« | Numbers 27 | » |
1 And the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph came. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest, and before the rulers and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of those who gathered themselves against Jehovah in the company of Korah, but died in his own sin, and had no sons.
4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he has no son? Therefore give us a possession among the brothers of our father.
5 And Moses brought their cause before Jehovah.
6 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers. And you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
8 And you shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, When a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter.
9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.
10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.
11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative, of his family, and he shall possess it. And it shall be to the sons of Israel a statute of judgment, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
12 And Jehovah said to Moses, Get up into this Mount Abarim and see the land which I have given to the sons of Israel.
13 And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as Aaron your brother was gathered.
14 For you rebelled against My command in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify Me at the water before their eyes; they were the Waters of Strife in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
15 And Moses spoke to Jehovah, saying,
16 Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation
17 who may go out before them, and who may go in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, so that the congregation of Jehovah may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.
18 And Jehovah said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand upon him.
19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation, and give him a charge in their sight.
20 And you shall put of your honor on him, so that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may be obedient.
21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask for him according to the judgment of Urim before Jehovah. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
22 And Moses did as Jehovah commanded him. And he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation.
23 And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge, even as Jehovah commanded by the hand of Moses.
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.