The Italicized Words
Inspired or Not?
Q: Were the italicized words in the original Hebrew and Greek, and if not are they inspired?
A: Please
consider the following notes:
The Italicized Words are Inspired
1. Italicized words are used when there is no equivalent Hebrew or Greek
word in the text for the English word but the English word must be used
in order to say the same thing which is said in the Hebrew of Greek. Word
for word translation is not possible because:
a. Some Hebrew and Greek words must be translated with 2
or more English words
b. Sometimes 2 or more Hebrew or Greek words may be correctly
translated with only one English word
c. Words may need to be included in order to maintain correct
grammar
d. Words or phrases may have an understood meaning in Hebrew
or Greek which cannot be correctly understood in a word for word translation
e. English idioms or phraseology may be required to correctly
translate from Hebrew or Greek
f. Syntax, grammatical structure and word order are often
very different from one language to another
2. A number of Old Testament italicized words are quoted in the New Testament
without the italics. This demonstrates the confidence that God places
in the italicized words. When He quotes Himself in the New Testament,
these words are not italicized. If God treats the italicized words as
scripture, then so should we.
a. Compare Exodus 3:6 (am) with Matthew 22:32
b. Compare Deuteronomy 8:3 (word) with Matthew 4:4
c. Compare Deuteronomy 30:14 (is) with Romans 10:8
d. Compare Psalm 16:8 (he is) with Acts 2:25
e. Compare Psalm 82:6 (are) with John 10:34
f. Compare Psalm 118:22 (which) with Matthew 21:42
g. Compare Psalm 118:23 (is) with Matthew 21:42
3. Conclusions concerning italicized words
a. They are absolutely necessary for proper understanding
in the English text
b. They are divinely placed and are therefore as much a
part of the inspired text as the words which are not italicized
c. Italicized words are quoted by Christ (Matt.21:42; 22:32;
etc.), Peter (Acts 2:25) and Paul (Rom.10:8)
d. Italicized words are sometimes critical to the correct
doctrinal understanding of the passage (Matt.4:4; 22:32)
e. Italicized words demonstrate the following:
(1) The absolute honest of the KJB translators
(2) The feel of the original languages
f. Italicized words are also the inspired words
of God
I hope this helps,
Pastor David Reagan
For More Information See:
King James Bible - Is it Perfect?
The King James Bible - Inspired or Preserved
Open the Bible Question Form to send your own question.
Copyright © 2003
Antioch Baptist Church Knoxville, Tennessee