Genesis 3:16

Genesis 3:16 is a verse I ponder from time to time; I'd like to share some of my ponderings here and will be sharing it in several versions.

First, the KJV ... of which I often get frustrated at for writing things in such a way that seems to muddy the waters of an otherwise clear passage. This is probably not KJV fault but maybe just 400+ years of change in our language and understanding and use of various words (for instance, not very long ago the word 'gay' meant happy, yet how many youth today know that? It only took a few decades to totally change the meaning of that word). But ... I DO believe KJV translators had some biases. We must be careful. Even still, I appreciate the KJV ... most of the time ...

KJV
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

This is supposed to be a curse. Will anyone argue against me when I say that a man WANTS his wife to desire him? I don't think so! So obviously in the context of the passage this is not what is being said. Well, not that I can see anyway when I apply basic logic (again ... doesn't the man WANT his wife to desire him?!?!).

These next two versions seem totally different from each other, with the latter being more like the KJV.

Here's how the NLT words it:

Then he said to the woman,

“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
    and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
    but he will rule over you

And now the Message (a.k.a. mess)
 He told the Woman:

“I’ll multiply your pains in childbirth;
    you’ll give birth to your babies in pain.
You’ll want to please your husband,
    but he’ll lord it over you.”

Pretty different, huh?

A footnote in the English Standard Version (ESV) and the English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) said "your desire shall be FOR your husband" could read "your desire shall be AGAINST your husband"

A footnote in the NLT (posted above with 'you will desire to control your husband') says: Or And though you will have desire for your husband, / he will rule over you.

Seriously? Is it really that hard to understand? "It could be "for" ... or it could be "against" ... completely opposite.

The Expanded Bible (EXB) with the verse the referenced says:
Then God said to the woman,

“I will ·cause you to have much trouble [or increase your pain]
    ·when you are pregnant [in childbearing],
and when you give birth to children,
    you will have great pain.
You will greatly desire [^Cthe word implies a desire to control; 4:7] your husband,
    but he will rule over you.”
Genesis 4:7 that it refers to in the text is this: ⁷ If you do things ·well [correctly; appropriately], ·I will [^Lwill I not…?] accept you, but if you do not do them ·well [correctly; appropriately], sin is ·ready to attack you [^Lcrouching at the door]. Sin ·wants [desires to control; 3:16] you, but you must rule over it.”

1599 Geneva Bible
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly increase thy sorrows, and thy conceptions. In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children, and thy desire shall be subject to thine husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
and thou shalt be under thy husband's power, and he shall have dominion over thee.

A lot of the translations say "in spite of this" or something similar instead of "YET" ... your desire shall be for your husband; in spite of this he will rule over you (basically). That and "yet" totally change the whole meaning of the verse. Some say 'but". Some say "and"... your desire shall be for your husband but he will rule over you. Your desire shall be for your husband and he will rule over you.

Check out the Living Bible (TLB)
Then God said to the woman, “You shall bear children in intense pain and suffering; yet even so, you shall welcome your husband’s affections, and he shall be your master.”

Hmmmm..... 

NET New English Translation
To the woman he said,
“I will greatly increase your labor pains;
with pain you will give birth to children.
You will want to control your husband,
but he will dominate you.”

Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
Also God said to the woman, I shall multiply thy wretchednesses and thy conceivings; in sorrow thou shalt bear thy children; and thou shalt be under (the) power of thine husband, and he shall be lord of thee.

The Voice (what?! interesting)
(to the woman) As a consequence of your actions,
        I will increase your suffering—the pain of childbirth
    And the sorrow of bringing forth the next generation.
        You will desire your husband; but rather than a companion,
    He will be the dominant partner.

Well, I think you get my point. Why all the differences? These differences can really shake the faith of someone who puts their trust in man instead of God.

Let's just be honest: women really DO desire to rule over their husbands. It takes a woman that is totally committed to God's will to be able to overcome this desire and be in her proper place. The scriptures are so clear: God, Christ, Man, Woman. So many times in the New Testament we are told to submit, obey, be quiet, be meek, chaste, keepers at home, etc. This seems like bondage to the outside looking in (see my last post), however for a woman that really fears and loves God, being in her proper place is the only way she obtains true peace and freedom.

Bondage

So often us sisters are accused of being in bondage because we cover our heads and dress modestly. If I had a dollar for every time I have heard the phrase "You're in BONDAGE!" or something similar, I'd have a pretty decent sized pile of cash. In this post I will be taking a closer look at this bondage I am accused of being in ... but I'd like to start with the other side (of which I used to be a part of).

One that conforms to the ways of this world must get up earlier in the morning in order get ready for their day. It would look something like this. Shower (or maybe it's done the night before). Decide which outfit to wear, being sure to have everything coordinating. Sometimes this involves trying more than one outfit on before one is chosen. Sometimes this also involves leaving the closet, drawer and/or room a bit untidy, especially if pressed for time ... only to have to come back at a later time in the day to put things back in order (or just leave a perpetual mess). Who cares about comfort? Looking good is at the top of the list. Tight waist-lines that feel worse and worse as the day goes on, tight pant legs that restrict the normal flow of blood and sometimes cause the legs to ache. No matter as long as we look good. Fix hair (which could involve various gadgets that plug into the wall ... blow dryer, curling iron, straightening iron, etc. and styling products chemicals such as hairspray or gel). Check eyebrows and pluck what does not belong. Put on makeup (foundation, powder, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, lipstick/gloss ... maybe even line the lips and curl the lashes). Top it all off with coordinating jewelry - earrings, necklace, bracelet(s). And let's not forget the shoes. Which ones match today's outfit? And a purse - if the current one looks off we might have to take all the contents out and swap with a purse that better matches the flow of today's outfit.

How much TIME does this all take? An hour? An hour and a half? And what is it all for anyway?

Now even further - all of these things need a place to live. Dressers, drawers, cabinets, hooks, boxes, etc. Space is needed. Of course all of these things cost money; not only the items themselves but the storage containers too. LOTS of money when all is said and done (but it will never be done). A lot of time must be spent shopping for said items. Sometimes it's easier to pay extra money for premier items rather than rummaging around through bargain bins, clearance racks and other such promotions.

Now for my side of it. It takes me less than 5 minutes to get dressed, put my hair back, put on a covering and socks and shoes. My selection is limited (on purpose ... it's so much easier that way) and my colours are few. I do not have to think about what I am going to wear. Yes, it takes a little time to make a jumper or tunic, however once it's done it's done, and they last a long time. A quick run through the thrift shop might reveal something modest enough to wear ... for $1 an item. No chemicals on my face, body or in my hair. I don't need a mirror to put my hair up and go for days on end without even looking in to one. My clothing is comfortable, loose and flowing.

Now I ask, who is in bondage here?

The inspiration for this post came from something that the brothers said the other day. A group of us went to fellowship with another group in Indiana. The brothers went preaching in Cincinnati, OH and the next day were sharing some observations and stories. Bars had special areas outside (in front) to stand in and socialize but you had to go through the bar first to get out to the special fenced area. The fence was not really a fence but a small barrier which was easy to move and easy to step over if one wanted to. These little outdoor areas were crammed with people, elbow to elbow in such a small space. From within that came a voice saying "You guys are in BONDAGE!" talking to the brothers on the sidewalk ... who had plenty of space.

Again, who is in bondage here? I know the answer because I have been on both sides - not in hypocrisy either. (because there are plenty that say "I tried being a christian but ...." that's just hypocrisy)