John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision;

Spoken to
audience

His audience tells him he is crazy for saying someone is trying to kill him.  Then he mentions a "wonder" he worked but the wonder, curing a man on the Sabbath, is only mentioned later.

KJV

John 7:22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

NIV

John 7:22 Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath.

LISTENERS HEARD

Through this [the law], Moses has given you circumcision--not because it is from that Moses instead it is from the patriarchs--and on the Sabbath, you cut off a man.

MY TAKE

It hurts to be cut off at any time.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

This discussion of circumcision seems to come out of nowhere. But it is connected to the whole discussion including Jesus's accusation that the Jews are planning to destroy him. the introduction "through this" seems to refer to John 7:19 where Christ refers to Moses giving the Jews the law. Jesus clarifies that he understands that circumcision started with Abraham. The central pun of this verse is the two meanings of the Greek verb for "circumcise." The verb also means "to cut off someone and surround him." Jesus is using circumcision as an example of something his challengers did on the Sabbath, surrounding him and cutting him off. The "a man" is the punchline, where he probably indicated himself.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "therefore" should be something more like "because of this."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "gave" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has given."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" before "Moses" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "Moses" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" before "the fathers" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "sabbath" doesn't exist in the source.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
11
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "yet" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "because" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of this" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "see" is the past tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has given."gave."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "through" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "actually" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb  "did" is the past tense, but Greek is in the present "do."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "come" should be something more like "is."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "this" before "Moses" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "sabbath" doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

Moses -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun.

therefore -- (WW) This is from two Greek words that literally mean "because of this." The preposition means with the accusative, for people, "thanks to," for things, "because of,"  "by reasons of," and "for the sake of." The word translated as "this" means "from here" "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there."

gave -- (WT) The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The tense is the past perfect, not the simple past.

unto  -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. 

circumcision; "Circumcision" is a noun that means a "circular incisions", "circumcision," and "section" [of a machine]. Literally, it means "a cut around."

(not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

because -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

is  -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."

of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

missing "this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Moses, -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun. Here it is genitive, matching the definite article.

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."

of --- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

the -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

fathers;) -- "Fathers" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.

and  -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.

sabbath day -- The word translated as the "Sabbath day" is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest." 

circumcise  - "Circumcise" is the verb that means "to cut or clip round about", "to cut up", "to circumcise," and "to cut off and hem in all around." This is the verb form of the earlier verse. 

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

man. -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."

EACH WORD of NIV

Yet, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "yet" in the Greek source.

because -- (CW) --  The preposition translated as "because" means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," or "by (a cause)." It indicates movement through a place or time, but it also means "by" the sense of "by means of" a given method. With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of,"  "by reasons of," and "for the sake of." It is not the common word that means because, which is used below.

missing "of this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It often stands apart from its noun, acting like a pronoun, "this one here" or "this here." It is a genitive, "of this."

Moses -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun.

gave -- (WT) The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." The tense is the past perfect, not the simple past.

you  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. 

circumcision; "Circumcision" is a noun that means a "circular incisions", "circumcision," and "section" [of a machine]. Literally, it means "a cut around."

(though -- (CW) The word translated as "though" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

actually -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "actually" in the Greek source.

it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

did -- (WT) This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek The verb, however, is not the past tense, but the present.

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

come -- (WW) The verb "come" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It is not the word from "come."

from --  The Greek preposition translated as "from" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

missing "this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Moses, -- "Moses" is from the Greek spelling of the name for the author of the first five books of the OT. Unlike most Hebrew names, Jesus sometimes adds Greek ending to it in the form of a first-declension Greek noun. Here it is genitive, matching the definite article.

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."

from --- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

the -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by"based upon its context. However, in Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases that are translated into English "of" phrases.

patriarchs;) -- "Fathers" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.

circumcise  - "Circumcise" is the verb that means "to cut or clip round about", "to cut up", "to circumcise," and "to cut off and hem in all around." This is the verb form of the earlier verse. 

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

boy . -- (WW) The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." This is not a word for "boy."

on -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the one here.  With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.

Sabbath -- The word translated as the "Sabbath " is the Greek version of the Hebrew word "shabbat" meaning "rest" or "day of rest."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

διὰ  [88 verses](prep) "Therefore" is dia which means with the genitive "through," "in the midst of," "in a line (movement)," "throughout (time)," "by (causal)," "for (causal)," "among," and "between." With the accusative, it can also be "thanks to," "because of,"  "by reasons of," and "for the sake of."

τοῦτο [93 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Therefore" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] there," or "that [person] here."

Μωυσῆς [18 verses](Hebrew Name) "Moses" is Moyses, which means "Moses."

δέδωκεν [147 verses] (3rd sg perf ind act) "Gave" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg masc nom)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

περιτομήν, [2 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Circumcision" is from peritome, which means a "circular incisions", "circumcision," and "section" [of a machine].

οὐχ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 6) cause, instrument, or means "by."

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

Μωυσέως [18 verses](Hebrew Name) "Moses" is Moyses, which means "Moses."

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."

ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 6) cause, instrument, or means "by."

τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  

πατέρων, — [191 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Fathers" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

[ἐν] [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." 

σαββάτῳ [17 verses](noun pl neut dat)   "On the sabbath days" is from sabbaton, which means "Sabbath," "seven days of week," and "first day of week."

περιτέμνετε [1 verse](2nd pl pres ind act) "Circumcise" is from peritemno, which means "to cut or clip round about", "to cut up", "to circumcise," and "to cut off and hem in all around." This is the verb form of the earlier verse. 

ἄνθρωπον. [209 verses](noun sg masc acc) "a man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.

Wordplay

 A play on the two meanings of the Greek word for circumcision. 

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