Bible Question:
IN GENESIS 12:8, GOD SAID BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY AND REPLENISH THE EARTH. DOES REPLENISH MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Buf! If you look at a concordence for Gen. 1:28, you will find that the word 'replenish' is the Hebrew word 'maw-lay.' This word (Strong's # 4390) is used 248 times in the Old Testament. It is translated the following ways in the King James: a) fill 107, b) full 48, c) fulfil 28, d) consecrate 15, e) accomplish 7, f) replenish 7, g) wholly 6, h) set 6, i) expired 3, j) fully 2, k) gather 2, l) overflow 2, m) satisfy 2, n) misc 14; Thus, the usual meaning is apparent. It refers to something being filled, fulfilled, or completed in the vast majority of it's uses. It is translated 'replenish' in: Gen. 1:28, 9:1, Is. 2:6, 23:2, Jer. 31:25, Eze. 26:2, and 27:25. I'm not sure why the translators of the King James choose the word 'replenish' in these seven verses, but I think it was an unfortunate choice. The base meaning of 'filled' would fit these seven verses much better, without adding the possible misunderstanding of Gen. 1:28. It appears that all the modern translations reject the translation 'replenish.' Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |