Deliberate Altering of Scripture to Fit the Narrative

[timothyu]

I put this statement into AI for the fun of it, to see its interpretation of the conflict. It is interesting as a rule how it usually worms its way around to defend worldly ideals, but in this case gives good evidence of scripture deliberately being altered to fit the religious institutions' narrative.

"While some ancient manuscripts and traditions interpret sons of God as referring to divine beings or angels, others, including the Masoretic Text used for many English translations, read "sons of Israel" Yet when this scripture was written, Israel did not yet exist"

This is AI's take...

AI Overview

The phrase in Deuteronomy 32:8 reads "sons of God" in the Hebrew text of the
Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Septuagint, but "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text, which forms the basis for most English translations. The original Hebrew phrase "sons of God" ( b'nei ha-elohim ) likely referred to divine beings, fitting the context of God assigning territories to the nations, but was likely changed to "sons of Israel" by later scribes to avoid the appearance of polytheism or to emphasize God's unique inheritance being Israel.

The Different Readings

Dead Sea Scrolls & Septuagint: These versions read "sons of God" or "angels of God," suggesting that God assigned the lands to the various nations by appointing heavenly beings to them.

Masoretic Text: This tradition, used for most English Old Testament translations, reads "sons of Israel".

Theological Implications and Interpretations

"Sons of God" Reading: Interpreting the original reading as "sons of God" aligns with the broader biblical context of a divine council and God's sovereignty over all nations.

"Sons of Israel" Reading: This reading was likely a deliberate theological correction to remove any hint of polytheism by connecting God's assignment of territories directly to the people of Israel.
Historical Context: The phrase could have appeared at a time when the concept of divine beings was being carefully defined and the idea of a single, supreme God was being emphasized.

Conclusion
The textual evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint strongly supports the reading "sons of God" for Deuteronomy 32:8. The alteration to "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text is a notable example of how later scribes, possibly motivated by theological concerns, changed the text to align with their evolving understanding of God. ​

 

[bèlla]

That’s how I’ve interpreted it for warfare purposes. Every nation, state, city and region has a spiritual ruler. I remember the first time I went to Boston. We were duking it out on the plane because I entered another territory when I left the state.

~bella

 

[Maria Billingsley]

​

I put this statement into AI for the fun of it, to see its interpretation of the conflict. It is interesting as a rule how it usually worms its way around to defend worldly ideals, but in this case gives good evidence of scripture deliberately being altered to fit the religious institutions' narrative.​

​

"While some ancient manuscripts and traditions interpret sons of God as referring to divine beings or angels, others, including the Masoretic Text used for many English translations, read "sons of Israel" Yet when this scripture was written, Israel did not yet exist"​

​

This is AI's take...​

​

AI Overview​

​

The phrase in Deuteronomy 32:8 reads "sons of God" in the Hebrew text of the​

Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Septuagint, but "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text, which forms the basis for most English translations. The original Hebrew phrase "sons of God" ( b'nei ha-elohim ) likely referred to divine beings, fitting the context of God assigning territories to the nations, but was likely changed to "sons of Israel" by later scribes to avoid the appearance of polytheism or to emphasize God's unique inheritance being Israel. ​

​

The Different Readings​

​

Dead Sea Scrolls & Septuagint: These versions read "sons of God" or "angels of God," suggesting that God assigned the lands to the various nations by appointing heavenly beings to them. ​

​

Masoretic Text: This tradition, used for most English Old Testament translations, reads "sons of Israel". ​

​

Theological Implications and Interpretations​

​

"Sons of God" Reading: Interpreting the original reading as "sons of God" aligns with the broader biblical context of a divine council and God's sovereignty over all nations. ​

​

"Sons of Israel" Reading: This reading was likely a deliberate theological correction to remove any hint of polytheism by connecting God's assignment of territories directly to the people of Israel. ​

Historical Context: The phrase could have appeared at a time when the concept of divine beings was being carefully defined and the idea of a single, supreme God was being emphasized. ​

​

Conclusion​

The textual evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint strongly supports the reading "sons of God" for Deuteronomy 32:8. The alteration to "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text is a notable example of how later scribes, possibly motivated by theological concerns, changed the text to align with their evolving understanding of God. ​

As long as " sons of God" is still defined as Israel , it really does not matter. Keeping in mind that this is a prophetic text about Israel, to consider angels would not fit in the core of this message.
Blessings

 

[eleos1954]

​

I put this statement into AI for the fun of it, to see its interpretation of the conflict. It is interesting as a rule how it usually worms its way around to defend worldly ideals, but in this case gives good evidence of scripture deliberately being altered to fit the religious institutions' narrative.​

​

"While some ancient manuscripts and traditions interpret sons of God as referring to divine beings or angels, others, including the Masoretic Text used for many English translations, read "sons of Israel" Yet when this scripture was written, Israel did not yet exist"​

​

This is AI's take...​

​

AI Overview​

​

The phrase in Deuteronomy 32:8 reads "sons of God" in the Hebrew text of the​

Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Septuagint, but "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text, which forms the basis for most English translations. The original Hebrew phrase "sons of God" ( b'nei ha-elohim ) likely referred to divine beings, fitting the context of God assigning territories to the nations, but was likely changed to "sons of Israel" by later scribes to avoid the appearance of polytheism or to emphasize God's unique inheritance being Israel. ​

​

The Different Readings​

​

Dead Sea Scrolls & Septuagint: These versions read "sons of God" or "angels of God," suggesting that God assigned the lands to the various nations by appointing heavenly beings to them. ​

​

Masoretic Text: This tradition, used for most English Old Testament translations, reads "sons of Israel". ​

​

Theological Implications and Interpretations​

​

"Sons of God" Reading: Interpreting the original reading as "sons of God" aligns with the broader biblical context of a divine council and God's sovereignty over all nations. ​

​

"Sons of Israel" Reading: This reading was likely a deliberate theological correction to remove any hint of polytheism by connecting God's assignment of territories directly to the people of Israel. ​

Historical Context: The phrase could have appeared at a time when the concept of divine beings was being carefully defined and the idea of a single, supreme God was being emphasized. ​

​

Conclusion​

The textual evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint strongly supports the reading "sons of God" for Deuteronomy 32:8. The alteration to "sons of Israel" in the Masoretic Text is a notable example of how later scribes, possibly motivated by theological concerns, changed the text to align with their evolving understanding of God. ​

There are some bibles that interpret it as Sons of God.

The concept of Jesus as the "True Israel" is a common theological theme across various Christian denominations, as they believe Jesus is the faithful fulfillment of God's covenant promises made to the Old Testament nation of Israel. This perspective sees Jesus as the ultimate "Son of God" and the "true Vine" who perfectly embodied what Israel was called to be, but often failed to do.

 

[timothyu]

sons of God" is still defined as Israel

Man's definition no doubt to serve mans' purposes. What this scripture talks abour is an event at the time involving the elohim. It certainly didn't involve a family or nation not yet in existence, no matter how much afterthought might wish it to be so. It states plain and simply that elohim ruled over nations after Babel. God's nation or people were not in the picture at the time. That would come later once the elohim failed to correctly rule in God's name and God then established His own people and land to counteract. They failing Him also, He then sent a new Son of God unlike the other sons of god, born of flesh, and who did not fail Him.. And now we wait.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

"While some ancient manuscripts and traditions interpret sons of God as referring to divine beings or angels, others, including the Masoretic Text used for many English translations, read "sons of Israel" Yet when this scripture was written, Israel did not yet exist"

They were first referred to as "children of Israel" in Genesis 32:32, well before Deuteronomy 32:8.

And the prelude to this passage mentions them:

Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were ended: (Dt 31:30).​

And how do you deal with verse 39?

For the LORD’s portion is His people;​

Jacob is the place of His inheritance. (Dt 32:9)​

Jacob is Israel.

 

[timothyu]

Again, it was speaking about the time of Babel.

 

[keras]

Jacob is Israel.

Jesus is the true Israel, the Spiritual Olive Tree, of which we Christians are the grafted in branches.
We Christian peoples, from every tribe, race, nation and language, are the Overcomers ,- literally Hs Israelite people.

 

[timothyu]

Off track folks

 

[Indentured Servant]

the Masoretic Text is a notable example of how later scribes, possibly motivated by theological concerns, changed the text to align with their evolving understanding of God.

The Masoretic text reveals its many changes when compared to the DSS and/or the LXX:

• The personal name of Melchizedek,
• Six hundred years of Shem's genealogy,
• A prophecy that Jesus quoted about himself is missing the part about healing the blind.

There's much more to find, but these are just a few I've found that I see as being deliberate alterations relating to the Jewish narrative that Jesus is not Messiah/God.