament.
Moreover, Revelation 22:16 (also 2:28 and II Pet.1:19) declares unequivocally that Jesus Christ is the “morning star” or “day star” (II Pet. 1:19 cp. Luk. 1:78; Mal. 4:2), meaning the sun – not the planet Venus.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Thus it must be understood that the identification of Lucifer as being the morning star does not finds its roots in the Hebrew O.T., but from classical mythology and witchcraft where he is connected with the planet Venus ( the morning “star”).
The wording in the modern versions reads such that it appears the fall recorded in Isaiah 14 is speaking of Jesus rather than Lucifer the Devil! The rendering of “morning star” in place of “Lucifer” in this passage must be seen by the Church as nothing less than the ultimate blasphemy. The NASV compounds its role as malefactor by placing II Peter 1:19 in the reference next to Isaiah 14 thereby solidifying the impression that the passage refers to Christ Jesus rather than Satan. But Lucifer (helel,1 1 yh) does not mean “morning star”. It is Latin (from lux or lucis = light, plus fero = to bring) meaning “bright one”, “light bearer” or “light bringer”. Due to the brightness of the planet Venus, from ancient times the word “Lucifer” (helel, 11 yh) has been associated in secular and/or pagan works with that heavenly body.
Among the modern versions, only the KJB (and NKJV) gives proof that Lucifer is Satan. Without its testimony this central vital truth would soon be lost. This fact alone sets the King James Bible apart from and far above all modern would-be rivals. Truly, it is an achievement sui generis. Indeed, the older English versions (the 1560 Geneva etc.) also read “Lucifer”.
The clarion has been faithfully and clearly sounded (I Cor.14:8). If the reader is not greatly alarmed by the above, it is pointless for him to continue reading. However, if concern has been aroused as to how this deception has been foisted not only upon the Christian Church, but on the general public as well – read on. The story lies before you.
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31
