Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary

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Living by YHWH's Faithfulness And Our Response of Faithfulness

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"4 But the righteous person by his faithfulness will live" (DLT: torahtimes.org, Hab. 2:4b).

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comment: וצדיק באמונתו יחיה. cf. LXX: ο δε δικαιος εκ πιστεως μου ζησεται.

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faithfulness : אמונה. HALOT, "2. faithfulness ...4 faithfulness Ho 2,22"; BDB, "3. faithfulness "; (cf. Greek πιστεως, BDAG 3rd edition, "1a. faithfulness, ...fidelity, commitment ). "Or 'loyalty'; or 'integrity.' The Hebrew word אמונה ('emunah) has traditionally been translated 'faith,' but the term nowhere else refers to 'belief' as such.  When used of human character and conduct it carries the notion of 'honesty, integrity, reliability, faithfulness.' ...The suffix [ו, his or His] has been understood in different ways.  It could refer to God's faithfulness ...(the original form of the LXX has 'my faithfulness' here)" (NET Bible footnote: bible.org).

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comment: The whole key to this text lies in the interpretation of the suffix ו on the end of אנונתו.  Should it be "His faithfulness" or "his faithfulness"?  The Septuagint clearly sided with the first sense since it has "My faithfulness".

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comment: The reason that translators have been so reluctant to render this verse accurately is that it is the foundational key to Pauline Theology.  Yet, the correct rendition of "faithfulness" keeps popping up on the footnotes of Bibles and commentaries.  Elsewhere it is rendered accurately, Hosea 2:20 "I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD" (KJV, cf. RSV, NRS, YLT, NET, RVA fidelidad, LSG fidelite).   

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comment:  For Paul this text was taken two ways.  First and foremost he referred ו to the "faithfulness of Messiah".   In this sense, he took it as "My faithfulness" (as in the LXX) or "His faithfulness" applying the "His" as a reference to God.  And most specifically, Paul applied it to the "faithfulness of Messiah" in respect to his obedient work on the cross to make payment for the iniquities of Israel. (cf. πιστεως Χριστου, Gal. 2:16 etc).   Because of "His faithfulness" to make payment, we are granted new life through God's pardon—His forgiveness (cf. יחיה will live).

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comment: In the second sense, also understood and taught by Paul, the sufix  ו refers to "his faithfulness", which is to say the personal commitment of the believer.  Paul expresses this in Romans 1:17, "For in it the justice of God is revealed from faithfulness to faithfulness".  The first use of the term faithfulness is in that sense above in comment3.  The second sense of believer "faithfulness" is in the second usage.  God's faithfulness is supposed to result in a faithful response.  If the person does not respond and commit himself to God, then the gospel is not complete. For Yeshua did not say "believe only".  He said repent and faithfully trust the good news" (torahtimes.org)

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Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary: (http://www.torahtimes.org/translation/hab0204.html)

 

 

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