No Distractions

This post was written by Karyn on December 6, 2009
Posted Under: Hebrew Bible,Humor,Translation

In doing some searches in Accordance, I happened to notice that there are no distractions in the Hebrew bible.

No Hebrew word is translated by ESV, NIV, NRSV, NET (or many others) as “distract,” “distracted,” or “distractions.” The KJV does translate ‏אָפוּנָה found in Psalm 88:15 as “distracted,” but this word is found only here in the HB and does not have consensus for translation. In the NT there is only one verse that is translated with the word “distracted” (Luke 10:40).

I, on the other hand, am quite distracted lately.

Reader Comments

What led you to that search?

Written By danielandtonya on December 7th, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

Very interesting observation, particularly in light of what a hot topic multitasking (and the distraction that might come with it) is now.

I added a few “distractions” that you missed (Luke 10:41, NRSV; I Corinthians 7:35, many translations; and Exodus 5:4, NLT and NJB, except not really) here.

Written By Joel H. on December 8th, 2009 @ 11:03 am