« | Numbers 17 | » |
1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying,
2 Speak to the sons of Israel, and take a rod from each of them for a father's house, of all their rulers, for their fathers' house, twelve rods. Write every man's name upon his rod.
3 And you shall write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi. For one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.
4 And you shall lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
5 And it shall be, the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall blossom. And I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the sons of Israel by which they murmur against you.
6 And Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their rulers gave to him a rod, for each ruler, one rod for each ruler, for their father's house, twelve rods. And the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
7 And Moses laid up the rods before Jehovah in the tabernacle of witness.
8 And it happened on the next day Moses went into the tabernacle of witness. And behold! The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had budded and had brought forth buds, and had bloomed blossoms, and had yielded almonds.
9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before Jehovah to all the sons of Israel. And they looked, and each one took his rod.
10 And Jehovah said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept as a token against the rebels. And you shall completely take away their murmurings from Me so that they do not die.
11 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him, so he did.
12 And the sons of Israel spoke to Moses saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
13 Whoever comes near the tabernacle of Jehovah shall die. Shall we be consumed to die?
The Modern King James Version (MKJV)
The Modern King James Version (MKJV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible that aims to preserve the majesty and accuracy of the original King James Version (KJV) while updating its language for modern readers. Developed by Jay P. Green Sr. and first published in 1990, the MKJV seeks to maintain the literary beauty and doctrinal reliability of the KJV, making only necessary adjustments to archaic terms and phrases to enhance readability. This careful balance allows the MKJV to retain the classic feel of the KJV while making it more accessible to today’s audience.
One of the standout features of the MKJV is its commitment to formal equivalence, or word-for-word translation. The translators have meticulously preserved the structure and vocabulary of the KJV, only updating words and phrases that have become outdated or whose meanings have shifted over time. This approach ensures that the MKJV remains faithful to the original texts and maintains the theological and literary integrity of the KJV. By preserving the cadence and phrasing of the original, the MKJV offers a reading experience that is both familiar and refreshed for modern readers.
The MKJV also pays special attention to the textual basis of the translation. Like the KJV, it relies on the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. This adherence to traditional source texts underscores the MKJV’s commitment to continuity with the historic Christian tradition. The translation is designed to serve both devotional and scholarly purposes, providing a text that is suitable for study, teaching, and public reading in a variety of settings.
Despite its strengths, the Modern King James Version has faced some criticism. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation could benefit from a more extensive revision to fully embrace contemporary language, suggesting that the MKJV’s adherence to the structure and style of the KJV may still pose challenges for modern readers. Others appreciate the balance it strikes but note that it occupies a niche space, appealing primarily to those who have a strong attachment to the KJV. Nonetheless, the MKJV remains a respected and valued translation for those seeking a modern update of the KJV that honors its rich heritage and timeless message.