Defining Proper Language

[keithr]

I take it this literal translation appeals to you. However, it makes no logical sense in any language does it?

It does in English! Like Adam, we are all dying, and we will eventually die.

Romans 6:23 (WEB):

(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.​

Matthew 8:21-22 (WEB):

(21) Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
(22) But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

(If we're not yet saved then although we are alive, we are dying and will die, so God considers us dead.)​

Ephesians 2:1 (WEB):

(1) You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,​

1 Corinthians 1:18 (WEB):

(18) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.​

The CJB has the best translation I found to match what you are saying about GE 2:17. "You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die.”

I'm not familiar with the Complete Jewish Bible, but I agree that it translates this verse better than the KJV.

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[Wrangler]

It does in English! Like Adam, we are all dying, and we will eventually die.

I guess we fundamentally disagree that living and dying are synonyms. We are all living. Only some of us are dying - as that word carries a meaning whose antonym is living.

 

[keithr]

I guess we fundamentally disagree that living and dying are synonyms. We are all living. Only some of us are dying - as that word carries a meaning whose antonym is living.

Then you are being literal and disagreeing with Jesus! :) :

Matthew 8:22

But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.​

Paul wrote similarly about the unsaved being considered dead, in Ephesians 2:5:

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)​

This is an example of figurative speech, unlike Genesis 2:17. Those not saved are considered dead, even before they have died (so in the above Matthew verse the first 'dead' is figurative and the second is literal). Also Christians are considered dead (figuratively) too!:

Colossians 3:3 (KJV):

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God". Or (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God".​

Colossians 2:20 (WEB):

If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,​

I'm afraid that even we Christians are dying, and we don't get given immortal life until we are resurrected (born again). I am 64 years old, and I can already see and feel the effects of dying in my slowly decaying body. But hey, let's rejoice! Happy Christmas!