1 Kings 18:21 -How long HALT ye between two opinions?
Is the KJB an incorrect translation here or is it using a “false friend” as some self-appointed Bible critics with NO inerrant Bible to believe in like Mark Ward tells us?
Some KJB critics tell us it should read to LIMP.
Let’s simply look at the definition of the verb “to HALT”. Besides the meaning of “to stop” something, the word also means the following -
Webster’s Dictionary =
intransitive verb
1
: to walk or proceed lamely : LIMP
2
: to be in a state of uncertainty or doubt between alternate courses or choices : WAVER
3
: to display weakness or imperfection : FALTER
American Heritage Dictionary -
To halt -
1. To walk lamely or move in an irregular fashion.
2. To proceed or act with uncertainty or indecision; waver.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary -
To proceed or act with uncertainty or indecision; waver.
Wordsmyth English Dictionary -
To halt - to falter or stumble in movement, thought, writing, and the like.
1 Kings 18:21 - And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long HALT ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Agreeing with the KJB reading are the following Bible translations - Wycliffe 1395, Coverdale 1535, the Great Bible 1540, Matthew’s bible 1549, the Bishops’ bible 1568, the Geneva Bible 1587, Webster’s Bible 1833, Lesser O.T. 1835, English Revised Version 1881, Julia Smith Translation 1855, Darby 1890, Jewish Publication Society O.T. - How long HALT ye between two opinions?, KJV 21st Century Version 1994, Amplified Classic Edition 1987, The Complete Apostle’s Bible 2005, Jubilee Bible 2010,
This online Hebrew Interlinear - HALT between two opinions?
https://studybible.info/IHOT/1%20Kings%2018:21
Brenton’s Septuagint translation - How long wilt ye HALT on both feet?
Jewish Virtual Library Complete Tanach 1994 - How long HALT ye between two opinions?
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/malachim-i-kings-1-chapter-18
Hebrew Transliteration Scriptures 2010 - How long HALT ye between two opinions?
https://www.messianic-torah-truth-seeker.org/Scriptures/Tenakh/Melekim-Alef/Melekhim-Alef18.htm
The Ancient Hebrew Bible 1907 - How long HALT ye between two opinions?
https://archive.org/details/ancienthebrewlit02yyy5uoft/page/160/mode/2up
Other Versions -
World English bible - How long will you WAVER between two opinions?
ASV, ESV - How long will you GO LIMPING BETWEEN two different opinions?
Bible in Basic English 1961 - How long will you go on BALANCING between two opinions?
NASB 1995 edition- How long will you HESITATE between two opinions?
NASB 2020 edition - How long are you going TO STRUGGLE with the two choices?
NIV - How long will you WAVER between two opinions?
Common English Bible 2011 - How long will you HOBBLE BACK AND FORTH between two opinions?
Complete Jewish bible 1998 - How long are you GOING TO JUMP BACK AND FORTH between two positions?
Contemporary English Version 1995 - How much longer will you TRY TO HAVE THINGS BOTH WAYS?
Easy-to-Read-Version 2006 - How long will you KEEP JUMPING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER?
International Children’s Bible 2015 - How long will you TRY TO SERVE BOTH BAAL AND THE LORD?
NET 2006 - How long are you going TO BE PARALYZED BY INDECISION?
NKJV - How long will you FALTER between two opinions?
A Faithful Version 1999 - How long will you VACILLATE between two different opinions?
Mebust Bible 2007 - How long shall you HALT on both your feet?
Young’s 1898 - Till when are ye LEAPING ON THE TWO BRANCHES? (Say what??).
The King James Bible is obviously correct and is not “archaic” and certainly is not a so called “false friend” as Bible agnostics like Mark Ward try to tell us.
All of grace, believing the Book - the King James Holy Bible.
Will Kinney
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