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Bible Studies/Greek and Hebrew literal meanings

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Expert: - 6/15/2004


Question
Hello,
I recently saw a documentary about Christian attitudes towards homosexuality that got me wondering about the translation of certain words. One professor interviewed for the film said that there are several places in the Old and New testaments where words have been translated as "homosexual" that have much looser, or different, meanings in the original languages.

Can you help me by telling me the literal translation of Leviticus 20:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:9?

I have done some library research but I cannot find a translation that really discusses this in literal terms. All the translations available to me state that homosexuality is the topic under discussion in these passages.

Thank you so much,
Anne


Answer
The Hebrew uses no special words; the meaning is quite clear concerning a man lying with a man as if a woman.
Corinthians uses two words in the context of sexual sins: malakoi, literally, soft or efffinate, and arsenokoitai, literaly, male-bed; catamite and sodomite might be appropriate English words to translate the meaning of the two Greek words.
I do not believe that the historical translations of these passages have missed the meaning of the texts.
If you would like more, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Anne.  

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Edward Bode

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A scholar of Jewish and Christian scripture (biblical studies), I hold graduate degrees from three universities in Rome [Italy]: Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Biblical Institute, and the University of St. Thomas. I also have a master's degree in English. My special interests are the gospels of the New Testament and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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I have taught at three universities and two colleges. My published works include one book, several articles in scholarly journals, and numerous book reviews.

I hold a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of St. Thomas in Rome, Italy; a license in sacred scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome; a license in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.Additionally, I earned a master's degree in English from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., and a bachelor of journalism from the same university.

I have been a member of the Catholic Biblical Association of America for 40 years. I am a former member of Society of Biblical Literature.I have spoken on academic topics to local, national, and international groups.

Education/Credentials
I hold graduate degrees from three universities in Rome [Italy]: Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Biblical Institute, and the University of St. Thomas. I also have a master's degree in English.

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