Psalm
78:36
(KJV)
Nevertheless they did flatter
him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
(1611
KJV)
Neuerthelesse they did flatter
him with their mouth: and they lyed vnto him with their tongues.
(Webster's Bible 1833)
Nevertheless they flattered
him with their mouth, and they lied to him with their tongues.
(Bishops Bible 1568)
For their heart was not vpright
with him: neither continued they faythfull in his couenaunt
(Geneva Bible 1560)
But they flattered him with
their mouth, and dissembled with him with their tongue.
(The
Great Bible 1539)
Neuerthelesse, they dyd but flatter
hym wyth their mouth, and dyssembled with him in their tonge.
(Matthew's Bible 1537)
Neuerthelesse they dyd but flatter
him in their mouthes, and dissembled with hym in their tonges.
(Coverdale Bible 1535)
Neuerthelesse, they dyd but flater
him in their mouthes, and dissembled with him in their tonges.
(Dutch Statenvertaling 1637)
En
zij vleiden Hem met hun mond, en logen Hem met hun tong. – English – “And they
flattered Him with their
mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.”
Counterfeit Versions
(CSB)
But they deceived him with their mouths, they lied to him with their tongues,
(HCSB) But they deceived Him with their mouths, they lied to Him with their
tongues,
(ISV)
But they deceived him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.
(NABRE) But they deceived him with their mouths, lied to him with their tongues.
(NASV) But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue.
(NET)
But they deceived him with their words, and lied to him.
Hebrew Word behind Flatter
It is
the word “pâthâh” which carries with it the meaning of “to be simple, to be
deceived, flatter, persuade, or allure.”
Now here is a case of the editors and translators using a word which
contains multiple meanings and choosing the wrong English word.
The word is in the Piel stem which means it carries with it the meaning
of “compelling persuasion.” We see
the usage in 1 Kings 22:20: 1 Kings 22:20
(KJV) And the LORD said, Who
shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one
said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
We also see the word being used to convey deceit.
Proverbs 24:28 (KJV)
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive
not with thy lips. Being that
the word can be translated “deceit” then what is the problem with the six modern
versions above?