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A mania for confusing commotions
1. A mania for confusing commotions
How might "confusion" relate to "peace"?
This is not the "confusion", or "confounding", of tongues at Babel in Genesis 11.
2. The original Babel and Babylon
The original Babel was at the tower of Babel after the flood of Noah. It was here that the Lord confused their languages.
Genesis 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. [kjv]
… בבל … בלל … [he]
δια τουτο εκληθη το ονομα αυτης συγχυσις οτι εκει συνεχεεν κυριος τα χειλη πασης της γης και εκειθεν διεσπειρεν αυτους κυριος ο θεος επι προσωπον πασης της γης [lxx]
From the Tower of Babel, somewhere in ancient Mesopotamia about 2200 B.C., groups of people spread throughout the world.
3. A mania for confusing commotions
At the Tower of Babel, God confused the tongues of man. The name "
Babel" means "
confusion". This becomes clear in the
LXX (Septuagint) where the word for "
Babel" is the ancient Greek word
"συηχυσις" ≈ "confusion".
Genesis 11:9 On this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth. [bs3]
(Brenton Septuagint translation)
4. Genesis 11:9
KJV: Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Hebrew: על כן קרא שמה בבל כי שם בלל יהוה שפת כל הארץ ומשם הפיצם יהוה על פני כל הארץ׃
Greek: δια τουτο εκληθη το ονομα αυτης συγχυσις οτι εκει συνεχεεν κυριος τα χειλη πασης της γης και εκειθεν διεσπειρεν αυτους κυριος ο θεος επι προσωπον πασης της γης
Brenton: On this account its name was called Confusion, because there the Lord confounded the languages of all the earth, and thence the Lord scattered them upon the face of all the earth.
Latin: et idcirco vocatum est nomen eius Babel quia ibi confusum est labium universae terrae et inde dispersit eos Dominus super faciem cunctarum regionum
Wycliffe: And therfor the name therof was clepid Babel, for the langage of al erthe was confoundide there; and fro thennus the Lord scaterede hem on the face of alle cuntrees.
5. A mania for confusing commotion
Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. [kjv]
ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει [gnt]
… insaniam … [v]
Can too much learning actually make one "
mad", as in a "
maniac"?
The confusion of interest here is not exactly a mania. Is it? The ancient Greek word
"μανία" ≈ "madness, frenzy" and appears to have a PIE root prefix of "
man" which relates to the mind (e.g., "
mental", etc.). How does it fit in the following verses?
The modern Greek word
"μανία" (ma-NEE-a) ≈ "mania"
6. Acts 26:24
KJV: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Greek: ταυτα δε αυτου απολογουμενου ο φηστος μεγαλη τη φωνη εφη φησιν μαινη παυλε τα πολλα σε γραμματα εις μανιαν περιτρεπει
Latin: haec loquente eo et rationem reddente Festus magna voce dixit insanis Paule multae te litterae ad insaniam convertunt
Wycliffe: Whanne he spak these thingis, and yeldide resoun, Festus seide with greet vois, Poul, thou maddist; many lettris turnen thee to woodnesse.
Tyndale: As he thus answered for him selfe: Festus sayde with a lowde voyce: Paul thou arte besides thy selfe. Moche learnynge hath made the mad.
7. Strongs - mania
- *G3130 *1 μανία (man-ee'-ah) : from G3105; craziness:--(+ make) X mad.
- μανιαν
- Acts 26:24 ... learning doth make thee mad.
8. Strongs - mania
|
Words: μανιαν
|
*G3130 *1 μανία (man-ee'-ah) : from G3105; craziness:--(+ make) X mad.
9. Commotion
Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. [kjv]
οταν δε ακουσητε πολεμους και ακαταστασιας μη πτοηθητε δει γαρ ταυτα γενεσθαι πρωτον αλλ ουκ ευθεως το τελος [gnt]
… seditiones … [v]
Here we are more interested in the idea not of confusion or mania, but of commotion, turmoil, etc. The modern Greek word
"ακαταστασία" (a-ka-ta-sta-SEE-a) ≈ "commotion, turmoil".
Whenever a word has many variations of translation, there may be some interesting concepts and/or meanings in the underlying text.
Jesus uses this word in the Olivet Discourse where he talks about the "
end times".
10. Luke 21:9
KJV: But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Greek: οταν δε ακουσητε πολεμους και ακαταστασιας μη πτοηθητε δει γαρ ταυτα γενεσθαι πρωτον αλλ ουκ ευθεως το τελος
Latin: cum autem audieritis proelia et seditiones nolite terreri oportet primum haec fieri sed non statim finis
Wycliffe: And whanne ye schulen here batailis and stryues with ynne, nyle ye be aferd; it bihoueth first these thingis to be don, but not yit anoon is an ende.
Tyndale: But when ye heare of warre and of dissencion: be not afrayd. For these thinges must fyrst come: but the ende foloweth not by and by.
Luther: Wenn ihr aber hören werdet von Kriegen und Empörungen, so entsetzet euch nicht. Denn solches muß zuvor geschehen; aber das Ende ist noch nicht so bald da.
11. Commotions
12. Situation
1 Samuel 1:26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. [kjv]
και ειπεν εν εμοι κυριε ζη η ψυχη σου εγω η γυνη η καταστασα ενωπιον σου εν τω προσευξασθαι προς κυριον [lxx]
The modern Greek word
"κατάσταση" (ka-TA-sta-see) ≈ "condition, situation" as in a stable condition or situation.
The
LXX meaning of the word is of "
standing by", in the past tense in the following verse.
Negating the root with a prefix of «
α» has the meaning of "
not a stable condition" or "
not a stable situation" resulting in translations of "
commotion", "
tumult", etc.
13. 1 Samuel 1:26
KJV: And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
Hebrew: ותאמר בי אדני חי נפשך אדני אני האשה הנצבת עמכה בזה להתפלל אל יהוה׃
Greek: και ειπεν εν εμοι κυριε ζη η ψυχη σου εγω η γυνη η καταστασα ενωπιον σου εν τω προσευξασθαι προς κυριον
14. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Peace and confusion
The word
"peace" can be hard to define and is left for another time. Perhaps that can
"appease" you for the time being. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:33, contrasts
"peace" with
"confusion" as in
"commotions". The Greek is, literally
"not standing down".
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [kjv]
ου γαρ εστιν ακαταστασιας ο θεος αλλα ειρηνης ως εν πασαις ταις εκκλησιαις των αγιων [gnt]
… dissensionis … pacis … [v]
The name of the city "Jerusalem", in Hebrew, means "city" of "peace".
The name of the city "Babylon", from the Hebrew, means "confusion" and is the source of the English word "babble".
The meaning of
"not following the established rules" as in
"making one's own rules" could be used for the term
"lawlessness" - which in English can mean
"anarchy" or
"commotion" or
"confusion". However, there is a Greek word for this idea (and is associated with the opposite of
"peace" by Paul) in 1 Corinthians 14:33.
15. 1 Corinthians 14:33
KJV: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Greek: ου γαρ εστιν ακαταστασιας ο θεος αλλ αλλα ειρηνης ως εν πασαις ταις εκκλησιαις των αγιων
Latin: non enim est dissensionis Deus sed pacis sicut in omnibus ecclesiis sanctorum
Wycliffe: for whi God is not of discencioun, but of pees; as in alle chirchis of hooli men`Y teche.
Tyndale: For God is not causer of stryfe: but of peace as he is in all other congregacions of the saynctes.
Luther: Denn Gott ist, nicht ein Gott der Unordnung, sondern des Friedens wie in allen Gemeinden der Heiligen.
16. Strongs - commotion
- *G181 *5 ἀκαταστασία (ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah) : from G182; instability, i.e. disorder:--commotion, confusion, tumult.
- ακαταστασιας *2
- Luke 21:9 ... ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: ...
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as ...
- ακαταστασιαις
- 2 Corinthians 6:5 ... in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in ...
- ακαταστασιαι
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 ... backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
- ακαταστασια
- James 3:16 ... and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17. Strongs - commotion
|
Words: ακαταστασια ακαταστασιαι ακαταστασιαις ακαταστασιας=2
|
*G181 *5 ἀκαταστασία (ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah) : from G182; instability, i.e. disorder:--commotion, confusion, tumult.
18. Strongs - peace
- *G1515 *90 εἰρήνη (i-ray'-nay) : probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
- ειρηνη *47
- Matthew 10:13 ... let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
- Luke 2:14 ... and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- Luke 2:29 ... servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
- Luke 10:5 ... ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
- Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon ...
- Luke 11:21 ... goods are in peace:
- Luke 19:38 ... in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and ...
- John 20:19 ... and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
- John 20:21 ... Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father ...
- John 20:26 ... the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
- Acts 16:36 ... depart, and go in peace.
- Romans 1:7 ... Grace to you and peace from God our ...
- Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, ...
- Romans 8:6 ... minded is life and peace.
- Romans 14:17 ... but righteousness, and peace, and joy in ...
- 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our ...
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 ... hath called us to peace.
- 1 Corinthians 16:11 ... him forth in peace, that he may come unto ...
- 2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our ...
- Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, ...
- Galatians 5:22 ... is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Galatians 6:16 ... walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and ...
- Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our ...
- Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both ...
- Ephesians 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, ...
- Philippians 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our ...
- Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, ...
- Colossians 1:2 ... Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our ...
- Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in ...
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 ... Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our ...
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then ...
- 2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our ...
- 1 Timothy 1:2 ... the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our ...
- 2 Timothy 1:2 ... son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father ...
- Titus 1:4 ... faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father ...
- Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our ...
- James 2:16 ... unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and ...
- James 3:18 ... is sown in peace of them that make peace.
- 1 Peter 1:2 ... Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
- 1 Peter 5:14 ... with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that ...
- 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through ...
- 2 Peter 3:14 ... ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- 2 John 1:3 ... with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, ...
- 3 John 1:14 ... face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute ...
- Jude 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
- Revelation 1:4 ... Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and ...
- ειρηνην *25
- Matthew 10:34 ... I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
- Mark 5:34 ... whole; go in peace, and be whole ...
- Luke 7:50 ... thee; go in peace.
- Luke 8:48 ... whole; go in peace.
- Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell ...
- Luke 14:32 ... an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
- Luke 19:42 ... the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid ...
- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not ...
- John 16:33 ... in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have ...
- Acts 7:26 ... would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ...
- Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa ...
- Acts 10:36 ... unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: ...
- Acts 12:20 ... chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country ...
- Romans 5:1 ... by faith, we have peace with God through ...
- Ephesians 2:15 ... new man, so making peace;
- Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, ...
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by ...
- 2 Timothy 2:22 ... righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord ...
- Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, ...
- James 3:18 ... is sown in peace of them that make peace.
- 1 Peter 3:11 ... do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
- Revelation 6:4 ... that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and ...
- ειρηνης *19
- Luke 1:79 ... feet into the way of peace.
- Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon ...
- Acts 15:33 ... there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
- Acts 24:3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble ...
- Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
- Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
- Romans 15:13 ... all joy and peace in believing, that ...
- Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
- Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under ...
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 ... not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all ...
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 ... the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- Ephesians 4:3 ... of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- Ephesians 6:15 ... with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
- Philippians 4:9 ... do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; ...
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by ...
- Hebrews 7:2 ... which is, King of peace;
- Hebrews 11:31 ... when she had received the spies with peace.
- Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead ...
19. Strongs - peace
|
Words: ειρηνη=47 ειρηνην=25 ειρηνης=19
|
*G1515 *90 εἰρήνη (i-ray'-nay) : probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
20. Tumults
2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; [kjv]
εν πληγαις εν φυλακαις εν ακαταστασιαις εν κοποις εν αγρυπνιαις εν νηστειαις [gnt]
… seditionibus … [v]
In several places, the word "
tumult" is used as a translation.
21. 2 Corinthians 6:5
KJV: In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
Greek: εν πληγαις εν φυλακαις εν ακαταστασιαις εν κοποις εν αγρυπνιαις εν νηστειαις
Latin: in plagis in carceribus in seditionibus in laboribus in vigiliis in ieiuniis
Luther: in Schlägen, in Gefängnissen, in Aufruhren, in Arbeit, in Wachen, in Fasten,
22. Tumults
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [kjv]
φοβουμαι γαρ μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι [gnt]
… dissensiones … seditiones … [v]
The same word is used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:20.
23. 2 Corinthians 12:20
KJV: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Greek: φοβουμαι γαρ μηπως μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μηπως ερεις ζηλοι μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι
Latin: timeo enim ne forte cum venero non quales volo inveniam vos et ego inveniar a vobis qualem non vultis ne forte contentiones aemulationes animositates dissensiones detractiones susurrationes inflationes seditiones sint inter vos
24. James
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [kjv]
οπου γαρ ζηλος και εριθεια εκει ακαταστασια και παν φαυλον πραγμα [gnt]
… zelus … contentio … inconstantia … [v]
James uses the same term in James 3:16, using the same word for "
strife" as Paul uses in the above verse.
25. James 3:16
KJV: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Greek: οπου γαρ ζηλος και εριθεια εκει ακαταστασια και παν φαυλον πραγμα
Latin: ubi enim zelus et contentio ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum
Wycliffe: For where is enuye and strijf, there is vnstidfastnesse and al schrewid werk.
26. Socialism
Socialism can be considered a humanistic and atheistic attempt to replace God with human rule.
It is based, in part, on zealous jealousy and envy of one class against another.
It is based, in part, on creating strife and contention between those classes.
Wherever these are present, there is confusion, commotion, tumult, dissension, sedition, etc.
Wherever these are present, there appears to be an abundance of "evil" works.
So are these aspects of "
commotion", "
tumult", etc., the opposite, or antithesis, of "
peace" (in a Biblical sense).
27. Proverbs
Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
γλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]
Finally, there is an interesting verse in Proverbs 26:28 where the
LXX appears to have a different content than the
KJV (King James Version) which is based on the Hebrew. This may be the result of an idiom but it is still interesting.
28. Proverbs 26:28
KJV: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Hebrew: לשון שקר ישנא דכיו ופה חלק יעשה מדחה׃
Greek: γλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας
Latin: lingua fallax non amat veritatem et os lubricum operatur ruinas
29. First part
Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
γλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]
Both parts of the verse in the
KJV vary from the
LXX.
The first part reads as follows: "
A lying tongue hates the truthful mouth" with the contrast between "
false" and "
true" and between "
tongue" and "
mouth".
The modern Greek word "ψευδής" (psev-THEES) ≈ "false"from which we get the English prefix "pseudo".
The modern Greek word "αληθής" (a-lee-THEES) ≈ "truth".
The modern Greek word "γλώσσα" (GHLOS-sa) ≈ "tongue, language" from which we get the English words "glossary", "gloss".
30. Latin
31. A peace of the mouth of the sword
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. [kjv]
και εχων εν τη δεξια χειρι αυτου αστερας επτα και εκ του στοματος αυτου ρομφαια διστομος οξεια εκπορευομενη και η οψις αυτου ως ο ηλιος φαινει εν τη δυναμει αυτου [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"στόμα" ≈ "mouth" and could mean the "
face", source of a body of water, opening in the earth, the front opening of something, etc. An interesting idiom in the Greek is that of letting the "
mouth of the sword" do the talking. This might be similar to saying "
let my sword do the talking".
The "
sword" here is, literally, a "
two"
"mouth" "
sword".
32. Second part
Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. [kjv]
γλωσσα ψευδης μισει αληθειαν στομα δε αστεγον ποιει ακαταστασιας [lxx]
The second part of the
LXX appears to say the following.
"but the poor/homeless make commotions/tumults".
This could be an idiom as the
KJV from the Hebrew is not clear here.
The verse may be an idiom of the form of "
a mouth without a roof makes instability".
33. Roofs
34. End of page