Based on the Hebrew original a more accurate translation would be: “The beginning of knowledge is to acquire knowledge, and in all of your acquisitions acquire understanding”
pointing to two important principles.
First to gain the relevant body of knowledge and only then to begin theorizing
The wisdom books of the Bible are pretty unusual compared to the rest of the Bible, because they’re an intrusion of some of the best surviving wisdom literature. As such, they’re my favorite parts of the Bible, and I’ve found them well worth reading (in small doses, a little bit at a time, so I’m not overwhelmed).
Ah, excellent. I’ve always wanted to ask someone who read Hebrew—Is the writing in the bible of lesser or greater quality in the original (compared to the english—I know translation vary, but is there a distinct difference, or is the Hebrew within the range?)
the original is superior in a number of ways(to any translation have seen, but I suspect that it is superior to all translations since much is of necessity lost in translation generally). But is there a specific aspect you are wondering about so that I could address your question more particularly?
“[G]et wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.”—Proverbs 4:7
Based on the Hebrew original a more accurate translation would be: “The beginning of knowledge is to acquire knowledge, and in all of your acquisitions acquire understanding” pointing to two important principles.
First to gain the relevant body of knowledge and only then to begin theorizing
to focus our wealth and energy on knowledge
It seems like Proverbs has a lot of important content for gaining rationality, perhaps it should be added to our reading lists
The wisdom books of the Bible are pretty unusual compared to the rest of the Bible, because they’re an intrusion of some of the best surviving wisdom literature. As such, they’re my favorite parts of the Bible, and I’ve found them well worth reading (in small doses, a little bit at a time, so I’m not overwhelmed).
I highly recommend Robert Alter’s translation in “The Wisdom Books,” if you’re interested in reading it.
thanks but I prefer reading in the original Hebrew to reading in translation.
Ah, excellent. I’ve always wanted to ask someone who read Hebrew—Is the writing in the bible of lesser or greater quality in the original (compared to the english—I know translation vary, but is there a distinct difference, or is the Hebrew within the range?)
the original is superior in a number of ways(to any translation have seen, but I suspect that it is superior to all translations since much is of necessity lost in translation generally). But is there a specific aspect you are wondering about so that I could address your question more particularly?