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In the Book of Ezekiel, specifically, the visions of Ezekiel, the word “amber” appears three times in the KJV. Actually it is the “colour of amber” that appears three times.
The original word that the KJV translators translated as “amber” or the “colour of amber” is electrum. More recent translations have found this to be a mistaken rendering. Young’s Literal Translation renders the same word as the “colour of copper.” Young’s Literal Translation was published in the 1860’s, so as long as 160 years ago, scholars realized that electrum has to be rendered as some type of metal. The NIV renders electrum as “glowing metal.”
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a conservative source:
<< Amber” is undoubtedly a poor rendering, as the Hebrew term means
“polished brass. >>
The context of amber/copper/glowing metal is not trivial. Ezekiel is talking about the appearance of God or the appearance of a mighty angel who shows him great visions. While amber is rare and expensive, it does not imply strength. Polished metal or “glowing metal” does imply strength and power, clearly one point of Ezekiel’s visions of God and His holy angels.
Advocates of the exclusive use of the King James Bible expect us to believe that it avoids the errors that have crept into later versions. All the evidence shows us that there are substantial errors in the KJV which have been corrected in later versions.
The original word that the KJV translators translated as “amber” or the “colour of amber” is electrum. More recent translations have found this to be a mistaken rendering. Young’s Literal Translation renders the same word as the “colour of copper.” Young’s Literal Translation was published in the 1860’s, so as long as 160 years ago, scholars realized that electrum has to be rendered as some type of metal. The NIV renders electrum as “glowing metal.”
According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, a conservative source:
<< Amber” is undoubtedly a poor rendering, as the Hebrew term means
“polished brass. >>
The context of amber/copper/glowing metal is not trivial. Ezekiel is talking about the appearance of God or the appearance of a mighty angel who shows him great visions. While amber is rare and expensive, it does not imply strength. Polished metal or “glowing metal” does imply strength and power, clearly one point of Ezekiel’s visions of God and His holy angels.
Advocates of the exclusive use of the King James Bible expect us to believe that it avoids the errors that have crept into later versions. All the evidence shows us that there are substantial errors in the KJV which have been corrected in later versions.