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Why is the Son called "mighty God" in Isaiah 9:6?

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Runningman

Runningman

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In Isaiah 9:6, the Son is referred to as "mighty God" (gibbōwr êl) but the same exact phrase in plural form is translated as "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" (ḡibbōwrîm êlê) in Ezekiel 32:21.

Why is the correct translation "mighty God" when "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" is considered to be a valid translation as well?
 
HTacianas

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Runningman said:
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son is referred to as "mighty God" (gibbōwr êl) but the same exact phrase in plural form is translated as "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" (ḡibbōwrîm êlê) in Ezekiel 32:21.

Why is the correct translation "mighty God" when "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" is considered to be a valid translation as well?
Click to expand...

For all the reasons the name Joel is translated the same way.
 
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Runningman said:
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son is referred to as "mighty God" (gibbōwr êl) but the same exact phrase in plural form is translated as "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" (ḡibbōwrîm êlê) in Ezekiel 32:21.

Why is the correct translation "mighty God" when "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" is considered to be a valid translation as well?
Click to expand...

The phrase for Isaiah 9:6 in the Septuagint (LXX) is "Mighty One".

Ezekiel 32:21 in the LXX is a little more complicated. The phrase doesn't exist, as it is implied by the use of the word giant (Nephilim - same as Genesis 6:4 "γίγαντες") whereas the Masoretic uses "the realm of the dead" (NIV) or "out of the midst of Hell" (KJV).

I'm assuming @HTacianas is referring the references in Joel to a mighty army. Here the LXX uses innumerable or numerous.

So I think the answer to your question is that the original meaning focuses on the English equivalent "Mighty", where the various translators needed to imply context. (ie. "God" in MAS vs. "One" as in "The One" or "Only One" referring to the Messiah in the LXX) In the plural sense a strong army or strong people or giants that are mighty whether or not they be good or evil in Ezekiel and Joel.

Translators either focus on being as literal as possible, or they focus on what they think is the intended meaning based on their own experience or theology. There can be times when either method can theoretically be better, but you can't expect it to be perfect, hence we have hundreds of different translations.
 
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BobRyan

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Runningman said:
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son is referred to as "mighty God" (gibbōwr êl) but the same exact phrase in plural form is translated as "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" (ḡibbōwrîm êlê) in Ezekiel 32:21.

Why is the correct translation "mighty God" when "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" is considered to be a valid translation as well?
Click to expand...
Hebrew is a high context language - unlike English. So the same word has different meanings based on context.

Sabbath
Rest
Cease

Are all the same word for example.
 
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Maria Billingsley

Maria Billingsley

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Runningman said:
In Isaiah 9:6, the Son is referred to as "mighty God" (gibbōwr êl) but the same exact phrase in plural form is translated as "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" (ḡibbōwrîm êlê) in Ezekiel 32:21.

Why is the correct translation "mighty God" when "mighty chiefs" or "mighty leaders" is considered to be a valid translation as well?
Click to expand...
It you read the entire passage it is well within the "context " of the verse to translate it as " mighty God" because Isaiah is speaking of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who is God. He is also called Father, Prince and Counselor which represents the Trinity.
Blessings.
 
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Runningman

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SuperCow said:
The phrase for Isaiah 9:6 in the Septuagint (LXX) is "Mighty One".

Ezekiel 32:21 in the LXX is a little more complicated. The phrase doesn't exist, as it is implied by the use of the word giant (Nephilim - same as Genesis 6:4 "γίγαντες") whereas the Masoretic uses "the realm of the dead" (NIV) or "out of the midst of Hell" (KJV).

I'm assuming @HTacianas is referring the references in Joel to a mighty army. Here the LXX uses innumerable or numerous.

So I think the answer to your question is that the original meaning focuses on the English equivalent "Mighty", where the various translators needed to imply context. (ie. "God" in MAS vs. "One" as in "The One" or "Only One" referring to the Messiah in the LXX) In the plural sense a strong army or strong people or giants that are mighty whether or not they be good or evil in Ezekiel and Joel.

Translators either focus on being as literal as possible, or they focus on what they think is the intended meaning based on their own experience or theology. There can be times when either method can theoretically be better, but you can't expect it to be perfect, hence we have hundreds of different translations.
Click to expand...

So the translation of Isaiah 9:6 is subjective and open to interpretation. Good to know.
 
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