Translation Inaccuracies
in the 2005 TNIV Old Testament:
An Updated Categorized List of 2,776 Examples

We have included here a list of 3,686 translation inaccuracies in the TNIV which you can check for yourself (2,776 in the Old Testament and 910 in the New Testament). There is also a chart at the end with a summary of inaccuracies by category.

Gender-Related Translation Inaccuracies
in the 2005 TNIV Old Testament:
A Categorized List of 2,776 Examples

Note: This list of translation inaccuracies has been based on the 2005 edition of Today's New International Version, in comparison with the 1984 edition of the New International Version. The changes here involve the removal of five words: "father," "brother," "man," "son," and "he/him/his."

In every case listed, the 1984 NIV had translated the gender-related term accurately, but it was removed and replaced with an inaccurate gender-neutral word or phrase in the 2005 TNIV. It seems to us that every example in this list eliminates masculine meaning or nuance that is present in the original Hebrew text, and also that the changes frequently go beyond the legitimate bounds of ordinary, well established meanings for the common Hebrew words being translated. These 2,776 examples therefore seem to us to be "translation inaccuracies" that were included in the TNIV for the sake of producing a more "gender neutral" or "inclusive language" version of the Bible. Such rewording may seem more acceptable in today's secular culture, but it is not a more accurate way of translating the Word of God. There is a wrongful removal of male-oriented meaning in over 2,700 places in the Old Testament. (See below for a similar list of 910 inaccuracies in the TNIV New Testament.)

A complete tally of the number of errors by category is found at the end of this list.

This list was prepared under the general oversight of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and has been compared for accuracy against the Hebrew Old Testament. In the event that readers may find any corrections or additions that should be made to this list, we would welcome your input sent to: office@cbmw.org.

A. Changes Made from Singular to Plural (and a Few Related Changes) to Avoid the Use of “He/Him/ His”

1. Changing 3rd person singular “he/him/his/himself” to 3rd person plural (“they/them/their/themselves”) (857 inaccuracies)

Comment: There is no question that the Hebrew pronouns and verbs in these verses are singular. The Hebrew text of the Old Testament has not changed. But the TNIV has translated over 2,000 singulars as plurals, just to avoid using the offensive words "he/him/his." (Categories 1-6 and category 19 on this list all show changes from singulars to plurals). The result is a significant reduction in the Bible's emphasis on individual relationship with God and individual responsibility before God.

Examples:

Psalm 1:3
NIV: He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

TNIV: They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Jeremiah 31:34
NIV: No longer will a man (’ish) teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD.

TNIV: No longer will they teach their neighbors, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD.

Complete List:
Gen. 1:27, 5:1, 6:3 (x2), 9:6; Exod. 13:14, 21:15, 21:21 (x2), 25:2; Lev. 17:4 (x2), 17:9, 19:8, 19:13, 19:33, 19:34, 24:15, 25:13, 25:15, 25:26 (x2), 25:27 (5x), 25:28 (x3), 27:10 (x2), 27:29; Num. 5:10, 9:13, 11:10, 12:6 (x2), 15:31, 19:19 (3x), 19:20, 24:20, 32:18; Deut. 10:18, 13:8 (x4), 13:9 (x2), 13:10 (x2), 14:21, 15:2 (x3), 15:8 (x2), 15:12 (x2), 28:44 (x3), 29:19, 29:20 (x3), 29:21; Josh. 2:19 (x4); 1 Kgs. 8:42; 1 Chron. 16:43; Ezra 1:3 (x3), 1:4, 2:1, 6:11 (x3, Aramaic); Neh. 5:13, 11:3, 11:20; Esther 4:11 (x2); Job 3:19, 4:17, 7:1, 7:10 (x4), 7:17 (x2), 7:18 (x2), 8:14 (x2), 8:15 (x2), 8:16, 9:3, 14:2 (x2), 14:5 (x2), 14:10, 14:14, 14:20 (x4), 14:21 (x3), 14:22 (x3), 15:2, 15:14 (x2), 15:21 (x2), 15:22 (x2), 15:23 (x2), 15:24 (x2), 15:25 (x3), 15:27, 15:28, 15:29 (x2), 15:30 (x3), 15:31 (x2), 15:32 (x3), 15:33, 17:5, 21:19 (x3), 21:20 (x3), 21:30, 21:31 (x4), 21:32, 21:33 (x3), 27:8 (x2), 27:9 (x2), 27:10 (x2), 27:23 (x2), 28:3, 28:4 (x2), 28:10 (x2), 28:11, 29:12, 30:24 (x2), 31:20 (x2), 31:29, 31:30, 33:18 (x2 – in one case nephesh “his soul” > “them”), 33:19, 33:20 (x2), 33:21 (x2), 33:22 (x2 – in one case nephesh “his soul” > “they”), 33:23, 33:24 (x2), 33:25 (x2), 33:26 (x2), 33:27, 33:30 (nephesh “his soul” > “them”), 34:11 (x2), 37:7, 40:11, 40:12; Ps. 1:3 (x2), 7:14, 7:15 (x2), 7:16 (x4), 8:4 (x2), 8:5 (x2), 8:6 (x2), 10:3 (x3), 10:4 (x2), 10:5 (x4), 10:6 (x2), 10:7 (x2), 10:8 (x2), 10:9 (x4), 10:11, 10:13 (x2), 10:15, 12:2, 15:2, 15:3 (x2), 15:5, 24:5 (x2), 25:12, 32:2, 32:6, 34:19, 34:20, 36:1, 36:2 (x4), 36:3 (x2), 36:4 (x3), 37:24 (x2), 37:30, 37:31 (x3), 37:36 (x3), 40:4, 41:1, 41:2 (x3), 41:3 (x3), 41:6 (x4), 49:12, 49:16, 49:17 (x4), 49:18 (x3), 49:19 (x2), 50:18, 50:23, 53:1, 55:12, 64:4, 91:14 (x3), 91:15 (x5), 91:16 (x2), 94:13, 101:5, 101:6, 103:15 (x2), 104:23 (x2), 107:43, 109:31, 112:2, 112:2, 112:3 (x2), 112:3 (x2), 112:5 (x2), 112:6, 112:7, 112:8 (x4), 112:9 (x3), 112:10 (x2), 126:6 (x2), 129:7 (x2), 137:8, 137:9, 144:3 (x2), 144:4, 146:5 (x2); Prov. 3:31, 5:22 (x3), 5:23 (x2), 6:13 (x3), 6:14 (x2), 6:15 (x2), 9:8 (x2), 9:9 (x2), 10:1, 10:19, 10:24, 10:26, 11:9, 11:12, 11:17 (2x), 11:19, 11:27, 11:28, 11:29, 12:8, 12:10, 12:11, 12:14, 12:15, 12:16, 12:27, 13:3 (x2), 13:8, 13:24 (x3), 14:14, 14:15, 14:21 (x2), 14:26, 15:12, 15:20, 15:27, 15:32, 16:2, 16:7 (x2), 16:9 (2x), 16:17 (x2), 16:23 (x2), 16:26 (x3), 16:27, 16:29 (x2), 16:30 (x2), 17:11, 17:25 (x2), 17:28 (x2), 18:2, 18:6, 18:7 (x3), 18:20 (2x), 19:3 (x2), 19:4, 19:7 (x3), 19:8, 19:15 (x2), 19:17 (x2), 19:18, 19:24 (x2), 19:25, 20:2, 20:7 (x2), 20:11 (x2), 20:24, 21:2, 21:10 (x2), 21:11, 21:13, 21:23 (x3), 21:24, 21:25 (x2), 21:26, 21:29, 22:5, 22:6 (x3), 22:8, 22:9 (x3), 22:11, 22:16, 22:25, 22:29 (x3), 23:9, 23:13 (x2), 23:14 (x2), 24:7, 24:12, 24:15, 24:16, 24:17, 24:18, 24:29 (x3), 26:4 (x2), 26:5 (x3), 26:11, 26:12 (x2), 26:15 (x3), 26:16, 26:17, 26:24 (x4), 26:25 (x3), 26:26, 26:27 (x2), 27:18, 27:21, 27:22 (x2), 28:7, 28:10, 28:11 (x2), 28:13, 28:14, 28:17, 28:19 (x2), 28:22, 28:24, 28:26, 28:27, 29:4, 29:5 (x2), 29:11, 29:15, 29:17 (x2), 29:19, 29:20, 29:24 (x2), 30:10 (x2); Eccl. 1:3 (x2), 2:14, 2:19, 2:21 (x2), 2:22, 2:23 (x3), 2:24, 3:9, 3:13, 3:22 (x4), 4:4, 4:5, 4:10 (x3), 5:11, 5:12 (x2), 5:14 (x2), 5:15 (x7), 5:16 (x3), 5:17 (x2), 5:18 (x3), 5:19 (x3), 5:20 (x2), 6:2 (x2), 6:12 (x2), 7:15 (x2), 8:15, 8:17, 9:12, 10:3, 10:12, 10:13, 10:14 (x2), 10:15 (x2), 10:15, 11:8 (x3), 12:5; Isa. 2:22 (x2), 9:19 (x2), 9:20, 13:14 (x2), 17:5, 19:14, 25:4, 28:4, 28:24 (x2), 28:25 (x3), 28:26 (x3), 29:8 (x3), 29:11, 29:12, 32:6 (x2), 32:7, 32:8, 33:15 (x3), 33:16 (x2), 36:16 (x2), 40:20, 41:24, 44:5, 44:7 (x3), 44:11, 44:20 (x3), 45:9, 46:7 (x2), 50:8, 50:10 (x2), 55:7 (x3), 56:2, 56:3, 56:11, 57:17 (x3), 57:18 (x4), 58:5, 58:7, 65:20; Jer. 6:3, 8:4, 8:6, 9:8 (x4), 9:23 (x3), 10:14, 10:23 (x2), 16:12, 17:5, 17:6 (x3), 17:8, 17:10 (x2), 17:11 (x3), 21:9 (x2), 23:14, 23:24, 31:30 (x2), 31:34, 32:19 (x2), 34:9, 34:14 (x2), 36:3, 36:7, 38:2 (x3), 48:10 (x3), 50:16 (x2), 50:17 (x2), 50:19 (x3), 51:17; Lam. 3:27, 3:28 (x2), 3:29 (x2), 3:30 (x3), 3:39; Ezek. 3:18 (x5), 3:19 (x5), 3:20 (x8), 3:21 (x3), 7:13, 14:7 (x3), 18:20 (x2), 18:21 (x3), 18:22 (x4), 18:24 (x6), 18:26 (x4), 18:27 (x3), 18:28 (x4), 33:5 (x5), 33:8 (x4), 33:9 (x4), 33:12, 33:13 (x6), 33:14 (x2), 33:15 (x3), 33:16 (x4), 33:18 (x2), 33:19 (x2), 34:12 (x2), 47:23 (x2); Hos. 12:7; Amos 2:9 (x3) ; Mic. 2:2 (x2), 2:11, 5:5, 5:6; Hab. 2:4, 2:18 (x2); Zech. 1:21, 11:6 (x2), 13:3 (x5), 13:4, 13:6 10

1a. Instances involving the singular Hebrew noun nephesh, which is grammatically feminine in form and therefore in some instances is accompanied by feminine verbs and pronouns. At other times the sentence reverts to masculine verbs and pronouns indicating that a representative male person is in view. In both cases the TNIV inappropriately changes singulars to plurals. (18 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Leviticus 23:29
NIV: Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off from his people.

TNIV: Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people.

Numbers 19:20
NIV: But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he must be cut off from the community, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on him, and he is unclean.

TNIV: But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and
they are unclean.

Complete List:
Exod. 31:14; Lev. 17:10 (x2), 23:29 (x2), 23:30; Num. 15:31 (x3), 19:20 (x4); Ps. 25:13 (x2), 49:18 (x3)
1b. Changing other words from singular to plural (If a verse listed here also appears in another list, this list only counts those examples in the verse which were not counted when the same verse was listed in the other category.) (291 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Proverbs 12:15
NIV: The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

TNIV: The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Ecclesiastes 2:14
NIV: The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

TNIV: The wise have eyes in their heads, while fools walk in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Complete List:
Exod. 4:11 (x2); Lev. 7:20, 19:13, 19:33, 19:34, 27:29; Num. 12:6, 19:19 (x2), 19:20 (’ish “a person” >”those”); Deut. 10:18, 14:21, 29:19, 29:20; Josh. 2:19 (x2); Ezra 2:1; Neh. 5:13; Job 3:19, 4:17 (’enosh “man” > “human beings”), 7:1, 7:10, 9:3, 14:2, 14:22, 15:2 (x2), 15:14, 15:25, 17:5, 21:30, 28:3, 30:24, 31:29, 33:19, 33:20, 33:22, 33:23, 33:27 (x2), 33:28 (x2), 40:11, 40:12; Ps. 7:16, 8:6, 10:3, 10:6, 10:7 (x2), 10:9, 10:13, 10:15 (x2), 15:2 (x2), 15:3 (x2), 15:5, 32:2, 34:19, 37:30 (x3), 37:31, 41:1, 84:12, 119:9; Prov. 8:36 (x2), 11:8, 11:13 (x2), 11:18 (x2), 11:19 (x2), 11:26 (x2), 11:28, 11:29, 11:30, 12:2 (x2), 12:13 (x2), 12:15 (x2), 12:16 (x2), 12:23, 12:27, 13:3 (x3), 13:8 (x3), 13:16 (x2), 14:2, 14:29 (x2), 16:13, 16:20 (x2), 16:23 (x3), 16:30 (x2), 16:32 (x2), 17:11, 17:16, 17:23 (x2), 17:27 (x2), 18:2, 18:6, 18:7 (x3), 18:23 (x2), 19:1, 19:8 (x3), 19:15, 19:16 (x3), 19:17, 19:24 (x3), 19:25, 20:2 (x2), 20:4 (x2), 20:11, 21:10 (x2), 21:13, 21:20, 21:23 (x3), 21:25, 22:3, 22:5, 22:6, 22:8, 22:24 (x2), 23:9, 23:13, 24:7, 24:16, 25:26, 26:4, 26:5, 26:11, 26:15 (x3), 26:16, 26:24 (x2), 27:22, 28:6 (x2), 28:7 (x2), 28:10, 28:11, 28:13 (x2), 28:14 (x3), 28:19 (x2), 28:25 (x2), 28:26 (x3), 28:27 (x2), 29:5 (x3 – in one case geber “whoever” > “those who”), 29:6 (x2), 29:11 (x2), 29:15 (x2), 29:18, 29:24 (x3); Eccl. 2:14 (x3), 3:9, 4:5 (x2), 5:11, 5:12 (x2), 6:2, 6:8 (x3), 10:3 (x2), 10:12 (x2), 10:14; Isa. 19:14, 28:24, 31:3 (x2), 32:6 (x2), 32:7, 32:8 (x2), 33:15 (x2), 40:20, 45:9, 45:10, 50:8, 56:3, 66:2 (x2); Jer. 9:8 (x2), 9:24, 17:5, 17:11 (x3), 23:28 (x3), 48:10 (x2); Lam. 3:29, 3:30, 3:39; Ezek. 6:12 (x3), 18:21, 18:24 (x2), 18:26, 18:27, 20:11, 20:13, 33:5, 33:8 (x2), 33:9, 33:13, 33:14, 33:18, 33:19, 34:12 (x2), 47:23; Hos. 12:7; Amos 2:9, 5:11, 5:13; Mic. 2:11 (x3), 5:5, 5:6; Zech. 1:21, 8:10, 11:6, 13:3

2. Changing “he/him/his” to “they” used with singular English antecedent

Comment: These changes produce sentences where it is unclear whether a singular or plural is intended. The sentences use "they" in a socalled "singular" sense, which is often heard in ordinary conversation but widely criticized by English style manuals (the AP Style Manual, the American Heritage Dictionary, Strunk and White, William Zinsser) as something inappropriate for written English. But whatever people choose to do with their own compositions today, it is still inappropriate to translate these third person masculine singular pronouns and verbs in the Bible with "they" rather than "he," because "he" best translates what the Hebrew text actually says. (474 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Numbers 6:9
NIV: If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day.

TNIV: If someone dies suddenly in the Nazirite's presence, thus defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, they must shave their head on the seventh day—the day of their cleansing.

Deuteronomy 23:15-16
NIV: If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. Let him live among you wherever he likes and in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him.

TNIV: If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master. Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them.

Complete List:
Exod. 16:16, 16:18, 19:13 (x3), 21:13, 21:17, 21:20, 21:21 (x2), 22:3 (x3), 22:4 (x2), 22:5, 30:33, 30:38, 33:10, 35:21; Lev. 4:27, 4:28 (x4), 4:29 (x2), 4:31 (x3), 4:32 (x3), 4:33 (x2), 4:35 (x4), 5:3 (x5), 5:4 (x3), 5:5 (x2), 5:6 (x4), 5:7 (x3), 5:8, 5:10 (x3), 5:11 (x4), 5:12, 5:13 (x3), 5:16 (x4), 5:18 (x4), 5:19, 6:3 (x2), 6:4 (x5), 6:5 (x4), 6:6 (x2), 6:7 (x3), 7:12 (x2), 7:13 (x2), 7:14, 7:15 (x2), 7:16 (x2), 7:29, 7:30 (x2), 11:25 (x2), 11:28 (x2), 11:40 (x4), 13:2 (x2), 13:3 (x2), 13:5 (x2), 13:6 (x5), 13:7 (x3), 13:8, 13:9, 13:11 (x3), 13:13 (x2), 13:14 (x2), 13:15 (x2), 13:16, 13:17 (x2), 13:18, 13:19, 13:20, 13:21, 13:22, 13:23, 13:24, 13:25, 13:26, 13:27 (x2), 13:28, 13:33, 13:34 (x3), 13:35 (x4), 13:36, 13:37 (x2), 13:45, 13:46 (x3), 14:2 (x2), 14:7, 14:8 (x6), 14:9 (x11), 14:10, 14:14 (x2), 14:17 (x2), 14:18, 14:19, 14:20 (x2), 14:21 (x3), 14:22, 14:23 (x2), 14:25 (x2), 14:28 (x2), 14:29, 14:32, 14:47, 15:5 (x2), 15:6 (x2), 15:7 (x2), 15:8 (x2), 15:10 (x2), 15:11 (x2), 15:21 (x2), 15:22 (x3), 15:27 (x3), 17:15 (x3), 17:16 (x3), 19:17, 20:9 (x5), 24:15, 24:16 (x3), 25:25 (x3), 25:35 (x3), 25:36, 25:37, 25:39, 25:40 (x2), 25:41 (x5), 25:48 (x5), 25:49 (x5), 25:50 (x5), 25:51 (x3), 25:52 (x2), 25:53 (x2), 25:54 (x3), 27:14, 27:15 (x3), 27:16, 27:17, 27:19 (x2), 27:20 (x2), 27:22 (x2); Num. 1:52 (x2), 2:2, 2:17, 2:34, 5:7 (x3), 6:3 (x2), 6:4 (x2), 6:5 (x4), 6:6, 6:7 (x5), 6:8 (x2), 6:9 (x4), 6:10, 6:11 (x3), 6:12 (x4), 6:13, 6:14 (x2), 6:18 (x2), 6:19, 6:21 (x4), 15:14, 15:28 (x2), 19:12 (x6), 19:13 (x5), 19:19 (x3), 21:9, 35:20 (x2), 35:21, 35:22, 35:23 (x2), 35:25; Deut. 4:42 (x3), 12:8, 15:2 (x2), 15:9 (x2), 15:10, 15:13 (x2), 15:14 (x2), 18:10, 19:15, 21:22, 22:3, 23:7, 23:15, 23:16 (x4), 24:15 (x3), 25:2 (x2), 27:16, 27:17; Josh. 20:4 (x5), 20:5 (x3), 20:6 (x5), 24:28; Jdg. 2:6, 17:6; 1 Sam. 2:25; 2 Sam. 14:10 (x2), 15:4; 1 Kgs. 4:25, 8:31 (x2), 8:32 (x3), 8:38 (x2), 8:39 (x2); 2 Kgs. 23:10; 2 Chron. 6:22 (x2), 6:23 (x3), 6:29 (x2), 6:30 (x2), 30:19 (x2), 36:23 (x3); Prov. 11:28, 12:16, 28:9, 29:20; Jer. 12:15 (x2);Ezek. 3:27 (x2), 7:16, 14:4 (x4), 14:7 (x4), 14:8 (x2), 33:4 (x3), 33:6 (x2), 46:18; Hos. 14:9 (x2); Mic. 4:4 (x2)

2a. Instances involving the singular Heb. noun nephesh, which is grammatically feminine in form and therefore in some instances is accompanied by feminine verbs and pronouns. At other times the sentence reverts to masculine verbs and pronouns indicating that a representative male person is in view. In both cases the TNIV inappropriately changes singulars to plurals. (This is similar to category 1a above, except here the TNIV has used "they" with a singular antecedent in English, and in category 1a the antecedent was plural.) (27 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Leviticus 5:1
NIV: If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.

TNIV: If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.

Numbers 9:13
NIV: But if a man who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, that person must be cut off from his people because he did not present the LORD's offering at the appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.

TNIV: But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the LORD's offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.

Complete List:
Lev. 5:1 (x4), 5:2 (x2), 5:15, 5:17 (x2), 6:2 (x2), 7:20, 7:21, 7:25, 7:27, 19:8 (x2), 20:6 (x3); Num. 9:13 (x2), 15:30, 19:20 (x4)

3. Changing the 3rd person singular pronoun “he/ him/his/himself” to second person “you/your/yours /yourself” (64 inaccuracies)

Comment: There is no question that the Hebrew pronouns and verbs are third person masculine singular ("he"). But here the TNIV has changed "he" to "you," which does not accurately represent what the Hebrew text says. In a number of cases the focus is changed from a general case "out there" (using "he") to a specific address to the readers or hearers ("you"), and thus the meaning is changed to something that God did not say. In these verses the TNIV is not translating with the nearest English equivalent but is trying to translate while avoiding the "taboo" words "he/him/his," and an inaccurate translation is the result.

Examples:

Deuteronomy 24:16
NIV: Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.

TNIV: Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each of you will die for your own sin.

Complete List:
Exod. 12:22; Lev. 1:3 (x2), 1:4 (x4), 1:5, 1:6, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 2:1 (x2), 3:1 (x2), 3:2 (x3), 3:3, 3:4, 3:6 (x2), 3:7 (x2), 3:8, 3:9, 3:10, 3:12 (x2), 3:13, 3:14 (x2), 3:15, 19:3, 25:10 (x2); Deut. 24:16; 2 Sam. 20:1; 1 Kgs. 22:36 (x2); 2 Kgs. 14:6 (x2), 18:31 (x2); 2 Chron. 25:4; Ps. 52:6, 54:7; Prov. 5:21, 20:20 (x2); Ecc. 7:14 (changes “a man” to “you”); Isa. 29:16 (x2); Jer. 34:15; Ezek. 18:30, 33:20; Mic. 3:5 (x2), 7:6; Zech. 3:10

4. Changing the 3rd person singular “he/him/his/ himself” to “we/our/ourselves” (8 inaccuracies)

Comment: As in category 3, there is no question that the Hebrew pronouns and verbs are third person masculine singular ("he"). But here the TNIV has changed "he" to "we/our/ourselves," which does not accurately represent what the Hebrew text says. In a number of cases the focus is changed from a general case "out there" (using "he") to a specific statement about the writer and his hearers ("we"), and thus the meaning is changed to something that God did not say. As in category 3, in these verses also the TNIV is not translating with the nearest English equivalent but is trying to translate while avoiding the "taboo" words "he/him/his," and an inaccurate translation is the result.

Examples:

Job 14:6
NIV: So look away from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired man.

TNIV: So look away from us and leave us alone, till we have put in our time like hired laborers.

Complete List:
Neh. 4:15; Job 14:6 (x4); Is. 53:6; Jer. 18:12, 51:9

5. Changing whoever/anyone/one/everyone (singular) to “those” or “those who” (plural) (13 inaccuracies)

Comment: This is another example of the TNIV changing singulars to plurals just to avoid the word "he/him/ his," again changing the emphasis in these verses from individual persons to groups that are responsible to God and that relate to God.

Examples:

Exodus 31:14
NIV: Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.

TNIV: Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their peo-ple.
Ecclesiastes 5:10

NIV: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

TNIV: Those who love money never have enough; those who love wealth are never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Complete List:
Exod. 31:14; Lev. 23:29; Josh. 2:19; Prov. 8:35, 8:36, 14:2, 16:20, 21:23, 28:13, 28:19 (x2); Eccl. 5:10 (x2)

6. Completely removing the 3rd person singular pronoun “he/him/his/himself” (and often rewording the sentence in various other ways) (255 inaccuracies)

Comment: In these verses the words "he/him/his" are simply omitted, and thus part of the meaning that was there in the original text is deleted or changed to something the text did not say.

Examples:

Exodus 21:12
NIV: Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death.

TNIV: Anyone who strikes someone a fatal blow is to be put to death.

1 Samuel 2:25
NIV: If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death.

TNIV: If anyone sins against another human being, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?" His sons, however, did not listen to their father's rebuke, for it was the LORD's will to put them to death.

Psalm 1:2
NIV: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

TNIV: but who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night.

Nahum 2:2-3
NIV: The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines. The shields of his soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet…

TNIV: The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines. The shields of the soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet…

Complete List:
Gen. 6:5 [“the human”], 9:27 [“of Japheth”], 26:31 [removed], 31:32 [“that one”]; Exod. 21:12 [“kills him” > “strikes a fatal blow”], 21:13 [“he does not do it” > “it is not done”], 21:14 [“take him away” > “person is to be taken”], 21:16 [x2 – “sells him” > “has been sold”; “still has him” > “is still in the kidnapper’s possession”], 21:18 [“the victim”], 21:19 [x4 – “a”; “the guilty party”; “any loss”; “the victim”], 21:20 [removed], 21:26 [removed], 21:27 [x2 – “an owner”; removed], 21:30 [x3 – removed; “he may redeem his life” > “the owner’s life may be redeemed”], 21:34 [x2 – removed; “will be his” > “in exchange”], 21:36 [“will be his” > “in exchange”], 22:1 [removed], 22:3 [“the defender”], 22:5 [x2 – “he must make restitution” > “restitution must be made”; “the livestock owner’s”], 22:7 [x2 – “a”; removed], 22:8 [x2 – “the owner of the house”; removed], 22:9 [“his neighbor” > “the other”], 22:10 [“a”], 22:12 [“he must make restitution” > “restitution must be made”], 22:13 [x2 – “the neighbor”; removed], 22:14 [x2 – “a”; “he must make restitution” > “restitution must be made”], 22:21 [removed], 22:25 [removed], 22:26 [removed], 23:3 [“a”], 23:4 [removed], 33:11 [“a”]; Lev. 3:8 [x2 – “he is to lay” > “lay”; “the head of his offering” > “its head”], 3:13 [“he is to lay” > “lay”], 5:7 [x2 – “if he” > “anyone who”; removed], 6:2 [“a”], 6:3 [“if he commits any such sin” > “any such sin that people may commit”], 20:9 [x2 – “he must be” > “is to be”; removed], 22:14 [removed], 24:15 [removed], 24:17 [“he must be” > “is to be”], 24:19 [x3 – “a”; “whatever he has done must be done to him” > “is to be injured in the same manner”], 24:20 [x2 – “As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured” > “The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury”], 25:16 [“what he is really selling you” > “what is really being sold to you”], 25:28 [x2 – removed; “what he sold” > “what was sold”], 25:30 [“the buyer’s”], 27:8 [x2 – “he is to present the person” > “the person being dedicated is to be presented”; removed], 27:13 [“he must add” > “must be added”], 27:17 [“a”], 27:18 [“a”], 27:24 [“he bought” > “was bought”], 27:27 [x2 – “he may buy” > “may be bought”; “he does not redeem” > “is not redeemed”], 27:33 [x2 – “no one”; “anyone”]; Num. 5:8 [“the wrongdoer”], 5:10 [“are his own” > “belong to the donors”], 6:5 [“the Nazarite’s”], 6:6 [“the Nazarite”], 6:9 [“the Nazarite’s”], 6:11 [“the Nazarite”], 6:12 [“period of his separation” > “the same period of dedication”], 6:13 [“the Nazarite”], 6:21 [removed], 9:13 [“because he did not present” > “for not presenting”], 15:4 [“an”], 35:16 [x2 – “so that he dies” > “a fatal blow”; “that person”], 35:17 [x2 – “so that he dies” > “a fatal blow”; “that person”], 35:18 [x2 – “so that he dies” > “a fatal blow”; “that person”], 35:19 [x4 – “the avenger”; “the murderer”; “the avenger”; “the murderer”], 35:21 [x5 – “one person”; “another”; “the other”; “that person”; “he meets him” > “they meet”], 35:23 [x3 – “that other person”; “an”; “he did not intend to harm him” > “no harm was intended”], 35:25 [x2 – “the accused” (both)], 35:27 [“that person”], 35:28 [x2 – “the”; “his own property” > “home”], 35:31 [“a murderer”]; Deut. 4:42 [“a”], 13:2 [“he has spoken” > “spoken of”], 13:5 [“because he preached” > “for inciting”], 15:2 [“another”], 17:7 [“that person”], 18:19 [rearranges entire sentence structure to remove], 18:22 [“do not be afraid of him.” > “no one should be alarmed”], 19:4 [“a”], 19:11 [x3 – “man hates his neighbor” > “out of hate someone”; removed; “a neighbor”], 19:12 [x3 – “elders of his town shall send for him” > “killer shall be sent for by the town elders”; “hand him” > “be handed”], 19:13 [removed], 19:19 [x3 – “the false witness”; “that witness”; “his brother” > “the other party”], 20:8 [“his brothers” > “the others”], 21:1 [“who killed him” > “who the killer was”], 21:23 [x2 – “the”; “it”], 22:2 [“who he is” > “who owns it”], 22:3 [removed], 22:4 [x2 – removed; “the owner”], 23:7 [“he is your brother” > “the Edomites are related to you”], 24:7 [“treats him as a slave or sells him” > “treating or selling that Israelite as a slave”], 24:10 [x2 – “the neighbor’s”; “what he is offering” > “what is offered to you”], 24:12 [“that”], 24:13 [x3 – removed; “your neighbor”; “he will thank you” > “you will be thanked”], 25:2 [“the”], 25:3 [x2 – “the judge”; “the guilty party”], 27:16 [removed], 29:19 [removed], 32:5 [removed (N.B. “him” refers to God)]; Josh. 7:17 [“he took” > “were chosen” (N.B. “he” refers to God)], 8:29 [“the”]; Ruth 4:16 [“laid him in her lap” > “in her arms”]; 1 Sam. 2:25 [“the offender”]; 2 Sam. 1:6 [“almost upon him” > “in hot pursuit”]; 2 Kgs. 3:11 [“whom” (N.B. the wording has been modified)], 11:8 [x2 – removed (both)], 11:11 [x2 – removed (both)]; 2 Chron. 23:7 [x2 – removed (both)]; Job 6:14 [x2 – removed], 9:33 [“a”], 16:21 [“a”], 21:24 [x2 – “in”; removed], 24:14 [removed], 33:26 [“his righteous state” > “full well being”]; Ps. 1:2 [x2 – “who”; removed], 10:10 [“superior”], 10:11 [“the wicked”], 15:3 [“his fellowman” > “others”], 15:5 [removed], 38:13 [“open his mouth” > “speak”], 41:2 [removed], 49:7 [“ransom for him” > “sufficient ransom”], 49:9 [“someone”], 50:23 [x2 – removed (both)], 62:4 [“my”], 81:5 [“God”], 89:48 [“save himself from” > “who can escape”], 101:5 [x2 – removed], 109:6 [“my enemy”]; Prov. 12:27 [“any”], 14:21 [“He who despises his neighbor sins,” > “It is a sin to despise one's neighbor,”], 16:2 [removed], 16:32 [“man who controls his temper” > “those with self control”], 17:12 [“in his folly” > “bent on folly”], 17:13 [“the”], 17:18 [“a”], 18:1 [removed (N.B. the wording has been modified)], 18:16 [“the giver”], 18:17 [x2 – removed (N.B. the wording has been modified); “questions him” > “cross-examines”], 19:3 [x2 – “ruins his life” > “leads to ruin”; “the”], 19:11 [“gives him” > “yields”], 19:13 [“a”], 19:24 [removed], 20:16 [“he does it” > “it is done”], 21:13 [removed], 22:15 [“from him” > “away”], 24:24 [x2 – “curse him… denounce him” > “be cursed…and denounced”], 25:17 [“he will hate you” > “you will be hated”], 25:18 [“a”], 26:14 [“the”], 26:15 [removed], 26:19 [“a”], 27:8 [removed], 27:14 [“a”], 28:24 [removed], 29:21 [x2 – “pampers his servant” > “a servant pampered”; removed (N.B. the wording has been modified)], 29:23 [“a person”], 30:4 [“whose” (N.B. the wording has been modified); “a”], 30:31 [“with his army around him” > “secure against revolt”]; Eccl. 2:19 [“whether he will be a wise man or a fool?” > “whether that person will be wise or foolish?”], 6:2 [“enable him” > “grant the ability”], 6:7 [“the”], 6:10 [“than he” > “someone”], 8:6 [“a man's misery weighs heavily upon him” > “a person may be weighed down by misery”], 8:7 [“tell him” > “say”] 8:16 [“his eyes not seeing sleep” > “people getting no sleep”]; Song 8:7 [“one’s”]; Isa. 7:22 [“he will have” > “there will be”], 9:19 [“his brother” > “each other”], 28:4 [removed], 28:28 [x2 – removed], 29:16 [“the one”], 41:7 [“the other”], 45:9 [“the potter”], 50:9 [removed]; Jer. 31:34 [“a man his brother, saying,” > “say to one another”]; Ezek. 9:1 [removed], 33:12 [x3 – removed (all, but N.B. the wording of the verse has been considerably modified)], 39:15 [removed]; Dan. 7:1 [removed (N.B. Aramaic)]; Amos 3:11 [removed]; Nah. 2:3 [removed (N.B. “his” refers to God)]; Zech. 4:1 [removed], 5:4 [“that”], 8:10 [“his neighbor” > “each other”], 13:5 [“every one of them”], 13:6 [removed]; Mal. 2:16 [“a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment” > “people clothe themselves with injustice”]

7. Completely omitting other words that are represented in Hebrew and translated in the NIV but simply removed from the TNIV (13 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Leviticus 7:27
NIV: If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.

TNIV: Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their
people.

Psalm 55:12
NIV: If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.

TNIV: If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide.

Complete List:
Lev. 7:21 [omit “that person” nephesh], 7:27 [omit “that person” (nephesh)], 17:9 [omit “that man” ’ish], 17:10 [omit “that person” (the verse is rearranged to omit the phrase)]; Num. 15:30 [omit “that person”], 16:14 [“Will you gouge out the eyes of these men?” > “Do you want to treat these men like slaves”]; 1 Sam. 2:21 [“she conceived and gave birth” > “she gave birth”]; Ps. 55:12 [omit “from him”]; Eccl. 4:10 [“his companion” > “they”], 6:10 [omits “than he”]; Isa. 25:10 [“under him” > “in their land”]; Ezek. 5:2 [omit “with fire”]; Nah. 3:13 [“women” > “weaklings”]

B. Changes Made to Avoid the Word “Father”

8. Changing singular ’ab “father” to “parent” or “parents” (19 inaccuracies)

Comment: There are no cases where the singular Hebrew word ’ab means "parent" rather than "father" and Hebrew lexicons define this word in singular as "father," not as "parent" (see Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 3; also Koehler-Baumgartner, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, pp. 1-2). But the TNIV translators in these verses were unwilling to translate the word with the clear, simple English equivalent "father," apparently because in today's culture it is unpopular to use an example of an individual father to teach a general truth that applies to all parents. Even when that is what the Hebrew text does, the TNIV is unwilling to allow English readers today to see it. Rather than translating the word ’ab in these verses the TNIV is avoiding translating it. It is a "taboo" word that must be avoided in these contexts that teach a general truth.

Examples:

Proverbs 13:1
NIV: A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

TNIV: A wise child heeds a parent's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

Proverbs 15:5
NIV: A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

TNIV: A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Complete List:
Josh. 15:13, 19:47, 21:11; Neh. 1:6; Prov. 13:1, 15:5, 17:21, 27:10, 28:7; Isa. 38:19; Jer. 35:6, 35:8, 35:10, 35:14, 35:16, 35:18; Ezek. 18:4, 18:20 (x2)

9. Changing plural ’aboth “fathers” or “forefathers” to “ancestors” (287 inaccuracies)

Comment: The lexicons give "ancestor" as one possible definition (Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 3; also Koehler-Baumgartner, Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 1), but all the specific examples given are men. We have included these verses in this list because they seem to us to fit the general pattern of excluding male nuances in the TNIV, and because the male nuance or connotation of the plural word ’aboth would have been evident to original Hebrew readers (since it is simply the plural of ’ab, "father"), and that connection is clearly seen in the English words "fathers" and "forefathers," but the TNIV has removed that male nuance by consistently using the term "ancestors."

Examples:

Joshua 1:6
NIV: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.

TNIV: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

1 Kings 2:10
NIV: Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.

TNIV: Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.

Daniel 2:23
NIV: I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.

TNIV: I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Complete List:
Gen. 15:15; Exod. 10:6 (x2 parents, ancestors), 13:11; Lev. 25:41, 26:39, 26:40; Num. 11:12, 14:23, 18:1 (ancestral family), 36:4, 36:6, 36:7, 36:8; Deut. 1:11, 1:21, 1:35, 4:1, 4:31, 4:37, 5:3, 6:3, 6:18, 6:23, 7:8, 7:12, 7:13, 8:1, 8:3, 8:16, 8:18, 10:11, 10:15, 11:9, 11:21, 12:1, 13:6, 13:17, 19:8, 26:3, 26:7, 26:15, 27:3, 28:11, 28:36, 28:64, 29:25, 30:5 (x2), 31:7, 31:16, 31:20, 32:17; Josh. 1:6, 4:21 (parents), 5:6, 18:3, 21:43, 21:44, 24:2, 24:14, 24:15; Jdg. 2:1, 2:10, 2:12, 2:17, 2:19, 2:22, 6:13; 1 Sam. 12:15; 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kgs. 1:21, 2:10, 8:34, 8:40, 8:48, 8:57, 11:21, 11:43, 13:22, 14:15, 15:12, 15:24, 16:6, 16:28, 21:3, 21:4, 22:40, 22:50; 2 Kgs. 8:24, 9:28, 10:35, 12:18 (predecessors), 12:21, 13:9, 13:13, 14:16, 14:20, 14:22, 14:29, 15:7 (x2), 15:9, (predecessors), 15:22, 15:38 (x2), 16:20 (x2), 17:13, 17:14, 17:15, 17:41, 19:12, 20:17 (predecessors), 20:21, 21:8, 21:18, 21:22, 22:13 (‘those who have gone before us’), 22:20, 23:32 (predecessors), 23:37 (predecessor), 24:6; 1 Chron. 5:25, 9:19, 12:17, 17:11, 24:19, 29:15; 2 Chron. 6:25, 6:31, 6:38, 7:22, 9:31, 11:16, 12:16, 13:12, 13:18, 14:1, 14:4, 15:12, 16:13, 19:4, 20:6, 20:33, 21:1, 21:10, 21:19 (predecessors), 24:18, 24:24, 25:28, 26:2, 26:23, 27:9, 28:6, 28:9, 28:25, 28:27, 29:5, 29:6, 29:9, 30:7 (x2 parents, ancestors), 30:8 (parents), 30:19, 30:22, 32:13 (predecessors), 32:14, (predecessors), 32:15 (predecessors), 32:33, 33:8, 33:12, 33:20, 34:21 (‘those who have gone before us’), 34:28, 34:32, 34:33, 35:24, 36:15; Ezra 5:12, 7:27, 8:28, 9:7, 10:11; Neh. 2:5, 9:2, 9:9, 9:16, 9:23, 9:32, 9:34, 9:36, 13:18; Job 8:8; Ps. 22:4, 44:1, 78:3, 78:5, 78:8, 78:12, 78:57, 95:9, 106:6, 107:7; Prov. 22:28; Isa. 14:21, 37:12, 39:6 (predecessors), 64:11, 65:7; Jer. 2:5, 3:18, 3:24, 3:25, 6:21 (parents), 7:7, 7:14, 7:22, 7:25, 7:26, 9:14, 9:16, 11:4, 11:5, 11:7, 11:10 (x2), 13:14 (parents), 14:20, 16:11, 16:12, 16:13, 16:19, 17:22, 19:4, 23:27, 23:39, 24:10, 25:5, 30:3, 31:29 (parents), 31:32, 32:18 (parents’), 32:22, 34:5, 34:13, 34:14, 35:15, 44:3, 44:9, 44:10, 44:17, 44:21, 47:3 (parents), 50:7; Lam. 5:7 (parents); Ezek. 2:3, 5:10 (x2 parents), 18:2 (parents), 20:4, 20:18 (parents), 20:24 (parents), 20:27, 20:30, 20:42, 36:28, 37:25, 47:14; Dan. 2:23, 9:6, 9:8, 9:16, 11:37, 11:38, Hos. 9:10; Joel 1:2; Mic. 7:20; Zech. 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 8:14; Mal. 2:10, 3:7, 4:6 (2x) 4

10. Diminishing the role of the father in ancient Israelite society (11 inaccuracies)

Comment: Although the Hebrew text speaks several times of a "father's house" or "father's family" and uses the ordinary Hebrew word for "father" (’ab), the TNIV eliminated the word "father" and substituted "family" or some other expression. The new expressions remove any suggestion of a father's leadership role in the family. These TNIV verses are not translated accurately as a result, but these verses are consistent with the TNIV practice of removing male-oriented details of meaning from the text of the Bible.

Examples:

1 Samuel 18:2
NIV: From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house.

TNIV: From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.

2 Chronicles 21:13
NIV: But you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your father's house, men who were better than you.

TNIV: But you have followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and you have led Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab did. You have also murdered your own brothers, members of your own family, men who were better than you.

Complete List:
1 Sam. 2:27, 2:30, 2:31, 9:20, 17:25, 18:2, 22:11; 2 Sam. 3:29, 14:9; 1 Kgs. 2:31; 2 Chron. 21:13

C. Changes Made to Avoid the Word “Brother”

11. Changing “brother” (singular) to another word that has no familial connotation (26 inaccuracies)

Comment: The Hebrew word ’ah (singular) basically means "brother," either in a narrow sense to mean a male sibling in one's own family or else in a broader sense of a relative or a member of the same tribe or people (a sense the English word "brother" also has). Even when used in a broader sense the word carries a connotation of a family relationship which is reflected in the English word "brother," and this makes "brother" a good translation with a semantic range very close to the Hebrew term. But the TNIV in several verses has changed "brother" to various words that do not have any familial sense, such as "someone" or "fellow Israelite," or has eliminated the word altogether. This makes for a less accurate translation, and it follows the TNIV pattern of inappropriately eliminating many maleoriented words.
In several verses the Hebrew text uses the singular ’ah (“brother”) as a male example to teach a general truth that applies to all people, as in Lev. 19:17, “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” But the TNIV will not allow the Bible to use a male example to teach a general truth in verses like this, so the verse has been changed to, “Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart” (TNIV; the first instance of the pronoun “your” is not translated at all in the TNIV). The actual word in the Hebrew text means “brother” but the TNIV will not allow the Bible to say “brother” in verses like this.

Examples:

Deuteronomy 19:18
NIV: The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother,

TNIV: The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony,

Complete List:
Lev. 19:17 (>fellow Israelite); Deut. 1:16 (brother>two), 15:2 (his fellow Israelite or brother> anyone among their own people), 15:3 (>one of your people), 15:9 (your needy brother>the needy among your people), 15:11 (brothers>those of your people), 17:15 (brother Israelite>an Israelite), 19:18 (removed!), 19:19 (>the other party), 22:1 (>someone else’s), 22:2 (>owner), 22:4 (>someone’s), 23:7 (>are related to you [pluralized]), 25:3 (>Israelite neighbor); 2 Sam. 2:27 (>them); 1 Kgs. 20:32 (>an old ally), 20:33 (>old ally); Prov. 18:9 (>a close relative), 27:10 (x2 – relative/’s) [this change fits the general TNIV pattern of eliminating male examples used to teach a general truth]; Isa. 9:19 (>each other), 41:6 (his brother>their companions); Jer. 9:4 (x2 – people, one of them); Ezek. 38:21 (>fellow); Hag. 2:22 (>comrade)

D. Changes Made to Avoid the Word “Man”

12. Removing “man” when the original Hebrew means “a male human being” (’ish, gibbor, zaqar, bahur, and also ’adam [but only when ’adam refers to a specific male person]) (247 inaccuracies)

Comment: Several Hebrew words that mean "man" and not "person" (unless they appear in certain recognized idioms) are changed and made gender-neutral. This is not because the meanings of these male-oriented Hebrew words have changed (the meanings have been known for centuries), but because the TNIV found these male-oriented words offensive to our modern culture, so it eliminated the most accurate translation "man" and substituted various other gender-neutral words. In each case this makes the translation less accurate because it eliminates male-specific meaning that is there in the Hebrew text.

It is especially difficult to understand cases like Deut. 21:15 (below). Why should the TNIV refuse to say that a person who “has two wives” is a man? Or in 1 Kings 9:5, what can be the objection to letting readers know that God promised David that his descendants would never lack a man on the throne of Israel?

Also troubling is Proverbs 27:17, a verse that is used as a theme verse for so many men’s ministries: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” But the TNIV removes the men from this verse, even though the Hebrew word ’ish clearly means “man”! With 3,686 male-oriented words expunged, the TNIV is not a Bible that will appeal to men, and this verse is an excellent example.

Examples:

Deuteronomy 21:15
NIV: If a man (’ish) has two wives, and he loves one but not the other...

TNIV: If someone has two wives, and he loves one but not the other…

1 Kings 9:5
NIV: I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man (’ish) on the throne of Israel.'

TNIV: I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'

Proverbs 27:17
NIV: As iron sharpens iron, so one man (’ish) sharpens another.

TNIV: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Isaiah 52:14 [Messianic passage]
NIV: Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man (’ish) and his form marred beyond human likeness—

TNIV: Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—

Complete List:
Gen. 2:5, 3:24, 25:27, 27:11; Exod. 11:7, 19:13, 21:20, 22:5; Lev. 16:21, 17:4, 25:26, 25:27, 25:29, 27:14, 27:16, 27:20, 27:28, 27:31; Num. 9:13 (x2), 16:17, 16:18, 17:9, 27:16; Deut. 11:25, 21:15, 21:18, 21:22, 27:15, 29:20, 33:8; Josh. 10:14; Jdg. 7:6, 7:7, 8:25, 16:19, 20:20, 20:22, 20:31; 1 Sam. 1:21, 9:9, 11:8, 14:1, 14:24, 14:28, 26:2, 30:10 (x2); 2 Sam. 16:7, 17:25, 20:1, 20:13; 1 Kgs. 2:4, 7:14, 8:25, 9:5, 22:8; 2 Kgs. 1:8, 7:5, 7:10, 9:4, 10:14, 18:21, 25:19; 1 Chron. 26:12; 2 Chron. 6:16, 7:18, 18:7, 23:7, 34:30; Neh. 5:13, 6:11, 7:2; Ezra 4:21 (Aramaic gebar “man”), 5:4 (Aramaic gebar “man”), 6:8 (Aramaic gebar “man”); Job 4:17, 10:5, 11:12, 14:10, 14:14, 15:16, 16:21 (x2), 22:2, 32:21, 33:29, 34:7, 34:9, 34:11, 34:21, 34:23, 34:30, 35:8, 37:20, 38:3, 38:26, 40:7; Ps. 1:1, 5:6, 18:48, 22:6, 25:12, 34:8, 37:23, 37:37, 38:14, 39:6, 39:11 (x2), 40:4, 43:1, 49:7, 49:16, 52:7, 62:3, 64:6, 88:4, 89:48, 94:12, 104:23, 112:1, 140:1, 140:4, 140:11; Prov. 3:31, 5:21, 10:23, 11:12, 11:17, 12:2, 12:8, 12:14, 12:25, 13:2, 13:8, 14:7, 14:12, 14:14, 14:17, 15:18, 15:21, 15:23, 16:2, 16:7, 16:14, 16:25, 16:28, 16:29, 17:27, 18:4, 18:12, 18:14, 18:20, 18:24, 19:6, 19:21, 19:22, 20:3, 20:5 (x2), 20:6, 20:17, 20:24, 21:2, 21:29, 22:29, 24:5 (x2), 24:29, 24:30 (’adam means “man” here because of ’ish in 24:30a), 25:14, 25:18, 25:28, 26:12, 26:19, 26:21, 27:8, 27:17, 27:21, 28:11, 28:20, 28:21, 28:22, 29:1, 29:5, 29:6, 29:9, 29:20, 29:22, 29:23, 29:26; Eccl. 4:4, 6:2, 7:5, 11:9; Isa. 5:3, 5:7, 7:21, 31:3, 31:8, 32:2, 36:6, 44:13 (x2), 52:14 (man>human being, messianic context), 55:7, 66:3, 66:7; Jer. 9:12, 10:23 (x2), 13:11, 14:9, 17:5, 17:7, 17:10, 23:9, 23:36, 31:34 (x2), 32:32, 35:13, 35:19, 49:18, 49:33, 50:40, 51:43; Lam. 3:1, 3:27, 3:35, 3:39 (’adam parallel to geber); Ezek. 14:8, 18:8, 22:30, 28:2; Dan. 10:19; Hos. 6:9, 9:7; Amos 2:11; Mic. 2:2 (x2), 5:7, 6:8, 7:6; Zech. 4:1; Mal. 2:12

12a. The Hebrew nouns gibbor and gibborim when previously translated “mighty man/men” (21 inaccuracies)

Comment: The Hebrew noun gibbor means “strong, valiant man” (Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 150; the word is related to the adjective gibbor which means “strong, mighty”). At least since the King James Version of the Bible (1611), the term gibbor has been translated as “mighty men” when referring to King David’s elite circle of “thirty mighty men” and then his even greater “three mighty men” (especially in 2 Sam. 23 and 1 Chron. 11). The NIV had translated this word correctly as “mighty men” in these contexts, indicating both the strength of these men and their manhood. Surely in that ancient culture there were no women among David’s thirty “mighty men”! It is hard to understand then why the TNIV changes and calls them “mighty warriors.” But it is consistent with the TNIV pattern of removing male-oriented words from the text.

In an age when books are being written about the way men are staying away from church, it is ironic that the TNIV removes David’s “mighty men.” What man who reads about David’s mighty men has not wanted to imitate their courage, their strength against evil, their faithfulness to God in serving their king? But in the TNIV they are no longer men! The TNIV is not a Bible that will appeal to men.

Examples:

2 Samuel 23:8
NIV: These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

TNIV: These are the names of David's mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

Complete List:
(“mighty men” > “mighty warriors” unless indicated otherwise) 2 Sam. 23:8, 23:9, 23:16, 23:17, 23:22, 1 Chron. 11:10, 11:11, 11:12, 11:19, 11:24, 11:26, 12:4, 27:6, 28:1 (x2, including “gibbor of strength”), 29:24, Ps. 52:1 (mighty man> mighty hero), 78:65 (mighty man>mighty warrior), Isa. 42:13 (mighty man>mighty champion), Zech. 10:5, 10:7

13. Removing mentions of the manhood of certain specific men (9 inaccuracies)

Comment: These verses are different from category 12 in that the Hebrew terms used (such as ’enosh or the plural ’anashim) may not always mean “man” or “men,” but they sometimes have that meaning, such as in these verses where the context shows that a specific man or only male human beings are in view. The 1984 NIV had the words "man" or “men” used accurately in these verses, but the TNIV has removed the word "man" even to refer to these specific individual men.

Examples:

Psalm 55:13 (A maskil of David)
NIV: But it is you, a man (’enosh) like myself, my companion, my close friend,

TNIV: But it is you, one like myself, my companion, my close friend,

Complete List:
Josh. 2:5; Jdg. 8:15; 2 Sam. 2:14, 2:21, 4:2; Ezra 6:8; Ps. 55:13; Jer. 51:14; Ezek. 28:9

14. Removing “man” when it means “the human race” in the early parts of Genesis (20 inaccuracies)

Comment: God's activity of naming is important in the Bible. In Genesis 5:2 God names the human race "man" (’adam ). That is the best translation because in the previous four chapters this same singular Hebrew word ’adam has been used eight times to refer to man in distinction from woman (as in “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame,” Gen. 2:25), and also five times as the proper name “Adam.” So Hebrew readers would hear clear male nuances when God named the human race ’adam in Genesis 5:2, and “man” is the best English translation. The TNIV incorrectly translates this word “human beings,” which removes the male-oriented aspect of the name God gave the human race and also obscures the unity of the race that is suggested by the singular term "man" (and the Hebrew singular ’adam). In this way the TNIV has renamed the human race with a gender-neutral term that is unlike the male-specific name God gave to it.

Beyond the context of the early chapters of Genesis the male nuance of ’adam is not as clear, so we have not included in this list over 180 other verses where ’adam refers to the whole human race or a significant or representative part of it. In many of these verses we would probably prefer the translation “man” (as it reflects this naming activity in Gen. 5:2 and retains a singular that reflects the unity of the race), but we can see that other translations might also be thought legitimate because the verses use ’adam and not ’ish, so we have not categorized them as translation inaccuracies. (We have included these verses in a separate paragraph following this section.)

Examples:

Genesis 1:26
NIV: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

TNIV: So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 5:2
NIV: He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."(’adam)

TNIV: He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "human beings."

Genesis 9:6
NIV: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

TNIV: Whoever sheds human blood, by human beings shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made humankind.

Complete List:
Gen. 1:26 (human beings), 1:27 (human beings), 5:1 (human beings), 5:2 (human beings), 6:1 (men>human beings), 6:2 (men>removed), 6:3 (human beings), 6:4 (men>human beings), 6:5 (human race), 6:6 (human beings), 6:7 (x2 – mankind>human race, men>with them), 7:21 (mankind>human race), 7:23, 8:21 (human beings),19:5, 9:6 (x3) 7

Additional note: Category 14.01: not counted as “inaccuracies”: Also of interest is another category of changes (not counted in this list) in verses that use the singular noun ’adam to speak of the whole human race, or part of the human race, or something characteristic of the human race. These are places that have been traditionally translated “man,” and we would prefer the translation “man” here, but we recognize that ’adam is not as male-specific as ’ish. In addition, because these verses are distant from any contextual connection to the male-specific uses of ’adam in the early chapters of Genesis, many of these verses could legitimately be translated "the person" or "one" so we have not counted these as translation “inaccuracies.” In a number of cases the TNIV has also changed these to plurals, or has used “human” or “people” or some similar expression (cf. Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament s.v. ’adam, meaning 2): (183 examples, but not counted in this list of inaccuracies.)
Examples:

Proverbs 3:4
NIV: Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

TNIV: Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and humankind.

Complete List:
Exod. 4:11, 8:17, 8:18, 9:9, 9:10, 9:19, 9:22, 9:25, 12:12, 13:2, 13:15, 30:32, Lev. 24:21, 27:28, Deut. 4:32, 5:24, 1 Sam. 16:7 (x2), 26:19, 2 Sam. 7:19, 23:3, 24:14, 1 Kgs. 5:11, 2 Kgs. 7:10, 19:18, 1 Chron. 21:13, 29:1, 2 Chron. 6:18, 19:6, 32:19, Neh. 2:12, Job 5:7, 7:20, 11:12, 14:1, 14:10, 20:4, 21:4, 21:33, 28:28, 31:33, 33:17, 33:23, 34:11, 34:15 (removed), 34:29, 36:25, 36:28, 37:7, Ps. 22:6, 36:6, 39:5, 39:11, 49:12, 49:20, 56:11, 58:11, 60:11, 64:9, 68:18, 76:10, 94:10, 94:11, 104:14, 104:23, 108:12, 115:4, 118:6, 118:8, 119:134, 124:2, 135:15, 144:3, 144:4, Prov. 3:4, 3:13, 8:34, 12:3, 16:1, 16:9, 17:18, 19:3, 19:11, 19:22, 20:25 (removed), 20:27, 21:16, 24:9, 24:30, 27:19 (x2), 27:20, 28:12, 28:17, 28:23, 29:23, 29:25, 30:2, 30:14, Ecc. 1:3, 2:21, 2:22, 2:24, 2:26, 3:19, 3:22, 5:18, 6:7, 6:10, 6:12, 7:2, 7:14, 7:20, 7:29, 8:6, 8:8, 8:15, 8:17, 9:1, 9:12, 11:8, 12:5, 12:13, Isa. 2:9, 2:17, 2:20, 2:22, 5:15, 13:12, 17:7, 29:21, 31:3, 43:4, 44:15 (removed), 58:5, Jer. 7:20, 9:21 (removed), 16:20, 17:5, 21:6, 31:27, 32:19, 32:20, 32:43, 33:5, 33:10, 33:12, 36:29, 45:12, 49:15, 50:3, 51:14, 51:62, Lam. 3:36, 3:39 (removed), Ezek. 14:7, 14:19, 19:3, 19:6, 20:11, 20:13, 20:21, 25:13, 29:8, 29:11, 32:13, 36:13, 36:14, Amos 4:13, Jon. 3:7, 3:8, Hab. 1:14, 2:8, 2:17, Zeph 1:3 (x2), Hag. 1:11, Zech. 2:8, 8:10 (x2), 9:1, 12:1, Mal. 3:8

14a. Hebrew ’enosh meaning “man” when referring to the human race or a representative part of it, changed to “mortals” (11 inaccuracies)

Comment: The term ’enosh could mean “man, mankind” (Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 60) or perhaps “person, human being” (with no male connotation) depending on the context. But several times the TNIV has used the translation “mortal/mortals,” which we count as inaccurate because it wrongly places a focus on mortality or liability to death, and this is not the meaning of the Hebrew word and is not true of man as originally created by God.

Examples:

Psalm 8:4
NIV: what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

TNIV: what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalm 103:15
NIV: As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like
a flower of the field;

TNIV: As for mortals, their days are like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;

Complete List:
2 Chron. 14:11 (mere mortals); Job 7:1 (mortals), 15:14 (mortals), 33:12 (any mortal), 36:25 (mortals); Ps. 8:4 (man>mere mortals), 9:19 (mortals), 9:20 (mortals), 10:18 (mere earthly mortals), 103:15 (mortals); Isa. 51:12 (mortal men>mere mortals)

14b. Hebrew bene-’adam (literally "children of man" but often "mankind" or "men" in the NIV) changed to something which removes man or men. (28 inaccuracies)

Examples:

Deuteronomy 32:8
NIV: When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

TNIV: When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all the human race, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel.

Proverbs 8:4
NIV: To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

TNIV: To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all humankind.

Complete List:
Gen. 11:5 (the men>they); Deut. 32:8 (human race); 2 Chron. 6:30 (human); Ps. 12:1 (men>human race, 12:8 (men>human race), 21:11 (mankind>human race), 31:20 (men>all), 33:13 (mankind>humankind), 66:5 (humankind), 89:47 (men>humanity), 90:3 (men>people), 107:15 (men> humankind), 107:21 (men>humankind), 107:31 (men>humankind), 115:16 (humankind), 145:12 (men> people); Prov. 8:4 (mankind>humankind), 8:31 (mankind>humankind); Eccl. 1:13 (men>human race), 2:3 (men>people), 3:10 (men> human race), 3:18 (men> human beings), 3:19 (x2 – human beings; humans), 3:21 (human), 9:3 (men>people); Ezek. 31:14 (mortal men> mortals); Mic. 5:7 (mankind>human being)

15. Removing comparisons between God and a man (4 inaccuracies)

Comment: Since the Bible often speaks of God in male-oriented terms such as "Father" and "King," it is not surprising that in comparisons the Bible sometimes says that God does something "like a man" or that he is not "like a man," using the male-specific term ’ish. But these comparisons to a man have been removed by the TNIV. Why is there an objection to saying that God is like a man, or unlike a man, if that is what the Hebrew text means?

Examples:

Exodus 33:11
NIV: The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man (’ish) speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

TNIV: The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Numbers 23:19
NIV: God is not a man (’ish), that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

TNIV: God is not a human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Complete List:
Exod. 33:11 (’ish); Num. 23:19 (’ish); Job 9:32 (’ish); Hos. 11:9 (’ish)

16. Renaming occupations generally held by men in ancient Israel (33 inaccuracies)

Comment: In the verses below, designations of occupa-tions have been changed to gender-neutral terms even in cases where the context or activity indicates that men were in view. These changes follow the general TNIV pattern of eliminating much of the male-oriented language in the Bible.

Examples:

Genesis 13:7
NIV: And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

TNIV: And quarreling arose between Abram's herders and the herders of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

Complete List:
Gen. 13:7 (x2 – herdsmen > herders), 13:8 (herdsmen > herders), 26:20 (x2 – herdsmen > herders; herdsmen… Isaac’s herdsmen > herders…those of Isaac); Exod. 5:6 (foremen > overseers), 5:10 (foremen > overseers), 5:14 (foremen > overseers), 5:15 (foremen > overseers), 5:19 (foremen > overseers); Deut. 27:15 (craftsmen > skilled hands); 1 Kgs. 5:18 (craftsmen > skilled workers), 7:14 (craftsman > skilled worker); 2 Kgs. 24:14 (craftsmen > skilled workers), 24:16 (craftsmen > skilled workers); 1 Chron. 4:14 (craftsmen > skilled workers), 29:5 (crafts-men > skilled workers); 2 Chron. 2:14 (craftsmen > skilled workers); Neh. 4:22 (workmen > workers); Isa. 3:3(craftsmen > skilled workers), 19:8 (fishermen>those who fish), 40:19 (craftsman>metal worker), 40:20 (crafts-man>skilled worker), 41:7 (craftsmen > skilled workers), 44:11 (craftsmen > skilled workers); Jer. 10:3 (craftsman > skilled worker), 10:9 (craftsman > engraver), 24:1 (crafts-men > skilled workers), 29:2 (craftsmen > skilled work-ers), 52:15 (craftsmen > skilled workers); Ezek. 47:10 (fishermen>those who fish); Hos. 8:6 (craftsman > met-alworker), 13:2 (craftsmen > skilled hands)

17. Hebrew ’anashim (which can mean either "peo-ple" or "men" depending on context) where the con-text indicates that only men were in view. (11 inaccu-racies)

Examples:

Joshua 10:18
NIV: he said, "Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it.

TNIV: he said, "Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some guards there.

Joshua 18:9
NIV: So the men left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll, town by town, in seven parts, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

TNIV: So they left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll, town by town, in seven parts, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

Complete List:
Josh. 10:18, 18:9; Jdg. 9:28, 9:57, 20:12; 1 Sam. 17:26; 1 Kings 1:9; 2 Chron. 34:12; Neh. 2:12, 13:25; Zech. 3:8

E. Changes Made to Avoid the Word “Son”

18. Removing “son of man” (6 inaccuracies)

Comment: The Hebrew word ben (singular) means "son," not "person" or "child." But in a number of cases the TNIV has translated it with a gender-neutral expression rather than using the most accurate translation, "son," which apparently was unacceptable because it was male-oriented. With the expression "son of man" this is particu-larly troubling because the expression is used so often by Jesus to speak of himself. This inappropriate TNIV change to Psalm 8:4 is also made in the New Testament when the verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:6 with a subse-quent Messianic application to Jesus.

Examples:

Psalm 8:4
NIV: what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

TNIV: what are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Numbers 23:19
NIV: God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

TNIV: God is not a human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Job 25:6
NIV: how much less man, who is but a maggot—a son of man, who is only a worm!

TNIV: how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot—a human being, who is only a worm!

Complete List:
Num. 23:19; Job 25:6 [“son of man” > “human being”], 35:8 [“sons of men” > “member of the human race” (Heb. is singular ben-’adam)]; Ps. 8:4 ["son of man" > "human beings"]; 144:3 [“son of man” (ben-’enosh in Heb.) > “mortals”]; Isa. 51:12 [“sons of men” > “human beings” (Heb. is singular ben-’adam)]

19. Changing singular ben (“son”) to “child” or “children” (19 inaccuracies)

Comment: These are inaccurate changes because in Hebrew ben (singular) always means “son,” not “child,” and certainly not "children" (plural). The TNIV again follows a pattern of not allowing English readers to know that the Bible uses an example of a specific male child to teach a general truth in verses like this (as in Deut. 6:20 or Prov. 13:24, below). In such verses, instead of letting readers know what the verse actually says, the TNIV has inaccurately translated the singular word that means "son" with a gender-neutral plural word such as "children."

Some people today might not like it that the Bible frequently uses a male example to teach a general truth, but we should still continue to translate what the Bible actually does say, not change it to something that some people might like it to say.

Examples:

Deuteronomy 6:20
NIV: In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?" …

TNIV: In the future, when your children ask you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?"…

Proverbs 13:24
NIV: He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

TNIV: Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are careful to discipline them.

Complete List:
Exod. 13:14 ; Deut. 6:20, 7:4 ; Prov. 10:1 (x2), 13:1, 13:24, 15:20, 17:25, 19:13, 19:18, 19:26, 19:27, 27:11, 28:7, 29:17; Eccl. 5:14; Ezek. 18:4, 18:202

F. Changes Made to Avoid the Word “Women”

20. Changing “women” to “weaklings” (4 inaccuracies)

Comment: Some Old Testament verses show judgment or shame on a nation when its soldiers are women or have become “like women.” Several writers have appealed to these verses in recent years to argue that women should not serve in combat functions in our military forces, for the Bible views it as shameful and a mark of disgrace to a nation – it is the responsibility of the men of a nation to bear the burden of protecting it in time of war.

In each of these four verses the Hebrew word is nashim, the plural of ’ishshah and the ordinary, common word for “women” (it is not a rare word, and there is no debate or uncertainty over its meaning, for ’ishshah occurs 847 times in the Old Testament).

But in these verses related to military combat, the TNIV has removed the correct translation “women” and replaced it with “weaklings.” The word does not mean that. Perhaps some people think that is what these verses imply, but that is not what they say. Perhaps the verses also suggest shame that any people would allow their women to serve in combat, or shame that all the men have been defeated and only women are left to defend a nation. In any case, the point is that even the original Hebrew readers would have had to ponder for a moment what the verse meant when it said the troops had become women (or in some verses had become “like women”). It is not proper translation to hide from the English readers the fact that the Bible said in these verses that some troops had become women or had become “like women.”

The TNIV is a “gender-neutral” version because it eliminates so many gender-specific words from the Bible when they accurately represent the original text, mostly male-specific terms but in this case female-specific terms as well.

Examples:

Nahum 3:13 (judgment against Nineveh)
NIV: Look at your troops-- they are all women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed their bars.

TNIV: Look at your troops-- they are all weaklings. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed the bars of your gates.

Isaiah 19:16
NIV: In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the LORD Almighty raises against them.

TNIV: In that day the Egyptians will become weaklings. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the LORD Almighty raises against them.

Complete List:
Isa. 19:16 (against Egypt), Jer. 50:37 (against Babylon), Jer. 51:30 (against Babylon), Nah. 3:13 (against Nineveh)