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NASB | James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, ¶ To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! |
Bible Question:
Why did James specify "twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad"? Were these part of those scattered in Acts 8:1? -Weren't there only two tribes, since was the Southern Kingdom was taken away and returned? Did they include those who were converted after they were abroad? Did James exclude those around Judea? |
Bible Answer: "1:1-2 The introduction to the letter follows the typical Greek letter-writing style by placing the author’s name first, followed by those of the addressees, and a word of greeting. 1:1 James. Traditionally viewed as James the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, the author gives no further information which could lead to certainty about his identity; cf. Mk 6:3; Acts 15:13; Gal 1:19. The twelve tribes in the Dispersion. Literally, to Jews living outside Palestine; but this address may well be figurative, namely to Christians throughout the world. The Greek word for “Dispersion” is , a word used to refer to Jews who after the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BCE continued to live in countries outside Palestine. Greetings. The normal greeting issued in letters; cf. Acts 15:23." (Cambridge Annotated Study Bible) |